Recipe: Garlic Butter Shrimp Tacos with Lime Slaw (Complete Recipe)

2026-02-21

These tacos come together fast and deliver big flavor: juicy shrimp, buttery garlic notes, crisp slaw, and bright lime finish. Serves 4 (about 12 tacos).

**Ingredients** - 1 1/2 pounds large shrimp, peeled and deveined - 1 teaspoon chili powder - 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika - 1/2 teaspoon cumin - 3/4 teaspoon kosher salt - 1/2 teaspoon black pepper - 2 tablespoons olive oil - 2 tablespoons butter - 3 cloves garlic, minced - Juice of 1 lime - 12 small corn tortillas

**Lime Slaw** - 3 cups shredded cabbage mix - 1/4 cup chopped cilantro - 2 tablespoons mayo or Greek yogurt - 1 tablespoon lime juice - 1 teaspoon honey - Pinch of salt

**Optional Toppings** - Sliced avocado - Pickled red onions - Hot sauce

**Instructions** 1. In a bowl, toss shrimp with chili powder, paprika, cumin, salt, and pepper. 2. In another bowl, combine slaw ingredients and refrigerate. 3. Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add shrimp in one layer and cook 1–2 minutes per side. 4. Add butter and garlic; cook 30 seconds until fragrant. Turn off heat, squeeze in lime juice, and toss. 5. Warm tortillas in a dry skillet or directly over a gas flame for charred edges. 6. Assemble tacos: slaw first, then shrimp, then toppings.

**Why it works** Shrimp cook quickly, so the spice blend and garlic butter coat flavor without drying. Lime slaw adds acidity and crunch to balance richness.

**Timing** - Prep: 15 minutes - Cook: 10 minutes - Total: 25 minutes

For meal prep, keep slaw and shrimp separate. Reheat shrimp gently to avoid overcooking.

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