Spice things up for your next Taco Tuesday with these easy Blackened Shrimp Tacos! Spicy shrimp are cooked with Cajun seasoning, folded into toasted corn tortillas and topped with the best cilantro lime cream sauce. Make this healthy taco recipe for a quick dinner in under 30 minutes that the whole family will love!

Overhead picture of easy blackened shrimp recipe with sauce on the side.

Blackened Shrimp Tacos Recipe

The obsession with combining spicy seafood and creamy sauces began with these Blackened Fish Tacos and then evolved into the Blackened Shrimp Tacos that you see here.

There’s just something about the combination of flavors that make your taste buds want to dance!

Plus, from start to finish you can have everything prepped, cooked, and ready to eat in under 30 minutes.

Simply whisk together the blackening seasoning, sauté the shrimp, then serve in warm corn tortilla or flour tortillas with the most delicious cilantro lime sauce.

This shrimp taco recipe is perfect for a busy weeknight meal.

Want to take them up another notch? Try mixing up this fish taco cabbage slaw to serve with them, too!

Easy Blackened Shrimp Tacos for dinner on a white table with sauce.

Ingredients

  • Shrimp. Jumbo shrimp are used in this recipe. To keep it extra simple and easy, buy shrimp that has already been peeled, deveined, and has the tails removed. You can also use shrimp that have not been prepared. Just know that it will take another 20-30 minutes to peel, devein, and remove the tails. If possible, get fresh shrimp rather than frozen.
  • Blackened seasoning. Make your own homemade blackened seasoning with easy spices you likely have on hand. Or, grab a bottle from the grocery store.  
  • Tortillas. Toasted corn tortillas are a delicious and healthy option. You can use white or yellow corn tortillas.
  • Taco sauce. Homemade cilantro lime sauce made with Greek yogurt is the best for complementing the spicy blackened shrimp. 
  • Toppings. Use your favorite taco additions like sliced avocadoshredded cabbage, and cilantro. 
5 Secrets to Healthier Family Dinners
Tips & recipes for getting yummy — and healthy — meals on the table.

How to Make Blackened Shrimp Tacos

Please see the recipe card below for more detailed ingredient amounts.

1. Season the Shrimp

Peel and devein the raw shrimp if needed. Set the prepared shrimp in a large bowl. 

Carefully whisk together the paprika, garlic powder, cayenne pepper, oregano, salt, and pepper in a small or medium bowl.

Sprinkle the blackened seasoning blend over the shrimp.

2. Sauté the Shrimp

Add butter or oil to a large cast iron skillet or pan over medium heat.

Place half of the seasoned shrimp in the hot skillet and cook for 3 to 4 minutes. Keep them in a single layer. Repeat with remaining shrimp.

Learn more about how to make Blackened Shrimp for a main dish!

Recipe Tip

The sauté times mentioned in this recipe are for jumbo shrimp. If you happen to buy anything smaller, the cooking times will need to be shorter.

3. Make the Sauce

In the bowl of a food processor or high-speed blendercombine the yogurt, cilantro, lime juice, olive oil, and salt. Process until smooth.

4. Serve the Tacos

When you’re ready to dig in, add shrimp to warm corn tortillas. (For the best tortillas, slightly heat the corn tortillas with some coconut oil in a skillet.)

Top the Cajun shrimp tacos with the sauce along with some shredded red cabbage, avocado slices, and extra cilantro. You can also add sour cream, chopped green onionsdiced red onion, or lime wedges.

A spoon dipping into cilantro lime shrimp taco sauce on a white plate.

FAQs

What is the best type of shrimp to use for tacos? 

Peeled, deveined, and tail-removed jumbo shrimp makes for delicious and easy-to-make tacos.

What sauce can I make to go with shrimp tacos? 

Tartar sauce, cilantro lime sauce, avocado ranchremoulade saucesecret sauce, and ranch dressing all go well on shrimp tacos. 

What goes good with shrimp tacos? 

Rice, beans, corn, or coleslaw all pair wonderfully with shrimp tacos. 

What’s the best way to season shrimp? 

Taco seasoning, butter, garlic, and lime are all great shrimp seasoning options. For the best shrimp tacos, though, a blackened seasoning is perfect!

Recipe Tips

  • Save even more time. Shred the cabbage and make the sauce in advance. 
  • Go easy. Buy shrimp that have already been peeled and deveined. 
  • Get toasty. Warm your tortillas in a hot cast iron pan. 
  • Make it low-carb. Ditch the tortillas and serve the shrimp, sauce, and toppings over cauliflower rice. 
Close up picture of easy shrimp tacos garnished with cilantro.

What to Serve with Spicy Shrimp Tacos?

These spicy shrimp tacos taste even better when paired with these other dishes.

Serve Cilantro Lime Rice or Instant Pot Mexican Rice and Instant Pot Black Beans on the side.

Of course, Baked Tortilla Chips with Homemade GuacamolePico de GalloTomatillo Salsa VerdeRoasted Tomato Salsa, or Fresh Mango Avocado Salsa are perfect for everyone.

Other Easy Taco Recipes

If you can’t get enough tacos, be sure to try one of these delicious recipes next.

Tap stars to rate!

4.64 from 11 votes

Blackened Shrimp Tacos Recipe

Spice things up for your next Taco Tuesday with these easy Blackened Shrimp Tacos! Spicy shrimp are cooked with Cajun seasoning, folded into toasted corn tortillas and topped with the best cilantro lime cream sauce.
Yield 8 tacos
Prep 15 minutes
Cook 15 minutes
Total 30 minutes

Ingredients 

Blackened Shrimp

  • 1 ½ lbs. shrimp jumbo, deveined, tails removed
  • 2 Tbsp. butter or olive oil
  • 1 tsp. paprika
  • ¼ tsp. garlic powder
  • ⅛-¼ tsp. cayenne pepper
  • ¼ tsp. oregano dried
  • ¾ tsp. salt
  • ½ tsp. pepper

Cilantro Lime Sauce

  • ½ cup Greek yogurt plain, dairy-free
  • cup cilantro
  • 1 Tbsp. lime juice
  • 1 Tbsp. olive oil
  • ¼ tsp. salt

Tacos & Toppings

Instructions 

  • Season Shrimp: Place deveined shrimp in a large bowl. In a medium-sized bowl whisk together paprika, garlic powder, cayenne pepper, oregano, salt, and pepper. Sprinkle seasonings over shrimp and toss to combine.
    1 ½ lbs. shrimp, 1 tsp. paprika, ¼ tsp. garlic powder, ⅛-¼ tsp. cayenne pepper, ¼ tsp. oregano, ¾ tsp. salt, ½ tsp. pepper
  • Sauté Shrimp: Place butter or oil in a cast iron skillet over medium heat. Add half of the shrimp to the skillet. Cook shrimp for 3-4 minutes per side. Repeat with remaining shrimp.
    2 Tbsp. butter
  • Make the Sauce: While shrimp are cooking add yogurt, cilantro, lime juice, olive oil, and salt to the bowl of a food processor. Process until smooth.
    ½ cup Greek yogurt, ⅓ cup cilantro, 1 Tbsp. lime juice, 1 Tbsp. olive oil, ¼ tsp. salt
  • Serve shrimp in a toasted corn tortilla with cilantro-lime yogurt sauce, red cabbage, avocado, and additional cilantro.
    8 corn tortillas or cauliflower rice*, 1 cup red cabbage, 1 avocado, Cilantro

Tap stars to rate!

4.64 from 11 votes

Notes

Prep-Ahead Instructions:

To save even more time, shred the cabbage and prepare the sauce in advance. 

Storage Directions:

Keep the prepared sauce and leftover cooked shrimp in separate airtight container in the refrigerator. Store for up to 3 days. Wait until serving to slice the avocado and toast the tortillas. To reheat, warm the shrimp in a skillet over medium heat until heated through.  Freezing is not recommended.

Recipe Tips

  • Go easy. Buy shrimp that has already been peeled and deveined.
  • Get toasty. Warm your tortillas in a hot cast iron pan.
  • Make it low-carb. Ditch the tortillas and serve the shrimp, sauce, and toppings over cauliflower rice.

Nutrition

Calories: 227kcal, Carbohydrates: 16g, Protein: 21g, Fat: 10g, Saturated Fat: 3g, Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g, Monounsaturated Fat: 5g, Trans Fat: 0.1g, Cholesterol: 145mg, Sodium: 386mg, Potassium: 469mg, Fiber: 4g, Sugar: 1g, Vitamin A: 640IU, Vitamin C: 10mg, Calcium: 105mg, Iron: 1mg

Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.

Made this recipe?Leave a comment below!
5 Secrets to Healthier Family Dinners
Tips & recipes for getting yummy — and healthy — meals on the table.

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Comments

  1. 5 stars
    I need to make these again. So good! I love all of the seasoning blend. Basically — Perfect!

    1. Thank you so much, Mike!! The seasoning blend definitely gives these tacos a bit of flavor. Thanks for your comment and rating!!