The Ultimate Shrimp Tacos (with Mango Slaw & Chipotle Mayo!)

Imagine the perfect taco, a vibrant explosion of flavors and textures that transports you straight to a sun-drenched beach. Picture warm, soft tortillas, filled with plump, juicy shrimp that have been perfectly seasoned with a warm, aromatic Caribbean spice blend. Now, imagine them topped with a bright, crunchy, and sweet mango and cabbage slaw, and finished with a creamy, smoky drizzle of chipotle mayo. That, my friends, is the fresh, healthy, and unbelievably delicious magic of these Caribbean Shrimp Tacos. This is, without a doubt, the most flavorful and exciting taco night you will ever have.

I promise you, from the moment the incredible aroma of the spiced shrimp hits the hot pan, you’ll be counting down the seconds until you can take your first bite. This is a true restaurant-quality meal that comes together in just 30 minutes, making it perfect for a fun and healthy weeknight dinner, but so stunningly beautiful and impressive that it’s ideal for entertaining guests. Every single bite is a perfect harmony of spicy, sweet, savory, and creamy.

Get ready to elevate your taco night to a whole new level and create a stunning, unforgettable meal that is a true taste of the Caribbean.

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Why These Will Be Your New Favorite Tacos!

You are going to be completely obsessed with this fresh, vibrant, and incredibly easy recipe. It’s a guaranteed hit. Here’s why you have to make them:

• A True Flavor Explosion: The warm, aromatic Caribbean spice blend on the shrimp is the perfect, unexpected, and delicious counterpoint to the sweet, tangy, and crunchy mango slaw.
• Ready in Just 30 Minutes: This is the ultimate quick and healthy meal! From start to finish, you can have this impressive, restaurant-quality dish on the table in a flash.

Recipe Snapshot

Your Shopping List for This Tropical Taco Night

This recipe uses a beautiful mix of fresh produce and powerful pantry staples. Here’s what you’ll need:

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→ For the Caribbean Spiced Shrimp

• 1 lb large raw shrimp → Peeled and deveined.
• 1-2 tsp oil
• Spice Blend: 1 tsp yellow curry powder, 1/2 tsp each of allspice, cinnamon, cumin, and ground ginger, 1/4 tsp cayenne pepper
• 1/4 tsp salt & 1/4 tsp sugar
• 1/2 a lime → For a final, zesty squeeze.

→ For the Mango Cabbage Slaw

• 1/4 cup finely diced red onion & 1/2 cup chopped cilantro
• Juice of 1 lime

→ For Serving

• 6-8 small corn or flour tortillas
• 1 can of Cuban-style black beans, warmed
• Chipotle Mayo (optional, for drizzling) → Simply mix 1/2 cup mayo with 1-2 tsp of adobo sauce from a can of chipotles.

Let’s Get Cooking! Your Step-by-Step Guide

Ready to create a stunning, 30-minute masterpiece? This process is so quick and rewarding.

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Caribbean Shrimp Tacos with Mango Slaw

These flavorful Caribbean Shrimp Tacos are a healthy and delicious 30-minute meal! Plump shrimp are seasoned with a warm, aromatic spice blend and served in tortillas with a fresh, crunchy mango cabbage slaw and Cuban-style black beans.

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Prep Time 25 minutes mins

Cook Time 5 minutes mins

Total Time 30 minutes mins

Servings: 4

Course: Main Course

Cuisine: Caribbean-Inspired, Tex-Mex

Calories: 445

Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients

  

For the Caribbean Shrimp

• 1 lb large raw shrimp, thawed, peeled and deveined
• 1-2 tsp oil
• 1/4 tsp salt
• 1/4 tsp sugar
• 1 tsp yellow curry powder
• 1/2 tsp allspice
• 1/2 tsp cinnamon
• 1/2 teaspoon cumin
• 1/2 tsp ground ginger
• 1/4 tsp cayenne or chipotle powder

For the Slaw and Serving

• 2 Cups Mango Cabbage Slaw see post for simple recipe
• 1 can Cuban Style Black Beans, warmed
• 6-8 toasted corn & flour tortillas 6-inches
• as needed Chipotle Mayo optional

Equipment

• Large bowl (for slaw)
• Medium bowl (for shrimp)
• Large Cast-Iron Skillet

Method

 

Part 1: Prep the Slaw and Shrimp

1. In a medium bowl, prepare the Mango Cabbage Slaw by combining 2 cups shredded cabbage, 1 julienned mango, 1/4 cup diced red onion, 1/2 cup cilantro, and the juice of 1 lime. Toss and set aside.
2. Pat the shrimp completely dry. Drizzle with 1-2 teaspoons of oil. In a small bowl, mix all spices, salt, and sugar. Toss the spices with the shrimp until well coated.

Part 2: Cook and Assemble

1. Heat a large cast-iron skillet over medium-high heat. When hot, add the shrimp in a single layer and pan-sear for 1-2 minutes per side, until just cooked through. Squeeze with the juice of 1/2 a lime.
2. Warm your tortillas. To assemble, place a bed of the mango slaw on a tortilla, top with a few pieces of the hot shrimp and some warm black beans.
3. Drizzle with optional Chipolte Mayo and serve immediately.

Notes

Don’t Overcook Shrimp: The key to tender, juicy shrimp is a very short cooking time in a hot pan. The moment they turn pink and opaque, they are done!

Pat Shrimp Dry: For the best sear, it is crucial that the shrimp are completely dry before you season and cook them.

Warm Your Tortillas: This simple step makes the tortillas soft, pliable, and much more delicious. Toasting them over a gas flame adds a wonderful char.

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