Honey Garlic Shrimp Tacos (Printable)

Sweet-savory honey garlic shrimp in warm tortillas with crisp cabbage slaw and lime crema - ready in 30 minutes.

# Ingredient List:

→ Shrimp & Marinade

01 - 1 lb (450 g) large shrimp, peeled and deveined
02 - 3 tbsp honey
03 - 3 cloves garlic, minced
04 - 2 tbsp low-sodium soy sauce
05 - 1 tbsp fresh lime juice
06 - 1 tbsp olive oil
07 - 1/2 tsp smoked paprika
08 - 1/4 tsp black pepper

→ Cabbage Slaw

09 - 2 cups (150 g) shredded red cabbage
10 - 1/2 cup (30 g) shredded carrots
11 - 1/4 cup (5 g) fresh cilantro, chopped
12 - 1/4 cup (60 ml) mayonnaise
13 - 2 tbsp fresh lime juice
14 - 1 tsp honey
15 - 1/4 tsp salt

→ Tacos

16 - 8 small corn or flour tortillas, warmed
17 - 1 avocado, sliced (optional)
18 - Lime wedges, for serving

# Directions:

01 - In a medium bowl, whisk together honey, garlic, soy sauce, lime juice, olive oil, smoked paprika, and black pepper. Add shrimp, toss to coat, and marinate for 10–15 minutes.
02 - Meanwhile, prepare the slaw: In a large bowl, combine cabbage, carrots, and cilantro. In a small bowl, whisk mayonnaise, lime juice, honey, and salt. Pour dressing over the vegetables and toss to coat. Set aside.
03 - Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add marinated shrimp (discard excess marinade) and cook for 2–3 minutes per side, until shrimp are opaque and lightly caramelized. Remove from heat.
04 - Warm tortillas in a dry skillet or microwave.
05 - Assemble tacos by layering cabbage slaw and honey garlic shrimp in each tortilla. Top with avocado slices, extra cilantro, and a squeeze of lime if desired. Serve immediately.

# Expert Tips:

01 -
  • The honeyed glaze makes these shrimp irresistible, and the quick marinade keeps them shockingly juicy.
  • The combos of crunchy slaw, zesty crema, and velvety avocado together make tacos more exciting than ever in less than 30 minutes.
02 -
  • I once left the shrimp in the marinade longer than planned and they went mushy—ten minutes is magic, more ruins the texture.
  • Toss the slaw just before serving so it doesn’t get watery and lose its crunch.
03 -
  • Caramelizing the shrimp over high heat gives you sticky, browned edges that taste incredible.
  • Mix the slaw dressing separately so it blends smoothly before hitting the veggies—the creamy tang will be evenly distributed.
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