Spice up your taco night with these Cajun Shrimp Tacos, a family favorite that's filling and flavorful. These spicy shrimp tacos, bursting with zesty, bold tastes, make it a classic weeknight meal. The best part? This easy recipe offers a delightful mix of crunchy and tender textures.
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Why we all love Cajun shrimp tacos
Simple & Easy: This New Orleans-inspired recipe is a breeze to make. With straightforward steps and easy-to-find ingredients, it is perfect for a quick, hassle-free meal(like this blackened mahi mahi tacos).
Cajun Flavors: The robust Cajun seasoning makes these tacos outstanding, delivering a spicy, irresistible punch(that worked well in this Cajun deviled eggs or Cajun aioli).
Versatile & Customizable: This Cajun Shrimp Taco recipe is fabulous to tailored to your preference. Whether adjusting the spice level or adding different toppings, there's room for your personal touch.
Crowd-Pleasing: These tacos have a fantastic flavor and are easy to prepare, making them perfect for party-friendly recipes(did you try this spicy black bean taco?).
The ingredients
Raw Shrimp: Raw shrimp soaks up the Cajun flavors better, making the Cajun shrimp tacos taste delicious. If you use fresh shrimp, ensure the shrimp are deveined and cleaned.
Olive Oil: Adds a subtle flavor, and you may swap it with canola or vegetable oil.
Cajun Seasoning: This spice is the key to that authentic, spicy, bold flavor. You may use store-bought or homemade cajun seasoning.
Garlic Powder: Using fresh minced garlic is an excellent alternative if you're looking for a more intense flavor.
Cayenne Pepper: Enhances the spicy Cajun flavors with added heat. Switch to paprika for a mild heat.
Flour Tortillas: You can choose any tortillas you like, whether they're corn tortillas or street-style soft tortillas. Pick your favorite!
Veggies: Today, I've included cabbage, red onion, avocado, spinach, tomato for crunch and a burst of color.
Taco sauce: For a creamy finish. Try this fish taco sauce, green taco sauce, or mango salsa.
Lime Wedges: Their juice adds an authentic, fresh finish to this best Cajun shrimp tacos.
Fresh Cilantro: Garnishes the taco and adds a freshness. If you're not a fan, parsley is a subtle alternative.
How to make it?
Add raw shrimp, olive oil, Cajun seasoning, cayenne pepper, garlic powder, and salt to a large bowl. Toss the spice blends to coat the shrimp evenly.
Heat your cast iron skillet (or any large skillet) over medium-high heat(for other cooking methods with detailed instructions, check this Cajun shrimp).
Now, add the seasoned shrimp. And cook the shrimp for about 2-3 minutes on each side or until they turn pink. Remember, overcooking shrimp can make them rubbery.
While the shrimp are cooking, you can warm up your flour tortillas. Heat them on each side in a skillet or grill for about 30 seconds. You want them warm and slightly charred for that extra flavor.
Arrange the tacos by laying a bed of thinly sliced red cabbage, red onion, and tomato on each tortilla.
Top the veggies with cooked Cajun spiced shrimp.
Finish your tacos with a spoonful of taco sauce. Garnish with fresh cilantro, and enjoy your Cajun Shrimp Tacos immediately.
What to serve with?
Salsas: Enhance the Cajun shrimp tacos with various salsas, like pico de gallo. Mango salsa adds a sweet and fruity flavor, while avocado salsa brings a creamy texture and rich taste.
Beans: A side of black beans works excellent with these tacos.
Creamy Add-ons: Add a dollop of sour cream to the Cajun shrimp taco for a creamy finish.
Rice Dishes: Serve with a light, flavored rice dish.
How do you store the leftovers?
Refrigerating Leftovers: Place leftover Cajun shrimp tacos in an airtight container and refrigerate. They stay fresh for up to 2 days(Have some leftovers? convert as Cajun shrimp salad).
Freezing: Wrap shrimp in parchment paper or aluminum foil and transfer them in a freezer-safe bag for up to 2 months.
Thawing: Thaw shrimp in the fridge overnight. It's slow but keeps the flavor.
Reheating: Reheat Cajun shrimp tacos gently on the stove or in the oven.
Variations
Blackened Shrimp Tacos: Swap the Cajun seasoning for a blackening spice blend for a smokier flavor.
Add Salsa: Incorporate mango or peach salsa for an extra crunch and a hint of sharpness.
Slaw: Using fresh ingredients, such as crisp cabbage slaw or this Cajun coleslaw, boosts the Cajun shrimp tacos.
Tips for the Best Results
Succulent Shrimp: Cooking shrimp is quick. To avoid a rubbery texture, cook them until they turn pink, 2-3 minutes on each side over medium-high heat, for the best Cajun shrimp tacos.
Season to Personal Preference: Adjust the Cajun spices to your heat tolerance. If you prefer milder flavors, reduce the cayenne pepper or add more for extra heat.
Warm Tortillas Properly: Heating them until soft and slightly char them in the oven(with broil setting) or stovetop.
Tools needed
Cast Iron Skillet: Its even heat distribution helps to yield succulent shrimp.
Taco Holder: They make tacos stay upright, which is very convenient for your taco on Tuesday nights.
Food Processor: It simplifies your prep work.
Printable recipe card
Cajun shrimp tacos
Ingredients
- 1 lbs Raw Shrimp deveined and cleaned
- 2 tablespoon Olive Oil
- 3 tablespoon Cajun Seasoning
- 1 teaspoon Garlic Powder
- ½ teaspoon Cayenne Pepper
- 8 Flour Tortillas
- ½ teaspoon Salt
Veggies
- 1 cup Cabbage thinly sliced
- ½ cup Red Onion thinly sliced
- 1 Avocado sliced
- 1 cup Spinach chopped
- 1 cup Tomato chopped
Toppings
- ½ Taco Sauce /mango salsa
- ¼ cup Cilantro to garnish
- 4 Lime Wedges to squeeze over tacos
Instructions
- In a large bowl, mix the raw shrimp, olive oil, Cajun seasoning, garlic powder, cayenne pepper, and a pinch of salt.
- Toss until the shrimp are evenly coated with the spices.
- Heat a cast iron skillet over medium-high heat. Add the seasoned shrimp and cook for 2-3 minutes on each side, until they turn pink. And set aside.
- Meanwhile, warm the tortillas. Heat them in a skillet or grill for 30 seconds on each side, until they are warm and slightly charred. And set aside.
- Now lay out the tortillas and spread a layer of thinly sliced cabbage, red onion, and chopped tomato on each one. Top with a few pieces of the cooked Cajun spiced shrimp.
- Place slices of avocado, a sprinkle of chopped spinach, and a spoonful of taco sauce on top of the shrimp.
- Garnish with fresh cilantro, squeeze lime juice over each taco, and serve immediately.
Notes
- Refrigerate leftover Cajun shrimp tacos in a sealed container for up to 2 days.
- Freeze shrimp wrapped in parchment or foil for up to 2 months.
- Thaw shrimp in the fridge overnight.
- Reheat tacos gently on the stove or oven.
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