Honey Garlic Shrimp Tacos (Printable)

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

# What You'll Need:

→ 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

# Method:

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 Advice:

01 -
  • A dash of honey in the marinade slyly cuts any tang, leaving only balanced, glossy flavor on every bite.
  • This quick shrimp taco makes guests think you’ve fussed all day, but it comes together fast enough for any weeknight whim.
02 -
  • Marinating shrimp any longer than 15 minutes can make them mushy—set a timer, or you’ll regret it like I did once.
  • Always discard extra marinade before cooking—cooking it with the shrimp can burn quickly and turns the sauce bitter.
03 -
  • Cook shrimp in a single layer for even caramelization—crowding leads to unevenly cooked pieces.
  • For a punchy slaw, let the veggies and dressing sit together at least five minutes before serving.
Return