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 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 ground black pepper

→ Cabbage Slaw

09 - 2 cups shredded red cabbage
10 - 1/2 cup shredded carrots
11 - 1/4 cup fresh cilantro, chopped
12 - 1/4 cup mayonnaise
13 - 2 tbsp fresh lime juice
14 - 1 tsp honey
15 - 1/4 tsp salt

→ Tacos & Garnish

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

# Directions:

01 - Whisk together honey, minced garlic, soy sauce, lime juice, olive oil, smoked paprika and black pepper in a medium bowl; add shrimp, toss to coat, and refrigerate 10–15 minutes.
02 - In a large bowl combine shredded cabbage, shredded carrots and chopped cilantro; in a separate small bowl whisk mayonnaise, lime juice, honey and salt, then pour over vegetables and toss until evenly coated; set aside.
03 - Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat, add marinated shrimp (discard excess marinade) and cook 2–3 minutes per side until opaque and lightly caramelized; remove from heat.
04 - Warm tortillas in a dry skillet over medium heat for about 20–30 seconds per side or wrap in a damp paper towel and microwave 20–30 seconds until pliable.
05 - Layer a portion of cabbage slaw on each warmed tortilla, top with 3–4 shrimp, add avocado slices and extra cilantro if desired, and finish with a squeeze of lime.
06 - Serve immediately while shrimp are hot and tortillas are pliable; offer lime wedges and hot sauce or sliced jalapeño on the side for additional heat.

# Expert Tips:

01 -
  • You get that golden caramelized shrimp without any deep frying fuss.
  • Every bite balances sweet, tangy, and crunchy in a way that feels restaurant-worthy at home.
02 -
  • If the shrimp cook too long, they go from juicy to rubbery in seconds—start checking early.
  • Letting the slaw rest for a few minutes really amps up the flavor and softens the cabbage just enough.
03 -
  • Always dry shrimp on a paper towel before marinating so the sauce sticks instead of sliding off.
  • Whisking the marinade until glossy makes sure every bite is seasoned; don’t rush this step.
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