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    Home » Recipes » Handheld Meals

    Easy Shrimp Tacos With Pineapple Slaw

    Published: February 14, 2019 Updated: September 24, 2019 / By: Dawn | Girl Heart Food 44 Comments

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    Shrimp taco garnished with slaw, avocado, cilantro and hot sauce.

    These easy shrimp tacos with pineapple slaw are fresh, delicious and can be on the table in about 20 minutes! The shrimp are tossed in a spice mixture and then combined with a crunchy, sweet slaw. These easy tacos make for one satisfying meal!

    Shrimp taco garnished with slaw, avocado, cilantro and hot sauce.

    Don’t you just love tacos?  In recent years, I’ve become a bit obsessed with them. I think it’s because they are so easy to whip up, the possibilities are endless and they are just so dang tasty!

    What I particularly love about this shrimp tacos recipe is that it comes together in about 20 minutes. Yes, 20 minutes, people.

    If you know me, you know how much I love contrasting flavours, like sweet and savoury or sweet and salty.

    So, it’s no surprise that I enjoy a pineapple coleslaw with these spiced shrimp. I can’t take credit for the slaw, though. That’s all on my father. He was telling me about this pineapple slaw that he whipped up so I had to try! It provides a lovely crunch factor to these shrimp tacos.

    These seafood tacos are so good with a frozen margarita!

    Ingredients for shrimp tacos with coleslaw.

    How To Make Shrimp Tacos With Pineapple Slaw

    Basically, to make these shrimp tacos:

    1. Mix cleaned shrimp with a spice mixture and bake.
    2. While shrimp are doing their thing in the oven, make the pineapple slaw. 
    3. Assemble tacos.
    4. Garnish to your little heart’s content with your favourite toppings.
    5. Enjoy (full details are in the recipe card below).
    Bowl of raw shrimp.

    How To Cook Shrimp in the Oven

    Cooking the shrimp on a sheet pan makes things oh so easy for these shrimp tacos. While the shrimp are cooking away, you can prep the pineapple coleslaw and other garnish. To cook shrimp:

    1. Ensure the shrimp are cleaned and shell removed. Pat dry.
    2. Toss shrimp with oil, spices, salt and pepper.
    3. Place shrimp directly on a sheet pan and bake.
    4. As soon as the shrimp are cooked, remove them from the pan so they don’t overcook.
    5. Use in tacos (again, full details are in the recipe card below).
    Seasoned raw shrimp in a blue bowl.

    How To Know When Shrimp are Cooked

    Shrimp can be tricky because obviously you want to cook them, but you don’t want to overcook.

    When they are overcooked, they’re rubbery, unpleasant and it’s like you’re chewing on the sole of a sneaker. Feel me?

    They don’t need a whole lot of time, but you can tell when they are cooked when they are opaque, a tad pink-ish, plump (not mushy) and no longer translucent.

    Close-up of cooked, spiced-coated shrimp.

    What Are the Best Shrimp To Use? What Does Shrimp Count Mean?

    Don’t use pre-cooked shrimp in these shrimp tacos and then reheat them. Please.

    I love to use frozen shrimp and defrost them. Frozen shrimp are often fresher than ones you would find sitting in the counter at your fishmonger (and I was actually told this by a local fishmonger to opt for the frozen variety). Ain’t no shame in the frozen food game!

    Shrimp are most often frozen quickly after being caught so they are a better choice (unless you are best friends with a fisherperson who could hook you up). If you are, maybe hook me up too?

    I used 61 to 70 shrimp count. What exactly does that mean? That simply means there’s 61 to 70 shrimp per pound. The smaller the shrimp count, the bigger the shrimp and vice versa.

    How To Defrost Frozen Shrimp Quickly

    Oh no! You want these tacos, but you have a bag of frozen shrimp sitting in the back of your freezer! Think you can’t make these quickly? Think again, friends! Frozen shrimp can be ready to use in no time at all.

    Simply place the frozen shrimp in a sieve and run cold water over them. Within minutes, they will be ready to use. Trust me, sometimes I’m not all that prepared and I speak from experience here. Of course, you still need to take the shell off and devein if they aren’t already cleaned.

    Shrimp taco garnished with toppings, sitting in front of half an avocado.

    Tips and Variations

    • If your shrimp are smaller or larger than the variety used (61-70 count), you will have to adjust your cooking time accordingly.
    • Don’t have smoked paprika? Chipotle powder works too!
    • Red cabbage was used for the pineapple slaw. It adds such a lovely pop of colour. However, it will stain the pineapple with a purple hue. If you prefer, you could use regular green cabbage instead.
    • For a change, instead of red onion in the pineapple slaw, chopped green onion or chives would work lovely.
    Shrimp taco in a holder, garnished with slaw, avocado, hot sauce and cilantro.

    Garnish Ideas

    There are so many delicious topping ideas when it comes to tacos, like:

    • Diced or sliced avocado or homemade guacamole
    • Sliced jalapeno
    • Chopped cilantro
    • Sour cream or Greek yogurt
    • Salsa
    • Shredded cheese or crumbled feta
    • Sriracha or your favourite hot sauce

    More Taco Recipes

    • Oven Baked Fish Tacos
    • Pressure Cooker Carnitas

    If you make these easy shrimp tacos with pineapple slaw, be sure to leave a comment below!

    Shrimp taco garnished with slaw, avocado, cilantro and hot sauce.

    Easy Shrimp Tacos With Pineapple Slaw

    Dawn | Girl Heart Food
    These easy shrimp tacos with pineapple slaw are fresh, delicious and can be on the table in about 20 minutes! The shrimp are tossed in a spice mixture and then combined with a crunchy, sweet slaw. These easy tacos make for one satisfying meal!
    5 from 18 votes
    Print Recipe Save RecipeSaved!
    Prep Time 10 mins
    Cook Time 10 mins
    Total Time 20 mins
    Course Main Course
    Servings 8 tacos
    Calories 159 kcal
    Prevent your screen from going dark

    Ingredients
     

    Shrimp

    • ¾ pound shrimp, I use size "61 to 70 count"
    • 1 tablespoon olive oil
    • 1.5 teaspoons smoked paprika
    • ½ teaspoon ground cumin
    • ½ teaspoon salt
    • ½ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

    Pineapple Slaw

    • 2 cups thinly sliced red cabbage
    • 1 cup diced pineapple (peeled)
    • ¾ cup thinly sliced red onion
    • 1 jalapeno, minced (remove seeds and ribs of jalapeno, if desired)
    • 2 tablespoons cider vinegar, or lime juice
    • ½ teaspoons salt
    • ½ teaspoons freshly ground black pepper

    Other Taco Components

    • 8 flour tortillas, warmed per package instructions

    Garnish Ideas (optional)

    • Sliced avocado or guacamole
    • Chopped cilantro
    • Hot sauce
    • Thinly sliced red onion or pickled onion

    Instructions

    Shrimp

    • Preheat oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit.
    • In a bowl, toss cleaned (and patted dry) shrimp in oil, smoked paprika, salt and black pepper. 
    • Spread shrimp out onto a sheet pan and bake 8 to 10 minutes or until they're pink, opaque and cooked through (check on at the 8 minute mark). Transfer the cooked shrimp to a plate so they don't overcook.
      Note: Depending on the size of shrimp you use, your cook time may vary slightly. Cook until shrimp are completely cooked through.

    Pineapple Slaw

    • Place all ingredients into a bowl, stirring to combine.

    Assemble the Tacos

    • To assemble each taco, place some pineapple slaw on a tortilla, top with 4 to 5 shrimp and garnish to taste (if desired) with any of the garnish ideas or your favourite taco toppings. Enjoy!

    Notes

    • If your shrimp are smaller or larger than the variety used (61 to 70 count), you will have to adjust your cooking time accordingly.
    • Red cabbage was used for the pineapple slaw. It adds such a lovely pop of colour. However, it will stain the pineapple with a purple hue. If you prefer, you could use regular green cabbage instead.

    Nutrition (estimate only)

    Nutrition Facts
    Easy Shrimp Tacos With Pineapple Slaw
    Serving Size
     
    1 taco
    Amount per Serving
    Calories
    159
    % Daily Value*
    Fat
     
    4
    g
    6
    %
    Cholesterol
     
    52
    mg
    17
    %
    Sodium
     
    735
    mg
    32
    %
    Potassium
     
    152
    mg
    4
    %
    Carbohydrates
     
    21
    g
    7
    %
    Fiber
     
    1
    g
    4
    %
    Sugar
     
    4
    g
    4
    %
    Protein
     
    9
    g
    18
    %
    Vitamin A
     
    465
    IU
    9
    %
    Vitamin C
     
    25.7
    mg
    31
    %
    Calcium
     
    68
    mg
    7
    %
    Iron
     
    1.5
    mg
    8
    %
    * Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.
    Based on 1 serving.
    Nutrition information provided is an estimate only.

    Nutrition information is provided as a courtesy and should be considered an estimate only. Ingredients can vary and Girl Heart Food makes no guarantees to the accuracy of this information. It should not be considered a substitute for a professional nutritionist’s advice.

    A note on times provided: appliances vary, any prep and/or cook times provided are estimates only.

    Keyword oven baked shrimp, pineapple slaw, shrimp taco recipe

    Tried this recipe?

    If you do make this recipe, thank you!! It would mean so much if you could leave a comment below. Love to know how you enjoyed it, and it helps other readers too!

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    Easy Chicken Taco Soup Recipe »

    © Girl Heart Food Inc. All photographs and content are COPYRIGHT PROTECTED.

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Karen (Back Road Journal)

      February 26, 2019 at 10:35 am

      Spicy shrimp and sweet pineapple, yes that is a delicious combination.

      Reply
      • Girl Heart Food

        February 26, 2019 at 1:18 pm

        Thanks so much, Karen!

        Reply
    2. Vanessa | Zest & Simmer

      February 25, 2019 at 10:47 am

      5 stars
      Love how colorful these tacos are! I am a sucker for pineapple with tacos too. They go so well together! These will be a dinner in my near future for sure.

      Reply
      • Girl Heart Food

        February 26, 2019 at 1:16 pm

        They really do! Thank you Vanessa! Enjoy 🙂

        Reply
    3. Kim

      February 21, 2019 at 8:44 pm

      Oh my gosh. These look amazing! I have been thinking about pineapple all the time over the past couple of weeks (I must be missing summer) and this just kicked that craving up another notch!

      Reply
      • Girl Heart Food

        February 24, 2019 at 1:39 pm

        I know what you mean with all this cold weather! We can channel summer through food I guess 😉 Thank you Kim!

        Reply
    4. [email protected]

      February 21, 2019 at 12:47 am

      5 stars
      These Shrimp Tacos with Pineapple Salsa look just amazing Dawn! So colourful, so healthy and so enticing. Thanks so much for sharing.

      Reply
      • Girl Heart Food

        February 24, 2019 at 1:37 pm

        Thanks a million, Denise!! Happy you like the recipe 🙂

        Reply
    5. Sabrina

      February 20, 2019 at 2:05 am

      5 stars
      Yum! I too am obsessed with tacos but haven’t gotten around to doing shrimp tacos yet. I love the ease of baking them while you make up the slaw, super easy, efficient and so delicious! Thanks!

      Reply
      • Girl Heart Food

        February 24, 2019 at 1:32 pm

        Right?! Thank you Sabrina! Hope you love them as much as we do 🙂

        Reply
    6. marilyn @family food around the clock

      February 18, 2019 at 5:42 pm

      5 stars
      Great post! The Tacos look delicious! Thanks for sharing 🙂

      Reply
      • Girl Heart Food

        February 19, 2019 at 1:19 pm

        Thanks so much, Marilyn!!

        Reply
    7. Haylie Abele

      February 18, 2019 at 12:09 pm

      5 stars
      Oh my gosh – these look amazing! The shrimp look perfectly seasoned and extra juicy and you just can’t go wrong with adding homemade pineapple slaw on top for that sweet/acid kick! YUM! Happy Monday, my friend!

      Reply
      • Girl Heart Food

        February 19, 2019 at 1:19 pm

        Thanks for the kind comment, Haylie!

        Reply
    8. Kelly | Foodtasia

      February 16, 2019 at 3:21 am

      5 stars
      Dawn, these shrimp tacos look incredible! We love tacos at our house. And with the spicy shrimp and that awesome pineapple slaw – Yes! Please! Love the sweet and spicy combo. It’s so refreshing!

      Reply
      • Girl Heart Food

        February 19, 2019 at 1:24 pm

        It really is! Thank you Kelly!

        Reply
    9. Marissa

      February 15, 2019 at 8:50 pm

      5 stars
      We love tacos – especially when they’re loaded with flavorful shrimp!! These look fabulous!!

      Have a wonderful weekend, Dawn!

      Reply
      • Girl Heart Food

        February 19, 2019 at 1:24 pm

        I agree! Thank you Marissa 🙂 Hope your week is going wonderful!

        Reply
    10. Donna

      February 15, 2019 at 7:54 pm

      5 stars
      How delicious do these look? Wow! I feel like the pineapple slaw would pair so well with the flavour of the shrimp. I must try these!

      Reply
      • Girl Heart Food

        February 19, 2019 at 1:14 pm

        Thanks so much Donna! Hope you love them as much as we do 🙂

        Reply
    11. mimi rippee

      February 15, 2019 at 5:42 pm

      I’d eat these! I’d eat these every day! I love the seasoning on them and the Sriracha and the crunch… and the sweetness. Fabulousness.

      Reply
      • Girl Heart Food

        February 19, 2019 at 1:13 pm

        I could too! Thank yo Mimi!

        Reply
    12. Kevin

      February 15, 2019 at 3:28 pm

      5 stars
      Tacos are a classic customizable to your liking dish and how genius to use this spicy shrimp with the sweetness of that slaw! Awesome!

      Reply
      • Girl Heart Food

        February 19, 2019 at 1:13 pm

        I agree! Thank you Kevin 🙂

        Reply
    13. Milena

      February 15, 2019 at 10:34 am

      5 stars
      I don’t make shrimp tacos nearly often enough and I should:) Thank you for the tasty reminder:) So much flavor in there and I’d definitely go for some warming chipotle heat with tacos. Pinned!

      Reply
      • Girl Heart Food

        February 19, 2019 at 1:13 pm

        You’re welcome 😉 Thank you so much, Milena!

        Reply
    14. Mary Ann | The Beach House Kitchen

      February 14, 2019 at 8:57 pm

      5 stars
      A 20 minute meal? Yes, please! And if shrimp is involved I’m toatlly in. These look delicious Dawn. Pinned!

      Reply
      • Girl Heart Food

        February 19, 2019 at 1:12 pm

        Right?? Thank you Mary Ann 🙂

        Reply
    15. Ben|Havocinthekitchen

      February 14, 2019 at 8:45 pm

      5 stars
      I cannot say we eat tacos often. Let’s be honest: I certainly have not had any over the course of 5 years (At least). Also, I’ve never made tacos at home. Don’t get it wrong – I’m not against this food; I just never had an opportunity to give it a try. But I can tell you: this shrimp tacos look so good (Look at the shrimp roasted to perfection!), that I’m already in love 🙂 And this pineapple slaw? Lovely touch!

      Reply
      • Girl Heart Food

        February 19, 2019 at 1:12 pm

        Time to fix that 😉 Or I could eat your share…hehehe. Thanks Ben!

        Reply
    16. Valentina

      February 14, 2019 at 8:21 pm

      5 stars
      These tacos sound fabulous. If their beauty is any indication of how delicious they are, then I know they’re amazing. And smoked Paprika one of my “must-have-at-all-times spices”. Just scheduled this to pin on my taco board. 🙂

      Reply
      • Girl Heart Food

        February 19, 2019 at 1:12 pm

        I agree! Love smoked paprika! Thank you so much for the kind comment, Valentina 🙂

        Reply
    17. Katherine | Love In My Oven

      February 14, 2019 at 5:24 pm

      Dawn! These are totally my kind of taco. Plus, that pineapple slaw looks so, so good!! I’m all about the sweet and savory too – just hearing you mention the chocolate with the sea salt makes me want to go run and grab my own 😉 Happy Valentine’s and Happy Weekend!! XO

      Reply
      • Girl Heart Food

        February 19, 2019 at 1:11 pm

        So happy to hear that! Hope you get a chance to try them soon. Thanks Katherine! XO

        Reply
    18. [email protected]

      February 14, 2019 at 1:57 pm

      5 stars
      Wish I could pluck one of those spicy shrimp straight off the screen! Who knew I needed shrimp tacos in my life!! Have a happy day, my friend! XOXO

      Reply
      • Girl Heart Food

        February 19, 2019 at 1:11 pm

        Lol..wish I could pass ya some 🙂 Thanks Annie! XOXO

        Reply
    19. Kelsie | the itsy-bitsy kitchen

      February 14, 2019 at 12:58 pm

      5 stars
      I love tacos too! I love how versatile they are, and I really love the sound of these beauties! That pineapple slaw sounds incredible!

      Reply
      • Girl Heart Food

        February 19, 2019 at 1:11 pm

        Thank you Kelsie 🙂

        Reply
    20. Leanne | Crumb Top Baking

      February 14, 2019 at 12:25 pm

      5 stars
      I always have a stash of frozen shrimp in the freezer. It is just so convenient for quick dinners. And coating them with spice and adding them to tacos is a delicious idea. We are also obsessed with tacos in our house, and it is absolutely because of the variety. I could eat tacos everyday and not get tired of them! Happy almost weekend Dawn!

      Reply
      • Girl Heart Food

        February 19, 2019 at 1:10 pm

        I agree! Thanks Leanne! Have a great week 🙂

        Reply
    21. David @ Spiced

      February 14, 2019 at 9:33 am

      5 stars
      We absolutely love our tacos around here, too! They’re such a versatile meal as you can go in a hundred different ways with the flavors. I love the smoked paprika on these shrimp! Oh, and we’ve started heating (“steaming”) our flour tortillas by wrapping them in a paper towel that’s been lightly patted with water. Then just microwave them for about 20 seconds. Give that a shot! Love the pineapple slaw on these, Dawn!

      Reply
      • Girl Heart Food

        February 19, 2019 at 1:09 pm

        I agree! Oh, definitely have to try that next time 🙂 Thanks for the tip, David!

        Reply
    22. Kathy @ Beyond the Chicken Coop

      February 14, 2019 at 9:25 am

      5 stars
      I do love tacos and I really love fish tacos. I’ve never had a shrimp taco before but now I need to give these a try! They look delicious and I’m really loving that pineapple slaw!

      Reply
      • Girl Heart Food

        February 19, 2019 at 1:09 pm

        Yes! I hope you love them! Thanks Kathy 🙂

        Reply

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