These easy shrimp tacos with pineapple slaw are fresh, delicious and 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!
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/savoury or sweet/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!
How to Make Shrimp Tacos with Pineapple Slaw
Basically, to make these shrimp tacos:
- Mix cleaned shrimp with a spice mixture and bake.
- While shrimp are doing their thing in the oven, make the pineapple slaw.
- Assemble tacos.
- Garnish to your little heart’s content.
- Enjoy!
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:
- Firstly, ensure the shrimp are cleaned and shell removed. Pat dry.
- Toss shrimp with oil, spices, salt and pepper.
- Place shrimp directly on a sheet pan and bake for 8 to 10 minutes.
- As soon as the shrimp are cooked, remove them from the pan so they don’t overcook.
- Use in tacos!
So delicious!
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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.
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.
Do I Need to Warm the Tortillas?
Of course, you don’t need to warm the tortillas for these tacos, but I like to.
To warm, you could place them directly over a low-ish flame if you have a propane stove top (or use your grill) for a minute or two and use some tongs to flip. Alternatively, you could warm them for a minute or so in a dry pan on medium heat, flipping once.
More Recipe Tips and Variations
Don’t have smoked paprika? Chipotle powder works too!
If your shrimp are smaller or larger than the variety I used (61-70 count), you will have to adjust your cooking time accordingly.
I used red cabbage for the pineapple slaw. I just love the colour. However, it will ‘bleed’ into the pineapple. If you prefer, you could use regular cabbage instead.
I used red onion in the pineapple slaw, but chopped green onion or chives would work lovely too.
Garnish Options
- Avocado or homemade guacamole
- Jalapeño
- Cilantro
- Sour cream or Greek yogurt
- Salsa
- Shredded cheese or crumbled feta
- Sriracha or your fave hot sauce
More Recipes You May Enjoy
Hope you love these healthy shrimp tacos as much as we do!
If you make these easy shrimp tacos with pineapple slaw, be sure to leave a comment below. Love to know how you enjoyed!
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Easy Shrimp Tacos with Pineapple Slaw (made in 20 minutes)
Ingredients
Shrimp Tacos
- ¾ pound shrimp (I use size '61 to 70 count')
- 1 tablespoon olive oil (or avocado oil)
- 1.5 teaspoons smoked paprika
- ½ teaspoon cumin
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- 8 small tortillas (warmed, if desired (see 'Notes' below))
Pineapple Slaw
- 2 cups red cabbage , thinly sliced
- 1 cup pineapple , peeled and diced
- ¾ cup red onion , peeled and thinly sliced
- 1 jalapeño , minced
- 2 tablespoons cider vinegar (or lime juice)
- ½ teaspoons salt
- ½ teaspoons black pepper
Garnish (optional)
- Sliced avocado
- Cilantro
- Hot sauce
- Thinly sliced red onion or pickled onion
Instructions
Shrimp Tacos
- Preheat oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit. Toss cleaned (and patted dry) shrimp in oil, smoked paprika, salt and pepper. Place on baking sheet and bake 8 to 10 minutes or so until they're pink, opaque and cooked through (check on at the 8 minute mark). Remove from pan 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.
- Place some slaw on a tortilla, top with 4 to 5 shrimp and garnish, if desired. Enjoy!
Pineapple Slaw
- Toss all ingredients in a bowl, stirring to combine.
Notes
- Don’t have smoked paprika? Chipotle powder works too!
- If your shrimp are smaller or larger than the variety I used (61 to 70 count), you will have to adjust your cooking time accordingly.
- I used red cabbage for the pineapple slaw. I just love the colour. However, it will ‘bleed’ into the pineapple. If you prefer, you could use regular cabbage instead.
- I used red onion in the pineapple slaw, but chopped green onion or chives would work lovely too.
Nutrition information (if provided) 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.
Karen (Back Road Journal)
Spicy shrimp and sweet pineapple, yes that is a delicious combination.
Girl Heart Food
Thanks so much, Karen!
Vanessa | Zest & Simmer
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.
Girl Heart Food
They really do! Thank you Vanessa! Enjoy 🙂
Kim
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!
Girl Heart Food
I know what you mean with all this cold weather! We can channel summer through food I guess 😉 Thank you Kim!
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These Shrimp Tacos with Pineapple Salsa look just amazing Dawn! So colourful, so healthy and so enticing. Thanks so much for sharing.
Girl Heart Food
Thanks a million, Denise!! Happy you like the recipe 🙂
Sabrina
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!
Girl Heart Food
Right?! Thank you Sabrina! Hope you love them as much as we do 🙂
marilyn @family food around the clock
Great post! The Tacos look delicious! Thanks for sharing 🙂
Girl Heart Food
Thanks so much, Marilyn!!
Haylie Abele
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!
Girl Heart Food
Thanks for the kind comment, Haylie 🙂 !
Kelly | Foodtasia
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!
Girl Heart Food
It really is! Thank you Kelly!
Marissa
We love tacos – especially when they’re loaded with flavorful shrimp!! These look fabulous!!
Have a wonderful weekend, Dawn!
Girl Heart Food
I agree! Thank you Marissa 🙂 Hope your week is going wonderful!
Donna
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!
Girl Heart Food
Thanks so much Donna! Hope you love them as much as we do 🙂
mimi rippee
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.
Girl Heart Food
I could too! Thank yo Mimi!
Kevin
Tacos are a classic customizable to your liking dish and how genius to use this spicy shrimp with the sweetness of that slaw! Awesome!
Girl Heart Food
I agree! Thank you Kevin 🙂
Milena
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!
Girl Heart Food
You’re welcome 😉 Thank you so much, Milena!
Mary Ann | The Beach House Kitchen
A 20 minute meal? Yes, please! And if shrimp is involved I’m toatlly in. These look delicious Dawn. Pinned!
Girl Heart Food
Right?? Thank you Mary Ann 🙂
Ben|Havocinthekitchen
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!
Girl Heart Food
Time to fix that 😉 Or I could eat your share…hehehe. Thanks Ben!
Valentina
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. 🙂
Girl Heart Food
I agree! Love smoked paprika! Thank you so much for the kind comment, Valentina 🙂
Katherine | Love In My Oven
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
Girl Heart Food
So happy to hear that! Hope you get a chance to try them soon. Thanks Katherine! XO
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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
Girl Heart Food
Lol..wish I could pass ya some 🙂 Thanks Annie! XOXO
Kelsie | the itsy-bitsy kitchen
I love tacos too! I love how versatile they are, and I really love the sound of these beauties! That pineapple slaw sounds incredible!
Girl Heart Food
Thank you Kelsie 🙂
Leanne | Crumb Top Baking
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!
Girl Heart Food
I agree! Thanks Leanne! Have a great week 🙂
David @ Spiced
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!
Girl Heart Food
I agree! Oh, definitely have to try that next time 🙂 Thanks for the tip, David!
Kathy @ Beyond the Chicken Coop
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!
Girl Heart Food
Yes! I hope you love them! Thanks Kathy 🙂