Can I use frozen shrimp for this recipe?

Absolutely! Frozen shrimp work perfectly for this recipe. Just make sure to thaw them completely before cooking, and pat them dry with paper towels to remove excess moisture. I often keep a bag of frozen shrimp on hand specifically for quick meals like these tacos.

Is there a way to make this recipe dairy-free?

This recipe is naturally dairy-free unless you add optional toppings like sour cream. For a dairy-free creamy topping, try using avocado slices, dairy-free yogurt, or a drizzle of cashew cream instead.

Can I prepare the slaw without a food processor?

You can and you should! The best texture for this slaw actually comes from hand-shredding the cabbage with a sharp knife. Food processors often chop the cabbage too finely, which can release excess water and make the slaw too wet.

What's the best way to tell when shrimp are perfectly cooked?

Perfectly cooked shrimp will form a "C" shape, turn pink all over, and become opaque. If they curl too tightly into an "O" shape, they're overcooked. Watch them closely as they cook – they'll change right before your eyes in just a couple of minutes!

Shrimp Tacos with Pineapple Slaw Recipe

Name: Shrimp Tacos with Pineapple Slaw Recipe
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 5 min
Total time: 20 min
Cuisine: Mexican
Ingredients: 3 cups green cabbage, shredded; 1 cup fresh or canned pineapple, chopped; ½ cup red onion, finely chopped; 2 tablespoons olive or avocado oil; 1 tablespoon honey; 1 tablespoon fresh lime or lemon juice; 1 tablespoon cooking oil; 1 pound large shrimp, peeled and deveined; ½ teaspoon salt; ½ teaspoon black pepper; ¼ teaspoon ground cumin; ¼ teaspoon ground coriander; 12 tortillas (4-inch or street-sized, flour or corn tortillas); Sour cream or Mexican crema; Salsa or pico de gallo; Guacamole; Fresh lime; Fresh cilantro

These Shrimp Tacos with Pineapple Slaw are a perfect blend of sweet, tangy, and savory flavors that come together in just 20 minutes. The juicy shrimp paired with the refreshing pineapple cabbage slaw creates a bright, tropical-inspired taco that’s ideal for quick weeknight dinners or casual entertaining. With minimal prep and cook time, you’ll have a restaurant-quality meal that brings a taste of coastal cuisine right to your table.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Lightning-Fast Preparation: From start to finish, these tacos are ready in just 20 minutes, making them perfect for those evenings when you want something delicious without spending hours in the kitchen.
Balanced Flavors: The sweet and tangy pineapple slaw perfectly complements the savory, seasoned shrimp, creating a harmony of flavors in every bite.
Versatile and Customizable: Easy to adapt based on what you have on hand or personal preferences, these tacos can be dressed up or down with various toppings.
Fresh and Healthy: Packed with protein from the shrimp and plenty of vegetables from the slaw, these tacos are as nutritious as they are delicious.

Ingredients You’ll Need

For the Pineapple Cabbage Coleslaw:

Green cabbage: Provides a crisp texture and sturdy base for the slaw. Try to shred it by hand for the best texture.
Pineapple: Adds a sweet, tropical flavor that brightens the entire dish. Fresh gives the best flavor, but canned works in a pinch!
Red onion: Contributes a mild bite and beautiful color contrast to the slaw.
Olive or avocado oil: Creates the base for the dressing while adding healthy fats.
Honey: Balances the acidity with natural sweetness.
Lime juice: Adds that essential citrus tang that makes the slaw pop.

For the Shrimp:

Cooking oil: Use something with a high smoke point for perfectly seared shrimp.
Shrimp: The star of the show! Large shrimp cook quickly and have great texture. Make sure they’re peeled and deveined to save time.
Salt and pepper: The backbone of any good seasoning.
Cumin: Adds warmth and earthy notes to the shrimp.
Coriander: Brings a subtle citrusy, floral quality that pairs beautifully with seafood.

For Assembly:

Tortillas: Small street-style tortillas work best for these tacos. Corn tortillas offer authentic flavor, while flour tortillas are softer and more pliable.
Optional toppings: Consider adding sour cream, Mexican crema, various salsas, guacamole, fresh lime wedges, or cilantro to enhance your tacos even further.

Note: You’ll find the complete list of ingredients, along with their exact measurements, in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Variations

Grilled Shrimp: Instead of pan-searing, thread the seasoned shrimp onto skewers and grill for a smoky flavor.
Spicy Version: Add a diced jalapeño to the slaw and a pinch of cayenne to the shrimp seasoning for heat lovers.
Mango Swap: Replace pineapple with diced mango for a different tropical twist.
Fish Tacos: Substitute the shrimp with white fish like cod or tilapia, seasoned the same way.
Vegetarian Option: Skip the shrimp and use roasted cauliflower or black beans seasoned with the same spices.

How to Make Shrimp Tacos with Pineapple Slaw

Step 1: Prepare the Slaw

Combine the shredded cabbage, chopped pineapple, and finely chopped red onion in a medium bowl. Drizzle with oil, honey, and lime juice, then toss until everything is well coated. Place in the refrigerator while you prepare the rest of the meal – this gives the flavors time to meld.

Step 2: Season and Cook the Shrimp

Heat your cooking oil in a large skillet over medium heat. While the oil is heating, season your peeled and deveined shrimp with salt, black pepper, cumin, and coriander, making sure they’re evenly coated. Once the oil is hot, add the shrimp to the skillet in a single layer.

Step 3: Cook the Shrimp

Cook the shrimp on one side for 1-2 minutes until they start to turn pink and opaque. Flip them over and cook for another 1-2 minutes until fully cooked. Remove the skillet from heat immediately to prevent overcooking.

Step 4: Warm the Tortillas

Wrap your tortillas in damp paper towels and microwave for about a minute until they’re warm and pliable. Alternatively, wrap them in foil and place in a preheated oven for a few minutes.

Step 5: Assemble the Tacos

Lay out your warmed tortillas and divide the pineapple slaw among them. Top each with a few pieces of the cooked shrimp. Add any optional toppings you desire, such as sour cream, salsa, or fresh cilantro.

Pro Tips for Making the Recipe

Don’t Overcook the Shrimp: Shrimp cook extremely quickly! They’re done when they turn pink and opaque, which usually takes just 1-2 minutes per side. Overcooked shrimp become rubbery and tough.
Hand-Shred the Cabbage: For the best texture in your slaw, shred the cabbage with a knife rather than using a food processor. This prevents the cabbage from becoming too fine and watery.
Make the Slaw First: Preparing the slaw before cooking the shrimp allows the flavors to develop while you work on the rest of the meal.
Pat Shrimp Dry: Before seasoning, pat the shrimp dry with paper towels. This helps the seasoning stick better and promotes better browning.
Warm Those Tortillas: Never skip warming your tortillas! This step makes them soft and pliable, preventing them from cracking when folded.

How to Serve

These shrimp tacos shine as the star of a casual dinner but can easily be elevated for entertaining. Here are some serving suggestions:

Accompaniments:

Serve with Mexican-style rice, black beans, or a simple green salad for a complete meal.

Beverage Pairings:

These tacos pair beautifully with a crisp white wine like Sauvignon Blanc, a light beer like Corona with lime, or a classic margarita. For non-alcoholic options, try sparkling water with lime or a refreshing pineapple agua fresca.

Presentation:

For a fun taco bar setup, place the shrimp, slaw, tortillas, and all the toppings in separate bowls and let everyone build their own tacos.

Make Ahead and Storage

Preparing Components Ahead

You can make the pineapple slaw up to 24 hours in advance and store it in the refrigerator. The flavors will actually develop nicely during this time. The shrimp are best cooked just before serving, but you can season them up to 8 hours ahead and keep them refrigerated until cooking time.

Storing Leftovers

Store the cooked shrimp in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Keep the pineapple slaw separately in another airtight container for up to 3 days as well.

Reheating

To reheat the shrimp, warm them gently in a skillet over low heat just until warmed through, about 1-2 minutes. Avoid microwaving if possible, as this can make them tough. The slaw is best enjoyed cold straight from the refrigerator.

Note: For best results, store the components separately and assemble the tacos fresh when you’re ready to eat them. This prevents the tortillas from becoming soggy.

FAQs

Can I use frozen shrimp for this recipe?

Absolutely! Frozen shrimp work perfectly for this recipe. Just make sure to thaw them completely before cooking, and pat them dry with paper towels to remove excess moisture. I often keep a bag of frozen shrimp on hand specifically for quick meals like these tacos.
Is there a way to make this recipe dairy-free?

This recipe is naturally dairy-free unless you add optional toppings like sour cream. For a dairy-free creamy topping, try using avocado slices, dairy-free yogurt, or a drizzle of cashew cream instead.
Can I prepare the slaw without a food processor?

You can and you should! The best texture for this slaw actually comes from hand-shredding the cabbage with a sharp knife. Food processors often chop the cabbage too finely, which can release excess water and make the slaw too wet.
What’s the best way to tell when shrimp are perfectly cooked?

Perfectly cooked shrimp will form a “C” shape, turn pink all over, and become opaque. If they curl too tightly into an “O” shape, they’re overcooked. Watch them closely as they cook – they’ll change right before your eyes in just a couple of minutes!

Final Thoughts

These Shrimp Tacos with Pineapple Slaw bring together the perfect balance of flavors and textures in a remarkably quick and easy meal. The tropical sweetness of the pineapple paired with the savory shrimp creates something truly special that feels like a vacation for your taste buds. Don’t be surprised if this becomes your new go-to taco recipe – it’s simple enough for busy weeknights but impressive enough for entertaining friends. Give them a try tonight, and I’m confident they’ll earn a permanent spot in your recipe collection!