Cilantro Lime Shrimp Tacos (Easy Sheet Pan Recipe)

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Sheet pan cilantro lime shrimp tacos are a one-pan dinner that is so simple to whip up. Marinated cilantro lime shrimp that is baked and filled in a warm tortilla and drizzled with a creamy hot sauce.

These cilantro-lime shrimp tacos are super easy to make and bursting with flavor. If you are a seafood lover, this shrimp taco recipe is a must-make for any night of the week.

Sheet pan dinners are a go-to for me on busy nights. Easy to toss on and bake, minimal dishes to clean, and a dinner I can be satisfied with. Sheet pan fajitas are another simple Mexican recipe to try. Or for something a little different, make some chicken and black bean quesadillas in your sheet pan.

If you want to venture out, this easy shrimp tacos is a great recipe for Taco Tuesday!

Table of Contents

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Incredibly Quick and Easy: This recipe requires minimal prep time and cooks in under 15 minutes, making it perfect for a speedy and easy weeknight dinner.
Flavorful Marinade: The cilantro lime marinade infuses this shrimp recipe with zesty and vibrant flavors that enhance the overall taste of the tacos.
Versatile Serving Options: These delicious shrimp tacos can be customized with various toppings, such as avocado, cabbage slaw, or pico de gallo, to suit different taste preferences.
Healthy and Nutritious: Packed with protein and bursting with fresh ingredients, this dish is a nutritious option that doesn’t sacrifice flavor for health benefits.

What’s in This Cilantro Lime Shrimp Tacos Recipe?

Ingredients for shrimp tacos sitting on a countertop.

Raw Fresh Shrimp: The star of the dish, raw shrimp is a versatile seafood that cooks quickly and absorbs the cilantro lime marinade beautifully, offering a tender and flavorful bite.
Tortillas: Acting as the perfect vessel for the delicious fillings, tortillas can be warmed or charred for extra flavor, readily wrapping the zesty shrimp and accompanying ingredients.
Red Onion: Adds a sharp, slightly sweet contrast to the tacos, enhancing the overall complexity of flavors with its crunch and punch.
Fresh Avocado: Creamy avocados add a rich, buttery texture and a hint of nuttiness, balancing the acidity of the lime and the heat from the hot sauce.
Lime: The lime zest and fresh lime juice bring a bright, citrusy acidity to this easy recipe, cutting through the richness of the shrimp and avocado and enlivening every bite.
Shredded Cabbage: Provides a crisp, fresh crunch that introduces a refreshing element to each taco, pairing wonderfully with the soft textures of the cooked shrimp and avocado.
Garlic: This aromatic adds a pungent depth to the marinade, infusing the shrimp with a warm, earthy flavor that’s essential to the taco’s overall taste profile.
Oil: A necessary component for the marinade, oil helps to bind all the flavors together, ensuring the shrimp are well-coated and cooked to perfection without sticking to the pan.
Mayonnaise is the base for creamy hot sauce. It offers a silky texture and a mild flavor that beautifully complements the zestiness of the lime and the heat of the hot sauce.
Salt: An indispensable seasoning that enhances the natural flavors of the shrimp and other ingredients, making every aspect of the taco more vibrant.
Garlic Powder offers a more concentrated, slightly sweet garlic flavor that permeates the dish, enriching the overall depth of flavor.
Hot Sauce: Introduces a fiery kick to the tacos, which can be adjusted according to personal heat preference, adding an exciting dimension to the creamy sauce and the dish as a whole.

See the recipe card below for a complete list of ingredients and measurements.

Substitutions and Variations

Shrimp Alternatives: If shrimp isn’t your preference or you’re looking for a vegetarian option, you can substitute it with chunks of firm tofu or even grilled vegetables like zucchini and bell peppers for a plant-based version. For another seafood option, try using grilled fish like tilapia or cod.
Tortilla Options: For a gluten-free option, use corn tortillas instead of flour tortillas. If you’re looking to reduce carbs, look for low-carb or keto-friendly tortillas.
No Avocado? If you’re not a fan of avocado or can’t find it, try using a dollop of sour cream or Greek yogurt for that creamy texture, or simply increase the amount of shredded cabbage for extra crunch.
Spice Level Adjustments: The hot sauce can be adjusted according to your heat preference. If you’re sensitive to spice, start with a smaller amount and add more to taste. Conversely, if you enjoy a spicier kick, consider adding diced jalapeños or a sprinkle of red chili flakes to the marinade.
Citrus Variations: While lime is ideal for this recipe, lemon juice can also be used for a slightly different citrus profile. Combining both can offer a more nuanced flavor.
Herb Adaptations: If cilantro is not to your liking, fresh parsley or even a bit of mint could be used as an alternative, offering a fresh but different herbaceous note to the dish.

How to Make Shrimp Lime Tacos (step-by-step directions)

Collage of creating a cilantro lime shrimp.

Create the cilantro lime marinade by mixing lime juice, minced garlic, chopped cilantro, cumin, and oil in a medium bowl.
Toss raw shrimp in the marinade, cover, and leave to marinate for 30 minutes. (Photos 1 & 2)
Preheat oven as directed to bake the shrimp.
Prepare the sauce by combining sauce ingredients; refrigerate until needed.
Lay marinated shrimp on a sheet pan; bake for 10 minutes.
While shrimp bakes, assemble your cabbage slaw. (Photos 3, 4 & 5)

Once baked, assemble the tacos: place shrimp in tortillas, top with tangy slaw, and drizzle with sauce. (Photo 6)

Cilantro lime shrimp in a tacos sitting on a white plate.

Recipe Tips

You can buy peeled and deveined shrimp to help speed up the prep work. It will cost more, but it is worth it.
Add onions and peppers to make it like a shrimp fajita-style taco if you want extra flavors.
The cooking time can vary depending on how large or small your shrimp are. So watch the oven to not overcook your seafood.
The toppings of the slaw and sauce are optional. Feel free to omit if you do not want to make it.

Storing Tips

If you happen to not eat all of your shrimp right away, just store it in an airtight container in the fridge for 2-3 days. Then when you want tacos, eat the shrimp cold or warm it up in the microwave or on the stovetop.

Reheated shrimp will always have a rubbery texture, so just know that is normal. You can warm tortillas up in the microwave as well before assembling your taco.

Serving Suggestions

Shrimp Lime Tacos are versatile and can be paired with a variety of side dishes to create a full, satisfying meal. Here are some serving suggestions to complement the vibrant flavors of the tacos:

Mexican Rice: A classic side that adds a hearty element to your meal. Its fluffy texture and tomato-based flavor profile match well with the zesty nature of the tacos.
Black Bean Salad: For a refreshing and fiber-rich side, consider a black bean salad tossed with corn, diced tomatoes, avocados, and a lime vinaigrette. This not only adds a splash of color but also provides a variety of textures.
Grilled Vegetables: A mix of bell peppers, zucchini, and red onions, lightly grilled, can enhance your meal with smoky flavors and provide a healthy, colorful side.
Chips and Dip: No taco night is complete without chips and guac. The creamy richness of guacamole pairs beautifully with the crispy saltiness of baked tortilla chips, making for an irresistible combo. Or for another option, use some pico de gallo.
Elote (Mexican Street Corn): Elote corn salad is coated with a mix of mayonnaise, cotija cheese, chili powder, and lime, offers a delightful blend of flavors that complements the tacos’ zestiness perfectly.

A white plate of cilantro lime shrimp tacos sitting on a white countertop.

Recipe FAQs

How to devein shrimp?

If you buy shrimp that has not been deveined, here is a very easy way to do this. Simply peel your shrimp. Then where you see the dark vein running down the back, use a knife to create a slit all the way down. Then, use a toothpick to slide under the top of the vein. Gently lift, and the vein should come all the way out. Repeat on all the shrimp.

Do you need to rinse the shrimp before cooking?

I always recommend rinsing shrimp in cold water before you prepare it for cooking. Place the shrimp in a colander and run under cold water for a minute or two, tossing it. This will help remove any debris stuck on the shrimp.

Is shrimp healthy?

Shrimp is low-calorie and high-protein. Just remember that the ingredients you pair with the shrimp need to be counted as well. So, for these tacos, reach for low-calorie tortillas to help make this a healthy dinner option.

How to thaw frozen shrimp?

Place the raw shrimp in a Ziploc bag. Then, fill a large bowl with cold water and submerge the shrimp in it. Place a plate on top to keep the shrimp in the water. After 5-10 minutes, check on the shrimp and repeat until it is thawed.

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