Brighten up your dinner routine with these easy, 30-minute Tequila Shrimp Tacos! Our tequila shrimp tacos are dripping with a garlicky, butter sauce that has just a hint of spicy heat. But you’ll know you’ve nailed dinner when you’ve topped your tacos with this citrusy, jicama slaw!
I can’t get enough of these tequila shrimp tacos! In case you haven’t noticed, There are four recipes for margaritas on Vintage Kitty…so yeah, I’ve got a thing for tequila! And as great as tequila is in these kombucha margaritas and these salty, sweet watermelon margaritas, tequila is also a great way to flavor seafood!
For weeknight meals, shrimp is one of my favorites. It cooks so fast! So, it’s a perfect choice when you’re short on time. But these shrimp tacos pack a wallop for these ease of the recipe.
Jicama taco slaw
But before we get into the nitty gritty of the tequila shrimp, we’ve got to talk about this jicama cucumber slaw. I made it up on the fly one night and it has been my go-to taco topping ever since.
It’s so, ridiculously simple. Julienne equal amounts of jicama, cucumber and red onion, then give it a drizzle of extra virgin olive oil and lime juice. Then season it with salt, pepper and cilantro. As the slaw marinates in the dressing, it pickles a little thanks to the acid in the lime.
That’s why you start with the slaw because as the rest of the dish is made, the veggies absorb all those tasty juices! You can easily make this recipe in 30 minutes, but if you have a little extra time, I like to let my slaw soak in the 60-90 minute range.
If you only have 30 minutes, that’s cool too. Just make sure your julienne is on the thin side, because the smaller the veggie, the quicker they will quickle! (See what I did there? Quick + pickle…haha).
Keeping these tequila shrimp tacos simple…
To save time, we opted for ready made guacamole for the sauce, so all that’s left to do at this point it to warm your tortillas and cook the shrimp. Did I mention this a one pan meal? Sear your tortillas in your sauté pan, set them aside and then it’s time for some tequila shrimp magic.
You’ll want to have all your ingredients measured and ready because cooking the shrimp takes 5 minutes. Because shrimp cook so quickly, if your ingredients are not ready you will overcook your shrimp…so be warned.
Seriously, it’s like the end of a fireworks show…all the ingredients being added in lightning fast succession. Butter, garlic, jalapeno, shrimp, agave, cayenne, and finally when you add the tequila, you have a moment to breathe while the sauce cooks down. But don’t step away! It takes just about a minute for the sauce to reduce and then you stir in more butter so the shrimp have a beautiful glaze.
Only thing left to do is assemble your tequila shrimp tacos so you can chow down!
Don’t these tequila shrimp tacos look awesome? The slaw is citrusy and bright with natural sweetness from the jicama and a melon-y bitterness from the cucumber. And goodness do I love the flavor of a slightly pickled onion! All of it mingled with the soapy fragrance of cilantro. So good!
And the tequila shrimp! They are garlicky with a subtle heat. I love how they get coated in the sauce, which has just the right amount of tequila flavor mixed with salty, buttery, yumminess!
I’m more than a little obsessed with this recipe!. I think you will be too! So what are you waiting for? You could be eating this in 30 minutes!
Tequila Shrimp Tacos Recipe
Ingredients
Jicama Cucumber Slaw
- 1 cup cucumber, seeded and jullienned
- 1 cup red onion, jullienned
- 1 cup jicama, peeled and jullienned
- 1 1/2 tablespoons lime juice
- 1 1/2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
- 1 bunch cilantro, finely chopped
Tequila Shrimp
- 2 tablespoons butter, divided
- 2 teaspoons jalapeno, finely diced
- 2 tablespoons garlic, finely chopped
- 24 medium sized shrimp, shelled
- 1 teaspoon agave
- 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper
- 1/4 cup tequila
Tacos
- 6 small flour tortillas
- 3/4 cup guacamole
Instructions
Jicama Cucumber Slaw
- In a bowl, stir together the lime juice and olive oil and season with salt and pepper to taste.
- Add in the jicama, cucumber, onion and cilantro and stir to combine.
- Stir every 5 minutes to redistribute dressing.
Heat the tortillas
- Wipe the inside of the skillet with butter or oil, using a paper towel to remove any excess.
- Heat the pan to medium high.
- Cook each tortilla 30-60 seconds a side.
Tequila Shrimp
- Melt one tablespoon butter in the skillet over medium heat.
- When the butter is hot, add in garlic and jalapeno and cook for one minute.
- Add in the shrimp and a pinch of salt and pepper and cook for about another 2-3 minutes.
- Stir in the agave, tequila and cayenne, letting the sauce come to a boil.
- Reduce the sauce for about another minute.
- Turn off the heat and stir in the remaining butter.
Tacos
- Smear each taco with a spoonful of guacamole.
- Top tacos with slaw and shrimp.
Notes
- If you’re a meal prepper, it’s a-o-kay to make the slaw a day in advance. It can soak for up to 24 hours in the fridge, but it will lose its crunch.
- Get the deveined shrimp! It saves so much time!
Nutrition
Love these tacos? Check out all our main course recipes!
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Analida Braeger says
Wow what a treat! The colors and flavors transport me to a warmer place. Just what I need right now. Thanks for the inspiration.
Vintage Kitty says
I know right? It’s January and you’d rather it feel like May!
Kelly Anthony says
So light and refreshing! I love everything about these tacos!!!
Vintage Kitty says
Thanks Kelly!
Sherri says
Shrimp is so versatile! Love this recipe and all the amazing flavors coming together! Can’t wait to try these tacos with one of your margaritas! ?
Vintage Kitty says
It really is. Go ahead and treat yourself. You deserve tacos and margaritas!
georgie says
tequila shrimp is genius! I never would have thought to put tequila in a marinade but I am so down for that! I love shrimp tacos and this slaw looks so gorgeous and colorful! Perfect for a taco night at home!
Vintage Kitty says
Thanks Georgie! Oh tequila is an awesome flavor enhancer. You have to try it.
Tammy says
Wow these look absolutely fantastic! I’m loving all the flavors. It’s also making me wish it were summer here lol! I’d love to be sitting outside with one of these ^_^
Vintage Kitty says
I’ve been pretending it’s warm outside. Bright, summery foods help!
Aleta says
I think I love you.
You had me at tequila. Tequila is my favourite food group. :P Can’t wait to try this delicious recipe!
Vintage Kitty says
Aleta we’re going to be best friends ;-)
Jessica says
I love tacos but it’s difficult to find easy appealing recipes. This recipe sounds incredibly delicious and I can’t wait to try the Tequila shrimps!
Vintage Kitty says
Well I hope you love this one Jessica. I love it because it’s fresh and vibrant and exactly what I think a seafood taco should be.
Kiki Johnson says
I had to save those to my recipe board right away! We are moving back to our home in Mexico next month and I cannot wait to start the holiday season off with some homemade shrimp tacos! These have my name written all over them!
Vintage Kitty says
Congrats on your move Kiki. I’ve only been to Mexico once, but I found it very beautiful. I hope my recipe stands up next to authentic Mexican fare!
Claire says
This sounds delicious, even if I am allergic to shrimp. :( I’ll have to pass it along to my husband who I’m sure would be happy to make and devour it all by himself.
Vintage Kitty says
I’m so sorry to hear that Claire. Shellfish allergies suck. If you can eat fish, I think the sauce would be great on a light, white fish too. But I think it would also be yummy on chicken. The slaw I love on most types of tacos.
Donna says
Now this is my kind of dinner, these tequila shrimp are on point!! I also love the addition of the jicama in the slaw, it fits in perfectly and gives such a great crunch!
Vintage Kitty says
Thanks Donna. Yes so much crunch….and tequila!
Sam says
I love shrimp tacos! These look amazing. I can’t wait to make these for game day next Sunday!
Vintage Kitty says
Yes, so perfect for game day!
Nicole says
I love shrimp and I LOVE Tequila. What a great marriage?!
Vintage Kitty says
Of course!