Description
These Spicy Honey Butter Shrimp Tacos offer a flavorful and vibrant meal featuring succulent shrimp cooked in a sweet and spicy honey butter sauce, paired with a fresh and tangy cabbage slaw. Perfectly balanced with a hint of heat from sriracha and the brightness of lime, these tacos are easy to prepare and make a delightful dish for any occasion.
Ingredients
Scale
Shrimp and Sauce
- 1 lb large shrimp, peeled and deveined (tails off for easy eating)
- 2 tbsp unsalted butter
- 2 tbsp honey
- 1–2 tsp sriracha or gochujang (adjust for heat preference)
- 1 tsp soy sauce
- 1 garlic clove, minced
- 1/2 tsp smoked paprika
- Salt and pepper, to taste
Slaw
- 2 cups shredded purple cabbage
- 1 cup shredded carrots
- 1/4 cup fresh cilantro, chopped
- Juice of 1 lime (about 2 tbsp)
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- Salt, to taste
To Serve
- Warm tortillas
- Optional toppings: cotija cheese, jalapeños
- Lime wedges
Instructions
- Make the Slaw: In a medium bowl, combine the shredded purple cabbage, shredded carrots, and freshly chopped cilantro. Add the lime juice, olive oil, and a pinch of salt. Toss everything together well and set aside to let the flavors meld while you prepare the shrimp.
- Prepare the Shrimp: Pat the shrimp dry using paper towels to remove excess moisture. Season lightly with salt, pepper, and smoked paprika for a smoky, flavorful base.
- Cook the Sauce and Shrimp: Heat a large skillet over medium heat and melt the unsalted butter. Add the minced garlic and sauté for about 30 seconds until fragrant. Stir in the honey, sriracha (or gochujang), and soy sauce until the sauce is well combined and slightly bubbling.
- Sear the Shrimp: Add the seasoned shrimp to the skillet in a single layer. Cook for 2-3 minutes on each side until the shrimp turn pink and opaque, and the sauce thickens to coat the shrimp beautifully. Remove from heat once cooked through.
- Warm the Tortillas: Heat your tortillas on a dry skillet over medium heat for a minute or two on each side, or warm them in the microwave until soft and pliable.
- Assemble the Tacos: Spoon a generous amount of the prepared slaw onto each warm tortilla. Top with 3-4 shrimp and drizzle any remaining honey butter sauce from the pan over the top. Add optional toppings such as crumbled cotija cheese or sliced jalapeños to taste.
- Serve: Plate the tacos with lime wedges on the side. Serve immediately for the freshest flavor and enjoy the perfect balance of spicy, sweet, and tangy in every bite.
Notes
- Adjust the amount of sriracha or gochujang depending on your heat preference.
- For easier eating, peel and devein the shrimp with tails removed.
- Use fresh lime juice for the best flavor in the slaw.
- Warm tortillas just before serving to keep them soft and flexible.
- Optional toppings like cotija cheese add a creamy contrast to the spicy shrimp.
- This recipe can be doubled easily for larger groups.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Mexican
Keywords: shrimp tacos, spicy shrimp, honey butter shrimp, easy tacos, Mexican tacos, quick dinner, seafood tacos
