Keto Shrimp Tacos: A Quick, Delicious, and Low-Carb Delight

These easy low-carb shrimp tacos are ready in less than 20 minutes, making them an amazing dinner option. Keto-friendly and featuring a delicious avocado cabbage slaw, they're a perfect addition to your Taco Tuesday rotation.

Introduction

Growing up in New England, I ate a ton of seafood, but I never had a shrimp taco until moving out to California. Immediately I fell in love with the combination of the sweet shrimp, smoky heat, and the obligatory creamy crunchy slaw. It's really a perfect marriage of flavors. Especially if you take the time to add some homemade shrimp taco sauce. I also love making this with fish to create the perfect fish taco bowls.

Why These Keto Shrimp Tacos Are the Best

• Quick and Easy: These tacos come together in less than 20 minutes, including the avocado cilantro slaw, making them perfect for any busy weeknight.
• Versatile: Easily turn this recipe into a tasty shrimp taco bowl using cauliflower rice, shrimp lettuce wraps, or a Mexican shrimp salad.
• Meal Prep Friendly: This dish works great for meal prep. The shrimp will keep in the fridge for 3-4 days. The slaw also stores well, just wait to add the avocado until it is being served.

Ingredients and Easy Swaps

These Chipotle Shrimp Tacos get their spice from ancho chili powder, which is made from smoked jalapenos (also known as chipotle peppers.) Then the shrimp are quickly cooked in a pan (you could also grill them) and paired with a quick and easy slaw packed with cilantro and avocado. Throw this all in some slightly charred keto-friendly tortillas and it makes one delicious meal.

Here's what you need:

• Shrimp: Any size of shrimp can be used for tacos, just make sure they are fully defrosted with the tails removed. Normally I use medium or large shrimp when making tacos.
• Taco spices: To amp up the smokiness and spiciness of these shrimp tacos, I like to use ancho chili powder. If you don't have that on hand, regular chili powder works. To that, you'll add paprika, oregano, and coriander. Swap in taco seasoning if you prefer.
• Cabbage: Fish and seafood tacos are typically served with shredded cabbage instead of shredded lettuce. Use regular cabbage, red cabbage, or Napa cabbage.
• Cilantro and green onions: Cilantro is standard for most Mexican taco recipes, and green onions add a mellow onion flavor. Feel free to swap in pickled red onions or diced onions.
• Avocado: Avocado makes these keto tacos more filling and adds healthy fats.
• Lime: Don't skimp on the lime juice in the cabbage slaw. It helps to soften the cabbage and brightens up the whole dish. Lemon juice works as well but doesn't have the same traditional flavor.
• Low carb tortillas: Use any low-carb tortillas you like including those made with cassava flour, almond flour, or cauliflower. Jicama tortillas and lettuce also can be used.

Is Shrimp Low Carb?

Shrimp is a great option for anyone following a low-carb or keto diet since it has less than one gram of carbohydrates in a 4-ounce serving.

Read also: Easy Low-Carb Cheese Crackers

What Are the Best Low Carb Tortillas?

There are lots of different low-carb tortillas on the market depending on your needs. You can find options that are similar to traditional tortillas like Carb Counters Tortillas by Mission or La Tortilla Factory High Fiber Tortillas. You can also find options made using coconut flour, almond flour, and even cauliflower flour in specialty grocery stores or online. For a truly low-carb option, you can use lettuce wraps. I find that butter/Bibb lettuce and Romaine lettuce work the best. You can also use collard greens or cabbage. Another option is to make your own low-carb tortillas using cauliflower or zucchini. For something crunchy and slightly sweet, use very thinly sliced jicama for your tacos.

Recipe Ideas

• Switch up the spice level: It's easy to adjust the amount of heat in these tacos. For more spice, add some extra chipotle chili powder, and cayenne pepper, or add fresh jalapenos to the slaw. To tame the spice level, use regular chili powder instead of chipotle chili powder. You can also leave out the chili powder completely and add some extra paprika for color and flavor.
• Add sweetness: Depending on your carb needs, this is delicious with some fresh mango or pineapple. Just fold right into the slaw.
• Try other proteins: If shrimp isn't your thing, this spice rub will work with all kinds of protein. Use it on salmon, chicken, pork, or steak.
• Make a bowl: Instead of serving tacos, make a taco bowl. Start with a bed of cauliflower rice, add the shrimp, slaw, sliced avocado, and some canned black soybeans. Top everything with extra lime juice and some queso fresco.

Easy Shrimp Taco Seasoning

Shrimp tacos are a great quick and low-carb meal that you can whip together for a quick weeknight meal. Having your taco seasoning ready to go in the cabinet makes this process even faster. Use this seasoning on shrimp, chicken, fish, pork, steak, and even tofu. Great for the saute pan, oven, or grill. Use 1-2 tablespoons for each pound of protein.

• 4 tbsp. ancho chili powder (chipotle chili powder)
• 2 tbsp. salt
• 2 tbsp. paprika
• 2 tbsp. oregano
• 1 tbsp coriander

Directions: Mix together and store in an airtight container for up to 6 months. Kick up the flavor with onion powder and garlic powder as well.

Low Carb and Keto Side Dishes

How to Grill Shrimp for Tacos

Grilling shrimp is another great option for tacos. However, they can be a little tricky to grill since they are small and cook quickly. The best way to grill shrimp is either using a grill basket or skewers. This way you are sure they won't fall through the grill grates. Once you are ready to grill, they will take about 2 minutes per side. Shrimp cook very quickly, so keep an eye on them to make sure they don't burn or overcook. It is also important to spray or oil the grill so the shrimp doesn't stick. In a pinch, you can also grill shrimp on a piece of foil. Simply grab some heavy-duty foil and make a small basket using the foil. Place the shrimp in a single layer and cook right in the foil basket. Cook for about 2 minutes and then shake and continue cooking until the shrimp are ready. Do not seal the foil or the shrimp will steam.

Frequently Asked Questions

What Are the Best Keto Taco Toppings?

When sticking to a low-carb or keto diet, some of the best toppings for tacos include avocado, guacamole, salsa, pico de gallo, shredded cheese or queso fresco, cabbage, shredded lettuce, sour cream, onion, cilantro, or a creamy sauce like jalapeno ranch or creamy chipotle sauce.

Read also: Keto Calorie Counting: A Detailed Guide

What Can Be Used Instead of Shrimp?

These tacos can be made with chicken, salmon, cod, haddock, tilapia, or scallops.

Recipe: Low Carb Chipotle Shrimp Tacos

Yields: 6 tacos

Prep time: 5 minutes

Cook time: 20 minutes

Total time: 25 minutes

Read also: Magnesium Supplements for Keto

Ingredients:

• 1.33 lbs. shrimp
• 1 tsp. ancho chili powder (chipotle chili powder)
• 1 tsp. kosher salt
• 1/2 tsp. paprika
• 1/2 tsp. oregano
• 1/4 tsp coriander
• 2 tsp. olive oil
• 2 cups coleslaw mix
• 1 avocado
• 1/4 cup cilantro, chopped
• 2 green onions, chopped
• 3 tbsp. lime juice (or more)
• 1/2 tsp. cumin
• Salt and pepper to taste
• 8 low carb tortillas

Instructions:

1. Toss shrimp with the chili powder, salt, paprika, oregano, and coriander.
2. Toss together the coleslaw, cilantro, and green onions. Season with salt, pepper, and cumin. Add lime juice and gently massage with your hands to soften the cabbage. Add avocado. Season with salt and pepper.
3. Heat the olive oil over medium-high heat. Add the shrimp and cook for 2-3 minutes per side until pink and opaque. You can also grill the shrimp for 1-2 minutes per side.
4. Heat the tortillas on the grill or stove top. Stuff with shrimp and cilantro avocado slaw.

Nutritional Facts (per serving - 2 tacos):

• Calories: 363
• Calories from Fat: 150
• Monounsaturated Fat: 0g
• Polyunsaturated Fat: 0g
• Total Carbohydrate: 47g
• Protein: 48g
• Fat: 16g

Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your daily values may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs. The Nutritional Values provided are estimates only and may vary based on the preparation method.

Notes:

For a more traditional seasoning mix, swap in chili powder for ancho chili powder.

Other Keto Shrimp Taco Variations

Cheese Shell Keto Shrimp Tacos

When I make tacos to fulfill all my most taco-ish cravings, these keto shrimp tacos are the ones I make! You’ll dream about the crunchy homemade cheese hardshells and cilantro lime sauce until you make them again. When I first started trimming down my carb intake, I was pleasantly surprised with how easy it was to use protein-rich alternatives. These keto taco shells are a perfect example of how you can switch up your ingredients to make the recipe low-carb and not miss out on anything.

Ingredients:

• Crystal Farms Cheese Wraps
• Shrimp
• Taco Seasoning
• Cilantro
• Lime
• Other desired toppings

Instructions:

1. Prep your baking sheet.
2. Portion the cheese.
3. Bake.
4. Cool.
5. Prepare the shrimp.
6. Season.
7. Bake for 8-10 minutes.
8. Complete your keto tacos with a creamy and punchy cilantro lime sauce.

Cilantro Lime Sauce:

1. Combine the ingredients.
2. Season.

You can transform this dish just by changing up the sauce you top it with.

Pan Seared Shrimp Tacos

This recipe really has two main ingredients: cheese taco shells and easy cast iron shrimp. Besides that, all other toppings are optional and based on your preferences. Learn how to pan sear shrimp with this easy Pan Seared Shrimp recipe. Uses less than 5 ingredients and takes about 5 minutes. Pair with a salad or other side dish to make a quick meal.

In this recipe, I’m simply searing them in a cast iron pan.

Bang Bang Shrimp Tacos

One of my favorite recipes on the blog is keto bang bang shrimp. This recipe is perfect as an appetizer, but would also be great as part of a shrimp tacos dish. This is a recipe for Bang Bang Shrimp that is grain-free, low carb, keto-friendly and does not use added sugar. I include a quick recipe for the Sweet Thai Chili Sauce, an essential part of Bang Bang Sauce. These are great alone, but they would be perfect as part of a keto taco bar.

Spicy Shrimp Tacos with Creamy Coleslaw and Avocado Salsa

These Spicy Shrimp Tacos are truly THE BEST tacos! They are packed with spice crusted shrimp, creamy coleslaw, and an avocado salsa all drizzled in a zesty lime and cilantro sauce. This easy shrimp tacos recipe is a real crowd pleaser that takes less than 30 minutes to prepare. This easy shrimp taco recipe is perfect for a last minute taco tuesday dinner. The leftover are fantastic all served in a bowl as a big salad.

Ingredients:

• Raw shrimp
• Olive oil
• Smoked paprika
• Cumin
• Chili powder
• Salt
• Black pepper
• Minced garlic
• Shredded cabbage
• Chopped green onions
• Tomatoes
• Jalapeno
• Avocado
• Cilantro
• Lime juice
• Cilantro Lime Sauce

Instructions:

1. Start by placing the raw shrimp in a large bowl. Add in the olive oil and spices (smoked paprika, cumin and chili powder) plus salt, black pepper and minced garlic.
2. In a medium bowl add the shredded cabbage and chopped green onions and pour half of the green sauce overtop.
3. Prepare the salsa by combining the chopped tomatoes, jalapeno, avocado and cilantro in a bowl.
4. Heat the olive oil in a large skillet on medium-high heat. Fresh shrimp are coated in a delicious spice and garlic blend and then pan seared until a golden crust of spices coats each shrimp.

Keto & Paleo Shrimp Tacos with Tomatillo Taco Sauce

Over the years, I've developed my own favorite paleo (and keto!) version of shrimp tacos. The addition of the Tomatillo Taco Sauce, though, took these to a whole new level. Since we avoid corn, we've gotten so we enjoy the simple crunch of a good leaf of lettuce wrapped around a flavorful filling.

Ingredients:

• Shrimp
• Taco seasoning
• Sea salt
• Black pepper
• Coconut oil
• Kevin's Tomatillo Taco Sauce
• Onion
• Pepper
• Cilantro
• Avocado
• Cotija cheese (optional)
• Lime wedges
• Lettuce leaves

Instructions:

1. Prep the toppings and lettuce "shells."
2. Cook the shrimp. Toss the shrimp in a bowl with the taco seasoning, sea salt, and black pepper, until the shrimp are evenly coated with the spice mixture.
3. Heat the coconut oil in a frying pan over medium heat, until hot and spluttery.
4. Add the shrimp and cook for about 3 minutes on each side, just until they're fully opaque.
5. Transfer to a single layer on a parchment lined baking sheet, and broil for another 3 minutes on each side, or just until shrimp are starting to get a nice, slightly-darkened crust.
6. Assemble the tacos. Start with a large leaf of lettuce, then add avocado, shrimp, and a generous layer of Kevin's Tomatillo Taco Sauce. Add other toppings as desired.

Easy Keto Shrimp Tacos with Zesty Lime

These easy keto shrimp tacos are bursting with zesty spices and fresh lime, making them a perfect choice for lunch or dinner. They’re quick to make, full of flavor, and pair beautifully with coleslaw and a low-carb tortilla.

Ingredients:

• Shrimp
• Chili powder
• Cumin
• Garlic powder
• Onion powder
• Lime juice
• Butter, olive oil, or coconut oil
• Low-carb tortillas
• Coleslaw

Instructions:

1. Mix the spices and lime juice in a shallow bowl.
2. Toss the shrimp in the spices, ensuring that they are all covered.
3. Heat the butter a skillet or frying pan on a medium hot heat and when the butter has melted, add the shrimps.

tags: #keto #shrimp #tacos