Delicious Crispy Shrimp Tacos packed with flavor, using red cabbage, avocado, Panko breading, and a spicy, tangy yogurt sauce that has some kick! You will love this spin on the fish taco.
Two dinner recipes in one week? That is very unlike me. Anyone who has followed along for a while, or has browsed the recipe index, will know that I post dessert or snack recipes way more often.
That is totally unintentional though. I usually post whatever I feel inspired to at the moment. This recipe was inspired by a box of Panko bread crumbs. What a muse, huh?
Going through the cabinet, I realized that box had been there for a while and needed to be used. My first idea was for fish tacos.
Improvising with My Fish Tacos - Now They're Shrimp!
I went out last weekend, bought some delicious cod fillets and started recipe testing. Well, once I had my recipe down, I had to remake it one more time for pictures. So I needed some more fish.
To my dismay, the cod fillets I had bought previously were all gone. I went up and down the fish aisles, looking at both fresh and frozen selection (in a fairly big supermarket), but there was no cod to be had.
Instead of trying to figure out which other fish might work well for fish tacos, I completely changed plans and picked up a bag of shrimp. I knew those would definitely hold up while being breaded and fried (unlike some softer fish that would disintegrate).
Unique and Bold Crispy Shrimp Tacos Recipe
I've seen plenty of shrimp taco recipes on Pinterest and in the food blogging world, but not very many with crispy shrimp. So here is my attempt at offering something unique.
To the crispy shrimp in the tortillas I simply added some shredded red cabbage, diced avocado and parsley (cilantro would be more traditional. I love the pops of purple and green that those bring to the plate.
Quick pickled onions would be another great topping option.
And to round it all up there is a spicy yogurt sauce. I've tried using just yogurt for the sauce, but the tart flavour was almost overpowering the spicy effect I was looking for. So I used a mix of mayonnaise and yogurt instead.
Similar Yummy Recipes
This sauce has some real kick to it! Feel free to reduce the spices for a more mellow flavour.
How do you like your tacos best?
These days I always make my own Instant Pot yogurt for everything.
If chicken tacos are more your thing, try this amazing Instant Pot Shredded Chicken!
Also, keep the taco train blasting full-speed ahead with this Gluten-free Taco Seasoning!
Crispy Shrimp Tacos with Spicy Yogurt Sauce
Ingredients
Crispy Shrimp:
- 9 ounces (250 g) raw jumbo shrimp peeled, deveined, tail removed
- 2 eggs
- 3 tablespoons all-purpose flour
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- ¾ cup Panko bread crumbs
- oil for frying I use refined coconut oil
Spicy Yogurt Sauce:
- ¼ cup plain (Greek) yogurt
- ¼ cup mayonnaise
- juice from half a lime
- ½ teaspoon chipotle chili powder *
- ½ teaspoon cayenne pepper
- ½ teaspoon coriander powder
- ¼ teaspoon garlic powder
- pinch of salt
Toppings
- small soft corn or wheat tortillas
- shredded red cabbage
- 1 diced avocado
- parsley or cilantro
Instructions
- Set up a work station with flour mixed with salt and pepper in one bowl, beaten eggs in an other bowl and Panko bread crumbs in a third bowl.
- Heat the frying oil in a small (cast iron) skillet to about 350° F.
- Dredge shrimp in flour. Shake off excess and dip in egg, then coat with Panko crumbs from both sides.
- Working in batches, fry the shrimp until golden and crispy (1-2 minutes per side). If the oil isn't covering the entire shrimp, flip them half way through.
- Place on paper towel to drain.
- Stir all ingredients for the spicy yogurt sauce together until combined.
- Fill warm tortillas with shredded cabbage, avocado dices and about 3 crispy shrimp each. Drizzle with yogurt sauce and top with cilantro or parsley leaves.
Air Fryer Instructions
- To air fry the shrimp, prepare them as above. Then lay them in a single layer in an air fryer, spray with a light coat of cooking spray, then air fry at 400°F for 4 minutes. Flip, spray again, and cook another 2-4 minutes.
Notes
Random Questions
Shrimp tacos pair well with a variety of sides, including rice, beans, corn, or a fresh salad. These options complement the flavors of the shrimp and enhance the overall meal experience.
Fried shrimp can be enjoyed with classic accompaniments such as coleslaw, french fries, or hush puppies. These sides provide a satisfying contrast in texture and flavor to the crispy shrimp.
The calorie content of shrimp tacos can vary depending on the ingredients and preparation methods used. Generally, a standard shrimp taco may contain around 200-300 calories, but this can fluctuate based on the specific recipe.
The calorie count of fried shrimp tacos depends on the cooking technique and additional ingredients used in the recipe. On average, fried shrimp tacos can contain approximately 250-400 calories per serving, accounting for the shrimp, breading, and toppings.
Mary Jane Fisher
This sounds so yummy, but do you have a suggestion for cooking in an air fryer? Thanks
Regina | Leelalicious
That's such a great suggestion. This recipe is from a time before air fryers were big, but now I would probably air fry the shrimp too. I will add it to the post too. To air fry the shrimp, prepare them as stated. Then lay them in a single layer in an air fryer, spray with a light coat of cooking spray, then air fry at 400F for 4 minutes. Flip, spray again, and cook another 2-4 minutes.
Matt @ Plating Pixels
Wow these look amazing. And oh my goodness, the photography is gorgeous! You captured the beauty of the food and the lighting so well.
Regina
Thank you so much Matt! Your compliment means so much, especially coming from you. I absolutely admire your photography.
Angie@Angie's Recipes
These tacos look heavenly, Regina. And I love the beautiful presentation too.
Regina
Thank you so much for your compliment, Angie! It means so much so me 🙂