Shrimp Tacos Recipe with Asian-Inspired Twist

Name: Easy Shrimp Tacos with Asian Salsa
Prep time: 5 min
Cook time: 5 min
Total time: 130 min
Ingredients: 1 pound shrimp (peeled and deveined); 1 tablespoon cooking oil ((coconut, canola, avocado, etc.)); 1 cup grated cabbage; 8 corn tortillas; 1/2 cup fresh cilantro ((for garnish)); 1/2 cup fresh mint leaves ((for garnish)); 1 lime (cut in wedges for serving); Asian salsa ((see instructions below)); pickled vegetables ((see instructions below)); 1 tablespoon lime juice; 1 teaspoon grated ginger ((substitute ginger paste)); 2 garlic cloves (minced); 1 teaspoon coconut sugar; 2 teaspoon fish sauce; 1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper; 1 teaspoon soy sauce; 1 tomatillo; 1 roma tomato; 2 basil leaves; 1 jalapeno; 4 mint leaves; 1 teaspoon cilantro; 1 tablespoon fish sauce; 1 tablespoon fresh lime juice; 1 teaspoon coconut sugar; 1 cup shredded carrots; 1 cup thinly sliced radish; 1/4 cup rice vinegar; 1/2 cup water; 1/8 cup coconut sugar

If you're looking for a bold, fresh, and flavor-packed shrimp tacos recipe, these Asian-inspired shrimp tacos deliver everything you want—bright herbs, tangy pickled veggies, and juicy shrimp. If you love seafood tacos, you should also try these Cod Fish Tacos for another delicious variation.

The best part of these tacos is the salsa. Seriously.

They're also pretty darn good served with this fresh tomato salsa or mango peach salsa if green salsa isn't your thing.

And of course, it's such a super simple easy recipe. It only takes about 5 minutes to cook the shrimp, a couple minutes to get the veggies marinated, and less than 5 minutes to make the salsa. Talk about easy.

However, the shrimp do need to be marinated for about 2 hours. We don't want to leave them much longer than that because the lime juice will start to cook them. Then when we stir fry, they just get kind weird.

shrimp, herbs, jalapeno and vegetables on a corn tortilla

What is a shrimp tacos recipe?

A shrimp tacos recipe is a dish made with seasoned shrimp served in tortillas and topped with fresh ingredients like cabbage, herbs, salsa, and sauces for a balanced and flavorful bite.

Jump to:

What is a shrimp tacos recipe?
Why This Recipe Works
Why This Shrimp Tacos Recipe is Better Than Store-Bought
What is My Take on Asian Shrimp Tacos?
Ingredients
Key Ingredients
Step By Step Instructions
How to Get Perfect Shrimp Texture
Common Mistakes to Avoid
What to Serve With Shrimp Tacos
Expert Tips
Frequently Asked Questions
Storage, Reheating & Meal Prep
Closing Vietnamese shrimp tacos
More Fun Taco Recipes
Favorite Shrimp Recipes
Recipe
💬 Comments

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Why This Recipe Works

Quick cooking time (under 30 minutes active cooking)
Packed with fresh herbs and bold flavors
Perfect balance of sweet, salty, and tangy
Customizable toppings and spice levels

Why This Shrimp Tacos Recipe is Better Than Store-Bought

No preservatives or artificial flavors
Fresh herbs and homemade salsa elevate flavor
Better texture (perfectly cooked shrimp vs rubbery takeout)

What is My Take on Asian Shrimp Tacos?

This version leans into Vietnamese-inspired flavors with fish sauce, lime, herbs, and pickled vegetables—similar to the bright flavors you’ll find in dishes like Vietnamese Shrimp Street Tacos but with a slightly fresher, herb-forward twist.

Ingredients

👉 Scroll down to the recipe card for a printable version of ingredients and instructions.

Main Ingredients:

1 pound shrimp peeled and deveined
1 tablespoon cooking oil (coconut, canola, avocado, etc.)
1 cup grated cabbage
8 corn tortillas
½ cup fresh cilantro (for garnish)
½ cup fresh mint leaves (for garnish)
1 lime cut in wedges for serving
Asian salsa (see instructions below)
pickled vegetables (see instructions below)

Marinade Ingredients:

1 tablespoon lime juice
1 teaspoon grated ginger (substitute ginger paste)
2 garlic cloves minced
1 teaspoon coconut sugar
2 teaspoon fish sauce
¼ teaspoon ground black pepper
1 teaspoon soy sauce

Asian Salsa Ingredients

This is the most incredible salsa guys. With just a hint of Asian flair, it has so much flavor and freshness you'll want to eat it on everything.

It may seem as though there are a lot of ingredients involved (there kinda are), but I promise this recipe is VERY easy to make guys!

1 tomatillo
1 roma tomato
2 basil leaves
1 jalapeno
4 mint leaves
1 teaspoon cilantro
1 tablespoon fish sauce
1 tablespoon fresh lime juice
1 teaspoon coconut sugar

Pickled Vegetables Ingredients

So guys, you don't HAVE to make these pickled vegetables, but I highly recommend it. They just go so well with these tacos and are so easy to make.

1 cup shredded carrots
1 cup thinly sliced radish
¼ cup rice vinegar
½ cup water
⅛ cup coconut sugar
½ teaspoon salt
1 Thai chili (bird's eye chili)

Key Ingredients

Shrimp: cooks quickly and absorbs marinade beautifully
Fish sauce: adds deep umami flavor
Fresh herbs: cilantro + mint bring brightness
Pickled veggies: balance richness with acidity

Medium sized shrimp work the best for this recipe. If they are too large, it becomes difficult to fit them in the tortillas.

All the ingredients should be easy to find in your local store - most grocery stores are even carrying fish sauce now! However, I personally prefer to use Red Boat fish sauce as I believe it has the best flavor.

Step By Step Instructions

Step1: Combine all marinade ingredients in a bowl and add shrimp - mix to coat the shrimp thoroughly. Refrigerate for 2 hours. Too much longer and the lime juice starts to cook the shrimp.

Step2: Once your two hours is up, drain your shrimp and pat them dry with a paper towel.

Step3: Heat 1 tablespoon of cooking oil over medium high in a wok (you can use a cast iron skillet too) and add your shrimp. Stir fry until pink (no longer translucent), about 2-3 minutes. Remove from heat.

Step4: Serve on tortillas with cabbage, pickled vegetables, fresh herbs and Vietnamese salsa.

How to Prepare Corn Tortillas:

Step1: Heat 1 tsp. cooking oil or nonstick cooking spay in a nonstick skillet.

Step2: Add tortillas and cook for 30 seconds to 1 minutes per side. Place on a plate covered with a warm damp towel to prevent them from drying out while cooking the remaining tortillas.

How To Make Spicy Asian Salsa

Step1: Place ingredients in a food processor, process and done. Seriously, that's it. Now try not to eat it all before your shrimp is done!

How to Make Quick Pickled Vegetables

carrot and radishes in a bowl with liquid

Step1: Thinly slice the carrots and radish into small matchsticks (see photos). Combine the vinegar, sugar, salt and chilies in a bowl and mix until the sugar is dissolved.

3 tacos on a platter with shrimp and toppings

Step2: Pour over the vegetables and let sit for at least an hour. For even better results, you can make these a day in advance and let them sit overnight.

Easy Shrimp Tacos with Spicy Asian Salsa

How to Get Perfect Shrimp Texture

Don’t overcook (2–3 minutes max)
Pat shrimp dry before cooking
Use high heat for quick sear

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Overcooking shrimp (rubbery texture)
Skipping the marinade
Not balancing flavors (acid + salt + sweetness)

Variations

Use flour tortillas instead of corn if you prefer them;
These would also be great topped with Chimichurri, Remoulade, or Thai Peanut Sauce;
Add onions, jalapenos, cucumbers and/or sliced radishes to the pickled vegetables;
Even though the salsa in this recipe is to-die-for, I understand sometimes you guys want a creamy sauce instead....try this creamy Yum Yum Sauce.

What to Serve With Shrimp Tacos

Pair these tacos with:

Coconut Rice
Fresh fruit sides such as Grilled Mango
A drizzle of Hot Honey for sweet heat

Expert Tips

Don't let the shrimp marinade for more than 2 hours as the acidity in the lime juice will cook the shrimp too much.
Drain the shrimp well and make sure the pan is hot before adding them. We want them to sear on the outside.
The shrimp are done when they are pink and no longer translucent.
Add a Thai chili to the salsa if you'd like some extra heat.
The pickled vegetables will taste the best of you marinade them for at least 4 hours. They will still work at one hour, but if you have time, marinade them longer.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use frozen shrimp?

Yes, just thaw completely before marinating.

Are these tacos spicy?

Mild by default, but you can add chili for heat.

shrimp taco with jalapeno, herbs, radish and carrots

Storage, Reheating & Meal Prep

Store shrimp separately from toppings
Reheat gently in skillet
Prep pickled veggies ahead for best flavor

Closing Vietnamese shrimp tacos

This shrimp tacos recipe is fresh, vibrant, and packed with bold Asian-inspired flavors. Whether you’re making weeknight tacos or entertaining guests, this recipe delivers restaurant-quality results at home.

More Fun Taco Recipes

Pork Belly Tacos (these are sooooo good);
Korean Pork Bulgogi Tacos (the flavor on the pork in these is incredible, with just the perfect amount of spice);
Grilled Salmon Tacos;
Tacos de Camaron
Slow Cooker Carnitas (technically a Carnitas recipe, but what better way to use Carnitas than in a taco??);
Spicy Lamb Tacos with yogurt sauce.

Favorite Shrimp Recipes

New Orleans BBQ Shrimp (so buttery, spicy and tangy);
Creamy Shrimp Scampi (isn't creamy pasta just the ultimate comfort food??);
Thai Grilled Shrimp Skewers (so much flavor in these marinated shrimp skewers - plus, learn how to make sticky rice);
Shrimp Lo Mein (ummm...stir fried egg noodles and vegetables in yummy sauce? YES please!!);
Spicy Thai Shrimp Salad (this is the way we should all be eating salad);
Check out all the Shrimp Recipes (there are so many as you guys all seem to loooove shrimp!).