• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar

JZ Eats

  • Home
  • Shop
    • Easy Rotisserie Chicken Dinners Ebook
  • About
    • Contact
    • Privacy Policy
    • Cookie Policy
  • Recipes
    • Ingredient
      • Chicken
      • Mushrooms
      • Pasta
      • Pork
      • Seafood
      • Shrimp
      • Steak
    • Recipes
      • Appetizers
      • Beverages
      • Breakfast
      • Condiments
      • Desserts
      • Dips
      • Holiday
      • Main Dishes
      • Meal Prep That Doesn’t Suck
      • Salads
      • Side Dishes
      • TikTok Recipes
    • Method
      • Air Fryer Recipes
      • One Pan Recipes
      • Slow Cooker Recipes
    • Vegetarian
    • Whole30
  • Free Meal Plans
    • Whole30
    • Meal Prep
  • Travel
    • NYC
    • Florida
      • Marco Island
    • Boston
    • Jamaica
    • Portland Maine
    • Baltimore Hotels
  • Navigation Menu: Social Icons

    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
You are here: Home / Diet / Whole30 / 15 Minute Whole30 Blackened Shrimp Tacos

15 Minute Whole30 Blackened Shrimp Tacos

Published: November 30, 2019 | Updated: March 13, 2022 | By: Jordan

30.7K shares

This post may contain affiliate links which will not change your price but will share some commission. Please read my privacy policy.

Jump to Recipe

Blackened Shrimp Tacos are a healthy, gluten free, and Whole30 compliant recipe to take your standard cajun shrimp recipe to the next level.

I love these Blackened Shrimp Tacos because they’re easy to make and healthy. They are on the lighter side, but loaded with flavor. I’m a big seafood fan, so I prefer these shrimp tacos over beef tacos any day!

A close up shot of the finished blackened shrimp taco recipe in lettuce leaves ready to be eaten.

BEST SHRIMP TACOS

Who’s looking for a bit of a healthier alternative for Taco Tuesday? I’ve gotta tell you, we’re always down for tacos in my house! You may have tried my Slow Cooker Pulled Pork Tacos or my Blackened Shrimp Taco Bowl.

After a busy day, there is nothing better than making a simple and tasty dinner the whole family will love. During the week it can be tough to throw a fancy dinner together, but don’t worry, you only need about 15 minutes for this one!

They’re also great for serving a crowd because you can make lots of tacos at once and everyone can pick their own toppings. You don’t need a lot of fancy ingredients to make tacos with shrimp.

If you’ve never made shrimp tacos before, I think you’ll be surprised at how quickly and easily something so delicious comes together.

WHAT ARE BLACKENED SHRIMP?

blackened shrimp in a black cast iron skillet

The concept of blackening or blackened food is a Southern cooking technique used to add bold flavors to fish, shrimp, chicken and other food. The mixture of spices create this bold flavor, and this technique is typically used in Cajun cuisine.

See my favorite recipe for blackened shrimp here.

EASY SHRIMP TACO RECIPE

Shrimp cook super fast and they’re high in protein, they have a mild flavor and can be seasoned a number of ways. My favorited way to cook them is with blackened seasoning.

They get so crispy and flavorful on the outside, and stay so juicy on the inside.

Shrimp tacos are so easy to throw together when you just need something quick. I know some people get nervous around cooking shrimp or seafood in general because they are afraid to overcook or undercook the fish.

A meat thermometer is helpful when cooking meat or seafood, but you can also tell if shrimp are done just by looking at them.

raw shrimp in a blue bowl and a tablespoon of olive oil

Some shrimp are naturally a grayish color before they’re cooked, and are usually translucent. When shrimp are cooked thoroughly, you will notice that they have more of an opaque color. 

Something else to note about shrimp is that they cook super fast! So don’t start cooking the shrimp too early because they will cook faster they will be ready in just a few minutes. I would prepare everything else for the Shrimp Tacos first and then cook the shrimp! 

While cooking with shrimp isn’t hard, it’s easier to buy shrimp that are already peeled and deveined. It will make cooking these tacos a lot easier! Frozen shrimp are great to have on hand, too. That way you can whip up these tacos any time!

HOW TO MAKE SHRIMP TACOS

Blackened Shrimp Tacos are seriously one of the easiest recipes ever. I love all the fresh ingredients and the blackened seasoning is so easy to make.

blackened seasoning going onto the shrimp

I like to make my seasoning from scratch, that way I know exactly what’s going into it and you can control the amount of heat. Add more cayenne pepper if you want to turn up the heat!

You can top them with a variety of different ingredients and sauces. I love adding a green goddess dressing to mine.

To make these shrimp tacos:

1. Prepare the blackened seasoning. You’ll want to start by combining all of the seasoning ingredients into a small bowl. 

2. Season the shrimp. Toss the shrimp and olive oil together in a small mixing bowl. Then add the seasoning and toss until the shrimp are fully coated.

seasoned shrimp in a blue bowl

3. Cook the shrimp. Heat a cast iron skillet or nonstick pan with 1 tablespoon of olive oil on medium-high heat until the pan is hot. Add the shrimp (careful not to overlap) and cook for 1-2 minutes on each side or until they are completely opaque.

blackened shrimp in a cast iron pan

4. Assemble the tacos. After the shrimp are cooked, you can then start putting your tacos together. Everyone likes to do them a little differently so I always put the toppings in small bowls on the table and let everyone build their own.

There is so much creativity that can be added to Shrimp Tacos, so have fun with it! 

TOPPINGS FOR BLACKENED SHRIMP TACOS

Toppings are the best part of any taco! I like to load them up with:

  • Mango salsa
  • Diced red onions
  • Tomatoes
  • Jalapeño peppers
  • Guacamole

If you’re not on the Whole30 diet, try topping them with some corn and shredded cheese.

3 tacos on a wooden cutting board

WHAT SHOULD I SERVE SHRIMP TACOS WITH?

Homemade salsa is one of my favorite things to make with these tacos! A standard tomato salsa pairs best, but if you really want to have fun with it, try the avocado salsa from my Pan Seared Salmon Recipe. Mango salsa is delicious on these shrimp tacos, too!

You can serve these Blackened Shrimp Tacos with a side of broccolini or Crispy Air Fryer French Fries or a side of Slow Roasted Mini Potatoes.

CAN I PREPARE SHRIMP TACOS AHEAD OF TIME?

You can absolutely prepare your shrimp tacos ahead of time. Blackened shrimp can be cooked and stored in the refrigerator in an airtight container for 2-3 days.

You can prepare your toppings ahead of time too and store them in plastic storage bags or small containers in the refrigerator.

MORE SHRIMP RECIPES

If you loved this recipe, try some of my other favorite shrimp recipes:

  • Lemon Orzo Salad With Garlic Butter Shrimp
  • Garlic Butter Shrimp
  • Blackened Shrimp Taco Bowls
  • Honey Garlic Shrimp
  • One Pan Garlic Parmesan Shrimp Spaghetti
  • Shrimp Pho Noodle Soup

WANT TO TRY THIS BLACKENED SHRIMP TACO RECIPE?

PIN IT to your Whole30 recipes, shrimp recipes, or dinner recipes board to save it for later!
Find me on Pinterest for more great recipes. I’m always pinning!

shrimp tacos pinterest long pin
3 tacos on a wooden cutting board
Print Recipe Pin Recipe Rate this Recipe
5 from 8 votes

Whole30 Blackened Shrimp Tacos

Blackened Shrimp Tacos are a healthy, gluten free, and Whole30 compliant recipe to take your standard cajun shrimp recipe to the next level.
Prep Time10 mins
Cook Time5 mins
Total Time15 mins
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: American
Keyword: Blackened shrimp, blackened shrimp tacos, shrimp tacos, Whole30 Recipes
Servings: 6
Calories: 115kcal
Prevent your screen from going dark
Author: Jordan

Ingredients

  • 1 pound jumbo shrimp peeled and deveined
  • 1 tablespoon fresh lime juice, about half a lime
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil, more for cooking
  • 2 tablespoons fresh cilantro, for garnish

Blackened Seasoning

  • 1 teaspoon black pepper
  • 1 tablespoon dried oregano
  • 1 tablespoon dried thyme
  • 1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper
  • 2 tablespoons paprika
  • 1 tablespoon garlic salt, can sub for garlic powder, just be sure to add salt to the mixture
  • 1 tablespoon onion powder

Wraps and Topping Suggestions

  • green leaf lettuce, butter lettuce works well too!
  • red onion, diced
  • mango salsa
  • avocado
  • cilantro

Instructions

  • Combine all seasoning ingredients in a small mixing bowl.
  • Toss shrimp and olive oil together in a large mixing bowl. Then add the seasoning and mix until shrimp are fully coated.
  • Heat a cast iron skillet or non-stick pan on medium-high heat until the pan is hot. Lay shrimp flat in the pan without overlapping them and cook for 1-2 minutes on each side or until they are opaque. When the shrimp are finished cooking, garnish them with fresh cilantro and lime juice.
  • Separate the lettuce leaves and assemble the tacos with all your favorite toppings!

Video

Notes

*Nutrition information is approximate and was calculated using a recipe nutrition label generator.
  • If you aren’t on Whole30, add 2 tbsps of brown sugar to the seasoning mixture

Nutrition

Calories: 115kcal | Carbohydrates: 4g | Protein: 16g | Fat: 4g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 191mg | Sodium: 900mg | Potassium: 152mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 1g | Vitamin A: 1545IU | Vitamin C: 5mg | Calcium: 145mg | Iron: 3mg
Nutrition information is approximate and was calculated using a recipe nutrition label generator.
Tried this recipe?I’d love to see your dish, mention @jzeats or tag #jzeats!
30.7K shares

Published: November 30, 2019 Filed Under: Main Dishes, Seafood, TikTok Recipes, Whole30 Tagged With: 15 minutes or less, 30 minutes or less, blackened shrimp, dinner recipes, easy recipes, shrimp, shrimp tacos, tacos, Whole30

You May Also Like

a lasagna roll being served from a pan
Spinach Lasagna Rolls
one large plate of sweet potato fries and two small plates
Air Fryer Sweet Potato Fries
One Pan Garlic Shrimp Spaghetti
Previous Post: « Whole30 Breakfast Sweet Potato Toast
Next Post: Candy Cane Hershey Kiss Cookies »

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. ECWB

    February 27, 2020 at 3:25 pm

    5 stars
    Brilliant recipe!
    Went well with our Pale Ale.
    https://ecwb.ca/gl-heritage-ca-jen-pale-ale-with-blackened-shrimp-tacos/
    thank you

    Reply
    • JZ Eats

      March 1, 2020 at 7:58 pm

      That sounds delicious, thank you!

      Reply
  2. Kirsten

    April 1, 2020 at 8:27 pm

    5 stars
    The seasoning was way too hot. I am not sure if all blackened shrimp recipes are like this but I had to wash the shrimp off and it was still extremely spicy. My mouth is burning.

    Reply
    • JZ Eats

      April 6, 2020 at 7:50 pm

      Sorry to hear that, Kirsten! Yes – blacken seasoning can be spicy, but if you prefer something less spicy you can use half the amount of cayenne pepper (the spicy element) or completely eliminate it all together!

      Reply
      • Sarah

        January 7, 2021 at 10:23 pm

        I eliminated the cheyanne pepper since we do not like spicy. It was easy and tasted great. All my kids enjoyed it. I’ll be making this again. Thanks

      • JZ Eats

        January 7, 2021 at 11:05 pm

        So glad you enjoyed!

    • JZ Eats

      April 15, 2020 at 10:46 am

      Sorry about that! I just updated the recipe to use less chili powder. You can always adjust the spicy element to meet your preferences 🙂

      Reply
  3. Sue

    April 30, 2020 at 7:51 pm

    5 stars
    So delicious! I also make the shrimp, then melt 1T of ghee and use 1T of olive oil to incorporate with the spice bits lady in the pan. Served over mashed cauliflower ! Whole 30 Yum!!!

    Reply
    • JZ Eats

      May 3, 2020 at 9:57 pm

      That sounds delish! I’m so glad you enjoyed them 🙂

      Reply
  4. Mackenzie

    August 15, 2020 at 8:46 am

    Honestly it wasn’t that great of a recipe. I don’t understand where there were italian seasonings, it was not like anything I have had before and did not enjoy it

    Reply
    • JZ Eats

      August 16, 2020 at 11:28 pm

      Sorry to hear you didn’t enjoy this recipe! Italian seasoning is not in the ingredient list.

      Reply
  5. Laura

    September 14, 2022 at 10:31 am

    5 stars
    Very good seasoning. They were amazing!

    Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Recipe Rating




Primary Sidebar

about meI’m that girl behind the camera and the creator of all the delicious recipes on this website. I’m a Baltimore food blogger who enjoys nothing more than food!
READ MORE >>

In Season

a bowl of lettuce with pomegranate, feta cheese, apples, prosciutto, and walnuts

Crispy Prosciutto and Pomegranate Salad

air fryer chicken and broccoli in a white serving bowl

Air Fryer Chicken And Broccoli

baked spaghetti squash with a silver spoon

Tomato Feta Baked Spaghetti Squash

taco spaghetti squash boats on a white plate

Taco Spaghetti Squash Boats

Never Miss A Recipe!

Get my weekly recipes straight to your inbox!

You have successfully subscribed! Be sure to whitelist JZ Eats so you never miss a recipe.

Copyright © 2023 jz-eats.com. All rights reserved.