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Baja shrimp tacos on a green plate with limes on the side.
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5 from 3 votes

Baja Shrimp Tacos

Baja Shrimp Tacos are crispy, served over creamy chipotle coleslaw. Ready in 30 minutes and easily a fan favorite everyone will love. T
Prep Time20 minutes
Cook Time10 minutes
Total Time30 minutes
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: Mexican
Diet: Gluten Free
Servings: 4
Author: Bailey

Equipment

  • large skillet for frying
  • mixing bowls

Ingredients

Chipotle Coleslaw

  • 1.5 cup green cabbage, thinly sliced
  • 1.5 cup purple cabbage, thinly sliced
  • 1 cup matchstick carrots
  • cup Mayonnaise or plain greek yogurt
  • 1 Tbsp apple cider vinegar
  • 2 Tbsp chipotle peppers in adobo more as needed
  • ¼ tsp salt & pepper
  • 2 Tbsp water *to thin the dressing

Baja Shrimp Tacos

  • 1.5 lb large shrimp, cleaned and shelled
  • 1 tsp salt
  • 1 tsp garlic powder
  • ½ tsp paprika
  • ½ tsp onion powder
  • 1 egg or 1/4 cup of buttermilk for batter
  • ¼ cup all purpose flour or gluten free AP flour
  • cup panko breadcrumbs or gluten free alternative
  • ¼ cup oil for frying use canola or avocado oil. See notes to air fry.

Toppings & More

  • 8-10 corn tortillas
  • ¼ cup cotija cheese, crumbled
  • 1 Jalapeño thinly sliced
  • 2 Tbsp cilantro, chopped
  • 1 lime, sliced for garnish optional

Instructions

  • Make the chipotle coleslaw. Using a knife or a mandolin carefully slice/shred the red and green cabbage. Add it to a large bowl with the carrots. 
  • Add all the coleslaw dressing ingredients to a small food processor and blend until creamy. Give it a taste, adjust as needed (add more mayo salt or pepper as needed). Pour the dressing over the shredded cabbage/carrot mix and mix well to ensure everything it coated. Store in the fridge until ready to serve.
  • Pat the shrimp dry with paper towel and place in a large bowl. In a small bowl add all the seasonings together and whisk well. Add half of the seasoning to the shrimp. Toss well. Add one egg (or 1/4 cup of buttermilk if using) and mix well. Add the flour into the bowl with the shrimp, mix well again. 
  • In a shallow bowl, add the panko and the other half of the mixed seasonings, whisk it together. 
  • Grab a baking sheet lined with parchment (just to hold the coated shrimp as we work). Take an egg/flour wash shrimp, dredge in the panko well to ensure it's evenly coated. Add to the parchment paper until all shrimps are done.

Cook the Baja Shrimp

  • For the stove top: Add 1/4 cup canola or avocado oil to a heavy bottomed skillet. Heat on medium/high. When the oil is heated, quickly add in shrimp one at a time to fill the pan, do not overlap the shrimp. Cook for 4 minutes each side, remove. Place cooked shrimp on a plate. Repeat this process until all shrimp is cooked and crispy. 
    See notes for air frying instructions.
  • When the crispy shrimp is finished, add 3-4 to a warmed corn tortillas and top with chipotle coleslaw, diced jalapeños, cotija and cilantro, repeat as needed. Enjoy hot and crispy. 

Notes

  • Don’t overcook the shrimp. They will get rubbery and not so tasty, be sure to only cook for 4 minutes on each side.
  • Use an egg or buttermilk for this recipe. The egg will keep it dairy free!
  • Eat fresh. These tacos should be fresh and hot. You can reheat them in the oven or air fryer if needed.
  • Make In The Air Fryer! To make these in the air fryer, add the battered shrimp to the air fryer basket in an even layer (no overlapping). Spritz them lightly with cooking oil.Cook on 375º for about 8 minutes, flip halfway through (at 4 minutes)

Nutrition

Serving: 2 tacos | Calories: 701kcal | Carbohydrates: 86g | Protein: 32g | Fat: 25g | Saturated Fat: 5g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 9g | Monounsaturated Fat: 4g | Trans Fat: 0.05g | Cholesterol: 251mg | Sodium: 2216mg | Potassium: 551mg | Fiber: 9g | Sugar: 5g | Vitamin A: 6123IU | Vitamin C: 31mg | Calcium: 221mg | Iron: 2mg