Blackened Garlic Shrimp Tacos with Cilantro Cream Sauce Recipe

Who doesn’t love tacos? If you’re a taco fan, these Blackened Garlic Shrimp Tacos are a real treat. They burst with bold, smoky spice and are finished with a crunchy Spicy Slaw and a cool Cilantro Cream. These tacos are bright, balanced, and addictive—perfect for weeknight dinners or for serving friends at a casual gathering.

What is blackened seasoning?

Despite the name, “blackened” refers to the seasoning and cooking style rather than overly charred food. Traditional blackened seasoning is a robust spice blend commonly used in Southern and Creole cooking. It typically combines paprika, cayenne, black pepper, garlic and onion powders, and dried herbs like thyme and oregano. The blend delivers heat, smokiness, and savory depth, and it pairs beautifully with seafood like shrimp as well as chicken and vegetables.

While pre-blended blackened seasonings are available at stores, it’s easy to make your own at home. Homemade blends let you adjust heat and salt to taste and can be stored in a jar to use again and again.

Make our version of Blackened Seasoning

Try this straightforward mix for an aromatic, balanced blackened seasoning:

• 1 tbsp onion powder
• 1 tbsp cayenne pepper
• 1 tbsp smoked paprika
• 1 tbsp hot paprika
• 1 tbsp sweet paprika
• 2 tsp garlic powder
• 1 tsp black pepper
• 1 tsp kosher salt
• 2 tsp dried thyme leaves
• 1 tsp dried oregano
• 1 clove (whole)
• 1 bay leaf

Blend and store in an airtight container. This makes a generous batch that works well on shrimp, chicken, grilled vegetables, and more.

What type of shrimp is best for these tacos?

Any shrimp will work, but larger shrimp (medium-large) make these tacos easier to assemble and more satisfying to eat. Gulf shrimp are a favorite when available, but choose whatever is freshest in your market. For convenience and the best eating experience, peel, devein, and remove tails before cooking—no one wants to peel shrimp at the table.

How to make these Blackened Garlic Shrimp Tacos

The recipe is straightforward. Most of your prep time will be chopping vegetables for the slaw; cooking itself is quick. The components—the spicy slaw, a bright cilantro cream, and the seasoned shrimp—come together to create a satisfying texture and flavor contrast.

For the Spicy Slaw

The slaw combines thinly sliced Napa cabbage with matchstick carrots, julienned daikon and jicama, a jalapeño for heat, and a generous handful of cilantro. Dress it simply with fresh lime juice and a Mexican-style hot sauce to taste. The mixture provides crisp texture and a lively, tangy heat that balances the richness of the shrimp.

For the Cilantro Cream

This cool, herb-forward sauce is quick to make and versatile. It brightens the tacos and pairs well with many other dishes, so consider making extra.

In a food processor or blender, combine:

• ¼ cup créme fraîche or sour cream
• 2 handfuls cilantro leaves
• 2 tsp lemon juice
• pinch kosher salt and black pepper, to taste

Blend until smooth and refrigerate until ready to serve.

Cooking the Shrimp

For the shrimp, gently infuse olive oil with whole garlic cloves over low heat until the garlic turns light golden. This step takes a little time but creates a fragrant garlic oil. Remove most of the garlic and reserve the oil. Toss the peeled, deveined shrimp with the blackened seasoning, then sauté in the garlic oil over medium-high heat until just cooked through—typically 2–3 minutes per side for medium-large shrimp. Look for shrimp that curl slightly and turn opaque pinkish-white. Avoid overcooking.

What tortillas are best for Shrimp Tacos?

Flour tortillas are our preference for these shrimp tacos because their soft, pliable texture cradles the slaw, shrimp, and sauce well. If you prefer corn or another flatbread, use what you enjoy. Warm the tortillas briefly in a dry skillet or wrap and heat in the oven for the best texture.

Enjoy!

These Blackened Garlic Shrimp Tacos are bright, spicy, and satisfying. Serve them with extra lime wedges, crumbled cotija or another crumbly cheese, additional hot sauce if desired, and extra cilantro. They make a wonderful casual meal and are easy to scale for more guests.

If you try the recipe, feel free to note any tweaks that worked for you—adjusting the spice level, swapping herbs, or trying different hot sauces can yield delicious variations. The components are flexible, so experiment until you find your ideal balance.

📖 Recipe