Description
Crispy beer-battered shrimp, tangy lime crema, and crunchy cabbage slaw bring bold Baja flavor to these unforgettable tacos.
Ingredients
For the Shrimp:
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1 lb large shrimp, peeled and deveined (tail off)
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1 tsp kosher salt
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1/2 tsp ground black pepper
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1/2 tsp paprika or chili powder (optional)
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Juice of 1 lime
For the Beer Batter:
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3/4 cup all-purpose flour
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1/4 cup cornstarch
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1 tsp baking powder
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1/2 tsp garlic powder
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1/2 tsp onion powder
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1/2 tsp salt
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1 cup Mexican lager beer (e.g., Pacifico)
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1 egg
For Frying:
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Vegetable or canola oil (at least 2 inches deep)
For the Slaw:
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2 cups green cabbage, shredded
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1/2 cup red cabbage, shredded (optional)
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1 small carrot, grated
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2 tbsp mayo
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1 tbsp lime juice
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1/2 tsp salt
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1 tbsp chopped cilantro
For the Crema:
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1/2 cup Mexican crema or sour cream
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2 tbsp mayo
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1 tbsp lime juice
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1 tsp hot sauce (e.g., Tapatío)
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Pinch of salt
To Serve:
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6–8 corn tortillas, warmed
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Fresh lime wedges
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Chopped cilantro
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Diced red onion (optional)
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Sliced radishes (optional garnish)
Instructions
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Marinate the Shrimp: Toss shrimp with lime juice, salt, pepper, and paprika. Let marinate for 10 minutes.
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Prepare the Slaw: In a bowl, mix cabbage, carrot, mayo, lime juice, salt, and cilantro. Chill until serving.
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Make the Crema: Stir crema ingredients in a small bowl. Adjust seasoning. Chill.
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Make the Batter: Whisk flour, cornstarch, baking powder, and spices. Add egg and beer; mix until smooth.
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Fry the Shrimp: Heat oil to 350°F. Dip shrimp in batter, fry 2–3 minutes until golden. Drain on paper towels.
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Warm Tortillas: Heat each tortilla on a dry skillet for 20 seconds per side.
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Assemble Tacos: Layer slaw, 2–3 shrimp, crema, and toppings in each tortilla. Serve with lime wedges.
Notes
- For a lighter version, grill shrimp with olive oil, cumin, garlic, lime zest, and smoked paprika.
- Swap crema with avocado-lime Greek yogurt sauce for a healthy twist.
- Gluten-free option: use GF flour and beer, or skip batter and grill shrimp.
- Prep Time: 25 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Frying or Grilling
- Cuisine: mexican
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 2 tacos
- Calories: 420 kcal
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 680 mg
- Fat: 23 g
- Saturated Fat: 4.5 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 16 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 32 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 22 g
- Cholesterol: 155 mg