These Traeger Grilled Shrimp Tacos make a flavorful and fast addition to any taco night. Shrimp cooks quickly, takes on bold seasonings beautifully, and transforms an ordinary weeknight into something special. Seasoned with a chili margarita blend (or your favorite taco seasoning), the shrimp becomes bright, slightly smoky, and perfect tucked inside warm tortillas with fresh toppings.
Grilled Shrimp Tacos
These shrimp tacos are fast and simple to prepare, making them ideal for busy weeknights. Even picky eaters often enjoy them because the shrimp are juicy and seasoned without overwhelming spice. Use whatever toppings your family prefers—salsa, guacamole, slaw, or just shredded lettuce all work great.
Shrimp is one of those pantry proteins that’s versatile and convenient. You can grill it, toss it into a salad, pair it with pasta, or serve it as a classic shrimp cocktail. For this recipe, a chili margarita seasoning adds bright, slightly tangy flavor, but a store-bought taco seasoning will work just as well.
Warm your tortillas before serving, add the grilled shrimp, and pile on your favorite toppings. These tacos are easy to customize, so feel free to experiment with salsas, crema, pickled onions, or a simple cabbage slaw.
Tips For The Best Shrimp Tacos
BUY BIG SHRIMP
If you plan to grill shrimp, splurge on larger sizes. Bigger shrimp (around 15 per pound, often labeled Colossal) hold up better on the grill and are less likely to dry out than very small shrimp. Buying shrimp with shell and tail on can be cheaper, but peeled-and-deveined shrimp save time.
DON’T OVERCOOK
Grill over high heat and watch closely. Shrimp cook quickly—usually just a few minutes per side. You’ll know they’re ready when the meat turns pink and opaque and the undersides start to show firm color. Remove them promptly to avoid rubbery texture.
See all of my Traeger Recipes here!
Recipe Shopping List
No major grocery run required. Here are the essentials to have on hand; see the ingredient amounts in the recipe card below.
- Colossal shrimp (uncooked)
- Oil (neutral cooking oil)
- Chili Margarita seasoning or taco seasoning
- Salt
- Tortillas and preferred taco toppings
Try it with a homemade taco seasoning or your favorite spice blend!
How To Make This Recipe
Follow these straightforward steps for juicy, well-seasoned shrimp. Full measurements and a printable recipe are shown in the recipe card below.
- Preheat — Heat the grill to about 400°F.
- Skewer — Thread 3–4 peeled shrimp onto each skewer.
- Season — Toss shrimp with oil, then sprinkle seasoning and salt on both sides.
- Cook — Grill 3–4 minutes per side until shrimp are pink and opaque. Adjust time if your grill runs hotter or cooler.
- Assemble — Fill warm tortillas with shrimp and your favorite toppings. Serve immediately.
Serve with a smoked salsa verde, cilantro-lime rice, or a crisp slaw!
Recipe FAQ
No. Pre-cooked shrimp are best served cold in dishes like shrimp cocktail or added to salads. They should not be reheated on the grill; overcooking already-cooked shrimp will make them tough.
Yes. Thaw frozen raw shrimp in the refrigerator overnight or under cold running water. Once thawed, drain, rinse, and pat the shrimp dry before seasoning. If you don’t fully thaw them first, seasoning won’t adhere evenly and cooking may be uneven.
Not at all. The key is brief, high-heat cooking. Most people overcook shrimp, so watch for color change to pink and for opaque flesh. Once you’ve done it a couple times, you’ll consistently get juicy, perfectly cooked shrimp.
Serve this with…
- Fish taco slaw
- Cilantro lime rice
- Cilantro lime crema
- Mexican rice
- A classic margarita
Traeger Grilled Shrimp Tacos
A quick, flavorful weeknight meal: shrimp seasoned with chili margarita or taco seasoning, grilled until just opaque, and served in warm tortillas.
Ingredients
- 1 pound Colossal shrimp, uncooked
- 2 tablespoons oil
- 3 tablespoons Chili Margarita seasoning or taco seasoning
- ½ teaspoon salt
- Tortillas and desired toppings
Instructions
- Preheat your grill to 400°F.
- Toss peeled shrimp with oil and thread 3–4 shrimp per skewer.
- Season both sides of the shrimp with seasoning and salt.
- Grill 3–4 minutes per side, or until shrimp are pink and opaque in the center. Shorten time if your grill runs hot.
- Remove from grill and fill warm tortillas with shrimp and toppings. Serve immediately.
Nutrition Information:
Yield: 4 | Serving Size: 1
Amount Per Serving: Calories: 271 • Total Fat: 10g • Saturated Fat: 1g • Cholesterol: 242mg • Sodium: 1688mg • Carbohydrates: 9g • Sugar: 5g • Protein: 27g
Nutrition data is an estimate. If you need precise information for medical reasons, consult a trusted nutrition source.