Tacos de Camarón (Chipotle Prawn Tacos)
Why this recipe works
- Fast cooking: Prawns cook in minutes, making the filling quick enough for a weeknight meal without losing freshness.
- Bright, balanced flavour: Lime cuts through the smoky chipotle and enriches the crème fraîche, keeping the tacos lively rather than heavy.
- Fresh crunch: Crisp cabbage and warm corn tortillas contrast with juicy prawns and the cool, creamy topping.
Get the most out of this recipe
Adjust the heat
- For less heat: Use less chipotle sauce and lean on the lime crème fraîche to keep the tacos smoky but gentler.
- For more heat: Add extra chipotle sauce to the prawn coating, or finish the tacos with a little hot sauce at the table.
- Keep the heat balanced: Serve with plenty of cabbage, coriander and creamy topping so the chilli heat stays fresh and rounded.
Texture tips
- Keep the prawns juicy: Cook only until the prawns turn pink and opaque, then remove them from the pan promptly.
- Encourage light charring: Pat the prawns dry before coating and cook them in a single layer so they sear instead of steaming.
- Assemble just before serving: Keep the cabbage, prawns, tortillas and crème fraîche separate until the last moment for the best contrast.
Make-ahead tips
- Prep the fresh elements: Shred the cabbage and mix the lime crème fraîche ahead of time; chop the coriander closer to serving for the freshest flavour.
- Store separately: Keep cooked prawns, cabbage, tortillas and crème fraîche in separate airtight containers so the tacos do not soften.
- Reheat briefly: Warm the prawns quickly in a hot frying pan until piping hot, then serve straight away to avoid overcooking.
Ingredient notes
- Check the chipotle sauce: Chipotle sauces vary in salt, smoke and heat, so taste before adding any extra seasoning.
- Use corn tortillas: Corn tortillas give these tacos their characteristic flavour and become pliable when warmed briefly in a dry pan.
- Use lime to sharpen: If the prawns taste flat after cooking, a little extra lime at serving helps lift the smoky sauce.
Equipment you'll need
Ingredients
Instructions
- Finely shred the white cabbage and roughly chop the fresh coriander. Juice the lime, then stir half the lime juice into the crème fraiche with a pinch of the fine sea salt. Set aside.
- Finely grate the garlic. In a bowl, toss the prawns with the garlic, chipotle sauce, the remaining lime juice, and the remaining fine sea salt until evenly coated.
- Heat the vegetable oil in a large frying pan over a medium-high heat. Add the prawns in a single layer and cook for 1 to 2 minutes per side until pink, opaque, and lightly charred at the edges. Tip the prawns back into the bowl to catch any juices.
- Wipe out the pan if needed, then warm the corn tortillas over a medium heat for about 20 to 30 seconds per side until pliable and lightly toasted. Keep them stacked as you go so they stay warm.
- Fill each tortilla with shredded cabbage, then add the chipotle-lime prawns and any resting juices. Spoon over the lime crème fraiche and finish with the fresh coriander. Serve straight away.
Recipe notes
Tips
- For the best sear, pat the prawns dry before coating them, and avoid overcrowding the pan so they fry rather than steam.
- If you are serving anyone who is pregnant, elderly, or immunocompromised, use pasteurised crème fraiche and make sure the prawns are cooked through and piping hot.
Substitutions
- Replace Crème fraiche with Greek yogurt for a lighter, tangier topping.
- Replace Chipotle sauce with Harissa for a different style of smoky heat.
Storage
- Refrigerate up to 2 days
- Store the cooked prawns, cabbage, and crème fraiche separately in airtight containers. Reheat the prawns in a hot frying pan for 1 to 2 minutes until piping hot, and warm the corn tortillas in a dry pan just before serving.
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Recipe overview
- Servings: 2 servings
- Total time: 25min (20min active)
- Difficulty: Easy
- Cuisine: Mexican
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Allergens:
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