Tacos de Camarón a la Plancha (Griddled Prawn Tacos)
Garlicky, lime-kissed prawns seared on a hot pan, served in warm corn tortillas with crunchy cabbage and fresh pico.
Made with Fresh pico de gallo and Corn tortillas from masa harina. Make a batch of the base first, then this takes minutes. Skip to the method
- Time25 min
- LevelEasy
- Costabout £2.40 a head
Cost is worked out from Aldi and Tesco shelf prices in October 2026. Your shop and brands will differ.
Ingredients
Tick what you need to buy. It goes on your shopping list.
Method
- 1
Pat the prawns dry with kitchen paper. Mix with the garlic, chilli powder, oregano, 1 tablespoon of the oil, half the lime juice and a good pinch of salt. Leave for 10 minutes.
10 min - 2
Toss the shredded cabbage with the rest of the lime juice and a pinch of salt in a bowl. Set aside.
- 3
Heat the remaining oil in a large frying pan or griddle over a high heat until just smoking. Cook the prawns in two batches for 1 to 2 minutes on each side, until pink all over and lightly charred. Do not overcook or they turn rubbery.
4 min - 4
Warm the tortillas one at a time in a dry pan for 30 seconds on each side until soft. Keep them wrapped in a clean tea towel.
1 min - 5
Fill each tortilla with cabbage and prawns. Top with sliced avocado and your ready made pico de gallo (see the base recipe). Serve straight away.
Tips
- Use raw prawns, not pre-cooked. Cooked prawns turn tough and dry when reheated in a hot pan.
- Cook in two batches. Too many prawns at once steam instead of searing and release water.
- Add the pico at the table, not earlier, so the tortillas do not go soggy.
Storing and freezing
Best eaten straight away. Leftover cooked prawns keep in the fridge for up to 1 day, covered. Eat them cold in a salad rather than reheating.
Questions
Can I use frozen prawns?
Yes. Thaw them fully in the fridge overnight, drain, and pat very dry before marinating. Wet prawns will not sear and will stew in the pan instead.
How do I know when the prawns are cooked?
They turn from grey and translucent to pink and opaque, and curl into a loose C shape. This takes 1 to 2 minutes on each side in a hot pan. A tight O shape means they are overcooked.
Are these tacos dairy free and gluten free?
Yes. The prawns are cooked in olive oil, the toppings are dairy free, and corn tortillas made from masa harina are naturally gluten free. Check the label on any shop bought tortillas.
More made with fresh pico de gallo
Double check before you cook. Recipes can contain mistakes. Any diet labels come from the ingredients as written in this recipe and are a guide, not a guarantee. Always check every ingredient and the packet label for allergens and cross contamination, and ask your doctor or dietitian what is right for you, especially with coeliac disease, diabetes or a serious allergy. This is not medical advice.