Quick Answer
The number of calories in a spicy shrimp taco can vary depending on the size and exact ingredients, but on average a single shrimp taco contains around 200-300 calories.
Calories in Shrimp Tacos
Shrimp tacos are a popular Mexican and Tex-Mex food consisting of shrimp seasoned with spices and other flavorings, then wrapped in a soft tortilla. The main calorie contributors are:
Tortilla
A 6-inch flour tortilla provides around 150 calories. Corn tortillas are a bit lower in calories at around 50-60 calories each.
Shrimp
A 3 oz (85g) serving of cooked shrimp contains approximately 100 calories.
Sauce
Spicy shrimp tacos usually contain a sauce made with ingredients like mayonnaise, sour cream, lime juice, chili powder and cilantro. A couple tablespoons of sauce can add 50-100 calories.
Fillings
Common taco fillings like lettuce, tomatoes, onion and cheese will add small amounts of calories. For example, 1/4 cup shredded lettuce is about 2 calories.
Oil or butter (for cooking)
The shrimp and other ingredients are usually cooked with a small amount of oil or butter, adding around 50-100 calories total.
So in total, a medium spicy shrimp taco made with the ingredients above would contain approximately:
| Ingredient | Calories |
|---|---|
| Flour tortilla (6-inch) | 150 |
| Shrimp (3 oz) | 100 |
| Sauce (2 Tbsp) | 50 |
| Fillings | 50 |
| Oil for cooking | 50 |
| Total | 400 |
So on average, a single spicy shrimp taco contains about 400 calories. Of course, this can vary depending on the exact amounts of each ingredient. Large tacos or those made with higher calorie fillings would be higher in calories.
Ways to Make Shrimp Tacos Lower in Calories
Here are some easy ways to reduce the calories in shrimp tacos:
Use smaller tortillas
Choose street taco size tortillas that are around 4-5 inches wide, reducing the calories by about 50-70 calories per tortilla.
Skip the fatty sauces
Use lighter sauce options like salsa, pico de gallo or lime juice instead of sour cream and mayonnaise-based sauces. This can save you 50-150 calories per taco.
Load up on veggies
Add extra vegetables like lettuce, tomatoes, onions and cilantro to add more nutrition with minimal calories.
Use less oil
Cook the shrimp and vegetables with cooking spray or broth instead of oil to reduce the calories from added fats.
Go easy on the cheese
Use just a sprinkle of a strongly flavored cheese like cotija or feta instead of loading up with cheddar or Mexican blend cheeses.
Bake or grill instead of frying
Baking or grilling the shrimp and tortillas imparts great flavor without the added calories of frying in oil.
Nutrition Information for Spicy Shrimp Tacos
In addition to being moderately high in calories, a typical spicy shrimp taco also provides:
So although not low in calories, shrimp tacos provide lean protein, vitamins, minerals and fiber. Following the tips above allows you to keep the number of calories reasonable.
Conclusion
A single medium spicy shrimp taco contains approximately 200-400 calories on average. Exact amounts vary based on specific ingredients and portion sizes. Choosing smaller tortillas, increasing vegetables, and minimizing oils, cheese and fatty sauces can help keep calories in a reasonable range while still enjoying all the flavors of this Mexican favorite. Shrimp tacos can be part of a healthy diet when consumed in moderation.