Looking for a densely nutritious meal that is low in carbs and big on flavour. Well look no further than my Cajun Prawn Soft Tacos. These quick and easy tacos are a fun twist on mince filling and pack a tonne of flavour from Cajun spices and lime. Fire up your barbeque for this one and get your grill ready!
Going low carb has been super popular for decades and strictly limits your carbohydrate intake (think grains, starchy vegetables and fruit) for a set duration of time. The diet focuses heavily on foods that are high in fat and protein (like the prawns featured in this recipe). A low-carb diet is generally used for weight loss and in some instances, to help to reduce the risk of type 2 diabetes or metabolic syndrome.
The problem with these sorts of diets, is that they eliminate essential food groups for the sake of quick, easy weight loss. And as a clinical nutritional practitioner, I feel this is poorly advised, and is something that I believe creates disordered and unhealthy eating habits. In clinic, I find it is far better to educate people on being more choosy than going all in and cutting the carbs.
The following recipe is an example of how you can enjoy lower carb foods without worrying about major restrictions or all the carb counting.
Perfect For The Summer BBQ
This summery wholefood soft taco recipe is seriously easy as when made on the BBQ and makes for a fabulous meal guests can put together themselves. Just set up the cabbage mix in a bowl, tortillas on a platter with the cooked prawns beside. Add a few wedges of lime and the zest in a ramekin with a tea spoon. This recipe provides easily digestible, high-quality protein from the prawns and dietary fibre from raw cabbage which is also low in carbs.
Fresh prawns are plentiful in Australian (where I live) and a staple protein year round. Prawns rich in omega-3s for heart health, low in calories and high in protein, which makes them an excellent addition to any weight-loss plan. Pick your favourite variety and simply sauté or BBQ them to your preference. You can even mix up the seasoning to create your own new take on this original recipe. I find spicy seasoned prawns taste best with a cooling dressing and crunchy, raw filling, but do experiment!
I swear this will become a fast favourite for lunches or dinner like it is at my house. You can make this in the kitchen or outside on the BBQ in a matter of minutes. Save the leftovers for salad breakfast toast toppings and make fast work of meal prep!
Cajun Prawn Low Carb Soft Taco Recipe
Ingredients
250g fresh prawns, cleaned
2 tbsp Cajun Spice mix
1/2 cup shredded cabbage
1/8 cup shredded carrot
1/4 cup green onion, finely chopped
3 tbsp tzatziki (Black Swan or dairy-free homemade)
1/2 lime, juice and zest to season
2 tbsp olive oil (for cooking)
2-3 small, low carb or gluten-free tortilla wraps
Toss the prawns in a sandwich bag with the seasoning until coated in the spices. In a hot pan or on the BBQ, cook the prawns and set aside. In a mixing bowl, add the tzatziki, cabbage, carrots, and green onion. Toss to thoroughly coat in the dip.
Lay out a tortilla and add in a spoonful of the cabbage mix, a few prawns, and a squeeze of lime and sprinkle of the zest. Repeat for each tortilla. You can alternatively can use gluten-free tortilla wraps (just watch the carb count) and make your own dairy-free tzatziki dip.
Healthy Recipe Ideas
There are so many way you can change up this recipe. Swap the prawns out for your favourite lean protein such as chicken breast or tofu. Use lettuce leaves for the tortilla instead and make the recipe even more low carb and totally gluten-free. Switch up the seasoning to create a different flavour and spilt the prawns into two separate batches, each flavoured different. As I suggested before, don't be afraid to experiment with these recipes and make them your own.
Just a reminder, be sure to bookmark this blog's meal planning category because you'll regularly find new meal planning support, ebooks, and freebies right here on Eat Nourish Glow the blog.
Healthy + happiness,
Emma Lisa xx
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Loved this recipe!! And I am loving your 4 week meal planning challenge Emma, its been so helpful and I am only on week 2!! Thanks so much, Jane xx
Emma, I just wanted to let you know I tried this this weekend when I had a barbecue with friends, it was a huge hit thank you so much!!!
Kelly-Lynn xx