The Best Vegan “Shrimp” Tacos with Bang Bang Sauce (Hearts of Palm, 30 Minutes)

Updated February 2026

I’ve made a lot of vegan taco recipes over the years, but these Vegan “Shrimp” Tacos are hands-down some of my favorites. Crispy, saucy, and just spicy enough — and yes, they’re made with hearts of palm instead of shrimp. Even picky eaters and non-vegans love them!

They come together in about 30 minutes, which makes them perfect for taco night, weeknight dinners, or casual entertaining. The Bang Bang sauce is sweet, spicy, and creamy — basically everything tacos deserve.

(Tip: scroll down for the full recipe card with measurements and step-by-step instructions.)

Why These Are the Best Vegan Shrimp Tacos

There aren’t many vegan shrimp recipes out there, and buying store-bought vegan shrimp can get expensive. That’s why I love making crispy hearts of palm as a shrimp alternative — it’s affordable, easy, and packed with flavor. The bang bang sauce brings sweet, spicy, and creamy notes that perfectly complement the crispy vegan shrimp.

You can enjoy these tacos on their own, in sandwiches, salads, or any way you love.

Why Hearts of Palm Make the Perfect Vegan Shrimp

Hearts of palm are one of the best plant-based shrimp alternatives because their naturally flaky texture mimics shrimp surprisingly well. When coated and crisped, they stay tender inside while getting golden and crispy on the outside.

Other reasons I love them:

• Budget-friendly and easy to find
• Naturally gluten-free
• Absorb flavors beautifully

Related Recipe: Vegan Pozole

Ingredient Notes & Substitutions

• Hearts of Palm: Best vegan shrimp alternative; budget-friendly and gluten-free.
• Bang Bang Sauce: Made with vegan mayo, sweet chili, and sriracha. Adjust spice to taste.
• Tortillas: Use corn, flour, or gluten-free tortillas.
• Breadcrumbs: Swap for gluten-free if needed.

Vegan Shrimp Tacos

There are not very many vegan shrimp recipes out there. And getting these at the grocery stores can cost a ton of money over time. That is why I really enjoy creating these meat alternatives to help non-vegans and vegans have more options at the dinner table without having to sacrifice too much money and time for their meals. Vegan cooking just requires a little bit of creativity and love for food with FLAVOR. Bang Bang shrimp tacos is a spin-off of Bang Bang chicken, which is a traditional street-style dish well-known in the Szechuan region of China. Over time, globalization really mixed up all flavors of this “bang bang” sauce and integrated it into tacos and shrimp. Now we are able to veganize this long history and create this amazing dish that everyone can enjoy and appreciate around the world.

The perfect texture and flavours of the bang bang sauce with the fried hearts of palms make it irresistible to not to have it with a can of cold beer. This definitely will be your next party trick to your family gathering or a girl’s night.

How many servings does this make?

2 cans of hearts of palm can make about 12 tacos. Leftover vegan shrimp can be reheated in the oven or the air fryer to achieve the ultimate crisp level.

Related Post: Vegan Mexican Street Corn

INGREDIENTS FOR BANG BANG SHRIMP TACOS (VEGAN):

• Corn or Flour Tortillas
• Cilantro
• Tomato

Vegan Slaw:

• Apple Cider Vinegar
• Maple Syrup
• Celery Salt
• Dried Dill
• Black Ground Pepper
• Red Cabbage
• Carrots
• Fresh Cilantro

Bang Bang Sauce

• Vegan Mayo
• Sweet Chili sauce
• Sriracha sauce

Fried Hearts of Palm

• Vegetable Oil for frying
• Hearts of Palm
• All-Purpose Flour
• Black Pepper
• Paprika
• Garlic Powder
• Panko Bread Crumbs
•  Vegan Egg Replacer

KITCHEN EQUIPMENT:

• Chef’s Knife
• Measuring Utensils
• Mixing Bowls
• Whisk
• Air Fryer, Deep Fryer or Large Pan

Instructions

Step 1: Make the Bang Bang Sauce

Whisk together the vegan mayo, sweet chili sauce, and sriracha in a small bowl until smooth. Set aside. (This can be made 2–3 days ahead.)

Step 2: Prepare the Vegan “Shrimp”

1. Pat the hearts of palm dry with a paper towel.
2. In one bowl, mix the flour, garlic powder, smoked paprika, salt, and pepper.
3. In another bowl, place the panko breadcrumbs.
4. Dredge each heart of palm piece in the flour mixture, then press into the breadcrumbs to coat.
5. Heat oil in a skillet over medium heat. Fry the coated hearts of palm for 2–3 minutes per side, until golden and crispy. Drain on a paper towel.

Optional: Bake at 400°F for 10–12 minutes or cook in an air fryer at 400°F for 10–12 minutes, flipping halfway.

Step 3: Assemble the Tacos

Warm the tortillas. Place 3–4 pieces of crispy vegan shrimp on each tortilla. Drizzle generously with Bang Bang sauce. Top with slaw, avocado, cilantro, lime juice, or your favorite toppings. Serve immediately.

Tips & Variations

• Air Fryer: 400°F for 10–12 minutes, flipping halfway through.
• Gluten-Free: Use GF flour and breadcrumbs, and corn or GF tortillas.
• Mild Version: Reduce sriracha or add more vegan mayo.
• Serving Suggestions: Pair with Mexican street corn, black bean salsa, or a simple cabbage slaw.
• Instead of making tacos, you can use Vegan “Shrimps” in sandwiches, salads, or enjoy them on their own with the sauce of your choice. As long as you have these fried Vegan Shrimps alternatives, you can use this recipe for any of your favorite cuisines.

FULL RECIPE DOWN BELOW

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5.0 from 2 reviews

The Best Vegan "Shrimp" Tacos

 

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Prep time

20 mins

Cook time

10 mins

Total time

30 mins

 

What says summer, freshness and fun more than tacos? Tacos are a super quick and easy meal that everyone loves. They are always a crowd-pleaser. And they're really, really good when they're vegan.

Author: The Edgy Veg

Recipe type: Main

Cuisine: Mexican

Serves: 12 tacos

Ingredients

• 12 corn or flour tortillas
• ⅓ cup chopped cilantro
• 1 ttomato, diced

Vegan slaw

• 1tbsp Apple cider vinegar
• 1 tbsp Maple syrup
• 1 tsp Celery salt
• 1 tspDried dill
• ½ tsp Black ground pepper
• 2 cups Red cabbage, chopped thin
• 2 Carrots, grated
• Handful of Fresh Cilantro, chopped

Bang Bang Sauce

• ¾ cup Vegan Mayo
• ¼ cup Sweet chili sauce
• 1 tbsp Sriracha sauce

Fried Hearts of Palm

• 2-3 tbspOlive oilfor frying
• 1 can hearts of palm, sliced into quarters diagonally
• ½ cup all purpose flour
• ½ tsp pepper
• ½ tsp paprika
• ¼ tsp garlic powder
• ¾ cup panko bread crumbs
• 4 eggs worth of preparedegg replacer
• Spray coconut or cooking oil

Instructions

For the Vegan Taco Slaw:

1. In a small bowl, whisk together apple cider vinegar, maple syrup, celery salt, dried dill, and black pepper. Set aside.
2. In a medium mixing bowl, combine cabbage, grated carrots, and cilantro. Next, add the dressing. Add more vinegar necessary. Set slaw aside.

For the Bang Bang Sauce:

1. In a medium mixing bowl, combine vegan mayo, sweet chili sauce, and Sriracha sauce.
2. Taste, and add more Sriracha as needed. Set aside.

For the Fried Hearts of Palm:

1. On a plate, combine paprika, garlic powder, and flour.
2. In a small bowl, make egg replacer.
3. On another plate, spread out Panko breadcrumbs.
4. Place all 3 in order on the table in front of you.
5. One at a time, toss each piece of hearts of palm in the flour mixture, the egg replacer, then the panko.
6. Place each piece in the basket of an airfryer, into a pan with hot oil, or on a lined baking sheet.
7. Repeat with all pieces.
8. Spray with oil before cooking if not frying, to make a crispier texture.
9. Air fry at 400 degrees for 8 mins, flipping halfway.
10. Bake at 425 degrees for 10 mins, flipping halfway.
11. Or fry in a pan with 2-3 tbsp of oil until golden brown.

Assembling Tacos:

1. Once cooked, toss hearts of palm pieces in Bang Bang Sauce.
2. Add some of the Vegan Taco Slaw to a flour tortilla.
3. Place 2-3 hearts of palm pieces on top of the slaw.
4. Top with diced tomato and cilantro.

3.5.3251

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I make these tacos gluten-free?
Yes! Use gluten-free flour and breadcrumbs, and corn or GF tortillas. Hearts of palm are naturally gluten-free.

Can I make this ahead?
The Bang Bang sauce can be prepared 2–3 days ahead. Cook the vegan shrimp fresh for the best crispiness.

What’s the best vegan shrimp substitute?
Hearts of palm work perfectly. Store-bought vegan shrimp brands are also an option.

How do I store leftovers?
Keep vegan shrimp in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 2 days. Reheat in oven or air fryer for crispiness.

Can I make these in an air fryer?
Yes! 400°F for 10–12 minutes, flipping halfway.

More Taco Night Inspiration

• Vegan Mexican Street Corn
• How To Make Vegan Birria Tacos
• Vegan Weeknight Dinners

Hey welcome to The Edgy Veg – we veganize popular food recipes for vegans, plant-based diets, eco-conscious eaters & people who are trying to eat more plants over… y’know animals or their by-products. We hope you enjoy this tasty vegan recipe!

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