The Best Shrimp Tacos with Mango Pico and Cilantro Sauce

Looking for a delicious and easy-to-follow shrimp tacos recipe? This shrimp tacos recipe is perfect for perfect for a summertime dinner or a quick weeknight meal.

Loaded with juicy shrimp, crispy cabbage, avocado slices, homemade mango Pico, and topped with zesty cilantro sauce, and all served over toasted corn tortillas. Whether you’re craving for a seafood dish or just looking for a new twist on the classic taco recipe, these shrimp tacos are sure to become a new favorite.

What are Shrimp Tacos?

A certain kind of buzz is brewing in Southern California, and it’s all about Shrimp Tacos! Shrimp tacos are a popular dish in Southern California, as well as in many other parts of the United States and Mexico.

They are made with fresh, succulent shrimps seasoned with fish seasoning, garlic powder, cayenne pepper, paprika, salt and pepper and lemon juice and then seared on a hot skillet and finally served in a warm corn or flour tortilla with a variety of toppings including sliced avocados, cabbage and mango pico and drizzled with cilantro sauce.

These tacos are healthy, flavorful, and sure to please everyone at the table. Whether you’re enjoying them at a beachside taco stand or making them at home, shrimp tacos are always a delicious treat.

Ingredients for Shrimp Tacos

Here are the ingredients you’ll need to make shrimp tacos:

Shrimp – Easy to cook and still packed with a protein punch, shrimp is an excellent choice to wrap up in a taco. You’ll need raw, peeled, and deveined shrimp for this recipe. Look for medium or large shrimp for your tacos, as they will hold up well to grilling or sautéing and will provide a good balance of flavor and texture.

Tortillas – Both corn and flour tortillas work well for shrimp tacos. If you want a more authentic flavor, go for corn tortillas. If you prefer a softer, more pliable taco, choose flour tacos.

Herbs and Spices – To add flavor, and a bit of heat to your shrimp, consider seasoning them with herbs and spices, such as cayenne, paprika, garlic powder, fish seasoning, and garlic powder.

Lemon Juice – Squeezing fresh lime juice over your tacos will add a refreshing citrus flavor.

Toppings – The sky is the limit regarding shrimp taco toppings. These shrimp wraps are delicious with various toppings, such as diced tomatoes, shredded lettuce, diced onions, chopped cilantro, sliced avocados, and shredded cheese. Get creative with literally any of your favorite topping ideas.

Cilantro Sauce – To add an extra tang to your shrimp tacos, you can layer your corn tortillas with cilantro sauce before assembling other ingredients.

What is fish seasoning made of?

Fish seasoning is a blend of herbs and spices that add flavor to seafood including fish and shrimps. The specific ingredients used in a fish seasoning blend can vary, but common ingredients include salt, pepper, paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, and dried herbs such as parsley, basil, and oregano. Some fish seasoning blends may also contain lemon zest, mustard seeds, coriander, and cumin.

For homemade fish seasoning, you’ll need:

• 2 tsp salt
• ½ tsp pepper
• 1 tsp garlic powder
• 1 tsp onion powder
• ½ tsp oregano
• 1 tsp coriander
• 1/2 tsp paprika
• 1/4 tsp allspice

Mix together ingredients in a small bowl or jar store the seasoning mix in an airtight container for later use. This shrimp taco recipe uses one and a half teaspoon of fish seasoning to season shrimps along with other spices to give shrimps a savory and zesty uplift you’ll love.

Creamy Cilantro Sauce

Cilantro sauce is a sauce or dressing that is made with a fresh cilantro as the main ingredient. Cilantro is a herb with a distinctive and bright flavor that pairs well with many different types of protein, including shrimp.

Adding cilantro sauce to shrimp tacos can give the dish a fresh and vibrant taste. The creamy texture of the cilantro sauce also adds moisture and richness to the tacos, which can help balance out the shrimp’s texture.

To make cilantro lime sauce you’ll need:

• Half Cup of Sour Cream
• 1 tbsp Cream Cheese
• Pinch of Cayenne
• ½ Seeded Jalapeños
• ¼ Bunch Cilantro
• 1 Lime Juice
• Salt and Pepper to taste

How to make?

Cilantro lime sauce is typically made by blending cilantro leaves with other ingredients, such as sour cream, cayenne, seeded jalapeños, cream cheese and lime juice. The sauce can also be seasoned with a dash of salt and pepper to taste. You must blend all ingredients in a blender or food processor until smooth.

Mango Pico

Mango Pico is a west coast inspired salsa that’s loaded with flavor, it’s sure to please even the pickiest of eaters. This salsa is the perfect topping for almost anything; tacos, burrito bowls, eggs, fish, chicken, tacos, chips, sour cream, and so much more! This mango salsa is a combination of mangoes, cilantro, onions, garlic, tomatoes, and jalapeno, and lime juice.

Here are the ingredients to make Mango Pico:

• ½ cup onion
• 1 cup mango chopped
• 2 minced garlic
• ½ cup tomatoes chopped
• ½ seeded jalapeño
• ½ bunch cilantro
• juice of 1 lime
• ¼ tsp salt and pepper

How to make Mango Pico

In a medium bowl, mix together the chopped mango, onion, tomatoes, seeded jalapeno, and cilantro. Add minced garlic and squeeze the lime juice over the top of the mixture and finally season with salt to taste. Stir to combine. Add to the shrimp tacos and Enjoy!

How to make the best Shrimp Tacos

Here’s how to make shrimp tacos

In a large bowl, add shrimp and sprinkle cayenne, paprika, garlic powder, fish seasoning, salt, and pepper with a drizzle of lemon juice. Add oil to a hot skillet and then add the shrimps. Let them sear for 2 minutes each side turning halfway until they turned opaque.

Transfer them to a plate.

Then assemble all the ingredients over corn tortillas, including seared shrimp, shredded cabbage, Mango Pico, sliced avocados, and drizzle some cilantro sauce on the top. It’s that simple. Easy to make, easy to eat, and quick to clean up, this shrimp taco recipe is a weeknight staple for busy families.

FAQ’s

What to serve with shrimp tacos?

Many delicious sides would pair well with shrimp tacos. Here are a few ideas:

Mexican-style rice: This flavorful rice is made with long grain white rice, tomato sauce, and spices, and it makes a tasty and filling side dish for shrimp tacos.

Black Beans: A classic side dish often served with Mexican-style dishes, black beans are a healthy and flavorful option to pair with shrimp tacos.

Guacamole: A creamy and flavorful dip that is made with mashed avocados, onions, tomatoes, and lime juice. Guacamole is a delicious and healthy side dish that pairs well with shrimp tacos.

Can you use frozen shrimp for tacos?

Yes, tacos can be made with frozen shrimp. Make sure you completely thaw the shrimp before cooking them. Place frozen shrimp in the refrigerator overnight or run them under cold water to thaw completely.

What is the best way to tell when shrimp are cooked?

When shrimp turn pink and opaque, they are cooked. In addition, they should feel firm to the touch. To test for doneness, cut a shrimp in half. The center of perfectly cooked shrimp should be opaque with some pink hues and it should not be translucent. Also check for the firmness as raw shrimp have a soft, slippery texture. As they cook, they will become firmer to the touch.