I am a sucker for a good taco. I'm partial to seafood tacos, probably because they always remind me of being on vacation on some exotic island. When I visited Mexico, I think I ate fish and shrimp tacos for breakfast, lunch and dinner! These grilled shrimp tacos with mango salsa remind me of my latest trip to Mexico. My husband and I took a cruise that stopped in Cozumel, and then we took a ferry ride to Playa Del Carmen. Once there, we hopped onto an excursion to Xcaret, a truly majestic. nature park that takes your breath away. I swam in underground caves, watched dolphins play. soaked up some sun, and got an amazing lesson about Mexico's ecosystem, all in a few hours. If you haven't been, I highly recommend it!
The one thing I love more than Mexico's culture, is Mexican food! These grilled shrimp tacos with mango salsa are reminiscent of some I had while in Cozumel. What I love about using shrimp for tacos is that they cook so quickly and they're perfect for those days when I totally forgot to defrost some protein for dinner. Shrimp defrosts in a few minutes under running, and then you can be on your way. It's a great protein source for quick weeknight dinners.
How to Season Shrimp for Tacos
Shrimp are kind of bland on their own, so when you're grilling shrimp for shrimp tacos, you want to use bold spices. I season my grilled shrimp with paprika, cumin, oregano, garlic powder, chili powder, salt and pepper. These grilled shrimp tacos are absolutely loaded with flavor!
How to Cook Shrimp for Tacos
Typically, shrimp tacos feature breaded or grilled shrimp. I opt for grilling, because it's healthier, and I can skip the extra carbs. To make the shrimp on the grill, I use skewers to thread the shrimp on. By using skewers, I avoid having the shrimp fall through the grill grates. If you don't have a grill, you can use a cast iron grill pan or even a regular cast iron skillet. Make sure to preheat the pan so that it's nice and hot before adding the shrimp. This will help the shrimp develop a nice crust, which means more flavor!
What to Serve with Grilled Shrimp Tacos with Mango Salsa
I top these grilled shrimp tacos with a simple chipotle crema that's made with sour cream and chipotle salsa. I also love making pickled red onions and radishes as a tangy topper for tacos, I always have a jar of them in my fridge. They're great for sandwiches, tacos, burgers, potato salad, and more! Some other great taco toppings are guacamole, pico de gallo, and tomatillo salsa verde.