What are the best side dishes for shrimp tacos? Light and refreshing green gazpacho, tropical salsa and tortilla chips, or Mexican chopped salad. Vibrant and beautifully balanced quinoa with cilantro-lime dressing, Mexican street corn salad, or fajita vegetables. Bold and hearty patatas bravas and Mexican brown rice with beans will round off the meal.
A delicious side dish, beverage, and sauce will transform shrimp tacos from an average meal into something truly special. Your taco Tuesdays are about to become a little more exciting with these outstanding side dishes:
Mexican Chopped Salad
Crunchy slaw, sweet tomatoes, wholesome beans, and tender corn- this vibrant and flavorful salad will look like a fiesta on your plate.
The brilliant array of Mexican-inspired ingredients is brought together with a deliciously creamy salsa dressing that adds a tangy sweetness to the dish.
Prepare the salad dressing by blending ½ cup salsa, ½ cup mayonnaise, 1 clove of garlic, 1 teaspoon honey, 1 teaspoon lime juice, 1 teaspoon coriander powder, salt, and pepper until smooth. Set aside.
Arrange shredded iceberg lettuce and rainbow cabbage on a large serving platter or individual salad bowls. Layer with diced cherry tomatoes, corn, olives, rinsed and drained black beans, and diced red peppers.
Add fresh chopped cilantro and green onions. Season to taste with salt, pepper, and yummy taco seasoning before drizzling the creamy salsa dressing over the top.
Add chopped jalapenos or chili flakes for a spicy kick and crumbled tortilla chips for a satisfying crunch.
Quinoa Salad With Cilantro-Lime Dressing
A hearty and nourishing side dish that allows shrimp tacos to take center stage. Quinoa is always a refreshing rice alternative. Its tender crunch pairs exceptionally well with creamy feta and avocado.
This elegant yet comforting side dish is composed of layers of neutral colors and delectable flavors. Zesty cilantro-lime dressing adds a distinctive herbaceous flavor that perfectly complements the shrimp tacos.
Prepare the dressing by blending ½ cup plain yogurt, 2 garlic cloves, 2 cups fresh cilantro, the juice of 2 limes, 1 teaspoon honey, ¼ cup olive oil, a pinch of ground cumin, salt, and black pepper to taste.
Assemble the salad by combining cooked quinoa, sliced avocado, and crumbled feta in a salad bowl. Season with a tiny pinch of nutmeg, black pepper, and salt to taste.
Drizzle with cilantro-lime dressing and garnish with toasted walnuts or pumpkin seeds if desired. Use leftover dressing as a topping for the shrimp tacos.
Mexican Street Corn Salad
Bursting with exquisite colors, texture, and flavor, this Mexican salad is guaranteed to spice up your taco night.
Tomatoes, red bell pepper, cotija cheese, and charred corn are coated in a mouthwatering blend of Mexican spices, lime juice, and sour cream. Shrimp and corn go together like tequila and lime- another reason to whip up this tasty side dish.
Make the dressing by mixing ¼ cup sour cream, 1 teaspoon honey, 2 tablespoons lime juice, ¼ teaspoon cinnamon, and ½ teaspoon each paprika, cumin, salt, and black pepper.
Heat avocado/olive oil in a cast-iron skillet and sauté 3-4 cups of fresh corn kernels over medium-high heat until slightly charred.
Assemble the salad by combining the charred corn with 1 cup diced tomato, ¼ finely chopped red onion, 1 small diced red bell pepper, and ½ cup crumbled cotija (or feta) cheese.
Top with the creamy dressing and diced green onions.
Tropical Salsa And Tortilla Chips
Flavorful and festive, this winning combination can be served as an appetizer or a delightful side dish for shrimp tacos. Sweet and juicy pineapple and mango are incredible companions for seafood- especially shrimp.
With a cheeky twist of jalapeno, red onion, and lime, you’ll cut through the sweetness and create an unbelievably unique and delicious salsa. The crispy tortilla chips add great texture and allow you to enjoy the entire meal with your hands.
Combine ½ cup finely diced red onion, one seeded and sliced jalapeno, 1½ cups finely diced mango, 1 cup finely diced pineapple, and ¼ cup chopped cilantro.
Add the juice of one small lime, ½ teaspoon rice vinegar, 1 tablespoon olive oil, salt, and black pepper to taste. Mix well, refrigerate until well chilled, and serve with crispy tortilla chips.
You can add a few teaspoons of salsa on top of the shrimp tacos for an explosion of flavor.
Green Gazpacho
This cool and refreshing soup is a beautiful blend of cucumber, cilantro, yogurt, and lime. Smooth and creamy chilled soup creates an excellent contrast to the warm and crunchy tacos.
The soup’s green, citrusy, and tangy notes cleanse the palate and enhance the shrimp’s natural sweetness. Ready in a pinch, green gazpacho is perfect for those warm summer fiestas.
Roughly chop and add the following ingredients to a high-speed blender: one large English cucumber, one garlic clove, ½ cup fresh cilantro, 2 green onion stalks, 1 cup plain yogurt, and ¼ cup sour cream.
Roughly blend before adding: 1 tablespoon olive oil, ¾ teaspoon salt, 2 tablespoons lime juice, 1 teaspoon coriander, ½ teaspoon pepper, and ¼ teaspoon honey. Blend until smooth.
Taste and adjust seasoning before chilling the soup in the refrigerator. Serve in chilled glasses/bowls and garnish with extra shrimp, lime zest, chili flakes, diced cucumber. Add a dollop of sour cream.
Fajita Vegetables
Dreaming of shrimp tacos but still need to squeeze in your 5-a-day? Try out this simple and incredibly flavorful veggie dish.
Fajita-style vegetables will add a pop of color to your plate. The spice blend has a smoky-sweet taste that will enhance the salty, semi-sweet notes of the shrimp and taco shell.
Prepare the fajita seasoning by mixing ½ teaspoon dried oregano, 2 teaspoons cumin, 1 teaspoon each garlic powder, smoked paprika, onion powder, cayenne pepper, salt, and black pepper to taste.
Thinly slice one red onion, 3 colorful bell peppers, one carrot, and 2 portobello mushrooms. Toss with some olive oil and a pinch of sea salt, and cook under the broiler until lightly charred.
Heat 2 tablespoons olive oil in a large non-stick skillet. Add 3 minced garlic cloves, charred veggies, and fajita seasoning.
Cook over medium-high heat for 10-15 minutes, stirring occasionally. Serve on its own, over rice, or in a tortilla.
Patatas Bravas
Of course, potatoes had to make the list, and this time around, they’re crunchier and more flavorful than ever.
This iconic Spanish tapas dish consists of bite-sized cubes of gloriously crispy potatoes served with a fiery salsa and a creamy aioli sauce to cut through the spiciness.
Make a simple bravas sauce by blending one can of fire-roasted diced tomatoes, 1 teaspoon honey, 2 minced garlic cloves, a splash of vinegar, 1 teaspoon smoked paprika, ½ teaspoon cayenne, salt, and pepper to taste.
Transfer salsa to a heated non-stick saucepan and simmer for 10-15 minutes to allow the flavors to meld.
Chop 3-4 russet potatoes into bite-sized cubes. Parboil until fork-tender. Drain immediately and allow the excess moisture to evaporate.
Toss potatoes with 2 tablespoons olive oil, salt, pepper, and garlic powder to taste. Transfer to a lined baking sheet and roast at 400°F (200°C) until golden and extra crispy.
Serve with bravas sauce and garlic aioli.
Mexican Brown Rice And Beans
Warm and hearty rice infused with marvelous Mexican flavor is a stellar way to round off your shrimp tacos.
A brilliant variety of flavors and textures can be found in every spoonful. Brown rice and black beans provide a satisfying, chewy contrast, while the olives add a tangy, savory flavor to the dish.
Heat 1 tablespoon olive oil in a large saucepan over medium-high heat. Sauté one thinly sliced onion and 2 minced garlic cloves until translucent.
Add one 14oz (400g) can tomato sauce, 2 cups vegetable stock, 1½ cups rinsed brown rice, 2 teaspoons honey, and 2 tablespoons taco seasoning.
Stir and bring to a boil. Lower the heat and simmer, covered, for 40-50 minutes until all the liquid has been absorbed.
Transfer the rice to a large serving bowl. Add pitted and diced black/kalamata olives and toss to combine. Garnish with chopped scallions, cilantro, and sour cream.
Best Beverage Pairings For Shrimp Taco
A shrimp taco in one hand needs to be balanced with a special drink in the other.
Beer is our go-to beverage of choice on taco night. Keep it authentic with an easy-drinking Mexican lager like Modelo, Corona, or Pacifico.
California Pale Ales, American lager, or German-style Hefeweizen are floral, light, and slightly sweet beers. They complement the mild and juicy shrimp without masking its flavor.
Elevate the taste of your shrimp tacos with wine that boasts a fruity aroma, lively acidity, and crisp flavor.
A dry Pinot Gris, unoaked Chardonnay, dry Riesling, Spanish Gordillo, or fruity Rosé are solid choices.
The moderate acidity adds a refreshing contrast. Tender and delicately flavored shrimp will harmonize with the crisp, fruity notes present in the wine.
In true fiesta spirit, sip on a classic margarita or paloma made with silver tequila. The sweet, salty, and citrusy notes brighten and elevate the shrimp.
Best Sauces For Shrimp Taco
Cilantro-lime sauce has a creamy, peppery, and tangy flavor that pairs remarkably well with shrimp tacos.
Sweet and fruity pineapple or mango salsa provide an extra dimension of flavor to seafood, and it will cut through the spiciness of the tacos.
Baja sauce is a fan favorite for shrimp tacos, as it delivers an instant boost of tangy, spicy flavor and creaminess to the dish.
Tangy and herbaceous chimichurri sauce will add tremendous depth of flavor and a gorgeous green color to the shrimp tacos.