Tacos de Camaron | Shrimp Tacos

Taco night just got an upgrade, and it's all thanks to the world's most popular shellfish -- shrimp! Tacos de Camaron features jumbo shrimp dusted in bold Mexican flavor, pan-seared and perfectly cooked in a matter of mere minutes! Then, it's into a warm corn tortilla, and this masterpiece is topped off with shredded cabbage, a spoonful of Creamy Chipotle Sauce, and a squeeze of lime. Simple ingredients. Big flavors.

This 20-minute Mexican dinner idea is easy enough for a weeknight quick-fix, yet boasts enough flavor (and color) to wow any crowd, making it as perfect for casual family dinners as it is for effortless entertaining!

Want more Mexican food inspiration? Bookmark these seriously beefy, authentic Tacos al Carbon and our flavorful, quick-cooking Tacos de Pollo for next time!

WHAT YOU'LL NEED FOR TACOS DE CAMARON

Clearly, Tacos de Camaron is all about the crustaceans -- perfectly cooked and well seasoned. But, if you want to take your tacos from good to great, you'll need to keep a few other things in mind:

• The Seasoning
• The Tortillas
• The Garnishes
• The Sauce

THE SHRIMP

By far, the biggest time saver when it comes to making Shrimp Tacos is to purchase shrimp that has already been peeled and deveined for you. 

The size of the shellfish matters when it comes to the cook time. You can use extra-large or jumbo shrimp for this recipe. Having a shrimp count is often helpful. The count for this recipe is 16/25, which means you should have anywhere from 16-25 shrimp per pound.

FRESH TIP: If you aren't making your tacos the same day you purchase your seafood, consider purchasing it frozen. Then, allow the package to thaw in the refrigerator the night before you intend to make the dish. Surprisingly, frozen shrimp is more than likely fresher than the thawed ones behind the seafood counter.

However, if you need your crustaceans in a hurry, purchasing them from the seafood counter is still a great option. 

HOW TO PEEL AND DEVEIN SHRIMP

If you're unable to find it prepped and ready to cook, this is how you peel and devein shrimp:

1. To peel it, place the tip of a paring underneath the opening of the shell and carefully, begin cutting upward, splitting the shell and working your way to the back of the shrimp.
2. Once the shell is split, peel it away with your hands and discard of it.
3. Remove the black vein running down the back center using the tip of your knife. Continue on with this process until all of the shrimp is peeled and deveined.

SHRIMP SEASONING

Tacos de Camaron are seasoned with a punch of flavor thanks to a zesty spice mix. You'll also want to have chili powder, garlic powder, Kosher salt, and black pepper on hand.

WHAT KIND OF TORTILLAS SHOULD I USE?

Traditionally, corn tortillas are used for Tacos de Camaron, and two are used per taco to help make them a bit more sturdy. If you'd prefer to use flour tortillas, feel free to do so.

TOPPINGS: CABBAGE, LIME, AND SAUCE

You'll want to have a few garnishes for topping things off. Red or green shredded cabbage, lime wedges, and Chipotle-Lime Sauce are all the extras you'll need. If you love avocado, add this easy Avocado Crema to the lineup as well!

Most grocers carry bagged, pre-shredded cabbage (or coleslaw mix) and this works perfectly for Tacos de Camaron. But, if you're a DIYer when it comes to shredding cabbage, feel free to grab a head and shred away.

As far as the lime goes, you'll only need 1 lime wedge per taco. There are 4 wedges per lime, meaning you'll only need about 2 limes for garnish. If you're planning to make that zesty Chipotle-Lime Sauce, you'll want to add 1 more to the grocery list, weighing in at a grand total of 3 limes.

CHIPOTLE SAUCE 

Here's what you'll need to make Chipotle-Lime Sauce: 

• Mayonnaise
• Lime Juice
• Chipotle Peppers
• Cilantro
• Garlic

You'll find chipotle peppers in a can of "Chipotle in Adobo," which is typically found in the international aisle of your grocery store alongside other Latin American ingredients. There are usually 5-6 peppers in one can. The more peppers you use, the spicier your sauce will be.

This recipe calls for only one chipotle pepper and has a very mild-to-moderate heat level. If you'd like to up the spice-ante, throw in an extra pepper.

TIMING TIP: If you plan to serve Tacos de Camaron with the Chipotle-Lime Sauce, make the sauce first. Even though the sauce comes together in about 5 minutes (or less if using a mini food processor), shrimp gets cold fast so it's best to have all other ingredients prepped and ready to go.

HOW TO MAKE SHRIMP TACOS

HOW LONG DOES SHRIMP KEEP ONCE COOKED?

Sadly, seafood doesn't keep quite as long as other proteins like chicken, pork, or beef. If you have leftover shrimp, keep it refrigerated in an airtight container and eat within two days. 

OTHER TOPPINGS YOU MIGHT LIKE:

When it comes to topping Tacos de Camaron, you are not limited to the suggestions above. Any of the following toppings would be delicious on Shrimp Tacos!

• Hot Sauce
• Guacamole
• Pico de Gallo
• Red or Green Salsa
• Sliced Fresh Jalapeños
• Crumbled Queso Fresco 

Are you a seafood lover? Check out these delicious Seafood Recipes next! 

5 MORE TACO RECIPES YOU’LL LOVE!

• Potato Tacos
• Healthy Taco Salad
• Chipotle Pork Tacos
• Chicken Taco Casserole
• Crock-Pot Chicken Tacos