Blackened Shrimp Tacos – The Almond Eater

June 13, 2023

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Taco Tuesday is further thrilling with these Blackened Shrimp Tacos on the desk! Cajun-spiced and completely seared shrimp are wrapped in tortillas and topped with cabbage slaw, chipotle aioli, avocado, and cilantro. Prepared in half-hour!

three blackened shrimp tacos with chipotle aioli on top

Probably the greatest elements of Taco Tuesday is experimenting with totally different flavors, proteins, and toppings week after week. There aren’t any guidelines… you’ll be able to stuff tortillas with seasoned hen, pork, or salmon, or go for plant-based fillings as an alternative, like chickpeas, tofu, and even walnuts.

However whenever you’re craving a daring mix of flavors and textures, these Blackened Shrimp Tacos with cabbage slaw are the place it’s at!

They’re fast and simple to make with nothing greater than blackened-seasoned and seared shrimp. As soon as they’re loaded into tortillas, the boldly-flavored shrimp is taken up a notch with zesty and creamy toppings, like cabbage slaw, sliced avocado, cilantro, and creamy chipotle aioli.

Recipe options

Like these fajitas with blackened shrimp, the shrimp for the tacos are coated in Cajun seasonings, then seared till frivolously charred and crisp.
The smoky shrimp is cooled down with refreshing, creamy toppings. Use what’s listed within the substances or experiment together with your favourite taco toppings as an alternative.
They’re fast and simple to make for Taco Tuesday, weeknight dinners, or dinner events. No matter whenever you serve them, they’ll at all times ‘wow’ your dinner company!

Substances

Shrimp – Medium, giant, or extra-large shrimp will work for this shrimp taco recipe. While you’re procuring, search for contemporary, high-quality shrimp which are agency and have a light oceany aroma. Buy pre-peeled and deveined shrimp or do it your self.

Blackening seasoning – I make selfmade blackening seasoning with smoked paprika, garlic powder, cumin, salt, and oregano, however you’ll be able to simply alter these spices to fit your style buds. Different frequent blackening spices are cayenne, thyme, onion powder, and black pepper. Retailer-bought blackening, Cajun, or Creole seasoning additionally works.

Tortillas – Each flour and corn tortillas work, so use your favourite.

Toppings – I really like topping shrimp tacos with zesty cabbage slaw, avocado, cilantro, and chipotle aioli, however the choices are infinite! Discover extra shrimp taco topping concepts within the Ideas beneath.

Step-by-step directions

Step 1: Season the shrimp. Place the peeled and deveined shrimp in a big bowl. Sprinkle the seasonings excessive, then toss to coat.

a bowl of raw shrimp with seasonings on top

Step 2: Prepare dinner the shrimp. Warmth the oil in a big forged iron skillet. As soon as it’s scorching, add the shrimp in a single layer and cook dinner till they’re now not translucent.

a close-up of shrimp cooking on a cast iron skillet

Step 3: Heat the tortillas. In the meantime, warmth the tortillas in a scorching skillet or immediately on a gasoline burner. Additionally, make the chipotle aioli in the event you haven’t executed so already – it solely takes 5 minutes!

Step 4: Assemble the tacos. Fill every tortilla with a number of items of shrimp, then your favourite taco toppings. Drizzle with the chipotle aioli, and luxuriate in!

Ideas and FAQs

Pat the shrimp dry with a paper towel to assist the seasonings stick.
Don’t be shy with the seasoning! Blackened meals are identified for pronounced, fiery taste, so coat your shrimp with a good, beneficiant layer of spices.
For further flavorful shrimp, marinate the shrimp within the blackening seasoning for 10 minutes earlier than searing. It’s the identical methodology I take advantage of in my Cajun shrimp alfredo, which yields daring, fiery shrimp each time.
Warming the tortillas in a scorching skillet makes them smooth and extra pliable. In different phrases, you’ll have mess-free tacos and smooth, heat bites.
Prepare dinner the shrimp rapidly over excessive warmth. I like searing them in a smoking scorching cast-iron skillet, however grilling, air frying, or broiling till they’re pink and opaque with properly charred edges additionally works. Be very cautious to not overcook!
Extra shrimp taco toppings: Pico de gallo, contemporary jalapenos, pickled purple onions, thinly sliced radishes, lime wedges, corn salsa, pineapple salsa, and guacamole are at all times a good suggestion. You can also’t go incorrect with a dollop of creamy sauce, like bitter cream or spicy avocado dressing.

What’s the perfect form of shrimp to make use of for tacos?

There isn’t any one kind of shrimp that’s finest for shrimp tacos. Nonetheless, white shrimp (AKA gulf shrimp or Pacific shrimp) are straightforward to search out and comparatively reasonably priced. Rock shrimp and black tiger shrimp additionally work.

What’s most necessary is that the shrimp you employ are contemporary, ideally sustainably sourced, and correctly cleaned and deveined earlier than cooking.

What else can you employ to season shrimp for tacos?

Blackening, Creole, and Cajun seasoning blends are all daring, spicy, and smoky, and go properly with shrimp. Be at liberty to regulate the ratio of a few of the spices if the seasoning blends are too spicy or smoky in your style buds.

In the event you like your shrimp tacos on the spicier aspect, attempt Mexican-style taco seasoning, fajita seasoning, or a chili lime seasoning mix as an alternative.

If spicy meals isn’t your factor, toss the shrimp with freshly minced garlic, contemporary oregano, thyme, or parsley, and a pinch of coarse salt.

What goes properly with blackened shrimp tacos?

You may’t go incorrect pairing these shrimp tacos with Mexican-inspired sides, like cilantro lime rice or Spanish rice, black beans or refried beans, char-grilled veggies, and tortilla chips with salsa and guacamole.

Storing

Fridge: As soon as the leftover blackened shrimp is cool to room temperature, retailer them in an hermetic container within the fridge for 3 to 4 days. Maintain the remainder of the taco toppings and tortillas in separate containers within the fridge as properly.

Freezing: You may freeze the leftover blackened shrimp for as much as 3 months. Thaw within the fridge earlier than reheating.

Extra taco recipes to attempt

In the event you made this recipe, make sure to go away a remark and star score beneath. Thanks!