Shrimp Tacos with Mango Salsa are a super flavorful and satisfying dish that is perfect for spring and summer months. The seasoned shrimp is topped with fresh mango salsa and drizzled with THE BEST creamy and spicy sauce for a perfectly balanced meal that will surely become a family favorite!
I love everything about these shrimp tacos with mango salsa! They are light but satisfying, sweet and spicy, crunchy and creamy, in other words: a perfect balance of flavor and textures.
If you are looking for a new favorite for Taco Tuesday (or any day of the week) that packs in wonderful and fresh Mexican flavors without the heaviness and greasiness, you should seriously try making these tacos. They are healthy, nutritious and amazingly tasty. You’ll be in love after the first bite!
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Ingredient notes
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Shrimp: fresh or frozen large or jumbo shrimp is best for this recipe. Make sure that the shrimp is peeled and deveined. Tails can be left on or removed, depending on your preferences.
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Tortillas: I am using white corn tortillas but yellow corn, wheat or grain-free tortillas will also work great.
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Red cabbage: to add a crunchy and colorful element to the dish.
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Taco Seasoning: I have a great recipe for homemade taco seasoning that I use in all of my taco and fajita meat and seafood. Give it a try or use good quality store bought seasoning that doesn’t include any starch.
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Avocado: sliced avocado is my absolute favorite taco topping
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Cotija (or Queso Fresco) Cheese: this white crumbly cheese adds wonderful salty flavor to the tacos. Depending on where you live, your local grocery store may carry Cotija or Queso Fresco. Sam’s Club and Walmart usually have it, too. Grate the cheese or crumble it using your fingers.
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For the Mango Salsa : fresh mangos, red pepper, jalapeno pepper, fresh cilantro, red onion and lime juice. Full recipe and tips for making the salsa can be found here.
Check out the full list of ingredients in the recipe card below.
The best creamy taco sauce
- The best condiment for shrimp tacos is this
- Mayo: homemade mayo or store bought avocado oil mayo are best.
- Greek Yogurt: a healthier alternative of traditional crema or sour cream
- Hot Sauce: any Mexican style hot sauce will work. My favorite is Cholula.
- Lime: too add tanginess to the sauce
How to make shrimp tacos with mango salsa
- STEP 1: Make the salsa. Toss together chopped up mango, red and jalapeno peppers, red onion, cilantro and lime juice. Check my Mango Salsa recipe for full instructions. Store in the fridge until ready to serve.
- STEP 2: Make the creamy sauce. In a small bowl whisk together mayo, Greek yogurt, hot sauce and lime juice. Set aside until ready to serve. If making ahead, store in the fridge.
- STEP 3: Cook the shrimp. Coat the shrimp with taco seasoning and sauté it in oil in a heavy skillet on medium heat until seared, about 2 minutes per side.
- STEP 4: Toast the tortillas. Use an open flame if you have a gas stove or a very hot dry skillet, or griddle.
- STEP 5: Assemble the tacos. Start with a toasted tortilla, add some shredded red cabbage, mango salsa and sautéd shrimp. Top with crumbled Cotija cheese, avocado chunks and a drizzle of sauce.
Loving Mexican inspired dishes? Make sure to give these Loaded Mini Pepper Nachos a try, too!
Storage suggestions
If you have leftovers, place all ingredients in separate airtight containers: cooked shrimp, mango salsa, cabbage, avocado, cheese and sauce and store in the fridge for up to 4 days in the refrigerator. Chopped avocado will brown after 1-2 days so you may choose to skip it. When ready to eat, assemble the tacos and serve in warm corn tortillas.
You can also make these healthy shrimp tacos up to 24 hours ahead and store individual ingredients sealed in the frdge. If you want to, you can reheat the shrimp in a large skillet but the tacos also work at room temperature.
Variations and substitutions
There are many ways in which you can make these tacos. Use whatever toppings and condiments you like for your perfect taco night.
- If you’re not a fan of corn tortillas, feel free to swap them for flour tortillas.
- For grain-free tacos, use cassava or almond flour tortillas. My favorite brand is Siete and you can buy these tortillas in most large grocery stores, including Whole Foods, or on Amazon.
- If someone in your household is not a fan of shrimp, make fish tacos instead. You can use the same seasoning and cooking method with white flaky fish, like mahi mahi, tilapia, cod, haddock). Chicken strips will also work.
- For spicy cajun shrimp tacos, use cajun seasoning instead of taco spice mix.
- If you don’t have red cabbage, you can also use green cabbage, cabbage slaw mix or thinly sliced iceberg or Romaine lettuce. Red cabbage has the nicest color and best crunch though!
- For a mild version of the creamy sauce, use less hot sauce (½ teaspoon instead of the full teaspoon) or skip it all together. You can also use plain crema or sour cream.
- If you can’t find Cotija or Queso Fresco, just skip the cheese.
- Instead of mango salsa, you can also serve these seafood tacos with peach or pineapple salsa.
- Other taco toppings that go well with shrimp tacos include pico de gallo, salsa verde, guacamole, sliced jalapeño pepper, chopped cilantro and fresh lime juice.
More cooking tips
- I like large shrimp so for this recipe I used jumbo shrimp (21-25 count), but feel free to use the large or medium sized shrimp.
- If you use frozen shrimp, make sure it’s raw rather than already cooked. Raw shrimp has a grey color, as opposed to cooked shrimp that's usually pink.
- If you want, you can leave the tails on for a nice presentation, but personally, I take them off before cooking.
- Pat the thawed shrimp dry with paper towels before seasoning and cook them in one single layer. Don't overcrowd the pan!
- Mango salsa and creamy sauce can be made up to 12 hours before serving and stored covered in the fridge until ready to serve
What to serve shrimp tacos with
Make sure to also check out this list of 20 Best Sides for Shrimp Tacos featuring recipes for guacamole, salsas, slaws, salads, rice and beans and more!
More quick and easy dinners
Recipe
Blackened Shrimp Tacos with Mango Salsa
Ingredients
- 1 lb large or jumbo shrimp fresh or frozen, peeled and deveined
- 1 tablespoon taco seasoning
- ¼ red cabbage sliced thin
- 1 tablespoon avocado or olive oil
- 2 oz Queso cheese crumbled
- 1 avocado diced
- 8 6-inch white or yellow corn tortillas
- 1 cup fresh mango salsa
For the sauce:
- ⅓ cup mayonnaise
- ⅓ cup Greek yogurt
- 1 teaspoon hot sauce
- Juice from 1 lime about 1.5 tbsp
Instructions
- Make the mango salsa.
- Make the sauce. In a small bowl combine mayo, yogurt, hot sauce and lime juice and whisk until smooth. If it’s very thick, add some cold water, 1 teaspoon at a time and mix until you reach the desired consistency.
- Heat the oil in a skillet and add the shrimp. Cook on medium high heat for about 2 minutes per side until the shrimp is pink and lightly browned. Set aside.
- Toast corn tortillas on an open flame of a gas stove on medium high heat until lightly charred on the edges, 10-20 seconds per side. You can also toast them on a very hot griddle or skillet.
- Assemble the tacos. Place some shredded red cabbage on each taco, add some mango salsa, top with shrimp (3-4 pieces per taco), avocado chunks, crumbled Queso cheese and a drizzle of the sauce.
- Serve and enjoy!
Notes
Nutrition
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Meet the Author
Hi, I'm Agnieszka. I'm a mom of three and recipe developer, writer and photographer behind Wholly Tasteful. I love creating comforting, delicious, family-friendly recipes that you can feel good about.
Cathleen says
Shrimp tacos might be some of my favourite tacos ever. I love the sound of mango salsa!! This is definitely happening in my kitchen this week 🙂
Irina says
What summery bright tacos you offer! I love your recipe and cannot wait to give it a try. I need a bit more sunny days to enjoy these tacos outside. It is my dream...
kushigalu says
shrimp and mango is one of the best combo. This tacos looks fantastic. Perfect for summer.
Maria says
This is such a bright taco in my opinion. I'm sure that this is a super delicious recipe, will definitely try it very soon.
Dannii says
Shrimp tacos are my go-to for a light summer meal. These look amazing.
Joanne says
That mango salsa sounds amazing. I will have to try it!
Marta says
I tried them today, very nice, intensive and refreshing!
Jill says
really love shrimp tacos and this recipe is a definite keeper! love the fresh flavors and quick prep!
Jere Cassidy says
I love everything about these shrimp tacos, from all the ingredients and how easy they are to make. Mango salsa tastes good on anything.
Kayla DiMaggio says
Yum! I love shrimp and tacos! These were amazing!
Oscar says
Loved adding the avocados and the fresh limes to this recipe. Everything was so flavourful and that mango salsa is amazing. My whole family loved everything. Can't wait to make this again.
Lilly says
I made this for Taco Tuesday and my family gobbled up these tacos! Thank you for the recipe!
Boguslawa says
This is the best tacos!
Jerika says
Looks so colorful and flavorful!!!Love it.:)
Angela says
Great taco recipe. The mango salsa is delicious.
Audrey says
I loved the mango salsa!
Lindsay Howerton-Hastings says
This is so good! Can't wait to make it again.
Sue says
Delicious! The mango salsa really takes these tacos up a notch!
Laura says
So delicious! I love the flavor.
Ash B says
I have never made shrimp tacos before and this recipe was super easy to follow! my favorite part had to be the mango salsa!
Leslie says
Shrimp tacos are the best tacos!
Jamie says
I love all the flavors here! Delicious!
Jill says
really loved this recipe for easy dinner!