These are the most delicious cajun shrimp tacos with mango salsa. Use small shrimp and a vegetable chopper to pull this dinner together in under 20 minutes!
My recipe for shrimp tacos is crazy good and super speedy! I rely on a store-bought cajun spice blend for loads of flavor (fast!) and a homemade mango salsa that goes perfectly with seafood.
What is Cajun seasoning?
Cajun seasoning is a blend of spices that originates in Louisiana. Usually it includes a combination of smoked paprika, garlic, oregano, salt and black peppper.
You could buy a store-bought brand like Slap Ya Mama (my fave!) or McCormick Gourmet, or you could make your own. Gimme Some Oven has a great recipe for a homemade cajun spice blend if that's up your ally.
Make sure when you're using a seasoning blend that you check whether or not it has salt included. If it does, you won't need to add salt when cooking with it, or you'll only need a little pinch.
What kind of shrimp do you use for shrimp tacos?
I like to buy small shrimp for fish tacos for 3 reasons. 1) They are more affordable 2) You can fit more shrimp into a single taco and finally 3) They cook insanely fast. Any shrimp you have on hand will do, just make sure to remove the tails.
Does it matter if I buy farm-raised vs. wild-caught? How about gulf shrimp vs. Argentinian red, etc?
While the answers to these questions are not black and white, and it largely depends on many factors, I prefer to buy wild-caught American shrimp. You can read more about some benefits of wild caught here. As always, do whatever works best for your family.
What kind of mangoes are best for mango salsa?
You want mangos that are firm but have lots of give to them. This usually means they are sweet and ripe. Avoid mushy mangoes with lots of brown spots on them. I usually buy "tommy atkins" mangoes.
How spicy is the mango salsa?
I use serrano chiles in my mango salsa because I like it hot! If you prefer a milder flavor, you can alter the recipe to use less serrano chiles, or switch to jalapeños, which are less spicy.
I don't like cilantro. Can I use something instead?
You can just leave out the cilantro if you're someone who thinks it tastes like soap 🙂
What kind of tortilla wraps do you buy for these easy shrimp tacos?
I am team soft taco shell ALL DAY. You want to buy small corn tortillas for this recipe. If you are paleo or gluten-free, you can buy great options on Amazon from Siete brands.
What kind of hot sauce do you like to use?
I like Valentina salsa piccante on these easy shrimp tacos because it is authentically Mexican and has a deep flavor that I love.
What other toppings can I add to these easy shrimp tacos?
I like to top these with mashed avocado, sour cream and hot sauce. You could get crazy and add cheddar, corn, crushed tortilla chips or anything else your heart desires on top!
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Easy Shrimp Tacos With Mango Salsa
- Total Time: 20 minutes
- Yield: 8-12 tacos 1x
- Diet: Gluten Free
Description
These easy shrimp tacos are inspired by Louisiana and Mexico! Cajun seasoning, mango salsa and mashed avocado make these healthy, filling and so fresh!
Ingredients
8-12 corn tortillas
1 lb. small shrimp (~50-70 per lb.), thawed
2 tsp cajun seasoning
For the mango salsa:
3 tbsp extra-virgin olive oil, divided
¾ cup chopped mango, about 1 small mango
⅛ cup of lime juice, approximately 1 juicy lime
¾ cup finely diced red onion
¼ cup cilantro, chopped
½-1 serrano chile, depending on how spicy you like your salsa
2 small or 1 large avocado, mashed
½ tsp of salt
For serving:
sour cream
hot sauce
extra limes
Instructions
- First, make the mango salsa by combining mango, red onion, cilantro, lime juice 1 tablespoon olive oil and ½ teaspoon salt. Add serrano pepper. If you like a milder salsa, add half of the chile very finely chopped. If you prefer it hotter, add a whole pepper. You can add half first, taste and adjust if you want more heat. It's important to make the salsa first and let it sit for 10 minutes before serving.
- While the salsa sits, combine shrimp with cajun seasoning and remaining 2 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil. If your cajun seasoning is salted, you won't need to add more salt. If it's not, add roughly 1 teaspoon of salt to the shrimp.
- Heat up a skillet to a high heat.
- Once it is very hot, add the shrimp and cook for 2-4 minutes. Very small shrimp cook at lightening speed, so when they no longer look translucent and curl up, wait 30 seconds then pull them from the heat. You can taste one beforehand to make sure it's to your liking, just don't overcook!
- Warm tortillas in the microwave or on the stove before assembling tacos.
- To assemble, fill tortillas with shrimp (as many as you'd like, I used ~8 per taco), a few spoonfuls of mango salsa, and a spoon of mashed avocado. Repeat until you've stuffed all of your tortillas!
- If using, drizzle the tacos with sour cream and hot sauce.
- Serve with extra lime wedges (squeeze over the taco just before eating) and enjoy!
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 5 minutes
- Category: Seafood, Shrimp
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Cajun, Mexican
Keywords: gluten-free, tacos, shrimp tacos, cajun tacos, cajun shrimp, mango salsa, serrano salsa, avocado, mexican food
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