Tasty Pairings: 7 Best Side Dishes for Shrimp Tacos

Tacos are quick and easy to prepare, but the flavor is sometimes lacking.

Mexican tacos are traditionally made by placing shrimp, fish, chicken, or beef in a corn tortilla.

Shrimp tacos are a fantastic meal to make; they contain healthy fish and shrimp, and they can be filled with delicious veggies or sauces.

It’s important not to overcook the shrimp when making shrimp tacos, as it can lead to rubbery shrimp.

Also, depending on the size of your shrimp, you may want to either butterfly or leave them whole.

Once you have your shrimp, many flavors and tastes complement this dish.

And while you can enjoy your shrimp tacos all on their own, it’s always nice to serve them with other food.

In this article, we will review some of the best side dishes that go well with shrimp tacos.

Why Consider Serving Side Dishes for Shrimp Tacos?

When you combine complementary tastes and flavors, you come up with a fabulous meal.

However, the side dishes mustn’t overwhelm the flavors of your shrimp tacos.

One thing to keep in mind is what kind of taco shells you use.

If you use hard shell corn taco shells, then pair them with salsa or sour cream for a side dish.

If you use soft taco tortillas, then guacamole or cheeses are great options for a side dish.

Choosing the correct type of cheese is essential because some soft cheeses can be very liquefied when melted, which may affect your meal’s presentation.

Other delicious side dishes ideas are mixed garden salads, pickled veggies or fruits, and caramelized plantains.

Each option pairs well with shrimp tacos because they are quick to prepare and have appetizing solid flavors.

Another idea is to pair shrimp tacos with bowls of chips, chilis, or soups.

These choices are not only quick and easy, but they can also be healthy if you choose to eat them outside your meal.

For example, guacamole is made primarily from avocado, which contains good healthy fats.

Soups can be nutritious depending on what type you make, and chips are high in fiber as long as you don’t deep fry them.

You must leave it on the side if you choose to serve your shrimp tacos with a side dish.

The flavors of each dish shouldn’t overpower each other.

In conclusion, there is no definitive answer as to what kind of side dishes go well with shrimp tacos.

However, you must consider flavors and preferences before choosing which side to serve for your shrimp taco meal.

What to Serve with Shrimp Tacos? 7 BEST Side Dishes

If you are looking for possible side dishes to serve with your shrimp tacos, then consider one or more of these suggestions.

1 – Salsa

Salsa is one of the most common choices, and for a good reason.

Fresh salsa is easy to make, can be made in large batches ahead of time, and has a great sour taste that compliments shrimp tacos very well.

It’s also healthy if you choose to use it as your side dish because all you need to do is dip your taco into the salsa.

Salsa is not only good for dipping your shrimp tacos, but it also goes great with other Mexican dishes such as tostadas, enchiladas, and quesadillas.

2 – Sour Cream

Mexican cuisine has all types of sour cream paired with shrimp or seafood.

This is yet another example of complementary flavors because sour cream helps to reduce the oiliness and fat in seafood.

Sour cream goes great with corn tacos and flour tortilla tacos alike.

It’s good weather it’s served on the side or mixed with your taco altogether.

Some people like to add salsa while others want their sour cream plain; the choice is yours.

Some people also like to add a little salt to their sour cream when serving it with shrimp tacos, but this may not be the best side dish for you if you are watching your sodium intake.

3 – Guacamole

Another great side dish that compliments shrimp tacos in Mexican cuisine is guacamole.

Guacamole can be used as a dip or as a topping for your shrimp tacos.

It not only enhances the flavor of your taco but also reduces any oiliness and fat that may come from eating seafood.

It’s also healthy because it contains good monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fats like avocados.

Guacamole can be made quickly and lasts for a few days in the refrigerator.

You can also serve it as a side with various Mexican dishes such as tostadas, enchiladas, and quesadillas.

4 – Caramelized Plantains

Caramelized plantains are sweet fruits that can be fried and served hot or cold.

They go well with shrimp tacos because they add a little bit of crunch to the meal.

Caramelized plantains go well with both corn and flour tortilla tacos.

However, if you want to pair them with your shrimp taco, they should be served on the side rather than folded inside your taco.

Like guacamole, plantains are also healthy because they contain good monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fats.

If you serve them on the side with your taco, you will control how much fat goes into it.

5 – Citrus Salsa

Citrus salsas are made primarily from lemons, oranges, limes, grapefruit, and other citrus fruits.

Not only do they taste good with seafood dishes such as shrimp tacos, but the acidity in the fruit can also help to break down some of the fattiness.

Citrus salsas are not only healthy because they contain a lot of vitamins and minerals, but they also taste good.

You can eat them with both corn and flour tortilla tacos.

Some people like to add different spices such as cayenne, chili powder, paprika, or cumin when making their citrus salsa.

This can get you more creative with your shrimp taco side dishes and provide your guests with a pleasant dining experience.

6 – Jicama Slaw

Shrimp tacos can be served with a side of coleslaw, but what if you want to add something different? If this is the case, then consider jicama slaw.

Jicama is a type of fruit that has a crunchy texture and tastes like an apple.

It’s not sweet like apples, though; instead, it has a salty and lemony taste.

Jicama is also healthy because it contains good monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fats, like other fruits like avocados, oranges, limes, grapefruit, and lemons.

7 – Chipotle Rice

Last but not least is chipotle rice.

Chipotle is a type of chili pepper that originated from the Mexican state of Puebla about 500 years ago.

It’s a smoked jalapeño that provides a smoky and spicy flavor to dishes such as shrimp tacos.

Chipotle has anti-inflammatory properties, which means it can help reduce muscle soreness after intense workouts.

You can pair your shrimp tacos with chipotle rice to give your taco a hot and spicy flavor.

This can be beneficial if you’re making shrimp tacos for Mexican food lovers who enjoy their meals with a bit of kick.

Conclusion

As long as you have all of these ingredients in your kitchen, then you have enough ingredients to make the perfect side dish for your shrimp tacos.

You can also mix and match them if you want to create something new for your guests.

In the end, you have to be creative when thinking of what to serve with shrimp tacos.

You want your guests to enjoy the taste of your meal and the overall dining experience.

So start experimenting with your different side dishes and going beyond just serving a simple bowl of rice.

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