Shrimp tacos are so fun to make – you can have them with soft or hard shells, coleslaw or salsa, spicy or not. Toppings are customizable so that you can add avocados, mayo, and many other treats. Thus, there is a wide range of flavors you can achieve.
That also means many possible side dishes pair well with shrimp tacos. However, the best ones are always those that are Mexican-inspired. Their tastes complement and complete each other, and with a margarita on the side, your taco meal is as perfect as it can be. Check out these 13 Mexican sides for what to serve with shrimp tacos.
1. Mango Avocado Salsa
This mango avocado salsa is deliciously complex because there are many layers to its flavors and textures. You get juicy and creamy, sweet and tangy, fresh and spicy, all in one bowl. The medley of colors is also fun to the eyes, as cubes of yellow, green, red, and more come together. But even with so many elements, everything is well-balanced and satisfying, especially with shrimp tacos.
2. Corn Salsa
This recipe makes corn salsa a la Chipotle, so it’s wonderfully juicy, fresh, and well-balanced. Sweet corn kernels are combined with jalapenos, onions, cilantro, lime juice, salt, and pepper. Thus, you get a beautiful complex of flavors that includes sweet, spicy, sour, and salty. When paired with your shrimp tacos, it’ll surely provide depth to the meal and make it much more enjoyable.
3. Pico de Gallo
Shrimp tacos with salsa are a classic, and one of the best salsas is pico de gallo. It’s also known as salsa fresca, which is fitting as this side dish is packed with chunks of fresh tomatoes, onions, and jalapenos. The mixture isn’t pureed, so this is great for those who want to load salsa into their tacos without getting it soggy or making a mess.
4. Avocado Crema
Dunk your shrimp tacos into this creamy, sweet, tangy, and healthy avocado crema. It is reminiscent of another Mexican dip – guacamole – but much smoother and creamier as it has sour cream, which also gives the dish its distinct tang. Besides the sour cream, the acidity is enhanced by fresh lime juice. You’ll need cilantro, garlic, and salt to cut through such intense flavors.
5. Elote Queso (Mexican Street Corn Dip)
Do you love corn? Do you also love cheese? If you said yes to both, you’d surely love dipping your shrimp tacos into a bowl of elote queso or Mexican street corn dip. It combines melted cheese and elote or corn flavored with mayo, chili, lime, cotija, and cilantro. The resulting dip is delicious, gooey, and smooth, punctuated by fresh corn bits.
6. Homemade Refried Beans
Homemade refried beans are a heartwarming comfort dish. Many enjoy it on its own, digging into the warm, creamy, delicious mixture of beans and spices. But it also serves a great side dish to many Mexican foods, including shrimp tacos. Moreover, you have three options for preparation: stovetop, instant pot, or crockpot, so you can choose which is best and most convenient for you.
7. Spicy Black Bean Soup
If you’re seeking a bean recipe that’s creamier, spicier, and juicier, this spicy black bean soup fits the bill. It contrasts the crunchiness and freshness of hard-shell shrimp tacos, which makes them great partners. That’s because you get all the best flavors and textures combined harmoniously. Plus, this bean soup is easy to make, ingredients easy to find, and takes only 55 minutes!
8. Mexican Rice
Shrimp tacos are frequently recommended with rice dishes, including traditional and authentic Mexican rice. Unlike plain, cooked rice, Mexican rice is reddish-orange and highly flavorful. White grains are combined with oil, tomato sauce and bouillon, garlic, chili, and water. You can adjust the proportions and make changes so the fluffiness, savoriness, and sauciness suit your preferences; you can even swap water for chicken broth!
9. Cilantro Lime Rice
Make this easy cilantro lime rice if you prefer tangy rice to match your tangy shrimp tacos. It looks simple, but the flavors and aroma are intense and unique. The secret is browning raw rice in oil and garlic to lock in the excellent taste and smell. You can follow it with more delicious elements, like salt, lime zest, juice, and cilantro.
10. Grilled Mexican Street Corn
Once you’ve had Mexican street corn – also known as elote – you won’t have corn on the cob any other way again. It’s much more complex than a simple buttered treat because this one has spiciness, cheesiness, creaminess, tang, and more. The corn cobs are also broiled until charred, imparting a unique, smoky flavor to the kernels. These cobs are then covered with the creamy sauce that makes elote well-loved.
11. Grilled Corn with Cilantro Lime Butter
Another way to transform your traditional buttered corn cobs is by incorporating cilantro and lime flavors. Cilantro imparts an herby, fresh, and citrusy taste, which the zesty lime juice enhances. Besides these ingredients, there are also garlic, chili, paprika, salt, and pepper; thus, you can expect layers of flavors that come along subtly with every bite.
12. Grilled Corn with Chipotle-Lime Butter
Chipotle is a dried chili pepper that often appears in many Mexican recipes. Although its spice level is at a medium level only, it stands out more for its unique smoky heat and kick. Thus, if you want intense smoky, spicy, and tangy flavors to match your shrimp tacos, pair it with this grilled corn smeared with chipotle-lime butter.
13. Corn Salad with Easy Lime Vinaigrette
If you’re not a fan of munching on cobs, then make this corn salad instead. It’s as tasty as buttered corn ears, maybe even more! That’s because the sweet kernels are tossed in a bowl with homemade lime vinaigrette, honey, sugar, lemon, peppers, tomatoes, and more. This ensures the flavors sink into the corn bits more deeply than they would on a whole cob.
