Hey there, I’m Anne from Beyond the Bayou Blog serving you deliciousness directly from my kitchen to your plate. The dish that we are going to try today has a Mexican charm in every bite and it is people’s favorite these days Baja Shrimp Tacos.
After all who doesn’t love the crispy flavor of these tacos which just blew my mind with every single bite? I still remember the first time having this recipe at my friend’s party in one of the Mexican restaurants in our locality. Options there were immense from Baja Fish Tacos to Tri Tip Tacos and many more. I decided at that moment that I was gonna recreate these tacos at my home and serve the entire family with this Mexican dish.
So here I am today in front of you guys cooking this healthy recipe for our evening snack. Serving this with Caramel Iced Coffee is on my list today. You can serve it with the drink of your own choice. For now, let’s just begin the simple process of making these tacos.
What is Baja Shrimp Tacos?
Baja shrimp tacos are a flavorful and popular Mexican dish. They typically feature crispy and seasoned shrimp, often coated in a spicy mix of chili powder, cumin, and garlic powder. These shrimp are then placed in warm tortillas and topped with fresh ingredients like cabbage slaw, avocado slices, chipotle crema (a creamy sauce with a hint of smoky spice), and sometimes crumbled cotija cheese for a salty kick. The combination of crispy shrimp, creamy sauce, and fresh toppings creates a delicious balance of flavors and textures that make the best Baja shrimp tacos a favorite among seafood lovers.
How to Make Baja Shrimp Tacos?
Step 1: Prepare Chipotle Crema
Image Source: YouTube (The Simple Way with Delilah)
In a small bowl, mix together the ingredients for chipotle crema until well combined. Set the mixture aside for later use.
Step 2: Make Cabbage Slaw
Image Source: YouTube (The Simple Way with Delilah)
In another medium bowl, combine shredded cabbage, freshly squeezed lime juice, honey, and a pinch of salt and chili powder. Stir everything together thoroughly, then refrigerate the slaw until you’re ready to serve.
Step 3: Season and Cook the Shrimp
Image Source: YouTube (The Simple Way with Delilah)
Pat the shrimp dry with a paper towel to remove excess moisture. In a separate bowl, toss the shrimp with chili powder, cumin, oregano, chipotle powder, salt, and garlic powder, ensuring each shrimp is evenly coated with the spice mixture.
Step 4: Pan-fry the Shrimp
Image Source: YouTube (The Simple Way with Delilah)
Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat and add a thin layer of oil to coat the bottom. Once the oil is hot (about 2 minutes), add the seasoned shrimp to the skillet. Pan-fry the shrimp for 2-3 minutes on each side, or until they are lightly charred and cooked through. Grilling the shrimp is a great alternative. Simply skewer the cooked shrimp and grill over medium-high heat until cooked through.
Step 5: Assemble the Tacos
Image Source: YouTube (The Simple Way with Delilah)
Divide the prepared cabbage slaw evenly among warm tortillas. Top each tortilla with the cooked shrimp, slices of ripe avocado, a drizzle of chipotle crema, and a sprinkle of crumbled cotija cheese. Crumbled feta cheese or grated Parmesan cheese can also be used as alternatives to cotija cheese.
Enjoy your delicious Baja Fish Tacos with all the flavorful toppings!
More Shrimp Recipes you would love!
- Air Fryer Shrimp
- Breaded Shrimp Recipe (Culinary Crunch)
- Bang Bang Chicken and Shrimp
- Shrimp Toast Recipe
- Honey Walnut Shrimp Recipe
- Peel and Eat Shrimp Recipe
- Shrimp and Cod Recipe
- Shrimp and Grits Recipe
- BBQ Shrimp Recipe
Here Are My Secret Tips!
- Achieving Extra Crispy Shrimp: For that extra crunch, pat your shrimp dry with a paper towel before coating them with spices. This helps remove any excess moisture that could hinder the crispiness of the shrimp’s outer layer.
- Time-Saving Tip: Shortcut for Chipotle Crema: To save time, consider using ready-made chipotle mayonnaise or sour cream as a quick alternative for making chipotle crema from scratch.
- Customizing Spice Levels: Adjust the amount of chipotle powder and chili powder to your liking to personalize the spice level of your shrimp. Start with a little and add more gradually until it suits your taste.
- Prepping Tortillas for Tacos: Warm your tortillas just before assembling the tacos to ensure they’re soft and easy to fold without cracking.
- Proper Pan-Frying Technique: Avoid overcrowding the skillet when pan-frying the shrimp to ensure they cook evenly and develop a delicious char. If needed, cook the shrimp in batches for best results.
Customize Your Tacos!
- Swap the toppings. Use various vegetables like diced tomato, sliced jalape�o, or shredded carrots. Adding salsa or hot sauce can give it more flavor. Hot sauce is my own choice.
- Try different seasonings. If chili powder’s spiciness isn’t for you, try paprika instead. For a smoky taste, add smoked paprika, or for a traditional Mexican flavor, try oregano.
- Turn it into a burrito. If you want a bigger meal, wrap the shrimp and toppings in a large flour tortilla to make a burrito. Warm the tortilla first and use a toothpick if needed to hold it together.
What Goes Well With Baja Shrimp Tacos?
Storing and Reserving Is Not a Problem Anymore!
- Refrigeration: Place any leftover baja shrimp tacos in an airtight container and store them in the refrigerator. Make sure to separate any toppings or sauces from the tortillas to prevent them from becoming soggy.
- Consumption: Enjoy the leftover tacos within 2-3 days for the best taste and texture. Beyond that, the quality may start to decline.
- Reheating: To reheat the tacos, you can warm them in the microwave for a quick meal or use an oven or skillet for a crispier result. Ensure the shrimp are heated through before serving.
- Toppings: Some toppings, such as avocado slices or fresh cilantro, may not keep well and are best added fresh when serving leftover tacos.
Can I make the Chipotle crema ahead of time?
Yes, you can prepare the Chipotle crema ahead of time for your Baja shrimp tacos. Simply mix the ingredients together and store the crema in an airtight container in the refrigerator. This allows the flavors to meld, making it even more delicious when you’re ready to use it. Just give it a good stir before serving.
Baja Shrimp Tacos�Recipe
Equipment
- Skillet
- Mixing Bowls
- Tongs
- Cutting Board
- Knife
- Measuring Spoons
Ingredients
- 1 tbsp chili powder
- 1/2 tsp ground cumin
- 1/2 tsp dried oregano
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/4 teaspn garlic powder
- 1/2 cup sour cream
- 1 tspn lime juice
- 3 portions shrimp
- 2 tbsp chipotle adobo sauce
- 1/2 tsp chipotle powder
Instructions
- In a small bowl, I stir together the ingredients for chipotle crema. I set it aside.
- In another bowl, I combine cabbage, lime juice, honey, and salt. Stirring well, I refrigerate it until serving.�
- Blotting the shrimp dry with a paper towel, I combine them with chili powder, cumin, oregano, chipotle powder, salt, and garlic powder, ensuring they're evenly coated with spices.�
- Coating the bottom of a large skillet with oil, I heat it over medium-high heat for 2 minutes. Adding the shrimp, I pan-fry them for 2-3 minutes on each side until they're lightly charred.�
- Dividing the slaw onto tortillas, I top them with shrimp, avocado slices, chipotle crema, and cotija cheese.
Notes
- I adjust the spice levels according to my preference.
- Ensuring the shrimp are cooked through but not overcooked is key for optimal taste and texture.
