I can’t get enough of shrimp tacos. They’re fun, colorful, and absolutely heavenly. One bite will take you to eternal bliss. Muy Bueno, indeed! But… you’ll need a few side dishes to round out the meal! Transform your shrimp tacos into a true fiesta by serving these 12 satisfying side dishes. From Mexican corn salad to margaritas, get ready to say, “ole!” With these 12 sides, your shrimp tacos will be the taco the town!
1. Tortilla Chips and Mango Salsa
Let’s get the ball rolling with the most iconic Mexican snack there is. Chips and salsa are such a popular treat, and for good reason. Who can say no to crisp tortilla chips dipped in sweet, tangy, and spicy salsa? Both yummy and hearty, they’re the perfect party side! With chips and salsa, your guests will leave your fiesta full and happy. This side dish could not be easier to prepare. Just pop open a bag of chips, and you’re half-way finished! As for the salsa: tomatoes, onions, cilantro, lime juice, salt, pepper. There. Done! To give the classic sauce a little spin, you can add some mango slices. The bright tropical fruit will add a wonderful sweetness to your dip and a lovely pop of color, too!
2. Pico de Gallo
Pico de gallo is another fantastic side or topping for your shrimp tacos. Don’t tacos topped with tomatoes, onions, peppers, and cilantro sound wonderful? I know what you’re thinking: those ingredients sound exactly like the stuff you put in salsa, so what makes pico de gallo different? Pico de gallo is a type of salsa. It’s also called salsa fresca, and it’s much chunkier than its classic counterpart.
3. Spanish Rice
Having guests over for Taco Tuesday? Well, then you gotta cook some rice. Since rice is rich in carbs and starches, it’s the perfect side that will leave your guests full and satisfied. Spanish rice is so fun and flavorful! Infused with tomatoes, garlic, onions, and other veggies, this rice may be the star of your party! You can also flavor your rice with some fresh lime juice and cilantro! Those two ingredients are all you need to transform your rice from boring to amazing.
4. Coleslaw
This isn’t just a regular coleslaw, it’s a Mexican coleslaw. Trust me, it’s phenomenal. Mexican slaw has cabbage, onions, corn, black beans, and jalapenos. In short, it has all the wonderful elements we love in a Mexican treat! Instead of mayo, this slaw calls for a tangy vinaigrette. What you’ll get is a light, refreshing, and crunchy side or topping for your shrimp tacos.
5. Jicama Slaw
Here’s another fun riff on a classic! Adding jicama, or Mexican yam, adds a sweet crunch to coleslaw. Light, refreshing, and colorful are the three best ways to describe this side. I’m telling you, once you’ve tried it, you might never go back to the regular slaw.
6. Elote
Elote, or Mexican Street Corn, is a must at every fiesta! This spectacular corn dish is full of flavor, texture, and color. It’s everything you can ever ask for in a side dish. Plus, it pairs perfectly with shrimp tacos. Shrimp and corn just go so well together. I don’t think they should ever be apart. You may think that elote is too complicated to make, but it’s not. It’s grilled corn with sour cream, mayo, chili powder, and cheese. Totally doable! Plus, with how unique its flavors are, I say it’s well worth the effort. Try it, and I’m sure you’ll agree.
7. Mexican Corn Salad
Mexican corn salad is vibrant, refreshing, and delicious. It will tickle your tastebuds for sure. Ding ding ding! We’ve got a certified crowd-pleaser right here! Made with grilled corn kernels, crumbled cheese, and creamy dressing, this side is a lot like the previous entry – the elote – but in salad form. Meaning, it’s much easier and less messy to eat!
8. Charro Beans (frijoles charros)
Charro beans is a slow-cooked soup made with pinto beans, bacon, onion, garlic, pepper, and tomato. It’s also known as frijoles charros or cowboy beans. I call it comfort in a bowl. If you want to be as authentic as you can be with your Mexican feast, this soup is a must! Shrimp tacos, burritos, enchiladas, it doesn’t matter: this Tex-Mex favorite tastes amazing with all of them.
9. Mexican Chopped Salad
It’s another salad, I know, but it really tastes great with shrimp tacos! This Mexican chopped salad has all the goodness of red onions, bell peppers, jicama, lettuce, zucchini, tomatoes, black beans, and corn. I mean… how can you not want this on your table? Whether you eat it on the side or spoon some over your tacos, you can’t go wrong. The combined flavors of all the veggies plus a refreshing dressing are just spot on.
10. Margaritas
A party ain’t a party without a little bit of booze! So, let’s get the festivities started with some margaritas! The classic Mexican cocktail is not only fun to drink but also tastes great with shrimp tacos. Its sweetness and tanginess add a delightful contrast to the rich wrap. Together, they form a beautiful harmony of flavors. Plus, margaritas are also a cinch to make. All you need are tequila, lime juice, and orange liqueur! You’ll want a glass rimmed with salt, too.
11. Sweet Mexican Corn Cake
Moist, tender, and sweet cake bursting with corn flavor? Yum! This cake may be corny, but there’s nothing dull about it at all! Loaded with corn kernels, cornflour, and cornmeal, this treat is definitely not lacking in the flavor department. Make it over-the-top by adding a scoop of ice cream or a dusting of powdered sugar. You can also top it with a rich caramel drizzle for the perfect ending. I can already imagine the caramel oozing all over! So mouthwatering!
12. Sopapillas
This fabulous Mexican dessert is the perfect way to round out your shrimp tacos. Sopapillas are sweet and puffy doughs that are fried to golden perfection. They’re sometimes stuffed with a sweet filling, like berries and cream. But they’re also fantastic when dusted with some powdered sugar and drizzled with honey. Wow, just talking about them makes me hungry! Click on a star to rate it!
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