Taco night is coming up and this time, it’s the turn of shrimp tacos! Although shrimp tacos are tasty enough on their own, pairing them with a delicious side is the best way to enjoy them.
A shrimp taco may be packed with savory shrimp, creamy lime slaw, and sumptuous avocado, but it is not complete until you add a tasty side to the dish.
A side adds more flavors and textures and helps the juicy, sweet shrimp flavor sparkle even more.
Today, we are going to delve into the Mexican world of shrimp tacos and the very best sides to go with them. We have found 15 of our favorite shrimp taco side recipes for you to try at home.
Add these to your Taco Tuesday nights and you will be bringing a fiesta of flavors to your home every time!
Let’s start!
1. Mango Salsa
In just 10 minutes, you can make this delicious mango salsa to serve alongside your shrimp tacos. Salty, sweet, and tangy, this salsa has a tropical vibe to it that will compliment any shrimp taco or seafood taco, for that matter.
All you need are seven simple ingredients and the flavor is boosted to give your taste buds a true treat. We suggest using this refreshing side in the place of tomato salsa when the hotter months roll in.
2. Mexican Quinoa Salad
Healthy and incredibly tasty, this Mexican Quinoa salad is a sure fire way of getting protein and greens into your diet.
With layers of textured ingredients, such as bell peppers, tomatoes, corn, and red onions, it is one filling side dish, especially when you add the black beans into the mix, too.
There is also a mouth watering zesty cilantro lime dressing to finish it off. Refreshing and crisp, this Quinoa salad will be a hit with you and any guests.
3. Jicama Slaw
Coleslaw may be the best side dish there is as it goes with pretty much anything. But, here is a twist on the classic. With some Jicama (a root vegetable) or Mexican ham (up to you!), you can add a perfectly sweet crunchiness to the coleslaw.
What you end up with when following this recipe is a refreshing, colorful, light side dish that is probably better than coleslaw you have ever tried before!
4. Charro Beans
This side dish may take a little longer to make (usually around 35 minutes), but the hard work is always worth it! This Charro Beans recipe is extremely hearty. And, eating it just enhances your Mexican cuisine experience.
This recipe includes soft pinto beans that are slow-cooked in a delectable broth of bacon, ham, chorizo, and onions, as well as spices to enhance the flavor further. It’s simple to make and pairs perfectly with your shrimp tacos!
5. Pico de Gallo
Up next is another incredible side that can also act as a topping for your shrimp tacos. This pico de gallo recipe includes onions, tomatoes, peppers, and cilantro, and when mixed in with shrimp tacos, you get a piece of heaven.
Yes, it may sound like salsa, because pico de gallo is a type of salsa, but it is much thicker and chunkier. That means you get to enjoy more with your tacos!
6. Caramelized Plantains
Sweet and budget-friendly, plantains are a savior when it comes to making a side dish on a budget! These caramelized plantains are easy and quick to prepare. You just need to make a tasty syrup and add the plantains after.
If you’re looking for something unique to pair with your tacos, then these plantains are the ones for you. They offer the ideal balance of savory and sweet and you will be left wanting more every time.
7. Cilantro Lime Rice
One mouthful of this rice and you will enjoy a burst of bright and fresh flavors. This cilantro lime rice recipe is the perfect side pairing to go with shrimp tacos, and any tacos for that matter!
It has a silky, smooth flavor with its combination of garlic, green onion, white rice, lime juice, and cilantro.
8. Mexican Street Corn Salad (Esquites)
Mexican street corn salad, or Esquites, is one of the most popular forms of street food in Mexico. It provides a pleasant balance of fresh, bright flavors with a very tasty cheese.
Served on a cob in the form of a salad, this is simple and quick to prepare. All you need are a few ingredients and the result is a salad that is tangy, creamy, salty, and a little spicy.
Then, it is slathered in a creamy, cheesy, lime dressing. Creamy and savory – bliss on a cob!
9. Mexican Chopped Salad
As you can see, salad tends to go very well with shrimp tacos, so here’s another one! This chopped salad is a Mexican delight with bell peppers, onions, jicama, lettuce, tomatoes, black beans, corn, and zucchini.
You can eat this as a side or even spoon it over your tacos. However you enjoy this salad, what you will experience will be a blend of refreshing flavors, along with a vibrant dressing.
10. Mexican Bean Stew (Frijoles De La Olla)
Now onto something a little different but authentically Mexican. This rich bean stew is one for bean lovers out there!
Very versatile, this Mexican bean stew dish is great on the side of shrimp tacos or it can even be enjoyed as a main meal, if you make too much.
Known as Frijoles de la Olla in Mexico, this translates to “beans in the pot” and has been a staple in Mexican cuisine for generations. Inside are dried pinto beans that have been cooked slowly with onion, bay leaves, garlic, and a pinch of salt.
Cook in a Dutch oven and the flavors of all the ingredients will soak into the beans wonderfully for a richer taste overall.
11. Sopapillas
A traditional Mexican dessert, Sopapillas are one of the best side dishes to shrimp tacos. These are simply puffy, sweet dough that have been fried until perfectly golden.
You can even stuff them with a sweet filling, such as cream or berries. We recommend adding a dusting of powdered sugar on top with a drizzle of honey, too. Wow, now we are hungry!
12. Guacamole
Another quick to make side dish, this guacamole recipe is an absolute classic and is a must for any taco night. Creamy and savory, this guacamole is flavored to perfection and is delicious as either a dip or a taco topping.
With the addition of lemon juice, there is a certain zesty boost to the flavor profile. And in just 10 minutes, this dish will be ready to serve and enjoy.
13. Sautéed Garlic Broccoli
Broccoli as a side dish? No, we haven’t gone mad! This broccoli recipe transforms the bland vegetable into something you will want time and time again.
With a few simple ingredients, such as broccoli florets, minced garlic, kosher salt, and olive oil, you can quickly create this extremely tasty dish! As the perfect finish, add some red pepper flakes too.
14. Chicken Fajitas
Who says you can’t enjoy some fajitas on taco night? Well, you can with this chicken fajitas recipe! The perfect addition to your shrimp tacos, these fajitas are almost effortless to make.
You just need to pan-fry some onions and peppers, sauté the chicken and combine them all before serving. If you want some added spice to your food, this is one way to go.
15. Sour Cream Noodles
When you first take a look at this sour cream noodles recipe, you may think, “this will never work with my shrimp tacos.” But, trust us, these noodles are another match made in Mexican cuisine heaven!
With the egg noodles, sour cream, cottage cheese, onions, and more, this dish is baked in the oven until ready to serve. Yes, it may be a classic cream dip, but it has the twist of cottage cheese and egg noodles.
Try it today and let us know what you think of it!
Frequently Asked Questions
Although there are hundreds and hundreds of possible side dishes to go with all sorts of tacos, the most common side dish is arguably chips and salsa.
This winning combination of the salty, or unsalted tortilla chips and the highly flavorful salsa always pairs perfectly with Mexican meals, such as tacos.
As you can see on our list above, salads tend to go very well with tacos. In fact, even the simplest of salads pairs well with most types of tacos, especially shrimp tacos.
When you combine your favorite greens with a cilantro lime dressing, it gets even better! But, some of the best salads are those that include black beans, avocado, and crunchy vegetables.
It is possible to use either flour or corn for your tacos, but generally speaking, corn tortillas are typically the best option for shrimp tacos.
This is because corn tortillas are gluten free, meaning anyone can enjoy them. As well as this, they tend to be more authentic than their flour counterparts with a more authentic Mexican taste.
15 Sides For Shrimp Tacos (Quick & Easy)
If you’re having shrimp tacos, you’ll want to pair them with some delicious sides. Find out the best sides to go with your shrimp tacos with our guide below!
Ingredients
Directions
- Pick a recipe from above
- Click the recipe name and visit the website
- Collect the ingredients and the food
- Enjoy – don’t forget to leave a review
Recipe Video
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