Thinking about what to serve with shrimp tacos? This delightful fusion of seafood and Mexican flavors is a canvas waiting to be accentuated with the perfect side dishes. There’s a range of classic to more adventurous and healthy sides with a few sweet ideas to finish the meal.
These tequila lime shrimp tacos are a marriage of savory shrimp, aromatic spices and warm corn tortillas, which is one of our favorite go-to dinners. But what can truly set them apart is a symphony of sides when looking to expand the menu.
Elevating this culinary experience goes beyond the taco itself. It lies in the pairing, contrasting, and complementing without overshadowing those plump, juicy shrimp.
Here's a collection of delectable sides that does just that and will take your shrimp taco fiesta to a whole new level.
Best Side Dishes for Shrimp Tacos
The right sides can elevate the entire Mexican cuisine experience, offering contrasting textures, bold flavors, and a delicious balance to the savory goodness of shrimp, making your taste buds go wild!
There’s a variety of Mexican dishes, rice, beans, salads, vegetables, salsas and sauces to create the ultimate shrimp taco menu. Plus, these ideas are great when having fish tacos too!
Jump to:
- Best Side Dishes for Shrimp Tacos
- Far from Boring Rice
- Easy Mexican Rice
- Chipotle Cilantro Lime Rice
- Garlic Herb Cauliflower Rice
- Spanish Rice
- Classic Beans
- Southern Pinto Beans
- Easy Refried Beans
- Cuban Black Beans
- Charro Beans
- Creative Slaws
- Cilantro Lime Slaw
- Red Cabbage Slaw
- Mango Lime Jicama Slaw
- Mexican Slaw
- Salads and Sides
- Mexican Street Corn Salad
- Mexican Quinoa Salad
- Potato Salad
- Mexican Chopped Salad
- Mexican Street Corn (Elote)
- Grilled Sweet Potato Fries
- Salsa and Sauces
- Classic Pico de Gallo
- Guacamole with a Twist
- Mango Salsa
- Fresh Pineapple Salsa
- Salsa Verde
- Avocado Crema
- Dessert Delights to Conclude
- Sopapillas
- Spicy Chocolate Dipped Pineapple
- Churros
- Expert Tips
- Toppings for Shrimp Tacos
- Sides for Shrimp Tacos FAQs
- Related Posts
- More Taco Recipes!
- 💬 Comments
Far from Boring Rice
The best thing about these budget-friendly recipes is they use simple ingredients you probably already have on hand.
Easy Mexican Rice
Basic white rice gets a major lift by adding the simple combination of onion, red bell peppers, garlic, jalapeno, tomato sauce, broth and spices. It pairs great with seafood and will help create the ultimate Mexican-inspired meal with fresh shrimp tacos.
Chipotle Cilantro Lime Rice
This copycat recipe is perfect for Chipotle lovers! Loaded with fresh cilantro, zesty lime and minced garlic for extra bite. An easy make-ahead side dish and you can use white rice or brown rice. Plus, it can be made on the stovetop, instant pot or rice cooker!
Garlic Herb Cauliflower Rice
Lighten up the carbs with this flavorful cauliflower rice loaded with garlic and herbs for extra zing. It’s super easy and quick to make, especially with prepackaged rice from the grocery store. A healthy and gluten-free side that goes with just about everything!
Spanish Rice
Here’s another way to pack a ton of flavor into your rice with onions, garlic, chunks of tomatoes and lots of fresh herbs and spices. Plus you can make a large batch to go with your tacos and meal prep at the same time.
Classic Beans
Next level bean recipes to create the perfect side dish.
Southern Pinto Beans
Add some southern comfort food flare to your shrimp taco menu with these pinto beans simmered with meaty ham hocks, chicken broth, salt, black pepper, garlic powder and bay leaves. A great option when looking for a hearty side dish to feed a crowd.
Easy Refried Beans
Bring authentic refried beans to the fiesta that are as good as the ones from your favorite Mexican restaurant. They’re creamy, healthy and so versatile! Here you can make them from scratch with dried pinto beans or take a short cut by using canned beans.
Cuban Black Beans
This Cuban-inspired black beans recipe is quick, easy and delicious using just pantry ingredients. They get their flavor from onion, green peppers, garlic cloves, oregano, cumin and bay leaf. Fresh lime juice adds just the right amount of acidity and brightness.
Charro Beans
These cravable charro beans are made with bacon, serrano peppers, tomatoes, cumin, chili powder, dried oregano and finished with fresh cilantro. You can make them on the stove, instant pot or slow cooker to boot!
Creative Slaws
If you thought coleslaw was one dimensional full of mayo, think again.
Cilantro Lime Slaw
The marriage of vibrant red and green cabbage not only adds color but also a textural contrast, creating a satisfying crunch. You can even introduce a spicy kick with jalapeños to go with the punch of lime zest, creating a slaw that dances on the palate!
Red Cabbage Slaw
Fuse a little Asian inspiration into your Mexican taco night with this quick and easy, crisp and crunchy slaw coated in a tangy, mayo-free sesame ginger dressing. A healthy and delicious year-round side dish and an eye-popping topping for tacos.
Mango Lime Jicama Slaw
Jicama, with its crisp, starchy texture brings a refreshing element to this fun slaw. It’s elevated with the tropical duo of mango and lime, creating a vibrant, crunchy and citrusy companion to shrimp tacos.
Mexican Slaw
Made with a combination of fresh green and red cabbage, red onion, cilantro, carrots, lime juice and sweetened with a touch of honey. It's quick and simple, and another versatile side dish that can be made ahead.
Salads and Sides
Both healthy and indulgent side dishes can make a great addition to your shrimp tacos.
Mexican Street Corn Salad
A healthy twist on a favorite Mexican side dish. Slightly charred corn tossed with red onion, peppers, grilled lime and cotija cheese but minus the cream is still loaded with sweet and smoky flavor. A great accompaniment for shrimp tacos!
Mexican Quinoa Salad
If you’re looking for more healthy sides for shrimp tacos, this delicious Mexican quinoa salad should be on your list. It has a great combination of flavors and textures from the fluffy quinoa, crunchy vegetables and sweet n’ tangy dressing.
Potato Salad
A hearty potato salad that includes sweet corn, zucchini and bell peppers coated in a tasty honey mustard vinaigrette made with apple cider vinegar. You can grill or roast the vegetables to perfection over medium heat. This salad is even better the next day.
Mexican Chopped Salad
A fresh and delicious salad loaded with black beans, tomatoes, corn and red onions and drizzled with a creamy cilantro yogurt dressing. A refreshing and healthy side dish to go along with your shrimp tacos.
Mexican Street Corn (Elote)
When corn is in season, grilled Mexican street corn is a real treat. The corn on the cob is smothered in mayo, crema, chili powder and crumbled cotija or queso fresco. It’s a classic side dish for any fiesta and could easily become a true favorite.
Grilled Sweet Potato Fries
There’s no resisting these charred sweet potato fries topped with sweet n' spicy fresh cherry corn salsa. They're a delicious and healthy addition to your taco menu as an app or a side. Plus, they're vegetarian, paleo, and gluten-free.
Salsa and Sauces
Any of these are an excellent choice to top your taco.
Classic Pico de Gallo
The trio of tomatoes, onions, and cilantro creates a refreshing medley, infusing a burst of freshness with every bite. And, a squeeze of fresh lime juice imparts a zesty and tangy dimension to this fresh salsa. A classic topping to any taco!
Guacamole with a Twist
Guacamole, a creamy Mexican staple, gets its richness from perfectly ripe avocados, providing a luscious contrast to the shrimp. Elevate the guac experience with grated garlic for extra kick and pomegranate seeds for a visual pop in taste and texture.
Mango Salsa
A diced delicious blend of mango with other tropical fruit and a zesty lime dressing that pairs perfectly with savory shrimp.
Fresh Pineapple Salsa
Pineapple chunks bring a sweet and tart contrast, creating a salsa that's both refreshing and flavorful. Plus, poblano pepper adds just enough heat and a satisfying crunch with red onions, elevating the pineapple salsa to a sweet n’ spicy delight for shrimp tacos.
Salsa Verde
This homemade salsa verde is made with roasted tomatillos, poblano and jalapeno peppers, onion, garlic coated in olive oil and fresh cilantro. It has a sweet, spicy flare that's more than an amazing chip dip. You'll want to put it on everything!
Avocado Crema
Move over sour cream, creamy avocado crema brings much more to the top of tacos. Smooth and creamy made with perfectly ripe avocados and a Greek yogurt, mayo-free base so it’s healthy as well.
Chives, parsley, kosher salt, red pepper flakes for a touch of heat, and lime and lemon juice join the party in a high-powered blender until light and fluffy.
Dessert Delights to Conclude
Sopapillas
These irresistible soft and sweet pillows of deliciousness are a great ending to any taco feast. They’re easy to make with just pantry ingredients and no yeast is required! Simply mix the dough, cut into desired shapes and fry until they’re puffy and golden brown.
It’s best to serve them warm with a dusting of powdered sugar or cinnamon sugar. You can also serve them with your favorite jam or melted chocolate for an extra sweet treat!
Spicy Chocolate Dipped Pineapple
Conclude your shrimp taco feast with a dessert delight—chili chocolate-dipped pineapple featuring a dark chocolate infusion. Sprinkle cayenne chili powder for a spicy surprise, adding a kick to the sweetness of the pineapple and chocolate.
Churros
Indulge in golden-fried perfection with cinnamon-sugar coated churros! The cinnamon-sugar coating provides a delightful sweetness to the mouthwatering churro, creating a memorable conclusion to your shrimp taco extravaganza.
Expert Tips
Take Taco Tuesday to the next level by spending just a little time planning for a meal the whole family will love!
- Select sides for shrimp tacos you can prepare ahead of time, especially when feeding a crowd.
- Offer a variety of textures and flavors to complement the main dish.
- Whenever you’re serving avocados, squeeze some lime juice on the slices so they don’t brown.
Toppings for Shrimp Tacos
In addition to the roundup of perfect sides, here are some basic go-to’s when arranging your shrimp taco bar!
- Lime Wedges
- Sliced Avocado
- Crumbled queso fresco
- Pickled red onions
- Green onions
- Tortilla chips
- Fresh cilantro
Sides for Shrimp Tacos FAQs
If you feel like having a cocktail, a spicy mango margarita is a great choice. Complement the tropical flavors with a little kick and add even more flare with a tajin-rimmed glass.
Or, pair your shrimp tacos with a refreshing citrus-infused agua fresca, featuring a medley of fresh citrus fruits. The light and refreshing nature of agua fresca cleanses the palate, enhancing your shrimp taco experience.
You can drizzle a spicy-sweet infusion of jalapeño and honey over the tacos, creating a tantalizing flavor balance. Or, introduce a fiery, sweet n’ spicy kick with habanero mango hot sauce, adding a bold and intense heat to shrimp tacos.
Blue corn tortillas bring a nutty flavor profile, enhancing the overall taste experience of shrimp tacos. And, beyond flavor, the vibrant blue aesthetic adds visual appeal, making shrimp tacos a feast for the eyes.
Also, you can elevate the taco shell itself with cilantro-infused tortillas, infusing the dough with aromatic herbaceousness. The fragrant and flavorful wrapping adds an extra layer of taste to every bite.
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