Hey taco lovers! I’ve been making shrimp tacos for years, and let me tell you – finding the perfect sides can really take your taco game from good to absolutely incredible. Today, I’m super excited to share my favorite tried-and-tested side dishes that’ll make your shrimp tacos shine!
Why You Need Great Sides for Shrimp Tacos
Before diving into the sides, here’s why they matter:
- They add different textures and flavors
- Help create a complete, satisfying meal
- Make your taco night more interesting
- Give your guests options to customize their plates
Best Side Dishes for Shrimp Tacos
1. Fresh Salsas and Dips
These are absolute must-haves for any taco feast
-
Fresh Mango Salsa
- Sweet mangoes
- Red onions
- Cilantro
- Jalapeños
- Lime juice
-
Classic Pico de Gallo
- Diced tomatoes
- Onions
- Fresh cilantro
- Lime juice
-
Guacamole
- Ripe avocados
- Lime juice
- Garlic
- Tomatoes
- Onions
2. Rice Options
-
Cilantro Lime Rice
- Fresh and zesty
- Perfect for soaking up taco juices
- Super easy to make
-
Spanish Rice
- Tomato-based
- More complex flavor profile
- Great for larger gatherings
3. Bean-Based Sides
-
Refried Beans
- Creamy texture
- Protein-rich
- Traditional Mexican side
-
Black Beans
- Healthier option
- Can be served whole or mashed
- Great with corn and rice
4. Fresh Slaws and Salads
-
Mexican Coleslaw
- Cabbage
- Corn
- Black beans
- Jalapeños
- Lime vinaigrette
-
Jicama Slaw
- Crunchy and refreshing
- Sweet and tangy
- Perfect summer side
Unique and Creative Sides
1. Grilled Options
-
Elote (Mexican Street Corn)
- Grilled corn
- Mayo/sour cream mixture
- Chili powder
- Cotija cheese
-
Grilled Pineapple
- Sweet and smoky
- Adds tropical flavor
- Great with spicy shrimp
2. Comfort Food Sides
- Tortilla Soup
- Warm and filling
- Great for cooler weather
- Adds extra dimension
Quick and Easy Store-Bought Options
Sometimes we’re in a hurry! Here are some great store-bought sides:
- Bagged coleslaw mix
- Pre-made guacamole
- Jarred salsa
- Tortilla chips
- Canned refried beans
Pro Tips for Serving
-
Temperature Balance
- Serve some warm sides
- Include cold, refreshing options
-
Texture Variety
- Crunchy (slaws, chips)
- Creamy (beans, guac)
- Soft (rice, grilled items)
-
Timing Tips
- Make cold sides ahead
- Time hot sides with tacos
- Keep tortillas warm
My Personal Favorite Combinations
After years of taco-making, here are my top combos:
-
The Classic
- Shrimp tacos
- Cilantro lime rice
- Fresh guacamole
- Pico de gallo
-
The Tropical
- Shrimp tacos
- Mango salsa
- Coconut rice
- Grilled pineapple
-
The Comfort
- Shrimp tacos
- Refried beans
- Mexican rice
- Elote
Common Questions I Get Asked
Q: How many sides should I serve?
A: For casual dinners, 2-3 sides is perfect. For parties, aim for 4-5 different options.
Q: Can I make sides ahead?
A: Yes! Most salsas, slaws, and cold sides can be made 1-2 days ahead. Rice and beans can be reheated.
Q: What about drinks?
A: Don’t forget the beverages! Margaritas, Mexican beer, or agua frescas are perfect companions.
Wrapping It Up
Choosing what goes good with shrimp tacos doesn’t have to be complicated! Mix and match from these options based on your taste, time, and occasion. Remember, the best sides are ones that you and your guests enjoy – there’s no strict rules here!
Lemme know in the comments what sides you love with your shrimp tacos. I’m always looking for new ideas to try! ✨
Happy taco making, friends!
Should You Soak Shrimp Before Grilling?
That is totally up to you. Some people like to soak their shrimp in a brine before cooking it to prevent the shrimp from drying out as it cooks.
I don’t find this necessary. I cook shrimp without soaking and it comes out plenty tender and juicy every time!
What to Serve Shrimp With Tacos
Now, onto the side dishes! Pick one, two, or a few for a well-rounded, mouthwatering summer meal!
This Tex-Mex inspired rice is a simple side dish that’s bursting with flavor. It takes just 30 minutes to make and is the perfect pairing with shrimp tacos.
This simple rice dish is made with instant rice that’s loaded with onion, pepper, and corn, flavored with chicken broth and salsa, then finished with cheddar cheese.
It’s quick, easy and tastes like you got it at your local Mexican restaurant!
This tomato avocado salad is the perfect summer salad to pair with anything grilled. It’s filled to the brim with fresh produce, healthy, and so tasty!
To make this salad, combine lemon juice, olive oil, salt, and pepper to make the dressing.
In a large mixing bowl, combine tomatoes, avocado, onion, and parsley, then drizzle that with the dressing.
This fresh salad will have you going back for seconds every time.
These spiced up egg rolls are a Southwestern twist on a Chinese takeout classic. They’re simple to make and loaded with so much flavor!
To make this recipe, combine chicken, Colby jack cheese, black beans, corn, jalapeño, cumin, chili powder, and salt in a bowl.
Fill your egg roll wrappers with a couple tablespoons of the filling, wrap them up into that classic egg roll shape, then fry in hot oil until deliciously crispy and golden.
This Instant Pot cilantro lime rice is one of my favorite shrimp taco pairings. It’s fresh, flavorful, and cooks perfectly in the Instant Pot in just 12 minutes.
This easy recipe is made with just a few simple ingredients including long grain white rice, olive oil, cilantro, freshly squeezed lime juice, lime zest, and a touch of salt.
It’s exactly the extra kick of flavor that plain rice needs!
This rigatoni pasta salad is loaded with all of the classic Mediterranean flavors such as fresh tomatoes, salty kalamata olives, feta cheese, and red onions.
It’s finished with a tangy Greek dressing for the best flavor!
I make this pasta salad with rigatoni pasta, but feel free to use whatever small pasta shape you like best.
Whip this recipe up in a quick 30 minutes, and serve with all of your favorite summer meals.
This easy recipe for restaurant-style salsa will have you putting salsa on everything! It’s the perfect texture, has amazing flavor, and can be whipped up in just 10 minutes!
This is a great side dish made with fresh roma tomatoes, garlic, cilantro, lime juice, white onion, and both jalapeño and serrano peppers for that kick of heat.
Serve on your homemade tacos, add to quesadillas or burritos, or enjoy as an appetizer with your favorite tortilla chips.
Crunchy Asian noodle salad is the best fresh, colorful, crunchy, and versatile side dish.
It’s ready to serve in a matter of minutes and requires just a few basic ingredients.
I like to keep things simple with a pre-made coleslaw mix, then I toss that with matchstick carrots, celery, crispy wonton strips, chopped green onions, sliced almonds, and a tangy, salty, and sweet homemade dressing. Simple and so tasty!
This ramen noodle salad is the pasta salad of your dreams. It’s so quick and easy and loaded with the perfect blend of flavors and textures.
To make this salad, combine toasted ramen noodles with a colorful combination of green and red cabbage, carrot, cilantro, green onions, peanuts, and sesame seeds.
Toss all of that with a homemade peanut dressing and dig in.
This works perfectly as a side dish, but is definitely good enough to be the feature!
Is there anything quite as tasty as a classic corn and black bean salsa?
The sweet pop of the corn kernels, the salty black beans, the burst of fresh tomato, the kick of spicy jalapeño…okay, you get it. It’s just really good.
This corn and black bean salsa is so colorful, so delicious, and loaded with all the freshest ingredients. Make it as-is or customize it with other mix-ins of your choice.
This easy watermelon salad is the perfect sweet and savory summer side dish.
It’s made with fresh watermelon mixed with salty feta, purple onion, kalamata olives, fresh mint, lemon juice, oil, lemon zest, salt, and pepper.
This flavorful side dish is perfect for summer BBQs, picnics, and of course, tacos! And, the best thing? It comes together in no more than 15 minutes!
This serrano salsa is the perfect blend of savory flavors. It’s vibrant, perfectly spicy, and delicious served with your favorite tortilla chips.
To put together this fresh salsa, combine tomatoes, serrano peppers, lime juice, onion, garlic, cilantro, and a few classic seasonings in a food processor.
Blend until your desired texture is reached, then dig in.
Turn your shrimp tacos into spicy shrimp tacos when you add some of this coleslaw!
This spicy coleslaw is a unique recipe with immense flavor. It’s perfect served as a side dish or as a topping for shrimp tacos.
The mouthwatering fresh crunch it adds to any recipe is hard to beat.
This recipe starts with a pre-made coleslaw mix that’s mixed together with sliced jalapeño, white onion, green bell pepper, chipotle powder, chili powder, lemon juice, and mayonnaise. Ready in a total of 20 minutes!
This pineapple jalapeño salsa is the best sweet and spicy combination. It’s quick to make, uses just five ingredients, and is bursting with tropical flavors.
To make this salsa, simply slice the pineapple into cubes, slice the jalapeños, and combine in a large bowl with red onion, parsley, and salt.
Mix to distribute, then enjoy with tortilla chips or on your easy shrimp taco recipe!
Our easy shrimp tacos recipes taste amazing with a serving of Mexican street corn pasta salad!
Made with tender elbow noodles, grilled corn, queso fresco, jalapeños, cilantro, and a creamy sauce, this pasta salad might steal the show on taco night.
Not only is it perfect side dish for shrimp tacos, but it’s a great addition to all fish tacos!
The best shrimp taco recipe is topped with an amazing slaw! This creamy slaw is a cabbage slaw that’s packed with fresh flavor and plenty of crunch.
It consists of a cabbage slaw mix, fresh cilantro, green onion, and a creamy mayo based sauce with fresh lime juice. This fish taco slaw gives shrimp tacos a cool, cilantro lime topping that puts them over the top.