Shrimp Tacos with Mango Salsa & Creamy Cilantro Sauce
These shrimp tacos are bright, fresh, and ready in under 30 minutes, combining sweet mango and tangy cilantro for a quick meal.
Ingredients
For the Shrimp
- 1 pound large shrimp, peeled, deveined, and tails removed
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- ¾ teaspoon chili powder
- ¼ teaspoon smoked paprika (optional for depth)
- ¼ teaspoon garlic powder
- to taste Salt and black pepper
For the Mango Salsa
- 1½ cups ripe mango, diced small
- ⅓ cup red bell pepper, finely chopped
- 1 small jalapeño, minced (remove seeds for mild flavor)
- 2 tablespoons red onion, finely diced
- 1 each Juice of fresh lime
- 2 tablespoons chopped cilantro
- a pinch Salt
For the Creamy Cilantro Lime Sauce
- ¾ cup sour cream (or Greek yogurt for a lighter version)
- ⅓ cup fresh cilantro leaves, chopped
- 1 tablespoon lime juice
- 1 teaspoon honey
- 3 tablespoons mild green salsa
- to taste Salt and pepper
For Assembly
- 6 small corn or flour tortillas
- 1½ cups shredded purple cabbage
- as needed Lime wedges, for serving
Instructions
Preparation
- Prepare the Mango Salsa. In a mixing bowl, combine diced mango, red bell pepper, jalapeño, red onion, lime juice, and cilantro. Add a pinch of salt and stir until evenly mixed. Cover and refrigerate while you prepare the shrimp and sauce.
- Make the Creamy Cilantro Lime Sauce. Place sour cream, cilantro, lime juice, honey, and green salsa into a blender or food processor. Blend until smooth and creamy. Taste and adjust seasoning with salt and pepper. Chill until ready to serve.
Cooking
- Cook the Shrimp. Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. In a bowl, toss the shrimp with chili powder, paprika, garlic powder, salt, and pepper. Add the shrimp to the hot pan in a single layer and cook for 2–3 minutes per side, or until pink and lightly seared. Remove from heat and set aside.
Assembly
- Warm the tortillas in a dry skillet or microwave until soft and flexible. Spread a spoonful of the creamy cilantro sauce on each tortilla. Add a handful of shredded cabbage, then top with shrimp and a scoop of mango salsa. Finish with an extra drizzle of sauce and a squeeze of lime juice.
Notes
Serve immediately for best texture and flavor. Keep lime wedges and extra sauce on the side so people can add more to taste. For a colorful plate, add simple roasted corn or a fresh green salad.