Authentic Baja Shrimp Tacos with Zesty Chipotle Lime Sauce
Embark on a culinary journey to the vibrant coast of Baja with these irresistible Baja Shrimp Tacos! Featuring succulent, lightly spiced shrimp complemented by a creamy, smoky chipotle lime sauce and a refreshing Mexican coleslaw, this recipe offers a super quick, easy, and incredibly flavorful dinner perfect for any night of the week.
If there’s one cuisine that consistently captures my heart and taste buds, it’s undoubtedly Mexican food. From the satisfying crunch of chips and a zesty salsa to the hearty goodness of enchiladas, every dish is a celebration of bold flavors and aromatic spices. There’s a certain magic in the blend of chili, lime, and fresh ingredients that always wins me over. And these Baja Shrimp Tacos are no exception! The star of the show, beyond the perfectly cooked shrimp, is a chipotle lime sauce so rich and addictive, you’ll want to make extra just for dipping your chips.
My culinary adventure with Baja Shrimp Tacos began after a memorable meal at Red Robin. Their menu description for their Baja Shrimp Tacos instantly piqued my interest: “Ancho-seasoned sautéed shrimp wrapped into three flour tortillas. Topped with fresh avocado slices, shredded cabbage, diced tomato, and drizzled with a chipotle lime sauce.” It sounded absolutely divine! I snapped a picture of the menu and was immediately inspired to recreate a homemade version that captured all those incredible flavors. This recipe is my loving tribute, designed to bring that restaurant-quality taste right into your kitchen with ease.
The Heart of the Taco: Perfectly Spiced Shrimp
The foundation of any great taco is its filling, and for these Baja Shrimp Tacos, it’s all about the shrimp. We season the shrimp with a robust blend that includes ancho chili powder, known for its mild, smoky, and slightly fruity notes, along with garlic powder, black pepper, and a touch of cayenne pepper for a gentle kick. This spice combination infuses the shrimp with a depth of flavor that’s both authentic and incredibly appealing.
What makes shrimp an ideal choice for a weeknight dinner? Its lightning-fast cooking time! Shrimp cooks in just a couple of minutes per side, transforming from translucent to perfectly pink and tender. This means less time slaving over the stove and more time enjoying a delicious, home-cooked meal with your family. The brief marination step, while optional if you’re truly pressed for time, is highly recommended as it allows the spices to penetrate and truly enhance the shrimp’s natural sweetness, making every bite burst with flavor.
Crafting Your Baja Shrimp Tacos: A Simple Guide
Creating these delightful Baja Shrimp Tacos is a straightforward process, broken down into a few easy steps. The beauty of this recipe lies in its efficiency – many components can be prepared in advance, making dinner assembly a breeze.
- Season and Marinate the Shrimp: In a large bowl or a resealable plastic bag, combine the peeled, deveined, and tail-removed shrimp with olive oil, garlic powder, ancho chili powder, black pepper, and cayenne pepper. Toss gently to ensure all shrimp are evenly coated. Let this flavorful mixture marinate for about 20 minutes to allow the spices to truly infuse the shrimp. If time is of the essence, you can certainly skip the marination, and the shrimp will still be wonderfully delicious, though slightly less intense in flavor.
- Whip Up the Chipotle Lime Sauce: While the shrimp is marinating, prepare the star sauce. In a small bowl, whisk together the mayonnaise (using a low-fat version if preferred), sour cream (fat-free works well here), a finely chopped chipotle in adobo pepper, a teaspoon of the rich adobo sauce from the can, and fresh lime juice. Stir until smooth and well combined. This creamy, smoky, and tangy sauce is the perfect counterpoint to the spiced shrimp. Cover and refrigerate until you’re ready to serve. You might find yourself wanting to double this recipe – it’s that good and versatile!
- Prepare the Refreshing Mexican Coleslaw: The crunchy element is key to Baja-style tacos. In another bowl, combine mayonnaise, fresh lime juice, chopped cilantro, and a pinch of salt. Mix thoroughly until the dressing is smooth. Add your coleslaw mix (a pre-bagged mix makes this super easy) and toss until every strand of cabbage is well coated. This provides a vibrant, fresh crunch that balances the richness of the shrimp and sauce. Pop it in the fridge to chill until mealtime.
- Cook the Shrimp to Perfection: Once the shrimp has marinated, heat the remaining olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the seasoned shrimp in a single layer, making sure not to overcrowd the pan. Sauté for about 2-3 minutes per side, or until the shrimp turn opaque and pink, indicating they are fully cooked through. Be careful not to overcook, as shrimp can become rubbery quickly.
- Assemble Your Tacos: Now for the best part – assembly! Warm your small flour tortillas. Lay them out and spread a generous spoonful of the Mexican coleslaw. Top with several pieces of your perfectly cooked shrimp, add some fresh avocado slices (a must for that creamy texture), and a sprinkle of diced tomatoes. Finish each taco with a liberal drizzle of that incredible chipotle lime sauce. Serve immediately and enjoy the explosion of flavors!
What to Serve with Your Zesty Shrimp Tacos
While these Baja Shrimp Tacos are undeniably a complete meal on their own, pairing them with classic Mexican sides can elevate your dining experience even further. Here are some fantastic suggestions:
- Fluffy Mexican Rice: A staple that adds warmth and a comforting texture, soaking up all the delicious taco flavors.
- Creamy Refried Beans: A classic, savory side that complements the spice and freshness of the tacos.
- Fresh Homemade Guacamole: An essential for any Mexican feast, offering another layer of creamy, rich avocado goodness.
- Flavorful Slow Cooker Black Beans: A lighter, protein-packed option that’s incredibly easy to prepare in advance.
- Corn on the Cob or Elote: For a vibrant summer feel, grilled corn or Mexican street corn adds a wonderful sweetness and char.
- A Simple Green Salad: If you’re looking for something lighter, a crisp green salad with a lime vinaigrette can be a refreshing contrast.
This Baja Shrimp Taco recipe is truly a super quick and easy dinner solution that the entire family will adore! The incredible convenience comes from the fact that you can absolutely make the Mexican Coleslaw and the Chipotle Lime Sauce ahead of time. Prepare them a day or two in advance, store them in the fridge, and when dinner time rolls around, all you’ll need to do is season and quickly cook the shrimp. Not only are they delicious, but shrimp is also very low in calories, making this a dinner you can feel genuinely good about eating.
Explore More Delicious Mexican Recipes
If you’ve fallen in love with these Baja Shrimp Tacos and are eager for more Mexican-inspired culinary adventures, be sure to check out some of these other fantastic recipes from our collection:
- Classic Fish Tacos
- Creamy Sour Cream Enchiladas
- Easy Refried Bean Dip
- Copycat Cafe Rio Chicken
- Flavorful Taco Stuffed Peppers
- Zesty Southwest Baked Chicken
Baja Shrimp Tacos
Erin Sellin
10 minutes
10 minutes
20 minutes
4
Pin Recipe
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Ingredients
-
1
pound
shrimp,
peeled, deveined and tail removed -
2
teaspoons
olive oil -
1/2
teaspoon
garlic powder -
1
teaspoon
ancho chili powder -
1/4
teaspoon
black pepper -
1/4
teaspoon
cayenne pepper
Chipotle Lime Sauce
-
1/4
cup
mayo,
(I used low fat) -
1/4
cup
sour cream,
(I used fat free) -
1
whole chipotle in adobo pepper,
chopped -
1
teaspoon
adobo sauce -
1
Tablespoon
fresh lime juice
Mexican Coleslaw
-
2
cups
coleslaw mix -
2
Tablespoons
mayo -
1
lime,
juiced -
2
teaspoon
chopped cilantro -
1/2
teaspoon
salt
Topping Ideas
-
Cheese -
Diced Tomatoes -
Sliced Avocado -
8
small flour tortillas
Instructions
-
In a large plastic bag combine garlic powder, chili powder, black pepper, cayenne pepper, shrimp, and 1 tsp olive oil. Mix thoroughly, and marinate for 20 minutes.
-
For the sauce combine mayo, sour cream, chipotle pepper, adobo sauce, and lime juice. Mix well, set aside until ready to serve. You will probably have leftovers of this sauce.
-
For the coleslaw mix together mayo, lime juice, salt, and cilantro until well blended. Add coleslaw mix and toss until well coated. Set in fridge until ready to use.
-
In a large skillet over medium high heat, heat 1 tsp of olive oil. Saute shrimp until cooked through. About 5 minutes total.
-
To serve: Fill a tortilla with cabbage, shrimp, tomatoes, avocados, and top with chipotle sauce.
Nutrition
Serving:
1
g
|
Calories:
265
kcal
|
Carbohydrates:
1
g
|
Protein:
23
g
|
Saturated Fat:
3
g
|
Cholesterol:
299
mg
|
Sodium:
1204
mg
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Additional Info
Erin Sellin
10 minutes
10 minutes
20 minutes
Dinner Recipes
American
4
265
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