Jerk Shrimp Tacos

20.8.20 | Recipe by Renz
The easiest and quickest taco night option you can do. 

A spicy and sweet mix of flavors to get this weeknight option quickly to the table. 

The BEST homemade jerk shrimp taco recipe you can find. Spicy shrimp layers on crunchy cabbage slaw and topped with avocado, mango and plantains.


Disclaimer: This post includes affiliate links. This means that at no additional cost to you, I will earn a commission if you click through and make a purchase. These are products and services I recommend because I use or trust them. Cookies will be used to track the affiliate links you click.

These delicious jerk shrimp tacos are the easiest things to make and has a nice Caribbean twist.

In no time you and your family would be able to have the most perfect taco party with these spicy shrimp tacos.

What I love about these is that you can make them to your personal taste. Just make sure there are many topping options that everyone can indulge in. 

These Caribbean jerk shrimp tacos are a crowd pleaser.



How to make jerk shrimp tacos


You are going to need a few things for these tacos. The main things are:

- Fresh shrimp: I much rather use raw large shrimp with the shell off. You can also use frozen shrimp. But I would avoid already cooked.
- Jerk marinade: What we need to give the shrimp the heat we want
- Taco shells: I prefer soft, flour tortillas. You can also use corn tortillas if you like those.
- Slaw: I love a good fresh slaw with this. A red, green, and orange cabbage mix. Gives a great crunch texture
- Mango cubes: This is the sweetness you need to combat the heat of the jerk shrimp.
- Avocado: The creaminess you want to mesh the crunchy slaw with everything else
- Fried ripe plantains: (optional) but it added a great additional texture and flavor to the tacos


Getting the shrimp prepared is very easy.

You can use either store bought jerk marinade or make your own using my recipe. The good thing with making it at home, is that you are able to control the heat levels to your preference.

Place the meat in the marinade and leave for at least 30 mins. You can also leave this overnight. The flavors will become more intense over time.

I do this on the stove top, but the shrimp can also be grilled or even baked. The stove top is the fastest and less effort.

I like to butterfly the shrimp prior to making it marinate, for some extra plumpness

If you are like me and don't like too much heat, use mild. If I'm buying and using the bottled version. I like walkerswood brand.

Get your oil to a medium heat and add your marinated shrimp and let them cook for about 2 minutes a side.

After they have cooked, remove and squeeze some fresh lime juice over the shrimp.

The BEST homemade jerk shrimp taco recipe you can find. Spicy shrimp layers on crunchy cabbage slaw and topped with avocado, mango and plantains.

Then it's time to build your tacos as you desire.

I like to use warm tortillas. So I would do that quickly in my pan for a couple minutes and then store them in a plate covered with a towel until serving time.

Then have your toppings cubed u and ready to go.

Now it's time to layer. I like to do tortilla/taco, then some slaw, some avocado, plantains and then the cooked shrimp. If I'm adding salsa or sour cream, then I put those on the top. Then a few squirt of lemon juice.

Look you just made a delicious jerk shrimp taco

Tips & tricks

Stay away from stringy mangoes. And also make sure that the mangoes are ripe. It's the sweetness from the mango that meshes great with the heat from the shrimp.

I prefer to use the hass avocados, as they are a little sweeter than the bigger ones. I cube them up so they fit better in the shells.

Additional topping for tacos


Pineapple -  another good replacement for mango if you can't find any. And you can also try my chutney version
Sour cream or greek yogurt
Jalapenos - if you want more heat from a separate source other than the shrimp
Sprinkles of parsley or shado beni
Salsa
Pineapple salsa


The BEST homemade jerk shrimp taco recipe you can find. Spicy shrimp layers on crunchy cabbage slaw and topped with avocado, mango and plantains.

Storage


What about leftovers right?

Whatever wasn't used of the shrimp I store in the fridge as quickly as possible in an airtight container.

To reheat I place the shrimp in on the stop. I heat my pan up with some oil and then layer the shrimp and move them around for a little. Not too long at all so that it doesn't get rubbery.

I reheat shrimp once. I am not taking any chances with food safety after that.


The BEST homemade jerk shrimp taco recipe you can find. Spicy shrimp layers on crunchy cabbage slaw and topped with avocado, mango and plantains.

And now that you have these amazing tacos what else do you eat with it?

For a variety for dinner, I like to add some of my turmeric rice to the plate with my tacos. It's a nice side to balance out the heat.

You will also need to have some refreshing drinks with it. Try these "great with tacos" refreshers like the Caribbean punch, mango passion fruit juice or ginger pineapple lemonade.



Love jerk seasoned food? Check out these other spicy dishes


Spicy BBQ chicken
Pulled Jerk chicken sandwiches
Sticky Jerk chicken
Jerk chicken wings




Jerk shrimp tacos, shrimp tacos
Entrees, tacos
American
Yield: 5
Author: Renz
Print
Jerk Shrimp Tacos

Jerk Shrimp Tacos

The BEST homemade jerk shrimp taco recipe you can find. This spicy shrimp layers on a bed of crunchy cabbage slaw and topped with avocado, mango and plantains.
Prep time: 30 MCook time: 10 MTotal time: 40 M

Ingredients:

  • 1 lb large shrimp (uncooked)
  • 1 1/2 tablespoons jerk paste (mild or hot)
  • 6 tablespoons olive oil
  • 1 lime
  • 1 mango, sliced and cubed
  • 2 hass avocados, diced
  • 1/2 ripe plantain, sliced in 1 inch slices
  • Mixed cabbage slaw
  • Taco shells
Homemade jerk paste (This can be made in advance and stored in the fridge)
  • 4 - 5 scotch bonnet peppers - veins and seeds removed (if you want extremely hot leave all intact)
  • 2 tablespoons pimento seeds
  • 3 sprigs thyme
  • 8 scallions/green onions
  • 1 teaspoon ground nutmeg
  • 1/2 cup brown sugar (packed)
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1 teaspoon black pepper
  • 1 tablespoon vinegar
  • 3 cloves garlic
  • 2 tablespoon oil (optional)

Instructions:

if making your own jerk seasoning
  1. Add all jerk seasoning ingredients to blender
  2. Blend till combined.
  3. If needed add oil to mixture to get better consistency
  4. Store in airtight container in the fridge
For Shrimp
  1. Wash and de vein shrimp if needed
  2. Butterfly shrimp 
  3. Pat dry
  4. Add 3 tablespoons oil to shrimp along with jerk seasoning.
  5. Incorporate well and leave to sit at least 30 minutes
  6. Heat shallow pan and add remaining oil
  7. Add shrimp in one layer in oil.
  8. Cook for about 1 minute per side
  9. Set to drain on paper towel
  10. Sprinkle juice from lime over shrimp
  11. While shrimp is cooking, fry sliced plantains in oil, then chop up
  12. Cut up mango into cubes
  13. Cut up avocados into cubes
  14. If desired, place soft taco shells in a warm pan and heat lightly
Build tacos
  1. In taco shell add slaw, mango, avocado, plantains and then shrimp.
  2. Squeeze a little lime juice and enjoy

Notes:

Do not over cook shrimp, it would become rubbery. Using a premade jerk marinade will save time. Try Walkerswood or Karibbean Kitchen Or make the marinade in advance and have in the fridge whenever you need some.
Did you make this recipe?
Tag @HomeMadeZagat on instagram and hashtag it #HMZEats
Created using The Recipes Generator



The BEST homemade jerk shrimp taco recipe you can find. Spicy shrimp layers on crunchy cabbage slaw and topped with avocado, mango and plantains.


Connect with Me: Facebook / Pinterest / Instagram / Twitter

Comments