Blackened Shrimp Tacos are ideal for a quick dinner option. Prepared with fresh ingredients and our own Badass Blackened Seasoning fire em’ up and then finish them off with your favorite taco toppings. Our killer sauces complement these tacos with the perfect kick, my favorite is the Cilantro Garlic Sauce the hit of lime really sets off the blackened seasoning and the Roasted Salsa Verde was a nice addition with its creamy consistency, it’s a roller coaster ride for your taste buds!
carte du jour
How to buy shrimp
- Buy Frozen! Say what? Yep, this is one of those blue moons where I am telling you that frozen is a better option than buying the shrimp stacked up laying in the tray in the seafood section. Even living on the Gulf, we purchase frozen shrimp about 90% of the time.
- When the shrimpers haul huge net fulls of shrimp from the Gulf, they throw those lovely little bites on ice straightaway, freezing them within a short time of being caught. Preserving their freshness, and flavor until they’re ready for the blackened seasoning and cast iron skillet!
- “Fresh” shrimp in the seafood section has likely gone through this process too. Except they have gone through the defrost process, which means their freshness is fading as they sit and wait to be purchased as the hours’ pass.
- Unless you meet the shrimper at the docks, which we can do here in Florida when we find the time! Frozen shrimp are a better and safer bet for purchase.
If shrimp smell funky, such as having an ammonia-like or iodine odor, or feel slimy and/or soft and mushy are bad. Return them to the store ASAP or toss them! You shouldn’t have this issue with frozen shrimp that have been defrosted correctly.
Chef’s Tip: Brine! It improves the texture and flavor of just about any shrimp. Add 1/2 cup Kosher sea salt (120 grams) and 1/4 cup (60 grams) sugar to 2 cups of rapidly boiling water until dissolved. Pour into a large bowl filled with ice water and add 1 pound of shrimp. Let them soak in the brine, add ice as needed or refrigerate for 2 hours. Rinse and proceed with cooking.
How to Prep Shrimp for Cooking
- Don’t defrost shrimp in the microwave or leave them to sit on the counter! Defrost shrimp overnight in the refrigerator, or remove shrimp from packaging and place in a bowl of cold water. Allowing a stream of cold water to run into the bowl while the excess water goes down the drain. If using the water method, shrimp should defrost in 10-15 minutes.
- Peeling: Remove the shell before cooking if you’re serving in a hot dish such as this one, you can leave the shell on if you‘re grilling or serving shrimp cocktail.
- Deveining: I remember deveining fresh shrimp with my grandfather, it’s something I have always done and will continue to do. Although I know cooks that choose not to. I suggest that it becomes part of your shrimp cleaning ritual. If you’ve never cleaned shrimp, here’s an article from Fine Cooking on how to do so!
- Remember shrimp cook fast! So make sure that the rest of your meal is ready to go, for these tacos have your plates out and toppings ready. The shrimp will cook in about 3 minutes so you can plate and eat!
Chef’s Tip: Shrimp shells are a great addition to a seafood base. After peeling rinse them place in an airtight container and toss into the freezer to make seafood stock at a later date.
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How to Make Blackened Shrimp Tacos
Blackened Shrimp Tacos are ideal for a quick dinner option. Prepared with fresh ingredients and our own Badass Blackened Seasoning finish them off with your favorite taco toppings!
- 1 ½ pounds shrimp, shelled + deveined + rinsed
- 2 Tablespoons Badass Blackened Seasoning, see recipe link above
- 2 Tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
- 6 soft flour tortillas, sub desired shell
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Combine the deveined shrimp and Badass Blackened Seasoning into a large bowl and toss to coat thoroughly, add more or less seasoning as desired.
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Heat a large cast iron skillet over medium-high heat, once hot add the olive oil and reheat about 30 seconds. Add your shrimp in an even layer and cook 1-2 minutes per side depending on the size of the shrimp.
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Serve on soft tortillas with Cilantro Garlic Sauce and Roasted Salsa Verde and/or your favorite taco toppings!
- Prep time is approximate; if making sauce(s) time is increased.
- Cook and serve immediately.
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56 comments
I bet we could use this seasoning on our tofu or beans too! These tacos sound incredible 🙂
Hi, Malia 🙂 this goes great on tofu just use the firm and not the silken (but you probably already know that)! Thanks so much for checking it out 🙂
These look amazing! Thanks for sharing the recipe!!
Thanks so much, Robin, thank you for checking out our recipe! 🙂
Yum! What a perfect recipe, especially for those nights you need a quick meal that tastes delicious!! Thank you again!!
Thank you, Holly, I’m so happy that you enjoy our recipes! We appreciate you being a part of our kitchen 🤗
Looks delicious ! I have to try this recipe
Thank you, Anisa, please be sure to share some photos and tag us @meangreenchef! Can’t wait to see how they turn out for you 🙂
Saved this to my pinterest board for later! Thanks for the great recipe!
Awesome, thanks so much for the save to Pinterest too Lauren! Much appreciated 🙂
My goodness, I love your post each week! A shrimp taco is hands down my favorite food! These pictures are making my stomach growl at my desk! Again wonderful job and another recipe of yours I am saving!
Awww thanks so much, Brittany, shrimp tacos really are the best and they’re so easy to make too! We really appreciate you taking the time to visit 🤗
I love shrimp tacos! The blackened seasoning looks like it would be great on other seafood for tacos.
Yes for sure, Angela! we use it on a variety of seafood it shines on Salmon every time. Thanks for checking out our recipe 🤗
I love shrimp, but I still need to learn how to prep them! 😅 If I had to live off of salmon and shrimp, I would still be a-ok!
Agreed, Kyndall! I LOVE salmon too, well pretty much all seafood…and food in general as long as it’s fresh!LOL There is a link at the bottom of the post that directs you to Fine Cooking for cleaning shrimp, it’s super easy. Had other pressing issues but will get a shrimp prep post done here too 🙂
These pictures are AMAZING!!! I love how you blur out the background and focus on the main food. Great! Makes the recipe look even better!!
Thank you, Charlene! Love hearing this I LOVE shooting food as much as cooking, so it’s much appreciated! 🙂
Even though I no longer eat shellfish I agree about the frozen shrimp. Getting flash frozen seafood within hours after it is caught is delish! These tacos do look amazing too! As always you are on point!
Thank you for such a nice compliment, Tricia, I do love ALL things food! Making sure folks know how to source the freshest and best ingredients possible is really gratifying. 🤗
Looks great, Angela! My hubby loves shrimps. I think he is really going to love this recipe. Thank you for sharing
Wonderful, Anna, I really hope he loves our seasoning blend as much as we all do! You can use it on veg and tofu too 🤗
This sounds so good. I subscribed to your blog. You have the best recipes!
YES! We’re so happy that you subscribed Heather, thank you so much for the great compliment and for being a part of our kitchen! 🤗
Shrimp is not something I’ve ever really been into eating. But I did want to say how amazing all of your photos are!
Thank you so much for the compliment on my photography Kristi, I love shooting! We have a ton of non-shrimp recipes 🙂 thank you for visiting, hope to see you again!
good lord you’ve done it again. Where do you live.. more importantly, can I can over for dinner? I mean, you probably should have taste tests by readers… LOL
LOL, Jen 🤗 everyone’s welcome for dinner! Thank you for the tremendous compliment really made my day and my head a little bigger!🤩😀
Hi Angela! These look absolutely delicious! You develop he most amazing recipes! I’m saving this one for when Steve gets back, as we both love shrimp and enjoy wraps and tacos. I will let you know when we do!
Hi, Ramae!🤗 Thank you so much I really hope that you and Steve love these tacos as much as we do, look forward to hearing and please share pics with us on our FB Page! 🤗
Look so good! I will put this on my list for summer!
Perfect summer dinner, Brittany! Thanks so much for visiting 🙂
I’m not a huge fan of shrimp, but the seasoning sounds like it could be good on other ingredients too! Looks beautiful! As always, your photos are fantastic!
Hi, Meagan, it’s the perfect seasoning for so many ingredients even grilled veg benefits from a sprinkle! Thank you so much for the compliments on my photography 🤗🤗🤗
Once again, an amazing recipe!!!! I love shrimp tacos, but you have definitely elevated them to another level.
Hi, Jennifer! 🙂 Thank you so much for the great compliments, it makes me so happy to hear that you are enjoying our creations! We appreciate you taking the time out of your day to visit 🤗
Such great tips for choosing and cooking shrimp. It’s good to know if they smell at all bad to take them back. I love all your recipes!
Thanks so much, Leigh Ann! Bad seafood is not something you want to mess with I hate to waste but it’s better to toss it or take it back for sure.🤗
Looks amazing! I especially love your tips on how to prep shrimp.
Thank you, Lina, so glad that you found our tips helpful too!🙌
Another beautiful dish (no surprise there)! And your photos are always amazing! Can’t wait to give these a try….
Thank you so much, Michele!🤗
Shrimp tacos are my favorite and these looks delicious.
Thanks so much, Carolina! 🙂
Oh, I so wish I could have shrimp!!!! This looks so yummy!
Thanks so much, T.M! You can always use the blackened seasoning on other ingredients, meat, seafood, veg, and tofu! 🙂
I love all the little tips you provide. This looks amazing and I’ll have to try it. I absolutely agree that frozen is best unless you can get it fresh off the boat.
Thanks so much, Pauline! So glad that you find our tips helpful 🤗
I love your recipes. I think the seasonings would work great for bean or lentil tacos too!
Hi, Cindy, yes absolutely the seasoning would work beautifully in bean and lentil tacos! Great idea, thank you so much for visiting 🙌
Yum! These tacos look amazing! I’ve never blackened anything, so I’ll have to try these!
Hey, Shanna! 🙂 Thanks so much for visiting, please share your results when you whip some up!🙌
Looks so delicious!! I agree. We ALWAYS buy shrimp frozen and use the running water defrost method. I’ve never thought to brine shrimp, though. Pinning this recipe for later!
Thanks so much, Katie, we appreciate the pin too! 🙌
This looks absolutely awesome!!! Can’t wait to try this recipe. I love shrimp!! I’m more interested in trying the Badass Blackened Seasoning!!! I’m originally from Maryland, so I put Old Bay on everything. I need a change!!! I’m wondering if this seasoning would be good on my eggs!!! Thanks for the recipe!!
That Badass Blackened Seasoning is good on just about everything Kymberly, I haven’t tried it on eggs but I’m sure a little sprinkle would spark some great flavor! I like Old Bay on Popcorn! So good 😛 Thanks so much for stopping by to check out our recipe.