Tropical Shrimp Tacos with Refreshing Salsa
Experience the vibrant flavors of the tropics with these Tropical Shrimp Tacos. Juicy, perfectly seasoned shrimp are paired with a colorful and refreshing tropical salsa made from mandarin oranges, pineapple, and fresh herbs. Nestled inside soft flour tortillas and topped with creamy Monterey Jack cheese, these tacos are a delightful lunch or snack option for gatherings, potlucks, or a cozy meal at home. Simple to prepare, they make for a perfect pick-me-up on warm days, and are sure to impress your friends and family with their delightful taste and beautiful presentation.
N/A
Servings
N/A
Calories
16
Ingredients
Ingredients
chopped green onion
1/4 cup (chopped)
chopped cilantro
1 tablespoon (chopped)
lemon juice
1 tablespoon (freshly squeezed)
chopped green chili
1 tablespoon (fresh)
mandarin oranges
1 (11 ounce) can (drained)
pineapple tidbits
1 (8 ounce) can (drained)
flour tortillas
8 (6 inch) (rounds)
shredded lowfat Monterey Jack cheese
1 1/4 cups (shredded)
medium shrimp
1 1/2 lbs (peeled and deveined)
yellow pepper
1 cup (cut into strips)
chopped tomato
1 cup (chopped)
red onion
1 cup (vertically sliced)
garlic clove
1 (minced)
cilantro
2 tablespoons (chopped)
cumin
1/2 teaspoon (ground)
chili powder
1/2 teaspoon (ground)
Instructions
1
Prepare the salsa first: In a mixing bowl, combine the chopped green onion, cilantro, lemon juice, chopped green chili, mandarin oranges, and pineapple tidbits. Stir gently to mix, cover with plastic wrap, and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes to allow the flavors to meld.
2
For the tacos: Heat a large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Lightly coat the skillet with cooking spray.
3
Add the sliced yellow pepper, chopped red onion, and minced garlic to the skillet. Sauté for about 2-3 minutes until the vegetables begin to soften.
4
Add the shrimp along with the chopped tomato, cumin, and chili powder. Cook for an additional 3-4 minutes, stirring frequently, until the shrimp turn pink and are fully cooked through.
5
Remove the skillet from heat and stir in the remaining cilantro.
6
To assemble the tacos, take a flour tortilla and spoon about 1/4 cup of the shrimp mixture onto one half. Top with approximately 3 tablespoons of shredded Monterey Jack cheese and 2 tablespoons of the chilled tropical salsa. Fold the tortilla in half to enclose the filling.
7
Serve the tacos immediately with extra salsa on the side, if desired.
Nutrition Information
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the main protein in these Tropical Shrimp Tacos?
The main protein used in this recipe is 1.5 lbs of medium shrimp, which should be peeled and deveined before cooking.
How do you make the refreshing tropical salsa?
To make the salsa, combine chopped green onion, cilantro, lemon juice, green chili, drained mandarin oranges, and pineapple tidbits in a bowl and chill for 30 minutes.
What kind of tortillas are suggested for this recipe?
The recipe recommends using eight 6-inch flour tortillas.
What type of cheese is used in these tacos?
The recipe calls for 1 1/4 cups of shredded lowfat Monterey Jack cheese.
How long should the salsa be refrigerated before serving?
The salsa should be covered and refrigerated for at least 30 minutes to allow the tropical flavors to meld properly.
What vegetables are sautéed with the shrimp?
Yellow pepper strips, vertically sliced red onion, and minced garlic are sautéed together before the shrimp are added.
Which spices are used to season the shrimp mixture?
The shrimp mixture is seasoned with 1/2 teaspoon of ground cumin and 1/2 teaspoon of chili powder.
How long does it take to cook the shrimp?
The shrimp take approximately 3 to 4 minutes to cook over medium-high heat until they turn pink.
Can I use fresh fruit for the salsa instead of canned?
Yes, while the recipe specifies canned mandarin oranges and pineapple tidbits, fresh versions can be used as long as they are chopped into small pieces.
What is the first step in preparing this meal?
The first step is preparing the salsa so it has sufficient time to chill while you prepare the shrimp and vegetables.
How much shrimp mixture goes into each taco?
You should spoon about 1/4 cup of the shrimp mixture onto one half of each flour tortilla.
How much salsa is added to each assembled taco?
Each taco should be topped with approximately 2 tablespoons of the chilled tropical salsa.
Is the cilantro added during the cooking process?
One tablespoon of cilantro is used in the salsa, and another two tablespoons are stirred into the shrimp mixture after it is removed from the heat.
How should the yellow pepper be prepared?
The yellow pepper should be cut into strips before being added to the skillet.
What type of onion is used in the shrimp filling?
A red onion is used, and it should be vertically sliced into strips.
How do you know when the vegetables are ready for the shrimp?
The yellow pepper, red onion, and garlic should be sautéed for 2-3 minutes until they just begin to soften.
Does the recipe include tomatoes?
Yes, one cup of chopped tomato is added to the skillet at the same time as the shrimp and spices.
What size should the shrimp be?
The recipe specifically calls for medium-sized shrimp.
Is this recipe suitable for a quick lunch?
Yes, it is described as a simple-to-prepare and delightful lunch or snack option.
Can I substitute the lemon juice in the salsa?
While the recipe calls for fresh lemon juice, lime juice is a common and delicious substitute for tropical salsa.
How much cheese is added to each taco?
About 3 tablespoons of shredded Monterey Jack cheese are added to each taco during assembly.
Should the skillet be oiled?
The recipe suggests using a large nonstick skillet lightly coated with cooking spray.
Are the mandarin oranges and pineapple drained?
Yes, both the mandarin oranges and the pineapple tidbits should be drained before being added to the salsa.
What kind of chili is in the salsa?
The salsa uses one tablespoon of fresh chopped green chili for a hint of heat.
How are the tacos folded?
The filling is placed on one half of the tortilla, and then the tortilla is folded in half to enclose it.
Is this a family-friendly meal?
Yes, it is tagged as a family-friendly meal that is sure to impress friends and family.
Can I serve extra salsa on the side?
Yes, the instructions suggest serving the tacos immediately with extra salsa on the side if desired.
What is the texture of the Monterey Jack cheese?
The cheese provides a creamy element that complements the juicy shrimp and refreshing salsa.
How many tacos does this recipe yield?
With 8 tortillas and the specified filling amounts, this recipe yields 8 individual tacos.
What is the heat level of this dish?
The dish has a mild to moderate heat from the fresh green chili in the salsa and the chili powder in the shrimp mixture.