Cheese And Shrimp Tacos: Perfect Pairing Ideas

Shrimp tacos are a delicious and easy-to-make meal that can be customised with a variety of toppings and fillings. One of the most popular cheeses to use in shrimp tacos is cotija, a Mexican cheese that is commonly used in tacos and pairs well with other classic taco ingredients such as cabbage, avocado, and cilantro. Other cheeses that work well in shrimp tacos include Oaxaca, Asadero, queso Chihuahua, mozzarella, and Monterey Jack. When making shrimp tacos, it is important to consider the type of tortilla, toppings, and sauce to ensure a balanced and flavourful dish.

Best cheese for shrimp tacos

There are several types of cheese that can be used for shrimp tacos, and the choice depends on the desired taste and texture. Here are some of the best options:

Cotija Cheese

Cotija cheese is a Mexican cheese that is commonly used in tacos. It has a salty and tangy flavour, and a crumbly texture similar to feta cheese. It pairs well with other classic taco ingredients such as cabbage, avocado, and cilantro. Its tangy flavour can also help balance out the heat of spicier shrimp tacos.

Oaxaca Cheese

Oaxaca cheese is a semi-soft, stringy, and slightly salty cheese that melts beautifully, making it perfect for tacos. It is often recommended for Tacos Gobernador, a taco dish from Sinaloa, Mexico, that features a filling of shrimp, cheese, chilies, and cream.

Chihuahua Cheese

Chihuahua cheese is another Mexican melting cheese that is similar in texture and taste to Oaxaca cheese. It is mild and creamy, with a slight tang, and melts easily, making it a good choice for cheesy shrimp tacos.

Mozzarella

Mozzarella is a soft, mild-flavoured cheese that melts well. It can be used as a substitute for Oaxaca or Chihuahua cheese in shrimp tacos. Its mild flavour won't overpower the other ingredients in the tacos.

Monterey Jack

Monterey Jack is a semi-hard cheese with a mild flavour and excellent melting properties. It is a good alternative to Chihuahua or Oaxaca cheese in shrimp tacos, providing a similar creamy texture when melted.

Other toppings for shrimp tacos

While cheese is a popular topping for shrimp tacos, there are many other toppings that can be used to enhance the flavour of this Mexican dish.

One of the most popular toppings for shrimp tacos is avocado, which adds a creamy texture and a vibrant colour to the dish. Another popular topping is cabbage, which provides a crunchy texture and a tangy flavour. This can be in the form of a slaw, with a homemade creamy lime sauce, or simply shredded and added to the taco. Red cabbage is often preferred for its colour, but green cabbage can also be used, or even a coleslaw blend.

Other toppings that can be added to shrimp tacos include onions, which can be cooked and added to the shrimp mixture or served fresh and finely diced as a topping. Freshly squeezed lime juice is also a common addition to shrimp tacos, and the wedges can be served on the side to be squeezed over the taco before eating. Spices such as chilli powder, cumin, paprika, coriander, salt, and pepper can also be added to the shrimp before cooking to give the tacos a kick.

For those who like their food spicy, serrano peppers, jalapeños, or chile chipotle can be added to the shrimp mixture or served as a salsa on the side. Other salsas that can be served with shrimp tacos include guacamole salsa, Mexican chilli oil, and guajillo sauce.

How to toast tortillas for shrimp tacos

There are several ways to toast tortillas for shrimp tacos. The best method for you will depend on the equipment you have available and the number of tortillas you want to toast. Here are some options:

Toasting Tortillas Over a Gas Stove Flame

This method is ideal for achieving authentic, lightly charred edges on your tortillas. To do this, use tongs to hold a tortilla directly over a medium/low open flame on a gas stove. Rotate the tortilla approximately every 5 seconds. As soon as the edges are lightly blackened, flip the tortilla and repeat on the other side. Keep a close eye on the tortilla and adjust the flame as needed to avoid burning.

Using a Griddle

If you need to toast multiple tortillas at once, a griddle is a great option. Preheat a dry griddle to medium/high heat and add your tortillas in a single layer. Toast for 15-30 seconds on each side, until you see golden brown spots.

Using a Skillet

A skillet is another option for toasting tortillas. Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat and add tortillas in a single layer (a very large pan can fit up to 3 at a time). Toast for 15-30 seconds on each side, until golden and hot.

Warming Tortillas in the Oven or Microwave

If you're looking for a more gentle warming rather than a toasting effect, you can wrap tortillas in foil and place them in a 375°F oven while you prepare the rest of your ingredients. Alternatively, you can warm tortillas in the microwave by placing one on a plate and heating it for 10-15 seconds.

How to make shrimp taco sauce

There are many ways to make shrimp taco sauce, depending on your taste preferences and dietary requirements. Here are some methods to make a delicious shrimp taco sauce:

Method 1: Spicy Lime Crema

This method uses a blend of sour cream, mayonnaise, lime juice, and cilantro to create a creamy and tangy sauce with a kick.

Ingredients:

• Sour cream
• Mayonnaise
• Lime juice
• Fresh cilantro
• Seafood seasoning (optional)
• Ground ancho chile pepper (optional)

Directions:

• Stir together the sour cream, mayonnaise, lime juice, and cilantro in a bowl.
• Add seafood seasoning and ground ancho chile pepper (if using) to taste.
• Cover the bowl and refrigerate for at least 1 hour before serving.

Method 2: Creamy Cilantro-Lime Sauce

This method creates a similar sauce to Method 1 but with a stronger cilantro flavor and the addition of garlic.

Ingredients:

• Sour cream
• Mayonnaise
• Lime juice
• Fresh cilantro
• Garlic
• Salt and pepper to taste

Directions:

• In a bowl, whisk together the sour cream, mayonnaise, lime juice, cilantro, and garlic.
• Season with salt and pepper to taste.
• Cover and chill the sauce until ready to use.

Method 3: Sriracha Mayo

This method creates a spicy and creamy sauce with a kick of sriracha.

Ingredients:

• Mayonnaise
• Sour cream
• Sriracha sauce
• Water (optional)

Directions:

• Combine equal parts mayonnaise and sour cream in a small bowl.
• Add sriracha sauce to taste.
• If the sauce is too thick, dribble in a small amount of water to thin it out.

Method 4: Garlic-Lime Crema

This method is a simple blend of sour cream, lime juice, garlic powder, and hot sauce (e.g., Sriracha) to taste.

Ingredients:

• Sour cream
• Lime juice
• Garlic powder
• Hot sauce (e.g., Sriracha) to taste

Directions:

• In a small bowl, whisk together the sour cream, lime juice, garlic powder, and hot sauce.
• Season with additional salt or pepper if desired.
• Serve with your shrimp tacos.

Tips for the Perfect Shrimp Tacos:

• Use frozen or thawed shrimp, as they tend to have better texture and taste than "fresh" shrimp, which are often previously frozen.
• Take the weight of the shrimp after thawing, as they lose some water weight.
• Be generous with the spices and toppings to enhance the flavor and texture of your tacos.
• Avoid overcooking the shrimp, as they can become rubbery.
• Make sure your taco mixture is not too juicy to prevent soggy tortillas.

How to make Tacos Gobernador

Tacos Gobernador, or "Governor's Tacos", is a Mexican dish that combines shrimp and cheese. It is said that the dish was invented by chefs at Los Arcos in Mazatlan, in an attempt to impress the governor of Sinaloa, Francisco Labastida, during his visit in 1987. The chefs succeeded in their mission, as the governor loved the dish so much that it not only got its name but also became extremely popular.

Ingredients:

• 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
• 1 pound large shrimp, peeled, deveined, and tails removed
• 3 tablespoons unsalted butter
• 1/2 medium white onion, thinly sliced
• 1 medium chile poblano, stemmed, seeded, and thinly sliced into strips
• 1 medium celery stalk, thinly sliced crosswise on the diagonal
• 1 medium chile serrano, stemmed and thinly sliced into rings
• 2 garlic cloves, finely grated
• 1 teaspoon dried oregano, preferably Mexican
• 3/4 teaspoon Morton kosher salt, plus more to taste
• 1/2 teaspoon crushed or ground coriander seeds
• 1 medium Roma tomato, cored and chopped
• 8 tortillas (corn or flour)
• 6 ounces queso asadero, quesillo, Monterey Jack cheese, or mozzarella, grated

Instructions:

• Heat 2 tablespoons of olive oil in a large skillet over high heat. Add the shrimp and cook for about 1 minute per side, until they just start to brown. Transfer the shrimp to a bowl and set aside.
• Reduce the heat to medium and melt the butter in the skillet. Add the onion, chile poblano, celery, chile serrano, garlic, oregano, salt, and coriander. Cook until the onion and chile poblano are beginning to brown, for about 6 to 8 minutes, tossing occasionally.
• Add the tomato to the skillet and cook for about 5 minutes more, tossing occasionally and scraping up any browned bits. Transfer the mixture to the bowl with the shrimp and toss to combine. Taste and season with salt if needed.
• Wipe the skillet clean with a paper towel. Place 2 tortillas in the skillet (or more if they fit) and cook until lightly toasted on one side, for about 2 to 3 minutes.
• Flip the tortillas and add a small mound of cheese to the centre of the toasted side. Top with some of the shrimp filling and fold over like a taco.
• Cook the untoasted side for about 2 to 3 minutes, until the cheese is beginning to melt and the tortilla is lightly toasted. Flip to toast the second half.
• Repeat step 6 and 7 for the remaining tortillas, cheese, and shrimp.
• Serve the tacos with a squeeze of lime and your favourite salsa.

Tips:

• To avoid soggy tacos, sauté the shrimp separately and transfer them to a colander to drain while you cook the vegetables. Then, combine the drained shrimp and vegetables before loading them into the tortillas.
• Create a distinct layer of cheese rather than mixing it into the filling. This will ensure that the cheese melts quickly and holds the filling in place.
• If you want to add a spicy kick to your tacos, you can include chopped jalapeños, serrano peppers, or chile chipotle.

Frequently asked questions