Best Sauce For Shrimp Tacos ⋆ The Ones You Need To Try ⋆

Are you thinking of whipping up some shrimp tacos? Curious about which sauces will elevate this delightful dish to the next level of flavor?

Look no further!

In this article, we’re diving into the perfect sauces that enhance the succulent taste of shrimp, guiding you through which ones to choose and which to pass up.

Get ready for a culinary adventure as I share with you the top sauce selections for your shrimp tacos, and provide you with the tips you need to get these sauces from the kitchen to your table.

Best Sauces For Shrimp Tacos

Creamy Shrimp Taco Sauce

This sauce is a smooth blend, perfect for adding a rich and creamy texture to the firm meat of swordfish. It’s typically made with mayonnaise or Greek yogurt, giving it a tangy base that complements the fish well.

• Typical Sauce Ingredients: Mayonnaise, Greek yogurt, lime juice, chili powder
• Quick Recipe: Mix equal parts mayonnaise and Greek yogurt, add a squeeze of lime, and a teaspoon of chili powder.
• Serving Suggestion: Drizzle over grilled swordfish steaks or use as a dipping sauce.

Creamy Slaw Sauce

A tangy and creamy sauce that’s often paired with coleslaw but works wonders with swordfish. It combines sweetness and acidity to balance the fish’s flavor.

• Typical Sauce Ingredients: Mayonnaise, apple cider vinegar, honey, mustard
• Quick Recipe: Whisk together mayonnaise, vinegar, honey, and a dash of mustard until smooth.
• Serving Suggestion: Serve over a swordfish fillet with a side of slaw or as a topping for fish tacos.

Creamy Cilantro Sauce

This herby and zesty sauce is made with fresh cilantro and lime, creating a refreshing complement to the rich taste of swordfish.

• Typical Sauce Ingredients: Cilantro, sour cream or yogurt, lime juice, garlic
• Quick Recipe: Blend fresh cilantro with sour cream or yogurt, a squeeze of lime juice, and a garlic clove.
• Serving Suggestion: Spoon over baked or broiled swordfish as a flavorful garnish.

Garlic Lime Mayo

A simple yet flavorful sauce that combines the pungent kick of garlic with the zesty freshness of lime, perfect for enhancing the natural flavors of swordfish.

• Typical Sauce Ingredients: Mayonnaise, garlic, lime zest, lime juice
• Quick Recipe: Mix mayonnaise with minced garlic, lime zest, and lime juice to taste.
• Serving Suggestion: Use as a spread on swordfish sandwiches or as a creamy topping for swordfish steaks.

Creamy Sriracha Sauce

For those who love a bit of heat, this spicy and creamy sauce adds a fiery kick to the mild flavor of swordfish.

• Typical Sauce Ingredients: Sriracha, mayonnaise, honey, lemon juice
• Quick Recipe: Combine Sriracha with mayonnaise, a touch of honey, and a squeeze of lemon juice.
• Serving Suggestion: Drizzle over swordfish skewers or use as a spicy dip.

Lemon Butter Sauce

A classic sauce that’s buttery with a bright, citrusy tang, complementing the meaty texture of swordfish without overpowering it.

• Typical Sauce Ingredients: Butter, lemon juice, garlic, parsley
• Quick Recipe: Melt butter with minced garlic, stir in fresh lemon juice, and garnish with chopped parsley.
• Serving Suggestion: Pour over grilled or pan-seared swordfish right before serving.

Mediterranean Salsa Verde

This vibrant green sauce is packed with herbs and capers, offering a bold Mediterranean flavor that matches well with swordfish’s robustness.

• Typical Sauce Ingredients: Parsley, olive oil, capers, lemon juice, anchovy fillets (optional)
• Quick Recipe: Pulse parsley, capers, olive oil, lemon juice, and anchovies in a food processor until combined.
• Serving Suggestion: Spoon over swordfish fillets or stir into a pasta dish served with swordfish.

Spicy Mango Salsa

A sweet and spicy salsa that brings a fruity zing and a hint of chili heat, perfect for a summer swordfish dish.

• Typical Sauce Ingredients: Mango, red chili, red onion, cilantro, lime juice
• Quick Recipe: Dice mango and red chili, mix with chopped red onion and cilantro, and dress with lime juice.
• Serving Suggestion: Top a blackened swordfish steak for a tropical twist.

Balsamic Reduction Glaze

This rich and tangy glaze has a subtle sweetness and a deep flavor that can make any swordfish dish feel gourmet.

• Typical Sauce Ingredients: Balsamic vinegar, brown sugar, a sprig of rosemary
• Quick Recipe: Simmer balsamic vinegar with brown sugar and rosemary until thickened.
• Serving Suggestion: Drizzle over swordfish fillets just before they finish cooking for a glossy finish.

Creamy Avocado Sauce

This velvety sauce is a luscious blend, akin to a liquid guacamole, offering a rich topping for shrimp tacos.

• Typical Sauce Ingredients: Ripe avocados, lime juice, garlic, cilantro, salt, and a touch of water for consistency.
• Quick Recipe: Blend together one ripe avocado, juice of one lime, a garlic clove, a handful of cilantro, salt to taste, and water until desired thickness is achieved.
• Serving Suggestion: Use as a drizzle over shrimp tacos, or as a dip for a pre-taco appetizer.

Roasted Garlic Aioli

A gourmet twist on traditional aioli, this sauce marries the deep, caramelized sweetness of roasted garlic with the smooth texture of mayo, enhanced by a zest of lemon.

• Typical Sauce Ingredients: Roasted garlic cloves, mayonnaise, lemon zest, lemon juice, salt, and pepper.
• Quick Recipe: Mash roasted garlic into a paste, mix with a cup of mayonnaise, the zest and juice of one lemon, salt, and pepper to taste.
• Serving Suggestion: Spread a generous layer on tortillas before assembling your shrimp tacos, or offer as a side for dipping.

Pineapple Habanero Sauce

This sauce is a daring dance of flavors, blending sweet pineapple with the fiery habanero, perfect for those who like their shrimp tacos with a side of thrill.

• Typical Sauce Ingredients: Fresh pineapple, habanero peppers, lime juice, cilantro, sugar, and vinegar.
• Quick Recipe: Puree chunks of fresh pineapple with one habanero pepper (seeds removed for less heat), a squeeze of lime juice, a sprinkle of sugar, cilantro, and a dash of vinegar to taste.
• Serving Suggestion: Drizzle over shrimp tacos for a sweet and spicy sensation, or mix into the taco filling for an internal flavor burst.

Learn how to make this sauce: Pineapple Habanero Hot Sauce Recipe

What Types Of Sauces Pair Best With Shrimp Tacos?

Sauces that are creamy, tangy, or mildly spicy pair best with shrimp tacos, complementing the shrimp’s delicate flavor without overwhelming it. They should bring a balance of acidity, heat, and richness to the dish.

What Sauces To Avoid Serving With Shrimp Tacos?

Avoid overly sweet, heavy, or complex sauces that can overpower the light, sweet flavor of shrimp. Excessively hot or pungently spiced sauces may also mask the shrimp’s natural taste in tacos.

Here are some specific examples to avoid:

• Thick teriyaki sauce
• Strong blue cheese dressing
• Heavy chocolate mole
• Overly sweet barbecue sauce
• Spicy ghost pepper hot sauces
• Intense curry sauces
• Rich Alfredo sauce
• Aromatic truffle aioli

Additional Tips When Choosing A Sauce For Shrimp Tacos

Consider the Texture

Opt for lighter, more fluid sauces to maintain the taco’s integrity without making the tortilla soggy.

Balance the Flavor Profile

Aim for a sauce that offers a counterpoint to the shrimp’s natural sweetness, like those with citrus or herbaceous notes.

Keep the Tacos’ Integrity

Choose sauces that enhance rather than dominate the dish, allowing the shrimp and other fillings to shine.

Complement the Freshness

Use fresh ingredients in your sauce to echo the fresh, light quality of seafood.

Match the Taco’s Theme

Align your sauce choice with the overall theme of your taco, whether it’s tropical, traditional Mexican, or fusion.

Temperature Matters

Consider the temperature of the sauce; a cold sauce can be refreshing, while a warm sauce might bring out different flavors in the shrimp.

Regional Pairings

Think about the regional origin of your taco recipe and choose a sauce that reflects that area’s culinary traditions.

Dietary Considerations

Be mindful of dietary restrictions or preferences, like using dairy-free alternatives for creamy sauces.

Looking for the best shrimp & sauce pairings? Then check out my definitive guide below:

• Best Sauce For Shrimp ⋆ The Definitive Pairing Guide ⋆