Best Sauce For Shrimp Tacos ⋆ 15 Of My Go-To Combinations ⋆

by

When it comes to shrimp tacos, it’s no secret that the secret lies in the sauce.

As a self-professed shrimp taco enthusiast, I’ve spent countless hours experimenting with different flavors and textures to create the perfect marriage of sauce and shrimp.

So, without further ado, here are my top picks for the best sauce to douse your shrimp tacos in.

Best Sauce For Shrimp Tacos

Creamy Chipotle Sauce

Ah, chipotle! The smoky, spicy flavor of this Mexican chili is simply matchless.

Now, imagine it combined with the creaminess of mayonnaise and sour cream.

What you get is a sauce that’s silky, tangy, and perfectly balances the sweetness of shrimp.

The creaminess of the sauce also helps to mellow out the spiciness of the chipotle, making it an excellent choice for those who love a bit of heat but don’t want their tongues to catch fire.

I recommend using it liberally on your shrimp tacos, but it’s also great as a dipping sauce for nachos or a dressing for a spicy salad.

The best part? It’s straightforward to make.

Just blend together some mayonnaise, sour cream, chipotle peppers in adobo sauce, lime juice, and garlic in a food processor, and you’re done!

Tangy Mango Salsa

This is not your usual sauce. It’s a salsa, but it’s so incredibly refreshing and flavorful that it might as well be a sauce.

Fresh mangoes provide a sweet, tropical flair that contrasts beautifully with the savory flavor of shrimp.

Add in some red onions for a sharp bite, jalapenos for a little heat, cilantro for freshness, and lime juice for tanginess, and you’ve got a sauce that’s a party in your mouth.

The key to a good mango salsa is using ripe mangoes and finely chopping all the ingredients to create a chunky yet cohesive sauce.

It’s perfect for summer days when you want something light and refreshing.

Don’t forget to let it sit for a while before serving to allow the flavors to meld together.

Zesty Cilantro Lime Sauce

This sauce is all about the tang.

Freshly squeezed lime juice paired with the unique, aromatic flavor of cilantro creates a sauce that’s light yet packed full of flavor.

Add in some garlic, honey, and a touch of cayenne pepper, and you’ve got a sauce that’s sweet, tangy, spicy, and absolutely perfect for shrimp tacos.

Cilantro Lime Sauce is not just for shrimp tacos though. It also works great as a marinade for other seafood or chicken.

Just make sure to blend the ingredients well to ensure the cilantro is well incorporated into the sauce.

Creamy Avocado Sauce

This sauce is for you if you’re a fan of all things creamy and avocado. It’s basically a smooth, creamy version of guacamole that’s perfect for drizzling over shrimp tacos.

The creaminess of the avocado pairs beautifully with the texture of the shrimp, while the lime juice, garlic, and cilantro add a nice pop of flavor.

The best part about this sauce is its versatility.

You can adjust the thickness by adding more or less water, making it perfect for dipping, spreading, or drizzling.

Just remember to add the lime juice quickly to prevent the avocado from browning.

Roasted Garlic Aioli

Who can resist the golden allure of roasted garlic?

This aioli takes the sweet, mellow flavor of roasted garlic and combines it with the creaminess of mayonnaise and a hint of lemon zest for a rich, aromatic, and utterly delicious sauce.

The key to a good aioli is to roast the garlic until it’s soft and golden, which brings out its natural sweetness.

This contrasts beautifully with the tangy lemon and creamy mayonnaise, creating a sauce that’s perfect for shrimp tacos but also works great on a variety of other dishes.

Pineapple Habanero Sauce

If you’re a fan of sweet heat, then this is the sauce for you.

Fresh pineapple provides a tropical sweetness that’s countered by the fiery kick of habanero peppers.

Add in some lime juice for acidity and cilantro for freshness, and you’ve got a sauce that’s sweet, spicy, tangy, and incredibly addictive.

Pineapple Habanero Sauce isn’t just for the brave.

You can adjust the heat level by using fewer habanero peppers or removing the seeds.

But no matter how you make it, it’s guaranteed to add a tropical flair to your shrimp tacos that’s both exciting and unique.

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

Spicy Sriracha Mayo

This one’s for all the sriracha lovers out there.

Sriracha mayo takes the creamy richness of mayonnaise and spikes it with the garlicky heat of sriracha sauce for a combination that’s as simple as it is delicious.

The beauty of this sauce lies in its simplicity.

With just two main ingredients, it’s easy to whip up in a pinch but packs enough flavor to transform your shrimp tacos into something extraordinary.

And if you want to get a bit fancy, try adding a squeeze of lime juice or a sprinkle of sesame seeds for extra flavor and texture.

Smoky Ancho Chili Sauce

Last but definitely not least, we have the Smoky Ancho Chili Sauce.

Ancho chilies are dried poblano peppers, and they have a sweet, mild heat and a complex, smoky flavor that’s unlike any other chili.

Combine this with the sweetness of tomatoes and the tanginess of apple cider vinegar, and you’ve got a sauce that’s smoky, sweet, tangy, and absolutely perfect for shrimp tacos.

This sauce requires a bit more effort as you’ll need to rehydrate the ancho chilies, but trust me, the result is worth it.

The smoky sweetness of the sauce pairs beautifully with the natural sweetness of the shrimp, creating a combination that’s both comforting and exciting.

Honey Lime Glaze

When it comes to balance, the Honey Lime Glaze hits the mark.

This sweet and tangy sauce is an effortless blend of just a few ingredients: fresh lime juice, honey, and a dash of chili flakes for a touch of heat.

The natural sweetness of honey pairs beautifully with the tartness of lime, creating a harmonious balance that goes wonderfully with the delicate flavor of shrimp.

Drizzle this glaze on freshly grilled shrimp for a light, summer-inspired taco.

To enhance the flavors, you could even marinate the shrimp in this glaze before grilling.

Green Goddess Sauce

The Green Goddess Sauce is a refreshing, herby delight that brings a cool contrast to warm, spicy shrimp tacos.

Traditionally, this sauce includes fresh herbs like parsley, tarragon, and chives, blended together with mayonnaise, sour cream, and a splash of lemon juice.

The creamy base of this sauce allows the herbs’ natural flavors to shine, creating a vibrant, fresh taste that pairs incredibly well with seafood.

It’s also versatile enough to be used as a salad dressing or a dipping sauce.

To make it even more luscious and flavorful, you can include an avocado in the blend.

Chili Lime Crema

If you’re looking for a sauce with a creamy texture and a bit of a kick, the Chili Lime Crema is your best bet.

This sauce takes the traditional sour cream base and elevates it with the addition of lime juice, chili powder, and a hint of garlic.

This sauce is all about contrast.

The cool, creamy sour cream offsets the spicy chili powder, while the lime juice adds a tangy note that cuts through the richness of the crema.

It’s an ideal topping for shrimp tacos, offering a cool-down from any extra spice.

For an added flavor depth, consider using smoked chili powder.

Thai Sweet Chili Sauce

If you’re a fan of Asian flavors, this sauce is for you.

Thai Sweet Chili Sauce combines the sweetness of sugar with the heat of red chili peppers, balanced by a touch of tangy vinegar.

The result is a sticky, sweet, and spicy sauce that’s as addictive as it is versatile.

This sauce is a match made in heaven for shrimp tacos.

The natural sweetness of the shrimp pairs perfectly with the sweet and spicy sauce, creating a flavor explosion in every bite.

Plus, it’s available in most supermarkets, so you can quickly grab a bottle and start drizzling!

Salsa Verde

Salsa Verde, or “green sauce,” is a classic Mexican sauce made from tomatillos.

These small, green fruits offer a tart, fruity flavor that’s balanced by the heat of jalapeños and the freshness of cilantro.

This sauce is a fantastic choice for shrimp tacos. Its fresh, tangy flavor profile complements the sweetness of the shrimp, and its vibrant green color adds a pop of color that makes the tacos visually appealing.

To make it, simply roast the tomatillos and jalapeños, then blend them with cilantro, onion, and garlic.

Tzatziki Sauce

Tzatziki is a creamy Greek sauce made from yogurt, cucumbers, garlic, and fresh herbs like dill or mint.

It’s cool, creamy, and refreshing, with a hint of tanginess from the yogurt and a slight bite from the garlic.

Tzatziki may not be a traditional choice for shrimp tacos, but it works surprisingly well.

The cool, refreshing sauce offers a nice contrast to the warm shrimp, and its creamy texture helps to tie all the taco components together.

Plus, it’s a great way to add a Mediterranean twist to your tacos.

Miso Glaze

Miso glaze is a Japanese-inspired sauce made from miso paste, soy sauce, mirin, and sugar.

It’s savory, sweet, and a little bit tangy, with a rich umami flavor that makes it incredibly addictive.

The deep, savory flavors of the miso glaze work wonders with shrimp tacos.

They help to enhance the natural sweetness of the shrimp, creating a sweet-and-savory combination that’s simply irresistible.

To make it, simply whisk together the ingredients until smooth, then brush it onto the shrimp before cooking.

Lastly

So there we have it, a total of fifteen incredible sauces for shrimp tacos. 

Whether you’re a fan of sweet, spicy, tangy, or umami flavors, there’s a sauce here for everyone and every taste bud. 

So why wait?

Start cooking (or buying), start experimenting, and most importantly, start truly enjoying your shrimp tacos! 

Related guides you may want to read: