Flavorful Grilled Shrimp Tacos with Creamy Chipotle Sauce: Your New Favorite Easy Weeknight Meal
Experience a burst of flavor with these incredibly easy-to-make grilled shrimp tacos. Succulent, juicy shrimp combine perfectly with vibrant, grilled vegetables, creating a symphony of textures and tastes. But what truly elevates these tacos from good to unforgettable is the rich, creamy chipotle sauce, adding a delightful smoky kick that will tantalize your taste buds. Simply add warm tortillas for a satisfying and healthy dinner that comes together in a flash – perfect for any night of the week!
Craving more effortless grilled dishes that are packed with flavor? Be sure to explore my go-to recipe for grilled vegetables, ideal for utilizing fresh garden produce. You might also love these feta-infused Greek beef lettuce wraps, or this refreshing and delicious grilled chicken sesame cabbage salad. These recipes are designed for ease without compromising on taste, making healthy eating accessible and enjoyable.
As a devoted enthusiast of seafood, especially shrimp and salmon, these lean proteins often top my list of restaurant choices. Beyond their inherent deliciousness, seafood offers an abundance of health benefits and boasts versatile flavors that seamlessly integrate into countless culinary creations. Grilled shrimp, in particular, stands out for its delicate yet robust taste, perfectly absorbing marinades and spices, making it an ideal candidate for vibrant dishes like these grilled shrimp tacos.
The speed at which seafood cooks is another significant advantage, transforming it into an excellent option for busy weeknight dinners. In our household, I make a point of incorporating seafood into our weekly menu plan at least once. While it’s undeniably healthy and quick to prepare, seafood can sometimes be a bit more expensive than other protein sources such as chicken or beans. Therefore, a weekly serving typically strikes the right balance for both our budget and our health goals, ensuring we enjoy its benefits without overspending.
When grilling season is in full swing, my absolute favorite method for preparing shrimp involves threading them onto skewers alongside a colorful assortment of fresh vegetables. Everything gets brushed with a delectable sauce, enhancing both flavor and moisture. This technique creates a visually appealing and incredibly satisfying meal that feels special yet requires minimal effort.
This particular recipe for (slightly) spicy grilled shrimp tacos exemplifies this approach perfectly. The shrimp and vegetable skewers are cooked to perfection on the grill, infused with smoky flavor. They are then served in warm tortillas, generously drizzled with a rich and creamy chipotle sauce. The result is a simple yet extraordinary taco experience – a complete one-dish meal that’s bursting with flavor and fun to eat!
The star of these grilled shrimp tacos isn’t just the perfectly cooked shrimp and veggies; it’s also the incredible creamy chipotle sauce that ties everything together. This sauce is designed to be the perfect counterpoint to the smoky grilled elements, offering a cool, tangy, and subtly spicy kick that makes every bite truly memorable. Its ease of preparation means you can whip it up in minutes, making these tacos a genuinely quick and impressive meal.
Ingredient Notes & Smart Substitutions for Perfect Grilled Shrimp Tacos
Crafting delicious grilled shrimp tacos starts with selecting the right ingredients. Here’s a detailed look at the key components for this recipe, along with helpful substitution ideas to fit your preferences and what you have on hand.
- Greek Yogurt: This is my top choice for the creamy chipotle sauce because of its exceptional thickness, tangy flavor, and impressive protein content. It creates a rich, smooth sauce that clings beautifully to the shrimp and vegetables. If Greek yogurt isn’t available or preferred, you can easily substitute it with regular plain yogurt for a slightly thinner consistency, or sour cream for a richer, more indulgent sauce.
- Chipotles in Adobo Sauce: These smoky, dried jalapeños are the secret to the sauce’s distinctive flavor. We enjoy a moderate level of spice, so the recipe calls for 1 to 2 peppers, along with a spoonful of the adobo sauce for extra depth. If you prefer a milder taco, start with just one chipotle pepper. For those who love a fiery kick, feel free to add three! If you’re sensitive to spice, a great alternative is to use 1/4 to 1/3 cup of your favorite mild salsa, which will still provide a delicious flavor without the heat.
- Lemon Juice: Fresh lemon juice brightens the sauce and adds a crucial acidic balance, cutting through the richness of the yogurt and the smokiness of the chipotle. Lime juice is an excellent alternative, offering a slightly different, more zesty flavor profile that pairs wonderfully with seafood and Mexican-inspired dishes.
- Raw Shrimp: It’s essential to use raw shrimp for this recipe. Raw shrimp cooks quickly on the grill alongside the vegetables, absorbing the marinade and developing a beautiful smoky char. Pre-cooked shrimp will become rubbery and overcooked if grilled again, so please avoid substituting it. Look for large or jumbo shrimp (21-30 count or 16-20 count per pound) for the best results on skewers. Ensure they are peeled and deveined for convenience.
- Assorted Vegetables: My preferred combination for these skewers includes crisp snap peas, vibrant red bell peppers, and sweet red onions. However, the beauty of this recipe lies in its flexibility. Feel free to experiment with whatever seasonal vegetables you have! Zucchini slices, mushrooms, cherry tomatoes, yellow bell peppers, and even small broccoli florets work wonderfully. Just ensure your vegetables are cut into pieces roughly the same size as the shrimp for even cooking and easy skewering.
How to Assemble and Grill Flavorful Shrimp Tacos with Vegetables
Preparing these grilled shrimp tacos is a straightforward process, broken down into simple steps that ensure maximum flavor and ease. Follow these instructions for a perfect weeknight meal.
Step 1: Prepare the Creamy Chipotle Sauce. The foundation of these incredible tacos is the flavorful chipotle sauce. To make it, combine all sauce ingredients (Greek yogurt, chipotle peppers in adobo, garlic, lemon juice, dried oregano, and salt) in a wide-mouthed jar or a small blender. If using an immersion blender, you can blend it directly in the jar until completely smooth and creamy. Alternatively, a standard blender or food processor will achieve the same silky consistency. Once blended, pour half of the sauce into a separate medium-sized bowl for marinating the shrimp. Transfer the remaining half into a small jar or pitcher, cover, and refrigerate until you’re ready to serve – this will be your delightful topping sauce!
Step 2: Marinate the Shrimp. Take the cleaned, peeled, and deveined raw shrimp and add them to the medium glass bowl containing half of the prepared chipotle sauce. Toss the shrimp gently to ensure each piece is thoroughly coated with the creamy marinade. Allow the shrimp to marinate while you prepare your vegetables – this typically takes about 15-20 minutes, or up to 30 minutes if you have more time. This brief marination period is key to infusing the shrimp with flavor without over-tenderizing them.
Step 3: Prepare and Grill the Skewers. While the shrimp marinates, prepare your vegetables by washing, trimming, and cutting them into uniform, bite-sized pieces suitable for skewering. If you are using bamboo skewers, remember to soak them in water for at least 20 minutes prior to threading to prevent them from burning on the grill. Thread the marinated shrimp and prepared vegetables alternately onto the skewers. A good pattern helps ensure even cooking and visual appeal – for example, a piece of bell pepper, then shrimp, then onion, then shrimp, and so on. Preheat your grill to a medium-high direct heat. Once hot, place the skewers on the grill, cover, and cook for approximately 5-8 minutes, turning once halfway through, until the shrimp turn opaque and pink, and the vegetables are crisp-tender with slight charring.
PRO TIP for Vegetable Doneness: Many of us adore the slightly crispy, perfectly charred grilled vegetables that cook beautifully alongside fast-cooking shrimp. However, if you prefer your vegetables more tender, or simply cooked longer, here’s a simple solution: thread all your vegetables onto separate skewers from the shrimp. This way, you can leave the vegetable skewers on the grill for a longer duration, ensuring they reach your desired level of doneness without overcooking the delicate shrimp. You can even give them a head start before adding the shrimp skewers!
To Serve, Top, & Side Ideas for Your Shrimp Taco Feast
Once your flavorful shrimp and vegetable skewers are hot off the grill, it’s time to assemble your delicious tacos! These grilled shrimp tacos are best served immediately, ensuring the perfect temperature and texture. Arrange them alongside warm flour or corn tortillas – a quick minute or two on the grill will give them a lovely softness and a touch of smoky flavor. Don’t forget the star topping: the remaining creamy chipotle sauce you set aside earlier.
While these tacos are incredibly satisfying as a standalone meal, offering a few vibrant sides can elevate your dinner into a complete feast. Here are some fantastic suggestions:
- Fresh Slaws: A crisp, tangy slaw is an ideal accompaniment. My Spicy Cumin Lime Slaw offers a zesty crunch that beautifully complements the rich tacos. Alternatively, a simple cabbage slaw with a vinaigrette dressing would also be excellent.
- Light Salads: For a refreshing contrast, consider a light salad. This vibrant Orange Almond Salad provides a sweet and nutty element. A simple green salad with a light citrus dressing is another great option.
- Classic Chips and Salsa: You can never go wrong with the timeless combination of crispy chips and zesty salsa. Serve up my perfect canned salsa if you have a batch ready, or quickly whip up a fresh batch of restaurant-style salsa or pico de gallo. For an extra special touch, you can even make your own baked tortilla chips in just 10 minutes using corn tortillas.
- Additional Toppings: Enhance the taco experience with an array of fresh toppings! Consider a sprinkle of fresh cilantro, diced avocado or a scoop of guacamole, extra lime wedges for a squeeze of brightness, crumbled cojita cheese, or a dash of your favorite hot sauce for an extra kick.
The beauty of serving skewers is the interactive aspect. Simply encourage everyone to slide the succulent shrimp and perfectly grilled vegetables directly off the skewer onto a warm tortilla. Then, a generous drizzle of the reserved creamy chipotle sauce completes each personalized, delicious taco. It’s a fun and engaging way to enjoy a meal together!
Storage & Reheating Tips for Leftover Tacos
While these grilled shrimp tacos are best enjoyed fresh, if you happen to have any leftovers, proper storage and reheating will ensure they remain delicious.
Store: To keep your leftovers at their best, store the grilled shrimp and vegetables in a separate, airtight container in the refrigerator. Place any leftover tortillas in a sealed plastic bag or container to prevent them from drying out. The creamy chipotle sauce should also be stored in an airtight container in the fridge. Everything should keep well for up to 2-3 days.
Reheat: When you’re ready to enjoy your leftovers, gently reheat the components. Warm the tortillas individually on a dry skillet over medium heat for about 15-30 seconds per side until soft and pliable, or briefly in the microwave. For the shrimp and vegetables, you can gently warm them in a microwave for about 30-60 seconds, or for a minute or two in a lightly oiled pan on the stovetop over medium-low heat. Be careful not to overcook the shrimp, as they can become tough. Once warmed, assemble your tacos with fresh sauce and enjoy!
I sincerely hope you give these grilled shrimp tacos a try very soon! They truly are a fantastic, light, and incredibly flavorful summer meal that comes together in roughly 30 minutes, making them ideal for busy schedules. My family absolutely adores them, and I’m confident yours will too!
More Great Grilled Recipes To Spice Up Your Menu
If you’ve fallen in love with the ease and flavor of these grilled shrimp tacos, you’ll be thrilled to discover more of my favorite grilling recipes. These options are perfect for expanding your repertoire and enjoying delicious, easy meals straight from the grill.
- Chipotle Spice-Rubbed Grilled Chicken Salad with Guacamole, Corn, and Black Beans: A hearty and healthy salad bursting with Tex-Mex flavors.
- Thai-style Salad of Grilled Pork and Vegetables: Experience exotic flavors with tender grilled pork and fresh vegetables, all brought together by a spicy peanut dressing.
- Smashed Garlic Burgers with Jalapeños (Brew Pub Style): For burger lovers, these smashed burgers offer incredible flavor and a delightful kick.
I genuinely hope you love these grilled shrimp tacos as much as we do! If you decide to make them, please remember to leave a recipe rating and a comment to let me know how you enjoyed them. Your feedback is always appreciated!
Print Recipe
Pin Recipe
SaveSaved!
Grilled Shrimp Tacos with Vegetables and Creamy Chipotle Sauce
Equipment
-
Immersion blender, blender or food processor
-
8 metal skewers or pre-soaked bamboo skewers
-
Grill (gas or charcoal)
Ingredients
For the Creamy Chipotle Yogurt Sauce:
- 1 cup Plain Greek yogurt (full-fat or low-fat; regular plain yogurt or sour cream can be substituted)
- 1 to 2 Chipotle peppers in adobo sauce* (adjust to your preferred spice level, plus a teaspoon of the adobo sauce)
- 2 cloves Fresh garlic (minced)
- 1 Small lemon (juiced, yielding about 1 ½ tablespoons; lime juice also works well)
- 1/2 teaspoon Dried oregano
- 1/2 teaspoon Salt (or to taste)
For the Shrimp & Vegetable Tacos:
- 1 pound Raw shrimp (large or jumbo, peeled and deveined)
- 1/3 pound Snap peas (or green beans, trimmed; enough for 2-4 per skewer)
- 1 Red sweet bell pepper (seeded and cut into 1-inch pieces; or substitute zucchini, mushrooms, etc.)
- 4 Tiny onions (halved, or one small onion cut into 1-inch pieces)
- 8 Taco-sized flour or corn tortillas
Instructions
Make Chipotle Yogurt Sauce:
-
Add all the sauce ingredients (yogurt, chipotles, garlic, lemon juice, oregano, salt) to a wide-mouth pint jar. Use an immersion blender directly in the jar to blend until completely smooth and creamy. Alternatively, you can transfer the ingredients to a standard blender or food processor and blend until silky.
-
Pour half of the prepared chipotle sauce into a medium mixing bowl. Transfer the remaining half of the sauce to a smaller jar or pitcher, cover, and refrigerate until ready to serve. This ensures you have plenty for drizzling!
Prepare Shrimp & Tacos:
-
Marinate Shrimp: To the bowl containing half of the chipotle sauce, add the cleaned, peeled, and deveined raw shrimp. Toss well to ensure all shrimp are evenly coated with the marinade. Let the shrimp marinate while you prepare your vegetables (this usually takes 15-20 minutes, up to a maximum of 30 minutes).
-
Prep Vegetables: Wash and prepare all your chosen vegetables. Snap and string the snap peas or green beans. Seed and slice bell peppers into rectangular pieces suitable for skewers. Cut tiny onions in half, or a small whole onion into quarters, then halve those quarters to create individual skewer-ready pieces. HELPFUL TIP: I find it easiest to group and arrange my prepared vegetables in the order I plan to thread them (e.g., 2 snap peas, a pepper piece, an onion piece, another pepper, 2 more peas). This makes quick work of evenly dividing them among the skewers.
-
Assemble Skewers: If using bamboo skewers, ensure they have been soaked in water for at least 20 minutes to prevent burning. Alternate threading the marinated shrimp and prepared vegetables onto your metal or bamboo skewers. A suggested pattern is peas, shrimp, bell pepper, shrimp, onion, shrimp, bell pepper, shrimp, peas – or customize the order to your liking.**
-
Grill Skewers & Tortillas: Preheat your grill to medium-high direct heat. Place the assembled skewers on the hot grill. Close the lid and grill for 5-8 minutes total, turning the skewers once halfway through, until the shrimp are vibrant pink and opaque and the vegetables are crisp-tender with slight char marks. Remove the cooked skewers to a platter. While the grill is still hot, briefly warm your tortillas for about 15-30 seconds per side until soft and lightly charred. Transfer the warmed tortillas to a cloth-lined plate or a tortilla warmer to keep them warm and pliable.
-
Serve & Enjoy: Serve the grilled shrimp and vegetable skewers immediately with the warm tortillas and the reserved creamy chipotle sauce. Encourage each person to use a fork to slide the shrimp and vegetables off the skewers directly onto their tortilla, then drizzle generously with more of the delicious sauce. Offer additional fresh toppings like cilantro or avocado if desired.
Notes
**If you don’t have skewers, prefer not to use them, or want your vegetables more thoroughly cooked, you have options! You can grill the shrimp separately on a piece of aluminum foil or a grill pan/tray. For the vegetables, use a grill basket to cook them until they reach your desired tenderness. This flexibility ensures you can still enjoy these delicious flavors regardless of your equipment or preference.
Nutrition information has been calculated based on one grilled shrimp and vegetable skewer and one flour taco tortilla, as depicted in the images.
Nutrition
This recipe has been thoughtfully updated and expanded to provide even more value and deliciousness for you. It was originally published in July of 2015.