Jerk Shrimp Tacos are a great way to change your regular taco night. Each tortilla shell is filled with mango salsa, crumbly cheese, and shrimp, creating a sweet, spicy, and flavorful dish.
The recipe for Caribbean jerk shrimp tacos was first published in May 2016. It was updated and republished in February 2025.
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Caribbean Shrimp
Shrimp tacos are my go-to order whenever I see them on a restaurant menu. When we lived in Texas, our date nights often meant going to our favorite taco place. I always ordered seafood tacos and green chili pork tacos.
Eating out for tacos can add up, so I made a version of those spicy shrimp tacos at home instead. I like to keep a big bag of frozen shrimp around for grilling or frying. Just make sure you don't forget the shrimp in the freezer while getting dinner ready.
What I love most about this dinner is how quickly everything comes together! You can have delicious shrimp and pineapple mango salsa ready in just a few minutes.
Why You'll Love This Recipe
Jerk shrimp tacos are a fantastic mix of spicy, sweet, and fresh flavors. They’re perfect for quick weeknight dinners or fun taco nights with friends.
- Ready in Minutes - Shrimp cooks in about 3 minutes. This makes it one of the fastest and easiest ways to prepare a restaurant-quality meal at home.
- Sweet and Spicy Flavor - The heat from jerk seasoning pairs well with sweet fruit salsa, creating the perfect balance of flavors.
- A Taste of the Islands - The juicy shrimp and fresh toppings make you feel like you are at the beach in the Caribbean. No passport is needed.
Main Ingredients
With easy ingredients and little prep time, you can create a restaurant-quality meal without spending hours cooking. Mix and match toppings, and get ready to fall in love with your new favorite tacos!
- Butter: You will need butter or olive oil to cook the shrimp. I prefer the taste of butter, though.
- Seasonings: I used chili pepper and allspice to get that jerk flavor.
- Lime Juice: A citrus juice splash helps balance the spice flavors.
- Honey: Adds a sweet flavor to the spices and lime.
- Raw Shrimp: For this recipe, you need deveined, peeled, and tail-off shrimp. Either fresh or frozen shrimp are fine.
- Tortillas: We usually use flour, but corn tortillas are also a good choice.
- Toppings: We enjoy filling our tacos with chopped red cabbage, mango salsa, avocado slices, and queso fresco cheese.
How To Make Jerk Shrimp Tacos
This shrimp taco recipe is easy to make. Season the shrimp, cook them quickly, and then pile on your favorite toppings. They're packed with flavor!
Cook the shrimp. Melt the butter in a non-stick skillet, then whisk in honey, juice, and spices. Add the thawed shrimp to the hot pan and cook for 2-3 minutes or until pink on both sides.
Assemble the jerk tacos. Place warm tortillas on a plate, then add your favorite toppings and jerk-seasoned shrimp.
Storage Recommendations
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 2-3 days.
Reheat single servings in the microwave or a hot skillet. Do not reheat the shrimp more than once, as they will become tough and rubbery.
Tips and Tricks
- Fresh shrimp is best, but if you’re using frozen, make sure they’re thawed and patted dry before cooking. This helps them soak up all the seasoning.
- Don’t overcook the shrimp! They cook fast, turning pink and firming up in about 3 minutes, so keep an eye on them.
- Warming your flour tortillas makes a huge difference. For extra flavor, toast them quickly in a dry pan or over an open flame.
- Don't forget the toppings! Try fresh pineapple salsa, avocados, crunchy slaw, green onions, fresh cilantro, or a squeeze of fresh lime juice.
More Taco Recipes
- Easy Buffalo Shrimp Tacos
- Crispy Fish Tacos
- Bacon Egg Breakfast Tacos
- Low Carb Fish Taco Bowls
- Taco Salad Bowls
- Ice Cream Tacos
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Recipe
Jerk Shrimp Tacos
Jerk Shrimp Tacos are a great way to change your regular taco night. Each tortilla shell is filled with mango salsa, crumbly cheese, and shrimp, creating a sweet, spicy, and flavorful dish.
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 1 tablespoon honey
- 1 tablespoon lime juice
- ½ teaspoon chili pepper
- ¼ teaspoon all spice
- 16 ounces frozen uncooked medium shrimp, thawed according to the package
- flour tortillas
- Optional Toppings: chopped red cabbage, avocado slices, crumbled Queso Fresco cheese, chopped cilantro,
Instructions
- Melt the butter in a hot skillet. Whisk in the honey, lime juice, and spices.
- Add the thawed, drained shrimp and stir until each is coated in the mixture.
- Fry in the pan until the shrimp turns pink. Remove from the heat.
- Fill the tortilla with cabbage, avocado slices, fruit salsa, hot shrimp, cheese, and cilantro. Squeeze lime juice on top and serve immediately.
Notes
*To make this lean and green, serve the shrimp in lettuce cups instead of tortillas.
Nutrition Information:
Yield: 6 Serving Size: 1Amount Per Serving: Calories: 302Total Fat: 17gSaturated Fat: 7gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 8gCholesterol: 188mgSodium: 948mgCarbohydrates: 14gFiber: 3gSugar: 4gProtein: 24g
Nutrition facts are an estimate and are not guaranteed to be accurate. If you need special diet advice, please see a registered dietician.
Cakespy
I can hear the steel drums playing in my head and I wish I was tasting these in my mouth at this instant 🙂
allie
Hey Jocelyn, these look SO addictive. Can't wait to try 'em!
Happy Valley Chow
Wow do those look tasty! I definitely cannot wait to give these a try, PINNED!!
Jocelyn
Thank you so much! I hope you enjoy the tacos!
Leslie
I'm definitely pinning this recipe! This looks so delicious for summer!! I'm wanting to branch out more with shrimp. Is the uncooked shrimp the ones that are gray in color instead of pink? I'm not well versed on seafood.
Blessings,
Leslie
Jocelyn
I agree...this is the perfect summer dinner recipe. Yes, the uncooked are gray. They will turn pink as they cook in the skillet!!!