Description
These Jerk Shrimp Tacos with Pineapple Salsa are a vibrant and flavorful dish perfect for a quick, tropical-inspired meal. Succulent shrimp are marinated in a spicy jerk seasoning blend, then pan-seared to perfection and served in soft tortillas topped with a refreshing pineapple salsa. Garnished with creamy sour cream or Greek yogurt and zesty lime wedges, these tacos offer a delicious balance of spicy, sweet, and tangy flavors that make for an impressive yet easy-to-make dinner.
Ingredients
Scale
For the Jerk Shrimp
- 1 pound large shrimp, peeled and deveined
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 tablespoon jerk seasoning (store-bought or homemade)
- 1/2 teaspoon ground allspice
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/4 teaspoon ground thyme
- 1/2 teaspoon brown sugar
- Juice of 1 lime
- Salt and pepper to taste
For the Pineapple Salsa
- 1 cup fresh pineapple, diced
- 1/4 red onion, finely chopped
- 1/4 cup cilantro, chopped
- 1 small jalapeño, seeds removed and finely chopped (optional, for extra heat)
- Juice of 1 lime
- 1 tablespoon honey (optional for added sweetness)
- Salt and pepper to taste
For Assembly
- 8 small soft corn or flour tortillas
- 1/4 cup sour cream or Greek yogurt (optional, for garnish)
- Lime wedges (for serving)
Instructions
- Prepare the Jerk Shrimp: In a bowl, combine olive oil, jerk seasoning, ground allspice, garlic powder, ground cinnamon, ground thyme, brown sugar, lime juice, salt, and pepper. Stir the mixture well to create the marinade.
- Marinate the Shrimp: Add the peeled and deveined shrimp to the marinade bowl and toss to coat all the shrimp evenly. Let them marinate for at least 15 to 20 minutes to absorb the bold flavors.
- Make the Pineapple Salsa: In a separate bowl, mix diced fresh pineapple, finely chopped red onion, chopped cilantro, and jalapeño if using. Squeeze the juice of one lime over the salsa ingredients and stir well.
- Season the Salsa: Add honey if desired for additional sweetness, then season with salt and pepper to taste. Set the salsa aside to let the flavors meld.
- Cook the Shrimp: Heat a large skillet or grill pan over medium-high heat. Add the marinated shrimp and cook for 2 to 3 minutes on each side until the shrimp turn pink and opaque. Avoid overcooking to keep them tender.
- Warm the Tortillas: While the shrimp cook, warm the tortillas in a dry skillet or microwave for a soft and pliable texture.
- Assemble the Tacos: Place 2 to 3 cooked shrimp on each tortilla, then top with a generous spoonful of pineapple salsa for a sweet and tangy crunch.
- Add Garnish: Optionally, add a dollop of sour cream or Greek yogurt to add creaminess, and squeeze some fresh lime juice over the tacos for a zesty finish.
- Serve and Enjoy: Serve the jerk shrimp tacos immediately with extra lime wedges on the side to brighten each bite. Enjoy your tropical, flavor-packed tacos!
Notes
- For extra heat, keep the jalapeño seeds in the salsa or add more jalapeño.
- If you don’t have jerk seasoning on hand, you can make a quick blend using paprika, cayenne, thyme, and allspice.
- Use soft corn tortillas for a gluten-free option, or flour tortillas for a softer texture.
- Marinating the shrimp longer than 20 minutes is fine, but avoid marinating more than 1 hour as the acid from lime juice can start to cook the shrimp.
- Sour cream can be replaced with Greek yogurt for a healthier, protein-packed alternative.
