Jerk Shrimp Tacos With Pineapple Salsa

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Jamaican jerk shrimp tacos are topped with pineapple salsa. The sweet pineapple salsa is the perfect pairing with the juicy jerk shrimp. Serve this easy dinner any day of the week or for your next taco Tuesday.

Looking for more taco recipes? Try my fish tacos with mango salsa, adobo chicken tacos, or roasted cauliflower and chickpea tacos.

What You’ll Love About This Recipe

Unique – Jamaican jerk shrimp tacos are unlike anything else because of the unique flavor of the seasoning blend.
Quick – These delicious jerk shrimp tacos require no marinating and are ready in under 30 minutes.
Customizable – When you make homemade Jamaican jerk seasoning, it has a customizable heat level. You can also use any fruit salsa or serve with a crunchy slaw.

Ingredients

Here’s what you’ll need to make Caribbean jerk shrimp tacos:

Olive oil.
Fresh shrimp.
Jerk spice – brown sugar, black pepper, cayenne, dried herbs, aromatic spices, and sweet spices.
Pineapple salsa – fresh pineapple, lime zest and fresh lime juice, fresh cilantro, red onion, & kosher salt.
Corn or flour tortillas – whichever you prefer. I used corn tortillas, but plantain tortillas are also amazing with these flavors.

How to Make Jerk Shrimp Tacos: Step By Step

Here are some quick visual instructions. The full instructions and ingredient list will be in the printable recipe card below!

1. Make the pineapple salsa. Add all the ingredients to a small bowl. Toss to combine and add more salt as needed, to taste. If your pineapple isn’t too sweet, you may need to add a little honey or sugar.

2. Season the shrimp. In a medium bowl, toss the shrimp with olive oil and jerk seasoning until well-coated.

3. Cook the shrimp. Heat a large skillet or grill pan over medium heat with a drizzle of olive oil. Once warm, arrange the seasoned shrimp in a single layer in the skillet (you’ll likely need to do this in two batches). Cook for 1-3 minutes on each side until golden brown.

4. Assemble the tacos. Add the cooked shrimp to warm tortillas. Top with salsa and any additional toppings. Serve with lime wedges

Helpful Tips

How to know the skillet is hot enough. Test if your skillet is hot enough by flicking some water into the hot skillet. If it sizzles, the pan is ready.
Cooking time may vary. This is dependent on the size of your shrimp. If your shrimp are small, cook briefly to prevent overcooking them.
Pineapple not sweet? Add a little honey or sugar to the salsa. It’ll help balance the flavors better against the spiciness of the shrimp.

Quick Tip: If using corn tortillas, heat them in a skillet over medium heat for 1-2 minutes on each side. This warms them up and makes them much more pliable so they won’t rip.

Storage

Store leftover shrimp and salsa separately in an airtight container. Consume within 1-2 days.

Make It Your Way: Substitutions & Variations

Please remember that recipes are just a starting point.

How can you make this jerk shrimp taco recipe using what you already have? Here are some ideas.

No pineapple? – make mango salsa, peach salsa, or nectarine salsa instead.
Don’t like cilantro? – use parsley.
No tortillas or taco shells? – serve with lettuce wraps.
Make extra spicy shrimp tacos – kick up the heat with red pepper flakes, more cayenne, hot sauce, or chipotle lime mayo (as seen in the photos).
Add-ins – red cabbage slaw, crunchy green cabbage, or quick pickled veg.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the best sides for shrimp tacos?

Serve shrimp tacos alongside blackened corn, sauteed broccoletti, black bean and corn salad, or a simple butter lettuce salad.

Are jerk tacos spicy?

Typically jerk tacos are spicy, but if you make your own jerk seasoning blend, you can easily customize the heat level depending on spice tolerance.

More Taco Recipes

I hope you love these Jerk Shrimp Tacos! If you make it, be sure to leave a comment & a star rating so I know how you liked it!