Coconut Shrimp Tacos are what's happening right now in this kitchen. Because I just brought home some lovely fresh shrimp from a local seafood shop. A place that sells only sustainable, oceanwise seafood. I had to buy some of these fresh beauties as soon as I saw them sitting sweetly there, on their bed of ice.
When you bring home fresh shrimp, you just gotta use it right away. There's no wasting time. So we grilled some of these up on the barbecue, and the rest became coconut shrimp tacos, just in time for Taco Tuesday. Really, it wasn't Tuesday, I have to say. But whatever, who needs it to be Tuesday for tacos? Not in my house.
Did You Know? Taco Tuesday is a Trademark
The term, "Taco Tuesday" was coined by a Mexican fast-food restaurant chain, based out of, not Mexico, but Wyoming. in 49 of 50 US states, restaurants can be sued for using the term. Read this Munchies article to learn more: Taco Tuesday is a Trademark.
Working With Coconut Flour
I happened to have coconut flour in the pantry. Using coconut flour in your breading station really amps up the coconut taste, but it is a little harder to work with. Coconut flour absorbs a lot of moisture, so the breading process can be a little goopy. That's why it's really important to pat the shrimp as dry as possible with paper towels before they go into the flour.
Set Up a Breading Station
I like to set up a breading station lining right up to the skillet; flour, then beaten egg, and then panko; all in a row. I used large bowls for this recipe because then you can toss all the shrimp at once, with the flour, then in the egg, and finally in the crumbs.
Coconut Oil Makes for Even More Coconut Flavour
The shrimp cook up quickly in coconut oil for even more coconut flavour. Serve them hot on warm tortillas with sriracha mayonnaise, salsa verde, avocado, lime wedges for squeezing and any other fixings you like. Taco any day is our kind of day. And these coconut shrimp tacos are equally delicious with Mango Avocado Salsa.
Coconut Shrimp Tacos
Ingredients
Coconut Shrimp
- 2 tbsp coconut oil
- 1 cup coconut flour
- 3 eggs beaten
- 1 cup panko crumbs
- ¼ tsp red chili flakes
- zest of one lime
- 1 lb fresh shrimp shelled, deveined and tails removed (or frozen and defrosted)
Sriracha Mayo
- 4 tbsp mayonnaise
- 2 tbsp sriracha hot sauce or more to taste
- 1 tsp lime juice
Tacos
- 8 flour tortillas warmed on a grill or in the oven wrapped in foil
- 1 avocado sliced
- 1 lime sliced
- ¼ cup pickled jalapeno peppers
- ¼ cup green salsa (or any salsa)
- Chopped fresh cilantro optional
Instructions
- Prep all of your taco toppings; avocado, tomato, cilantro, limes, and whatever else you want to add so that they are ready when the shrimp are ready.
- Mix mayo, sriracha and lime juice and put in the fridge
- Set up your breading station; put coconut flour in a large bowl, beat eggs in another large bowl, and put panko crumbs along with chile flakes and lime zest into another large bowl and combine.
- Heat a large skillet over medium heat with the coconut oil.
- Pat shrimp as dry as possible with paper towel or a clean kitchen towel.
- Put shrimp into the coconut flour and toss until coated. Transfer shrimp to the egg, and toss again until well coated. Transfer to the panko mixture and toss and press until coated again. (These shrimps will have three coats).
- With tongs, transfer coated shrimp to your heated coconut oil in batches, enough to cover the pan with breathing room between the shrimp.
- Cook shrimp for 2-3 minutes before turning and cook for another 2 minutes. Keep a close eye on, and monitor your heat level; if you see overly browned bits of panko, try turning down the heat for the next batch, or removing the pan from the heat for a minute, adding more oil if needed. Shrimp should be a crunchy golden brown.
- Transfer cooked shrimp to a paper towel-lined plate, and continue with the next batch until all shrimp are crisp and golden.
- While shrimps are cooking, warm tortillas over a grill or in the oven.
- Assemble tacos. On warmed tortillas spread with sriracha mayo, then top with all your fixings and enjoy. Happy Taco Tuesday!
Nutrition
That's such a good idea! Never thought to use coconut shrimp in tacos. I like the fusion going on!
Thanks, Derek, these tacos are so good!
We love tacos....and especially fish tacos. These sound delicious, and I know my family would LOVE these any night of the week.
Hi Gloria! We love tacos, too. Who needs to wait for Tuesday? 🙂
They look so delicious! Perfect for Taco Tuesdays. I like that you fried the shrimp in coconut oil, too.
Hi Tiffany. They are delicious! And coconut oil is a natural for coconut shrimp, right? 🙂
Tacos are life! I haven't had them in awhile and this is a reminder that I should put them back on the menu. Yum!
A perfect way to put it, Kate. Yes, tacos are life!
These sound so good. I could eat tacos every night, and this will switch up my normal routine! Thanks!
Tacos are awesome, right Deb. Make some soon! 🙂
Looks so easy to make and delicious, I can't wait to make it this summer.
Hi Melve, I know you will love it!
These look so tasty! And perfect for summer, I'll have to give them a try 🙂
Thanks Emily, they are really yummy! I would love to hear how they turn out if you make them 🙂