100+ Toppings for Epic Shrimp Tacos

Taking your shrimp tacos from good to great is as simple as a topping away.

Below, you’ll find everything from veggies and cheeses that go best with shrimp, salsas, and sauces to fruit and garnishes to make your shrimp tacos the best ever!

I love shrimp tacos because they’re super quick to make, delicious, and pair great with so many things! For inspo, try these Pineapple Shrimp Tacos or Cajun Shrimp Tacos with Avocado Salsa.

Jump to:

What to Put on Shrimp Tacos
Veggies
Cheeses
Salsas & Sauces
More Shrimp Taco Toppings

What to Put on Shrimp Tacos

Having written the Taco Tuesday Cookbook, I’ve found that there are no “rules” about what you can or can’t put on shrimp tacos. It all boils down to the seasoning on the shrimp and what you personally like. Check out these comprehensive lists:

Veggies

Veggies add crunch and nutrition, plus, they can easily bulk up your shrimp tacos to make them more filling. Here are some to try:

Purple Onion: purple onion adds strong flavor to the blandest tacos!
Yellow Onion: works just as well in a pinch, but great for taco dishes.
Coleslaw: if you like coleslaw, try it on a shrimp taco! You won’t be disappointed.
Iceberg Lettuce: crispy and crunchy lettuce that adds light and refreshing flavor to tacos.
Romaine Lettuce: my favorite lettuce for salads and tacos.
Spring Mix: satisfying and delicious tacos are in your future.
Bok Choy: mild, fresh, & grassy flavor like cabbage with an epic crunch!
Spinach: leftover spinach from salads or smoothies? Leafy veggies taste great with shrimp tacos.
Cherry Tomatoes: halve them or roast them for a juicy addition.
Potato: pan-fried potatoes are a neutral flavor and add bulk to shrimp tacos.
Sweet Potato: try it roasted and cubed in the taco!
Bell Peppers: red, green, orange, yellow bell peppers roasted in a skillet for tenderness.
Roasted Cauliflower: crispy florets take shrimp tacos to heaven.
Avocado: creamy avocado and crunchy shrimp are meant to be!
Corn: canned or fresh corn tops just as well on tacos.
Matchstick Carrots: tiny carrots are more kid-friendly, and they may not even notice their teeny crunch!
Cilantro: this strong-smelling herb is recommended as a topper or garnish on yummy shrimp tacos.
Jalapeno: a popular ingredient for all the right reasons.
Pico de Gallo: hands down my must-have topping for shrimp tacos!
Yellow Squash: summer squash is tender, and can be cooked and enjoyed in minutes.
Zucchini: load with beans, other veggies, and cheese for an epic taco.
Butternut Squash: roasted or grilled butternut squash is full of essential nutrients for a healthy taco night.
Chipotle Peppers: medium-heat peppers that create an authentic Chipotle vibe.
Poblano Peppers: milder than Jalapenos but full of epic flavors for your next Taco Tuesday.
Cucumber: pair with feta or other Mediterranean flavors for an epic taco dish.
Asparagus: oven-roasted or in the pan, and top as necessary!
Garlic: a little bit goes a long way with this topping!
Radishes: full of essential vitamins, but this veggie pairs well with spicy shrimp tacos to tone down the spice.
Black Beans: beans beans the magical fruit, the more you eat the more you…want shrimp tacos.
Pinto Beans: canned pinto beans warmed and topped on tacos are still epic!
Refried Beans: for a rice and beans vibe, load refried beans on top.
Kidney Beans: a topping that is on the table in no time.
Green Olives: the sweet Mediterranean flavor you love meets shrimp tacos.
Black Olives: the bitter Mediterranean topping is another great choice.
Mushrooms: great as a topper for shrimp tacos, or try my mushroom tacos!
Green Onion: a crunchy garnish to load on the flavor.
Chickpea: roasted chickpeas are the bomb.com, especially when topped on tacos.
Pickled Onions: all the oniony flavor you love is heightened with this super yummy pickled taste that will make taco night legendary.
Pickled Jalapenos: staples!
Pickled Radishes: delish on savory shrimp tacos.
Pickled Garlic: for the garlic lovers-you have to try these pickled garlic cloves! You’ll keep all the vampires away.
Spring Onions: sweet onions that are great grilled or roasted on tacos.
Shallot: delicate flavor that is sweet to garlicky (if that’s your jam) on tacos.

Cheeses

Looking for a creamy and universally delicious ingredient? Cheese enhances the flavor of tacos while complimenting the other toppings.

Feta: this Mediterranean cheese is crumbly and creamy-a great combo with savory shrimp tacos.
Mexican: this cheese is super melty on warm or hot shrimp tacos.
Cheddar: moist and easy to find at any grocery store for tacos.
Swiss: taco night will inspire your dinner guests, whether they are hungry or not!
Monterey Jack: commonly used in Mexican dishes, Monterey Jack pairs perfectly with the heat of many taco dishes.
Mozzarella: when warmed, this stretchy cheese will crisp and bubble for epic tacos.
Parmesan: grated Parmesan is often used in Mexican cuisine, so it’s a no-brainer that you would want it on your taco dish!
Pepperjack: this subtly spicy cheese has small peppers added that will create a spicy twist for bland tacos.
Cojita: bold, tangy, with an out-of-this-world taste.
Oaxaca: mild, buttery cheese that tastes similar to Monterey Jack on tacos-super enjoyable.
Queso Blaco: Fresh or store-bought queso on tacos is a game-changer. Trust!

Salsas & Sauces

Bursting with flavor and freshness, these salsas and sauces are a cinch to make and often tie all your taco fillings together. Try these:

Guacamole: try my amazing guacamole recipe that can be made mild or spicy depending on your preference!
Salsa: want to make your own? Follow this step-by-step guide to can salsa the easy way and enjoy with shrimp tacos.
Corn and Black Bean Salsa: full of fresh, summery flavors to enjoy with shrimp tacos!
Fresh Pineapple Salsa: sweet pineapple salsa + shrimp tacos = love at first bite.
Jalapeno Ranch Dressing: a tangy version of the classic sauce, perfect for drizzling.
Cucumber Salsa: refreshing and epic.
Mango Salsa: the texture of the mango pairs great with the shrimp, with a semi-spice of salsa.
Sriracha: spicy, tangy, and subtly sweet-everything a taco needs.
Taco Bell Sauce: you know those 20+ leftover packets they always give you work just as well as store-bought!
Cocktail Sauce: ever had a shrimp cocktail platter? This concept is the same, only rolled in a taco!
Sour Cream: a dollop makes such a delightful shrimp taco.
Hot Sauce: into spice? Bring on the heat for shrimp tacos!
Cilantro Lime: this creamy sauce is the ultimate dressing for salads…and shrimp tacos!
Tomato Sauce: a tablespoon or two of tomatoey flavor without the added heat is a great option for those who can’t handle spice.
Rotel Dip: less than a handful of ingredients make an epic cheese sauce for tacos.
Olive Oil: drizzle olive oil for light flavor on tacos, without added calories or salt!
Spicy Ranch: drizzle my homemade spicy ranch and you’ll never go back!
Red Enchilada Sauce: take taco night to a new arena with some canned enchilada sauce, or bonus points if you make your own!
Green Chutney: this Indian-inspired sauce is a traditional condiment that is good on everythingggg.
Poblano Cream Sauce: this whipped sauce is flagrant and full of intense flavors from garlic, cumin, broth, and heavy cream-superb on tacos!

More Shrimp Taco Toppings

These toppings range from sweet, spicy, and crunchy and are guaranteed to take taco night to new heights.

Lime: citrusy and refreshing to squeeze on tacos or enjoy on the side as a garnish.
Peach: diced sweet peaches compliment the savory perfection of shrimp tacos.
Apple: diced apples are semi-sweet, crispy, and awesome on tacos.
Papaya: mild and fruity for super healthy tacos!
Blackberry: the darker the berry, the sweeter the shrimp taco will be.
Pineapple: sweet and acidic pineapple is just what your taco night needs!
Strawberry: a tasty treat that the family will love.
Mango: mango tango shrimp tacos are just what you need!
Lemon: top with juice or as a garnish for a colorful shrimp taco night.
Watermelon: tasteless watermelon is a thing of the past with sweet & savory tacos.
Kiwi: super sweet topping that should not be limited to sweet recipes! Try it and let us know!
White Rice: instant rice works just as well as bagged rice to create additional flavors for your taco night.
Brown Rice: more nutrient-dense than white rice as a topping if you are looking for better topping alternatives!
Jasmine Rice: fluffy rice that tastes great with cilantro & lime juice on tacos.
Mexican Cauliflower Rice: shrimp tacos don’t get any better with this low-carb recipe.
Tortilla Strips: epically crunchy and tastes like a street taco!
Tortilla Chips: leftover tortilla chips work just as well if you want a street taco vibe.
Doritos: remember when Dorito’s taco shells were a thing? The sprinkled version is just as tasty.
Red Pepper Flakes: for a mild spice, top with these delicious flakes for a shrimp taco that will NOT disappoint.
Cumin: peppery, warm, and adds rich flavor to tacos.
Tajin: sprinkle on Tajin for buildable chile flavor for tacos.
Taco Seasoning: if you don’t already season your shrimp with this, sprinkle some on top for an authentic taco taste.
Steak: surf and turf tacos, anyone?
Fried Egg: ooey-gooey fried eggs take shrimp tacos to new heights!
Scrambled Egg: leftover shrimp tacos from dinner? Find new life in breakfast tacos!
Bacon: crumbly, crispy bacon tastes good on everything, right??
French Fries: load fries onto your taco for an epic papa frita shrimp taco.
Sweet Potato Fries: the low-carb version of papas fritas.
Yogurt: just a dollop will do for a tangy and refreshing shrimp taco dish.