These Mini Shrimp Tacos with Pineapple are filled with slightly spicy shrimp and diced pineapple, and topped with a creamy yogurt sauce. These tiny tacos are healthy, easy, and perfect for parties!
There’s a new(ish) tapas restaurant that opened up downtown, and I am EXCITED about it!
My wallet is less excited, however, so I’ve had to space out our visits.
The idea of tapas— or small plates of finger food meant to be shared with friends— isn’t new at all, but finding a tapas restaurant in my small corner of Central Appalachia is still pretty rare.
On my last visit to the local tapas place, I was surprised to find fish tacos on the menu, since that seemed more like a meal, and less like a small plate.
I quickly decided that I didn’t care if it seemed too big, and ordered them anyway.
It made me think though, and I decided that yes– tacos could DEFINITELY be an appetizer!
These Mini Tacos with Shrimp and Pineapple are a healthy appetizer option, and are perfect for dinner parties, cocktail parties, and game day.
Want full-size tacos? Try these grilled fish tacos, potato tacos, and halibut tacos. Pair them with Instant Pot refried beans. homemade hot sauce, and some fire-roasted salsa!
Making Tacos into Appetizers
How do you turn tacos into appetizers?
Make them smaller!
Most grocery stores should have mini taco shells– these are 4″ shells that are just toooooo cute!
These shells are perfect for mini tacos, and hold just enough fillings to make tiny Pineapple Shrimp Tacos fantastic.
The other issue you might run into with your taco appetizers is that tacos… well, tacos don’t stay put.
If you happen to have a taco serving tray, use that, but otherwise I recommend holding the tacos in place with toothpicks.
Specifically, the longer decorative toothpicks, because they’re just big enough to make them visible for any unsuspecting taco eater.
Trust me, you don’t want invisible taco toothpicks. It’s not safe.
Want More Seafood Appetizer Ideas? Try these: Crab Fries, Cajun Shrimp and Grits Appetizers, Albondigas de Pescado: Fish Meatballs, Canned Sardine Recipe: Mini Fish Cakes
Making Mini Shrimp Tacos with Pineapple
To make these tiny little tacos, start by tossing some raw, peeled shrimp in cayenne and smoked paprika.
Don’t worry- these won’t be super spicy because the cheese and yogurt sauce tame the spice.
Next, sauté them for a few minutes until the shrimp are bright pink. Take them off the heat.
Heat your tortillas, and then divide the shrimp up into the taco shells.
Top the shrimp with a few pieces of pineapple, a dollop of the yogurt sauce, a little freshly grated queso, and then add fresh herbs.
Learn More about Buying Shrimp: Read Types of Shrimp in the Grocery Store and Wild Caught Shrimp vs Farmed: How to Buy Sustainable Shrimp
Mini Tacos with Shrimp and Pineapple
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Ingredients
Shrimp:
- 1 lb raw shrimp, thawed (tails off, medium size)
- 1 tsp salt
- 2 tsp cayenne pepper
- 1 tsp red pepper flakes
- 1 TB smoked paprika
- 1 TB olive oil
Yogurt Sauce:
- 1/2 cup plain yogurt
- 2 garlic cloves, finely diced
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/4 lime, juiced
Tacos:
- 8 4″ mini flour taco shells (I use Mission brand mini taco shells)
- 1 cup finely diced fresh pineapple
- 2 oz queso fresco (use more if desired)
- 2 limes, quartered
- (Optional) fresh cilantro, green onion, or chives
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 400ºF.
Shrimp:
- Toss shrimp in salt, cayenne, red pepper, and paprika. Set aside.
- Add olive oil to a heavy-bottomed pot over medium high heat. When the oil is shimmering and the pan is hot, add the shrimp. Allow the shrimp to cook, untouched, for 1-2 minutes, or until one side is completely pink. Flip shrimp, continue cooking until all the shrimp are pink.
- Remove shrimp from the pan, and set aside.
Yogurt Sauce:
- Add yogurt, garlic, lime juice, and salt to a bowl and stir together.
Tacos:
- Heat taco shells on the racks of your preheated oven for about 2 minutes, or until they start to bubble up. Use tongs to pull them out of the oven.
- Begin filling taco shells by dividing the shrimp and pineapple into the shells. Drizzle each taco with a little yogurt sauce. Grate the queso onto the tacos, and top with fresh herbs (if desired). Serve with lime quarters, or drizzle fresh lime juice over just before serving.
Fish tacos are yummy and all, but shrimp tacos are hands down the BEST tacos. I’ve yet to meet a shrimp taco I didn’t like. I’m diggin’ the inclusion of pineapple. Perfect for those winter days when you need a brightly flavored pick-me-up!
These look so delish! It never gets cold down here in Miami, so this is going to go perfectly for dinner next week. Thanks!
Shrimp tacos are my favourite and i love the addition of the pineapple. Because they are mini that means I can eat more of them right? 😛
Haha totally! Eat them all! 😀
My husband looooves shrimp tacos so I know he’d enjoy these! Your photos are beautiful!
You combined two of my favorite foods: pineapple and shrimp!! Can’t wait to try 🙂
Yum! I love the combo of shrimp, queso fresco, and pineapple! I would have a hard time not eating a lot of these.