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Gobernador shrimp tacos

Gobernador tacos are corn tortillas filled with sauteed shrimp, bell pepper, onion, tomato and melted mozzarella, then crisped up in a pan. This recipe serves 4, takes 35 minutes, is rated easy, and costs about €4.50 per person. The key is to fill the tortilla while it's still warm and brown it well so the cheese seals it shut.

Tonight it's taco night with gobernador tacos, sauteed shrimp with melted cheese, crispy in the pan.

Gobernador shrimp tacos
Total time
35 min
Difficulty
Easy
Cost per person
€4.50
Calories per person
650 kcalcalculated by Kiloach, your weight coach
Season
Winter, Spring, Summer, Fall
The kids
They generally like it

Gobernador tacos come from street food stalls in northern Mexico, where Pacific shrimp meet melted cheese in a crispy corn tortilla. Here, the tortilla turns golden and crunchy in the pan while the cheese pools between the pink shrimp and the sauteed vegetables. Chipotle pepper adds a smoky edge without too much heat, and lime juice brightens everything right before serving.

This is the kind of taco that breaks up a routine weeknight, ready in under 35 minutes with no special equipment. Kids love the stretchy melted cheese, and adults enjoy the smoky chipotle and fresh cilantro. Mon Chou reaches for this one when there's shrimp to use up and dinner needs to please everyone at the table.

The ingredients

4 people

Fish counter

  • Shelled shrimp 400 g

Dairy

  • Shredded mozzarella 200 g

Fruits and vegetables

  • Green bell pepper 1
  • Onion 1
  • Tomato 1
  • Garlic 2 cloves
  • Cilantro 1 sprig
  • Lime 2

Pantry

  • Chipotle pepperoften in the pantry 1 tsp
  • Corn tortillas 12
  • Sunflower oiloften in the pantry 3 tbsp
  • Saltoften in the pantry 1 pinch

Allergens Shellfish, Lactose

The step by step recipe

  1. Dice the bell pepper, onion and tomato into small cubes, and mince the garlic.

    Even, pea sized cubes make a filling that's easy to spread.

  2. Saute the vegetables in the oil with the chipotle for a few minutes, then add the shrimp. 5 min

    No chipotle on hand, a pinch of smoked paprika gives a similar flavor.

  3. Cook until the shrimp turn pink, season with salt and drizzle with lime juice.

    Pull it off the heat right away, overcooked shrimp turn rubbery.

  4. Warm the tortillas in the pan, fill half with cheese and shrimp, then fold over.

    Warm tortillas won't crack at the fold.

  5. Brown the tacos on both sides until the cheese is melted and crispy, then sprinkle with cilantro. 6 min

    Press down on them for a few seconds with something flat to flatten them.

Our tips to get it right

  • Pat the shrimp dry before cooking them, extra water keeps the vegetables from browning and waters down the filling.
  • Grate the mozzarella yourself if you can, it melts better and stretches more than pre shredded blends.
  • Use a wide pan and don't crowd the tacos, each one needs direct contact with the pan to crisp up properly.

The variations

  • Swap the shrimp for thinly sliced chicken for a cheaper version, the cooking time stays the same.
  • For a vegetarian version, replace the shrimp with mushrooms and corn, chipotle works just as well with them.
  • For kids, skip the chipotle pepper and just serve lime wedges on the side at the table.

What to serve it with

  • Mexican tomato rice
  • Crunchy lime slaw
  • Lime water or homemade limeade

Storage

The filling keeps for 2 days in the fridge in a sealed container, kept apart from the tortillas. Reheat the filling in a pan before refilling the tacos, the cheese doesn't set well in the microwave. It's best not to freeze this dish since the shrimp and cheese lose their texture.

Questions about this dish

Can you make the filling ahead of time?

Yes, you can cook the shrimp filling the day before and keep it in the fridge. Reheat it in a pan before filling the tortillas so the shrimp stays tender.

What can replace the chipotle pepper?

A pinch of smoked paprika gives a similar flavor, though less intense. You can also use a bit of smoky hot sauce if you have some on hand.

What cheese works instead of mozzarella?

Raclette cheese or shredded Swiss both melt and stretch in a similar way. Avoid drier cheeses, they won't give you that signature cheese pull.

Can you use flour tortillas instead?

Yes, even though traditional gobernador tacos use corn. Flour tortillas are softer and fold more easily, which helps if you're new to making tacos.

How long does it take to make gobernador shrimp tacos?

Count 35 min in total, prep and cooking included. The recipe is rated “easy”.

How many calories are in gobernador shrimp tacos?

About 650 kcal per serving, for a recipe meant for 4 people. Calories are calculated by Kiloach, your weight coach, the app that partners with Mon Chou.

How much does gobernador shrimp tacos cost?

About €4.50 per serving, or €18.00 for 4 people, based on average supermarket prices.

What allergens does this recipe contain?

This recipe contains shellfish, lactose. Always check the labels of the products you buy.

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