Hawaiian Shrimp Taco Bowls Recipe

Easy Hawaiian Shrimp Taco Bowls Recipe: A Tropical Delight

Hawaiian shrimp taco bowls blend tropical flavors with zesty marine protein in a vibrant, satisfying meal.

Fresh ingredients dance together, creating a colorful culinary experience that transports you to island paradise.

Succulent seafood mingles with crisp vegetables and tangy sauces, refineing an ordinary dinner into an extraordinary feast.

Bright, bold seasonings infuse each bite with multilayered taste sensations that awaken your palate.

Textures range from tender to crunchy, offering a delightful contrast in every forkful.

Light yet filling, these bowls provide a perfect balance of nutrition and excitement for weeknight dining.

Your taste buds will embark on a delicious journey that celebrates coastal cuisine with playful, harmonious ingredients.

Why These Bowls Taste Like Vacation

Why These Bowls Taste Like Vacation
  • Burst with Tropical Flavor: Combines sweet mango, zesty lime, and spicy sriracha for a vibrant Hawaiian-inspired taste explosion that dances across your palate.
  • Quick and Effortless Cooking: Requires just 20 minutes from start to finish, making it perfect for busy weeknight dinners or spontaneous meal prep without complicated techniques.
  • Nutritious One-Bowl Meal: Packs a balanced mix of protein from shrimp, complex carbohydrates from rice, and fresh vegetables, delivering a wholesome and satisfying dining experience.
  • Customizable Culinary Canvas: Allows easy ingredient swaps and adjustments to suit personal preferences, dietary needs, or what’s available in your kitchen.

What You Need for Shrimp Taco Bowls

Main Ingredients:

Base:
  • Jasmine Rice: Fragrant and fluffy rice that provides a perfect foundation for the taco bowl.
  • Jumbo Shrimp: Large, succulent seafood protein that brings a delicate ocean flavor to the dish.
Protein Seasonings:
  • Olive Oil: Helps to evenly coat and cook the shrimp with a light, smooth texture.
  • Garlic Cloves: Adds a pungent and aromatic flavor to enhance the shrimp’s taste.
  • Chili Powder: Provides a subtle heat and warm depth to the shrimp.
  • Worcestershire Sauce: Offers a complex, tangy umami flavor to the shrimp.
  • Sriracha: Brings a spicy kick and bright red chili pepper heat.
  • Honey: Balances the spice with a sweet, smooth undertone.
Toppings:
  • Mangoes, Corn Kernels: Fresh, sweet fruits that add bright tropical flavor and crisp texture.
  • Purple Cabbage: Provides a crunchy, vibrant purple color with a peppery undertone.
  • Pickled Onions: Adds a tangy, sharp accent to cut through the richness.
  • Fresh Cilantro: Brings a fresh, herbal note to brighten the entire dish.
Cilantro Lime Crema:
  • Sour Cream, Mayonnaise: Creamy base that creates a rich, smooth sauce.
  • Lime Juice and Zest: Adds bright, citrusy freshness and tangy complexity.
  • Cilantro: Introduces a fresh, herbaceous flavor to the creamy sauce.
  • Garlic Clove: Adds more flavors.

Bringing Hawaiian Flavors to Your Bowl

Bringing Hawaiian Flavors to Your Bowl

Step 1: Craft Jasmine Rice Base

Boil rice according to package directions. Let it rest warmly while preparing other components.

Step 2: Create Zesty Marinade

In a mixing bowl, whisk together:
  • Olive oil
  • Minced garlic
  • Chili powder
  • Worcestershire sauce
  • Sriracha
  • Honey

Add peeled shrimp and coat thoroughly. Let marinate at room temperature for 15 minutes.

Step 3: Sear Spicy Shrimp

Heat skillet over medium-high flame. Place marinated shrimp in single layer. Cook 3-4 minutes per side until opaque and golden-edged.

Step 4: Whip Tangy Lime Cream

Blend in small bowl:
  • Sour cream
  • Mayonnaise
  • Fresh lime juice
  • Lime zest
  • Chopped cilantro
  • Minced garlic

Stir until smooth and creamy.

Step 5: Build Tropical Taco Bowls

Layer each bowl with:
  • Warm jasmine rice
  • Seared shrimp
  • Diced mango
  • Corn kernels
  • Shredded purple cabbage
  • Pickled onions
  • Fresh cilantro sprigs

Step 6: Finish and Serve

Drizzle generously with lime cream. Garnish with extra cilantro. Serve immediately for maximum flavor explosion.

Tips to Keep Shrimp Juicy and Bold

  • Marinate Strategically: Let shrimp sit in marinade for exactly 10-15 minutes to maximize flavor absorption without making the seafood tough.
  • Cook Shrimp Perfectly: Use medium-high heat and avoid overcrowding the pan to ensure each shrimp develops a beautiful golden sear and remains tender.
  • Balance Crema Consistency: Stir sour cream and mayonnaise thoroughly to create a smooth, creamy sauce that’s not too runny or thick.
  • Layer Bowl Thoughtfully: Add ingredients in order from bottom to top, starting with rice, then proteins, and finishing with fresh toppings for optimal texture and visual appeal.
  • Enhance Flavor Depth: Toast corn kernels quickly in a dry skillet before adding to the bowl to develop a smoky, caramelized taste that complements the shrimp.

Best Ways to Store These Tropical Bowls

  • Refrigeration: Transfer leftover Hawaiian Shrimp Taco Bowls into an airtight container and store in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. Keep rice, shrimp, and crema separately to maintain freshness.
  • Reheating Rice: Sprinkle a few drops of water on the rice and microwave for 30-45 seconds, stirring halfway through to restore moisture and prevent dryness.
  • Reheating Shrimp: Gently warm shrimp in a skillet over low heat for 2-3 minutes, avoiding overcooking to prevent rubbery texture. Add a splash of olive oil to help retain tenderness.

Drink and Side Ideas for Shrimp Bowls

  • Unleash Tropical Cocktail Pairing: Craft a refreshing pineapple mojito that complements the Hawaiian shrimp’s sweet and spicy profile, enhancing the dish’s tropical essence with mint, rum, and fresh pineapple juice.
  • Elevate with Crisp White Wine: Select a chilled New Zealand sauvignon blanc, whose bright citrus and herbaceous notes perfectly balance the zesty lime crema and provide a clean, refreshing counterpoint to the shrimp’s richness.
  • Match with Zesty Side Salad: Prepare a light arugula salad with mandarin orange segments and toasted macadamia nuts, dressed in a light citrus vinaigrette to echo the Hawaiian taco bowl’s vibrant flavors and add textural contrast.
  • Cool Down with Tropical Beer: Choose a light Mexican lager like Corona or Modelo, which offers a crisp, clean finish that cuts through the creamy crema and complements the dish’s bright, spicy undertones.

Other Island Vibes to Add In

  • Spicy Pineapple Paradise: Swap mango with grilled pineapple chunks and add extra sriracha for a fiery tropical kick.
  • Coconut Curry Coastal: Replace Worcestershire sauce with coconut milk and yellow curry powder to create a creamy, aromatic shrimp base.
  • Quinoa Power Bowl: Substitute jasmine rice with protein-packed quinoa and add black beans for a nutrient-dense alternative.
  • Mediterranean Seafood Fusion: Use feta cheese instead of crema, add kalamata olives, and season shrimp with oregano and lemon zest for a Greek-inspired version.
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Hawaiian Shrimp Taco Bowls Recipe

Hawaiian Shrimp Taco Bowls Recipe


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4.7 from 22 reviews

  • Total Time: 25 minutes
  • Yield: 4 1x

Description

Hawaiian shrimp taco bowls deliver a tropical paradise of flavors with grilled succulent shrimp, zesty pineapple salsa, and cilantro-lime rice. Crisp textures and bold island-inspired seasonings invite diners to savor an unforgettable culinary escape that brings Pacific coastal cuisine directly to their plate.


Ingredients

Scale

Protein:

  • 1 pound (454 grams) jumbo shrimp, peeled and deveined

Base Ingredients:

  • 1 cup (240 milliliters) jasmine rice
  • 3 ears of corn, kernels removed
  • 2 mangoes, diced
  • ¼ cup (40 grams) shredded purple cabbage

Seasonings and Sauces:

  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 3 garlic cloves, minced
  • ¼ teaspoon chili powder
  • 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
  • 1 tablespoon sriracha
  • 2 tablespoons honey

Cilantro Lime Crema:

  • ¼ cup (60 milliliters) sour cream
  • 3 tablespoons mayonnaise
  • Juice and zest of 1 lime
  • 3 tablespoons finely chopped cilantro
  • 1 garlic clove, minced

Toppings:

  • Pickled onions
  • Fresh cilantro

Instructions

  1. Prepare jasmine rice according to package instructions, keeping it warm and fluffy for the upcoming taco bowls.
  2. Create a vibrant marinade by whisking olive oil, garlic, chili powder, Worcestershire sauce, sriracha, and honey in a mixing bowl. Submerge peeled shrimp completely in the marinade, allowing flavors to infuse for 10-15 minutes at room temperature.
  3. Preheat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Carefully arrange marinated shrimp in a single layer, ensuring they are not overcrowded. Sear for 3-4 minutes until the bottom develops a golden color, then flip and cook an additional 2-3 minutes until shrimp turn opaque and develop a slight char.
  4. Craft the zesty cilantro lime crema by blending sour cream, mayonnaise, fresh lime juice, lime zest, finely chopped cilantro, and minced garlic until smooth and well incorporated.
  5. Construct taco bowls by distributing warm rice as the base. Layer with perfectly cooked shrimp, vibrant diced mango, sweet corn kernels, crunchy shredded purple cabbage, tangy pickled onions, and fresh cilantro leaves.
  6. Elevate the dish by generously drizzling cilantro lime crema over each bowl. Add an extra sprinkle of fresh cilantro for brightness. Serve immediately while ingredients are at peak temperature and flavor.

Notes

  • Marinate shrimp in a zesty blend of olive oil, garlic, chili powder, Worcestershire sauce, sriracha, and honey for maximum flavor infusion.
  • Quick-cook shrimp in a hot pan until they turn opaque, creating a caramelized exterior that locks in juicy tenderness.
  • Prep Time: 15 minutes
  • Cook Time: 10 minutes
  • Category: Lunch, Dinner
  • Method: Frying
  • Cuisine: Hawaiian

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 4
  • Calories: 532
  • Sugar: 10 g
  • Sodium: 530 mg
  • Fat: 18 g
  • Saturated Fat: 3 g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 12 g
  • Trans Fat: 0 g
  • Carbohydrates: 67 g
  • Fiber: 4 g
  • Protein: 24 g
  • Cholesterol: 160 mg
Alex Reed

Alex Reed

Founder & Lead Content Writer

Expertise

Recipe Development and Testing​, Culinary Education​, Food Writing and Blogging​, Sustainable Cooking Practices, Global Cuisine Exploration

Education

Johnson & Wales University

  • Degree: Bachelor of Science in Culinary Arts
  • Focus: Comprehensive training in classical and contemporary cooking techniques, kitchen management, and menu development. Emphasized hands-on experience in diverse culinary traditions.​

Le Cordon Bleu Paris

  • Program: Diplôme de Cuisine
  • Focus: Advanced instruction in French culinary techniques, including sauce preparation, pâtisserie, and haute cuisine.​

Alex Reed is an inventive chef and food creator with a passion for dishes that balance taste, health, and sustainability. 

Trained at Portland Community College and holding an Advanced Pastry Arts certificate from Oregon Culinary Institute, Alex brings more than 10 years of practical culinary experience to every recipe he develops. 

His background uniquely blends traditional cooking skills with modern, mindful eating principles. As the founder of Beard and Bonnet, Alex creates recipes that encourage readers to cook confidently.

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