How to Make Delicious Shrimp Enchiladas at Home

Shrimp enchiladas are a delicious and easy weeknight dinner recipe that the whole family will love. This Tex-Mex favorite is packed with flavorful shrimp and vegetables, wrapped in tortillas, smothered in a creamy sauce, and baked to perfection. Making shrimp enchiladas at home is simple and satisfying. In this article, I’ll provide a step-by-step guide on how to make the best shrimp enchiladas right in your own kitchen.

An Overview of Shrimp Enchiladas

Shrimp enchiladas are a type of stuffed enchilada that feature shrimp as the star ingredient The shrimp filling provides plenty of protein while the tortillas and sauce add carbohydrates, fiber, and calcium Common ingredients in shrimp enchiladas include

• Shrimp – Raw peeled deveined shrimp that is chopped into small pieces works best. Precooked shrimp tends to become rubbery.

• Onion and bell peppers – Finely diced to distribute flavor in each bite.

• Garlic – Minced garlic adds a ton of flavor.

• Tortillas – Flour or corn tortillas rolled around the filling.

• Enchilada sauce – A creamy sauce binds everything together. Options include sour cream sauce, chile sauce, etc.

• Cheese – Usually a Mexican cheese like monterey jack or a blend.

• Garnishes – Cilantro, lime, avocado, etc.

The method involves sautéing the shrimp and vegetables, constructing the enchiladas by filling tortillas, covering with sauce, sprinkling cheese on top, and baking until hot and melty. The result is a hearty, comforting, and crowd-pleasing meal.

Step-by-Step Instructions

Follow these simple steps to make perfect shrimp enchiladas at home:

Prep the Ingredients

• Chop 1 lb raw, peeled, deveined shrimp into small pieces.
• Finely dice 1/2 onion and 1 bell pepper.
• Mince 2-3 garlic cloves.
• Prepare 8-12 corn or flour tortillas.
• Grate 2 cups Mexican cheese blend.

Make the Shrimp Filling

• In a skillet over medium heat, melt 2-3 Tbsp butter.
• Add the onion and bell pepper. Cook 3-5 minutes until soft.
• Add garlic and cook 30 seconds more.
• Add chopped shrimp and cook 2-3 minutes until pink.
• Remove from heat. Stir in cilantro, chili powder, cumin, and salt.

Make the Creamy Sauce

• In a saucepan, melt 2 Tbsp butter over medium heat.
• Whisk in 2 Tbsp flour and cook 1 minute.
• Slowly whisk in 1 1/2 cups broth until smooth.
• Bring to a simmer and cook 5 minutes until thickened.
• Remove from heat and stir in 3/4 cup sour cream, garlic, chilies, and salt.

Assemble the Enchiladas

• Pour 1 cup sauce over shrimp mixture and stir to coat.
• Place about 1/3 cup filling into each tortilla and roll up.
• Arrange seam side down in a 9×13 baking dish.
• Pour remaining sauce over enchiladas and top with grated cheese.

Bake and Serve

• Bake at 350°F for 20-30 minutes until hot and bubbly.
• Let rest 5 minutes before serving.
• Garnish with cilantro, jalapeño slices, lime wedges, etc. Enjoy!

Tips for Making the Best Shrimp Enchiladas

• Use fresh, high-quality ingredients for maximum flavor.

• Chop the shrimp, onion, and bell pepper finely for even distribution.

• Make sure the tortillas are pliable or warm them before filling.

• Don’t overcook the shrimp; it will finish cooking when baked.

• Pour sauce over the tortillas so they don’t dry out while baking.

• Add toppings like avocado, Greek yogurt, queso fresco for extra flavor.

• Adjust the amount of chilies in the sauce to your desired spice level.

• Serve with Mexican rice, beans, chips and salsa for a complete meal.

Common Questions

Can I prepare the dish ahead of time?

Yes, you can assemble the enchiladas up until adding the sauce and refrigerate. Add the sauce right before baking.

What’s the best way to reheat leftovers?

Reheat the enchiladas in the oven until warmed through to maintain the best texture.

Can I freeze the assembled enchiladas?

Yes, freeze them uncooked without sauce. Thaw overnight and add sauce before baking.

Can I use already cooked shrimp?

It’s best to use raw shrimp to prevent rubbery, overdone shrimp.

Do I need to cook the tortillas first?

You can fill and roll raw tortillas, but warming them first helps prevent tearing.

Variations to Try

There are many ways to tweak shrimp enchiladas to suit your tastes:

• Use different proteins like chicken, ground beef or turkey, beans, etc.

• Swap out the sour cream sauce for red enchilada sauce or mole sauce.

• Add extras like corn, zucchini, sweet potatoes, black beans to the filling.

• Top with enchilada sauce, chili, queso, mole, ranchero sauce, etc.

• Mix cheese blends: Oaxaca, cotija, pepper jack, cheddar, etc.

• Serve with your favorite toppings like guacamole, pico de gallo, yogurt, etc.

• Bake in a casserole dish or individual ramekins for single-serve portions.

Shrimp Enchiladas are Worth the Hype

Shrimp enchiladas are definitely worth the bit of effort required to make them at home. The delicious combination of tender shrimp, savory vegetables, cheesy tortillas, and creamy sauce make this classic Mexican dish an absolute crowd-pleaser. Whip up a batch on your next taco night or as the main event for a weekend meal. With this easy recipe and helpful tips, you’ll be able to master shrimp enchiladas in no time. ¡Buen provecho!