Creamy Shrimp Enchiladas

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These Creamy Shrimp Enchiladas are crafted with a homemade spice blend and drizzled in a cheesy salsa verde sauce. Every bite delivers the perfect balance of rich creaminess and delectable shrimp. Top these with pico de gallo, salsa, or any of your favorite toppings.

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What Type of Tortillas to Use

• Corn Tortillas: Corn tortillas are a traditional choice for enchiladas and can provide a delicious and authentic flavor. They have a slightly earthy taste and a slightly firmer texture compared to flour tortillas. You can use either white or yellow corn tortillas based on your preference.
• Flour Tortillas: Flour tortillas have a softer texture and milder flavor compared to corn tortillas. They are more pliable and less likely to break when rolling the enchiladas. Flour tortillas can work well if you prefer a softer, more tender texture for your enchiladas.
• Whole Wheat Tortillas: If you’re looking for a healthier option, you can choose whole wheat tortillas. They have a nuttier flavor and a slightly denser texture compared to regular flour tortillas.

What Type of Shrimp to Use

I buy large or jumbo shrimp and dice the shrimp into large chunks. You can also buy medium or small sized shrimp that don’t require chopping and use those if preferred.

When shopping for shrimp refer to our Shrimp Size Guide and Counts Per Pound.

• Large or Jumbo Shrimp: The work great if you don’t plan to dice the shrimp into smaller pieces, or if you do plan to dice them and want large chunks of shrimp. These shrimp have a meaty texture and provide a satisfying bite in the enchiladas.
• Tail-On or Tail-Off: You can decide whether to use shrimp with the tails left on or removed. Leaving the tails on can add visual appeal, but it’s more convenient to eat shrimp enchiladas when the tails are removed.
• Peeled and Deveined: I recommend grabbing shrimp that has already been deveined so that you can save time skipping this step. Deveining in the process to remove the digestive tract or “vein” that runs along the back of the shrimp.
• Wild-caught or Farm-raised: I prefer wild-caught. Farm-raised shrimp are raised in captivity on a shrimp farm. These farms can be located in ponds or in tanks on land. The shrimp are typically fed a diet of fishmeal, soy, and other ingredients, and are sometimes given antibiotics or other chemicals to prevent disease. Those chemicals are then passed into the food you eat.

Be sure to check out our guides on Shrimp Size Guide and Counts Per Pound and How to Tell if Shrimp is Bad.

Spices and Seasoning

I love to use my Homemade Taco Seasoning recipe because you have direct control of the spices you add, along with the amount of salt. A lot of the pre-packaged store-bought seasoning packs have a lot of sodium. Feel free to use your favorite store-bought package if you wish.

The homemade blend is made with:

• Smoked Paprika: Adds a touch of sweetness and color
• Chili powder: Rich, smoky flavor
• Cumin: Warm, earthy flavor
• Garlic powder: Savory flavor
• Onion powder: Sweet and slightly tangy flavor
• Salt and Pepper: Enhances the overall flavor of the seasoning

What Type of Cheese to Use

• Monterey Jack: A versatile and mild-flavored cheese that melts well. It has a creamy texture and a slightly tangy taste, making it a popular choice for enchiladas.
• Pepper Jack: If you enjoy a bit of heat, you can use Pepper Jack cheese. It is similar to Monterey Jack but infused with spicy peppers, such as jalapeños or serranos, which add a kick of heat.
• Cheddar: Has a sharper and more pronounced flavor compared to Monterey Jack. It melts nicely and can add a rich and robust taste.

Buy Blocks of Cheese and Grate Instead of Bags of Pre-Shredded Cheese

I always buy blocks of cheese and grate them myself. I do not recommend using pre-shredded, bagged cheese. I use the shred blade on my food processor to save time with this process, you can also use a standard cheese grater. Here’s why I don’t use pre-shredded:

• Superior melting: Pre-shredded cheese is coated with anti-caking agents, such as potato starch or cellulose, to prevent clumping and make it last longer in the store. These coatings interfere with the cheese’s ability to melt smoothly and affect the texture of your dishes. When you grate your cheese fresh, it doesn’t have these additives and preservatives, resulting in a more velvety and evenly melted cheese.
• Better flavor: Pre-shredded cheese is exposed to more surface area, which can cause it to dry out faster and lose some of its flavor. By grating your cheese just before using it, you retain the natural moisture and full flavor of the cheese.

How to Make Shrimp Enchiladas

Full detailed instructions are below in the recipe card.

1. In a large skillet, heat olive oil over medium heat.
2. Add shrimp and diced tomatoes with green chilies to the skillet and season with the spices.
3. Take a tortilla and place a spoonful of the shrimp filling in the center.
4. Roll it up and place it into a 9×13 baking dish. Repeat this process with the remaining tortillas and shrimp filling.
5. Heat the skillet on medium heat. Add butter and allow it to melt.
6. Once melted, add flour and whisk.
7. Add in sour cream (or plain Greek yogurt), salsa verde, diced green chilies, and 1 cup of grated cheese. Stir until thick to create a cream sauce.
8. Pour the cream sauce over the enchiladas. Sprinkle the remaining grated cheese over the top.
9. Cover and bake.

Why You Use Foil

Covering enchiladas with foil is a common practice during baking to help retain moisture and prevent the cheese or sauce from drying out. I do a mixture of baking them covered and then uncovered.

• Melting and Browning: If you want the cheese on top of the enchiladas to melt and brown nicely, you may want to bake them without foil. This allows the cheese to develop a golden crust.
• Moisture Retention: If you prefer your enchiladas to have a softer texture and want to retain more moisture, covering them with foil can help create a steamy environment, preventing excessive drying during baking.

I cover them for most of the baking time so they aren’t dry. During the final stage of the baking process, I remove the foil so that the enchiladas are bubbly and the cheese is gooey.

Substitutions and Additional Toppings Ideas

• Crab meat
• Chicken
• Bell Peppers
• Zucchini
• Corn
• Guacamole
• Jalapeños
• Fresh Tomatoes
• Olives
• Green Onions
• Hot sauce or Salsa

How to Store/Can You Make it Ahead

Refrigerate leftovers tightly covered and sealed for 3-4 days. You can assemble the enchiladas ahead of time without the cream sauce and cheese and store it in the fridge.

For the best texture, make the cream sauce and grate the cheese when you are ready to bake the dish.

How to Reheat

You can reheat the dish in the air fryer or oven at 350 degrees until warm. You can also use the microwave if you wish. My favorite methods are the air fryer and oven.

Freezer Tips

You can freeze them tightly covered and sealed for up to 3 months. Defrost in the fridge overnight. Reheat following the tips above. I have not tested this recipe by freezing it unbaked. If you try that, let me know!

Pair With These Recipes

Chiptole Cilantro Lime Rice
Pineapple Mango Salsa
Chipotle Pollo Asado
Instant Pot Black Beans
Smoked Salsa
Air Fryer Tortilla Chips
Homemade Queso Cheese
Steak and Shrimp Surf and Turf
Oven Baked Roasted Corn on the Cob

More Seafood Recipes

Shrimp Taco Salad
Spicy Shrimp Tacos
Cod Fish Tacos
Lobster Tacos
Creamy Shrimp and Corn Chowder with Potatoes
How to Make Shrimp Cocktail

Check out our posts, Side Dishes with Shrimp Tacos  and Side Dishes for Shrimp for ideas for pairing.

Pair this with Slow Cooker Crockpot Spanish Rice.