Shrimp Tostadas

Shrimp Tostadas with blackened shrimp, creamy black beans, crunchy cabbage, sweet corn, and avocado are a healthy and light Mexican meal you will love. Mexican food lovers will also want to try these Chicken Tostadas and Salmon Tostadas.

When it comes to warm weather entertaining, tostadas are my go-to recipe and always impress. They feel a bit more special than tacos but with the same "build your own" options that make them great for parties and easy dinners. Just set everything out and let everyone add whatever toppings they like. Since almost everything can be prepped in advance and shrimp only takes a couple of minutes to cook, it's easy and fast.

The other thing I love about shrimp tostadas is that they are super light and refreshing. Between the crunchy tortillas and all the veggies, it feels almost like a fun twist on a salad. And the beans make it a bit more filling.

One more thing to totally sell you on shrimp tostadas - they are totally customizable. You can season the shrimp any way you like, grab your favorite beans, get creative with toppings, and build an awesome meal in less than twenty minutes. 

What to put on Shrimp Tostadas?

When it comes to tostadas, you can pretty much build them any way you wish. Grab any combination of toppings you like, think about the same things you would put on a taco, and get creative. With that said, every good tostada includes:

• Beans: Traditionally tostadas come with a layer of refried beans. You can choose to use black beans or pinto beans and although they are usually refried, so they don't fall off the tortilla, whole beans will work too. If you don't like beans, consider adding a layer of guacamole, sour cream, or even hummus to help the toppings stick to the tortilla.
• Lettuce or slaw: Next you want something green and crunchy. Traditionally chopped lettuce is used, but I love adding the crunch of a cabbage slaw instead.
• Veggies: Now reach for some veggies. Make traditional tostadas with things like tomatoes, cilantro, onion, and avocado or get creative and add bell peppers, zucchini, or any other cooked or raw veggies.
• Salsa: Salsa is a key part of any tostada to add some heat and flavor.  Almost any salsa will work from a fresh pico de gallo to a mild green tomatillo salsa or a spicy red chipotle salsa. They are also delicious with this cilantro lime shrimp taco sauce.
• Cheese: Whether or not to include cheese with seafood is a neverending debate. If you like, top your shrimp tostadas with some queso fresco or shredded cheese.
• Get creative: Tostadas are a blank canvas and there are so many ways to get creative. Add mango salsa for a sweet element, try some fresh diced pineapple, go in an Asian route with your favorite sesame dressing, or take things in a Greek route with tomatoes, cucumbers, lemon, and feta.

How to cook shrimp for tostadas?

Shrimp is a quick cooking protein, meaning there are lots of options when it comes to cooking them. Choose a method that works for you based on the season and other dishes. In the summer, I almost always grill shrimp but when I am in a rush I usually use a skillet since it's quick and easy.  Also, remember the exact cooking time for each method varies based on the size of the shrimp.

• Skillet: Once your shrimp is seasoned, add a touch of oil to a hot skillet and cook shrimp for 2-3 minutes per side until pink and opaque. Remove immediately so they do not overcook. 
• Grill: The easiest way to grill shrimp for a tostada is on a skewer so the shrimp doesn't fall through the grates. Start by tossing the shrimp in a touch of oil and the spice blend. Then cook for 2-3 minutes per side, Flip when the shrimp have some grill marks and are beginning to curl and turn pink.
• Broiled: Another often overlooked way to cook shrimp is in the broiler. Toss the shrimp with oil and spices and lay flat on a baking sheet. Cook for 2-3 minutes and shake the pan or flip the shrimp. Cook for another 1-2 minutes until cooked through.

How to bake tostada shells?

The healthiest and easiest option for tostadas is to bake your own tostada shells in the oven. Store bought versions are usually deep fried. Here's how to make your own tostadas.

1. Preheat the oven to 400 degrees.
2. Spray the tortillas lightly with cooking spray on both sides. Sprinkle with salt.
3. Place on a prepared baking sheet or directly on the oven grates.
4. Cook for 5 minutes and flip. 
5. Cook for an additional 5-8 minutes until the tortilla is crispy.

How to meal prep shrimp tostadas?

Tostadas can be meal prepped in advance to some extent, but they will be best if the shrimp and tostadas are cooked fresh. Reheated shrimp tends to get rubbery and the tostadas will harden and dry out the longer they sit. With that said, you can definitely prep all the toppings and beans ahead of time, which is the most time consuming part of this recipe.

One other option for meal prepping tostadas is to serve the shrimp cold. With this option, you can pack up the shrimp, toppings, and beans separately. Then when ready to eat, just heat up the beans and bake the tostadas.

If you worry that you may get bored with tostadas, turn them into heathy shrimp tacos or quick shrimp rice bowls as well to vary your meals more.