Tacos Gobernador

My husband has tasted almost every recipe that I test, and when he tried this one, he finished his serving before I was even done cooking them, so I knew they were a keeper!

Tacos Gobernador is a unique and satisfying Mexican dish that can best be described as a mix between a taco and a quesadilla with lots of gooey and melted Mexican cheese and a savory shrimp filling.

Here’s why I love this recipe:

• It’s unique! The key to these tacos are the shrimp filling and the type of cheese you use. Using a mild Mexican melting cheese like Chihuahua or Oaxaca that has a very mellow flavor compliments the shrimp. 
• It’s quick and easy. The shrimp and vegetables cook very quickly, so most of your time is spent crisping up the tacos and melting the cheese to perfection. 

What Are Tacos Gobernador?

Tacos Gobernador, also known as Governor’s Tacos, is a popular Mexican dish that originated in the state of Sinaloa. These delicious tacos are typically made with a filling of shrimp, onions, bell peppers, and cheese that are crisped and shallow-fried in a warm corn tortilla.

These unique tacos were created when a governor of Sinaloa requested a special and unique dish from one of his favorite restaurants, and they certainly delivered! He enjoyed them so much that they became a staple recipe and got their name.

These tacos are popular all throughout Mexico, especially along the coast, and even made their way into many parts of the U.S. 

Ingredients

• Unsalted butter: Unsalted butter is used to saute the vegetables and shrimp, giving them a rich and buttery flavor to complement the cheese. You can also use olive oil if you prefer. 
• Poblanos: I used poblano peppers for a more earthy and savory taste, but feel free to use bell pepper, jalapeño peppers, serrano peppers, or Anaheim peppers. 
• Yellow onion: Adds some tanginess and a hint of sweetness to the mixture. 
• Garlic: Minced garlic is always a must and adds great flavor. 
• Shrimp: You can use fresh or frozen shrimp for tacos gobernador. I would recommend using medium or large-size shrimp, so they’re the right size for the filling. 
• Adobo sauce: Another key ingredient for tacos gobernador is a little bit of adobo sauce. It adds an extra layer of smoky and savory flavor but without the spice from the actual chipotle chiles. Feel free to add a couple of chopped chipotles to make it extra spicy. 
• Seasonings: A simple mix of kosher salt, black pepper, and smoked paprika helps build all the flavors together. 
• Corn tortillas: The most traditional way to make these tacos is by using corn tortillas. They crisp up nicely without absorbing too much oil like flour tortillas can.
• Shredded cheese: The key to these tacos is using the right shredded cheese. With a protein like shrimp, you need to use a mellow and very mild flavored cheese like Chihuahua, Oaxaca, or even mozzarella cheese. 
• Oil: I used olive oil to shallow fry the tacos, but you can also use a neutral-tasting oil like canola or avocado oil.

How to Make Tacos Gobernador

Make the shrimp filling. Melt the butter over medium-high heat in a large skillet. Add the poblano peppers and yellow onion and cook until the onions are translucent and the poblanos begin to soften, about 5-7 minutes. Add the garlic and cook for an additional 1-2 minutes until fragrant. 

Add the shrimp, adobo sauce, kosher salt, black pepper, and smoked paprika into the skillet and stir to combine. Cook until the shrimp are pink and firm, about 3-4 minutes. Take off the heat and set aside. 

Assemble the tacos. In a separate large skillet, add enough oil to cover the bottom, about 2 tablespoons, and heat over medium heat. 

Fry the tacos. Place a corn tortilla flat onto the hot oil and add ¼ cup of shredded cheese on top. Once the cheese begins to melt and the bottom of the tortilla begins to crisp, spoon 1- 1 ½ tablespoons of the shrimp filling on top of the melting cheese and fold the tortilla over in half, lightly pressing down with a spatula to help it stay together. 

Flip the tacos until both sides are crisp and the cheese is fully melted, about 1-2 minutes. Depending on the size of your skillet, you can cook 2-3 tacos at a time.

Continue assembling and cooking until all the remaining ingredients are used and you have 10 tacos. 

Serve immediately and garnish with chopped cilantro and guacamole salsa. 

Recipe Tips

• Pick the right cheese. Shrimp and cheese can seem like a weird combination, but it’s delicious when you use the right pairing. The shrimp filling has a strong and savory taste, so it’s important to use a mild-flavored cheese like Chihuahua cheese, Oaxaca cheese, or even mozzarella. 
• Get a good crisp. Let the oil get hot for a few minutes before you start to crisp and fry the tacos to avoid them getting too oily and soggy.
• Swap the protein. While it won’t be authentic, you can easily swap the shrimp for other proteins like chicken or make it vegetarian by using nopales, canned black beans, or tofu. 
• Add more smokiness. Throw in 1-2 chopped chipotle peppers in adobo to the shrimp filling for extra spice and smokiness.
• Roast the poblanos. If you want a slightly sweeter and more charred flavor, you can roast the poblano peppers before sauteing them. 
• Add richness. These tacos are already pretty rich, but for extra flavor, you can fry them up in butter instead of oil. 

Serving Suggestions

Tacos Gobernador are a rich and savory dish on their own, but are also delicious with the following pairings:

• Add a side of cilantro lime rice or avocado salad to add a fresh and bright flavor. 
• Pair it with refreshing drinks like watermelon agua fresca or creamy horchata.
• Make a taco spread for parties or Taco Tuesday and pair it with carne asada tacos or easy chicken tacos. 

Storing and Reheating

Storing: Store any leftover shrimp filling separately in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days for optimal freshness. Do not freeze any leftover seafood. 

Reheating: Warm the shrimp in a small skillet over medium heat and assemble the tacos as directed. 

If you tried this Tacos Gobernador Recipe or any other recipe on my blog please leave a 🌟 star rating and let me know how it went in the 📝 comments below. I love hearing from you!