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What are the ingredients in Moxies blackened shrimp tacos?


Moxie’s Grill & Bar is a popular Canadian restaurant chain known for its wide variety of dishes including burgers, sandwiches, pastas, steaks and tacos. One of their most popular menu items is the blackened shrimp tacos – crispy corn tortillas filled with blackened shrimp, pico de gallo, chipotle aioli, and cabbage. Customers love these tacos for their bold, spicy flavors and the generous portion of juicy shrimp in each taco.

But what exactly are the ingredients that give these tacos their distinctly bold, spicy flavor? Let’s take a closer look at what goes into making Moxie’s famous blackened shrimp tacos, from the protein to the garnishes.

Blackened Shrimp

The star ingredient of these tacos is undoubtedly the blackened shrimp. Shrimp are coated in Cajun spices and blackening seasoning then pan seared to give them that signature charred, slightly crispy exterior while keeping the interior moist.

Shrimp

Moxie’s likely uses a medium sized peeled and deveined shrimp such as 16/20 or 21/25 shrimp. These shrimp are flexible in recipes as they are not too small or large in size. The shrimp provides the main protein and bulk for the tacos.

Cajun Spices

Cajun spice blends are essential for blackened shrimp. Cajun spices generally consist of a blend of ingredients like:

  • Paprika – For color and flavor
  • Cayenne pepper – For heat
  • Onion powder
  • Garlic powder
  • Dried oregano
  • Black pepper
  • White pepper
  • Salt
  • Dried thyme

The combination of spices gives the Cajun seasoning its robust flavor profile. Paprika provides rich color while cayenne brings the heat. Onion and garlic powders provide aromatic flavor. Oregano, black pepper, white pepper and thyme add earthy notes. The salt balances out all the spices. This spice blend coats the shrimp with multilayered seasoning prior to cooking.

Blackening Seasoning

In addition to Cajun seasoning, a blackening seasoning is used to give the shrimp the “blackened” component. Store bought blackening seasoning also contains a similar blend of spices as Cajun seasoning but in slightly different proportions. The key addition is activated charcoal powder. Common ingredients include:

  • Paprika
  • Garlic powder
  • Onion powder
  • Dried oregano
  • Cayenne pepper
  • Black pepper
  • White pepper
  • Salt
  • Activated charcoal powder

The activated charcoal blackens and darkens the exterior of the shrimp as it cooks for that signature blackening effect.

Oil for Cooking

To cook the spiced shrimp, a high heat cooking oil with a high smoke point is used. This allows the exterior to char and blacken without the oil burning. Good options include:

  • Grapeseed oil
  • Avocado oil
  • Refined coconut oil
  • Peanut oil
  • Vegetable oil
  • Canola oil

A non-stick pan is also ideal to cook the shrimp and prevent sticking. The spiced shrimp are cooked for 1-2 minutes per side over high heat until blackened and cooked through.

Taco Assembly

In addition to the shrimp, there are several other components that go into assembling Moxie’s famous blackened shrimp tacos.

Corn Tortillas

The blackened shrimp are served in crisp corn tortillas. Corn tortillas have a sweet, grainy flavor that pairs nicely with the spicy shrimp. They get lightly warmed to soften them before serving.

Cabbage

Thin sliced green cabbage provides crunch and visual appeal. Cabbage contains isothiocyanates that may pair nicely with the spices in the shrimp.

Pico de Gallo

Pico de gallo is a fresh salsa made from chopped tomatoes, onion, cilantro, lime juice, jalapeño and seasonings. It adds a fresh, vibrant component to balance the rich shrimp.

Pico de Gallo Ingredients
Chopped tomatoes
Diced red onion
Chopped cilantro
Lime juice
Minced jalapeño
Salt
Pepper

Chipotle Aioli

Chipotle aioli is a creamy, spicy sauce made from mayonnaise, chipotle peppers, lime juice, garlic and cilantro. It adds spice, smoky flavor and helps cool the heat of the shrimp.

Chipotle Aioli Ingredients
Mayonnaise
Chipotle peppers in adobo sauce
Lime juice
Garlic
Cilantro
Salt
Pepper

The mayonnaise-based sauce balances out the spices in the shrimp and other taco components.

Nutrition Information

Moxie’s blackened shrimp tacos are a flavorful treat but they do come with a higher calorie count. Here is the nutrition breakdown for 1 taco:

Nutrition Facts Per Serving
Calories 230
Fat 8 g
Saturated Fat 1.5 g
Trans Fat 0 g
Cholesterol 170 mg
Sodium 780 mg
Carbohydrates 20 g
Fiber 3 g
Sugar 3 g
Protein 17 g

The majority of calories come from the shrimp and the tortilla. The fat primarily comes from the mayonnaise-based chipotle aioli. Sodium is on the higher side from the Cajun seasoning on the shrimp along with the chipotle peppers and adobo sauce in the aioli.

While not the healthiest option, the tacos provide a good serving of protein from the shrimp. The pico de gallo also incorporates vegetables like tomatoes and onions into the tacos. Overall, the bold flavors and satisfying crunch make them an indulgent treat.

How to Order

Moxie’s blackened shrimp tacos are featured on their regular menu. The tacos are sold individually with the option to order 2 or 3 per serving. They can be ordered in-restaurant or online for takeout through the Moxie’s website or various food delivery apps.

When ordering, keep in mind:

  • The tacos are made to order so feel free to customize to your spice preferences. You can request mild, medium or extra spicy.
  • Notify the server of any food allergies.
  • You can substitute the corn tortillas for flour tortillas or lettuce wraps.
  • Add extra sides like rice, beans or fries to make it a heartier meal.

Pro Tip: Order the tacos with a cold margarita or beer to help offset the heat!

Copycat Recipe

Can’t make it to a Moxie’s location but craving their famous blackened shrimp tacos? Here is a copycat recipe to recreate the dish at home:

Ingredients:

For the shrimp:

  • 1 lb medium shrimp, peeled and deveined
  • 2 tbsp Cajun seasoning
  • 2 tbsp blackening seasoning
  • 1 tbsp olive oil

For the tacos:

  • 6 small corn tortillas
  • 1 cup shredded green cabbage
  • 1 cup pico de gallo
  • 1/4 cup chipotle aioli
  • Lime wedges for serving

Instructions:

  1. Rinse shrimp and pat dry. Season with Cajun seasoning and blackening seasoning. Toss to coat evenly.
  2. In a large skillet, heat oil over high heat. When very hot, add shrimp in a single layer and cook 1-2 minutes per side until blackened and cooked through. Remove from pan.
  3. Warm tortillas in microwave or on skillet until pliable.
  4. Assemble tacos by topping tortillas with cabbage, shrimp, pico de gallo and chipotle aioli. Squeeze lime juice over top.
  5. Serve immediately while shrimp is hot.

Make it your own with different taco toppings like avocado, cotija cheese, cilantro or jalapenos. Enjoy this homemade version of a classic Moxie’s dish!

Conclusion

Moxie’s famous blackened shrimp tacos are a standout menu item thanks to their irresistible Cajun-inspired flavors. A coating of zesty Cajun seasoning and smoky blackening seasoning gives the shrimp a spicy, charred exterior. When paired with fresh garnishes like pico de gallo, cabbage and a creamy chipotle aioli in warm corn tortillas, you get an exciting flavor and texture combination in each bite. While not the healthiest choice, the tacos make for an indulgent and satisfying handheld meal. Follow the tips above to customize your order to your preferences or try making a batch at home. However you enjoy them, Moxie’s blackened shrimp tacos deliver big, bold flavors in a crispy yet tender package.