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Home » Recipes » Mexican » Tacos Gobernador

Tacos Gobernador

Last Updated June 6, 2022. Originally Posted May 2, 2021 By Maggie Unzueta

This post may include affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

Tacos Gobernador consist of shrimp tacos with cheese smushing out of the tortillas until crispy. The end result is something foodie dreams are made of.
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Tacos Gobernador stacked on a decorative blue talavera plate.

Tacos Gobernador hail from the good State of Sinaloa and are SO SO GOOD!

There are two stories as to their origin.

First Story


The Governor of Sinaloa, Francisco Labastida, was visiting a restaurant. The chef and restaurant owner remembered hearing that the governor really liked his wife’s shrimp tacos.

So, they served him their version of shrimp tacos.

Second Story


The governor was visiting a restaurant, and they didn’t know what to serve him.

The chef got creative and quickly invented these now famous shrimp tacos.

How to make them


A hand holding a chopped up raw shrimp.

  • Remove the shells.
  • Devein the shrimp.
  • Chop up the shrimp.

Rough chopping is ok here.

You want big chunks of shrimp to bite into.

More Mexican Shrimp Recipes:

Coctel de Camaron
Camarones a la Diabla
Camarones en Crema Chipotle
Caldo de Camaron

How to make the Filling


A collage showing how to make the shrimp filling.

  • Heat oil and butter in a large skillet.
  • Add the onion and cook for 1 minute.
  • Add the shrimp, garlic, salt, and roasted poblano peppers.

Here’s an instructional video on how to roast a poblano pepper.

Some people will use serrano peppers for a spicier taco. That’s totally up to you.

For me, the combination of poblano and cheese tastes amazing like in Rajas con Crema.

Pro Tip:

Next time you are roasting poblano peppers, roast an extra pepper and stick it in the FREEZER. Defrost for dishes like this. It will make cooking this recipe faster. 

A skillet cooking the shrimp filling.

  • Cook until the shrimp is pink.
  • About 5 minutes.

Another Pro Tip:

Make the filling ahead of time. That way, you won’t spend all day in front of the stove.

The filling will last in the fridge for up to 3 days.

Since the shrimp gets chopped up, size does not matter. Save your money and buy medium shrimp since they are CHEAPER.

A collage showing how to make the Tacos Gobernador.

  • On a hot griddle, add the tortilla.
  • Let it warm for 1 minute, then flip it.
  • Add the cheese and shrimp filling.
  • Cook for 1 minute and fold over one half of the tortilla.

Have everything you need ready. This will go fast.

Some people like to add oil to the griddle to get a better crisp. That’s totally up to you. 

How To Keep the Tacos Warm:
Place in a baking dish covered with aluminum foil.
Once all the tacos are cooked, keep in a warm oven until ready to serve.

A spatula pressing down on a taco with the cheese oozing out.

  • Using your spatula, PRESS DOWN on the tortilla.
  • The cheese will ooze out.
  • Once the cheese has crisped up, flip and press again.

Warning: The griddle is going to get messy.

That’s OK. As you cook, the tortillas will pick up some of the char from the previous tacos.

Tacos Gobernado stacked on a decorative blue talavera plate.

The crispy cheese edge is referred to in Spanish as “Chicharron de Queso.”

Roughly translated, it means “Cheese Crackling.”

Mmm… you’re going to love biting into it!

A hand holding a Taco Gobernador over a decorative Talavera plate.

What to Serve with It


Frijoles de la Olla
Arroz Blanco
Pickled Jalapenos
Ensalada de Nopalitos

Tacos Gobernador are to die for. With big chunks of shrimp and crispy edges, for Taco Tuesday or any day that ends with Y. Simply add your favorite salsa and enjoy!

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Did you make this recipe? Please rate the recipe below!

Tacos Gobernador

Tacos Gobernador consist of shrimp tacos with cheese smushing out of the tortillas until crispy. The end result is something foodie dreams are made of.
5 from 13 votes
Print Pin Rate
Course: Dinner
Cuisine: Mexican
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 25 minutes
Total Time: 35 minutes
Servings: 8 tacos
Calories: 253kcal
Author: Maggie Unzueta

Ingredients

  • 1 lb medium shrimp shells removed, deveined, rough chopped
  • 1 tbsp butter
  • 1 tbsp olive oil
  • 1/2 onion diced
  • 1 garlic clove finely minced
  • 1 tsp salt
  • 1 roasted poblano pepper skin and seeds removed, rough chopped
  • 8 corn tortillas
  • 2 cups Monterey Jack cheese shredded

Instructions

  • Remove the shells and devein the shrimp.
  • Chop into pieces.
  • Leaving them as big chunks is fine too.
  • Rinse.
  • In a large skillet, heat up the oil and butter.
  • Add the onion and cook for 1 minute, until translucent.
  • Add the shrimp, garlic, salt, roasted poblano pepper.
  • Cook until shrimp are pink. About 5 minutes.
  • Stir occasionally.
  • Set aside. Let cool slightly.
  • Heat griddle.
  • Place two tortillas on the griddle.
  • Cook for 1 minute, then flip.
  • Add about 2 tbsp cheese and 2 tbsp of the shrimp filling to one side of the tortilla.
  • Fold over the other side to create the taco.
  • Press down on the tortilla, using your spatula.
  • The cheese will ooze out.
  • Once the cheese is crispy, flip the taco.
  • Press down again.
  • Once the cheese on that side is crispy, remove from the griddle.
  • Place in a baking dish.
  • Cover with aluminum foil
  • Continue until there are no more tortillas and filling.

Notes

The shrimp gets chopped up. So, size does not matter. Save your money and buy medium shrimp. It's cheaper. 
Next time you are roasting poblano peppers, roast an extra pepper and stick it in the FREEZER. Defrost for dishes like this. It will make cooking this recipe faster. 
Some people like to add oil to the griddle to get a better crisp. That's totally up to you. 
For a spicier filling, use serrano peppers instead. 

Nutrition

Calories: 253kcal | Carbohydrates: 13g | Protein: 20g | Fat: 13g | Saturated Fat: 7g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 172mg | Sodium: 908mg | Potassium: 155mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 1g | Vitamin A: 317IU | Vitamin C: 15mg | Calcium: 318mg | Iron: 2mg
Tried this recipe?Mention @MamaMaggiesKitchen or tag #MamaMaggiesKitchen!

Filed Under: Mexican, Popular Recipes, Recipes, Seafood

About Maggie Unzueta

Maggie Unzueta is the writer/blogger, photographer, recipe developer, videographer, and creator of In Mama Maggie's Kitchen. She has been developing easy and authentic Mexican food, Mexican-inspired recipes, and traveling tips since 2010. From family recipes to her extensive travels throughout Mexico, she brings traditional Mexican flavors from South of the Border and into your kitchen. Maggie has been featured in notable culinary websites and other media outlets. For more details, check out her About page.

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Natalie

    May 4, 2021 at 7:07 am

    5 stars
    Sounds delicious. Perfect light and easy lunch. I will definitely make this.

    Reply
    • Maggie Unzueta

      May 25, 2021 at 12:06 pm

      Yes! These tacos make the best lunch.

      Reply
      • Margaret

        May 17, 2022 at 4:07 pm

        5 stars
        I can hardly wait to make these shrimp tacos. They look so delicious and look very simple to make 😋

      • Maggie Unzueta

        May 21, 2022 at 12:31 pm

        You’re going to LOVE them! They’re sooo good. Hope you enjoy.

  2. Angela

    May 4, 2021 at 11:59 pm

    5 stars
    Tacos are my favorite dish! Amazing recipe

    Reply
    • Maggie Unzueta

      May 25, 2021 at 12:05 pm

      My favorite too. Thank you!!

      Reply
  3. Sangita

    May 5, 2021 at 9:47 am

    5 stars
    My boys will definitely try it out. Delicious recipe.

    Reply
    • Maggie Unzueta

      May 25, 2021 at 12:05 pm

      My hubby and my son LOVE these tacos. Hope you make it for them!

      Reply
  4. Christopher Vogelmann

    October 9, 2021 at 5:34 pm

    5 stars
    This is one of my absolute favorites! I can’t wait to have MORE!

    Reply
    • Maggie Unzueta

      October 11, 2021 at 10:15 am

      This is pretty tasty, if I say so myself. Glad you enjoy it!

      Reply
  5. Stephanie

    May 16, 2022 at 9:15 am

    Can you make this with chicken? One of kiddos didn’t like shrimp.
    Thanks!!

    Reply
    • Maggie Unzueta

      May 16, 2022 at 2:04 pm

      Yes, of course. Traditionally, tacos gobernador are made with shrimp, but I’m sure you can substitute with chicken if your kiddos doesn’t like them.

      Reply
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