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    Home » Recipes » Mexican

    Tacos Gobernador

    Published: May 2, 2021 · Updated: Nov 9, 2022 by Maggie Unzueta

    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.
    Jump to Recipe

    Tacos Gobernador stacked on a decorative blue talavera plate.

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

    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.

    Table of Contents

    • 1 More Mexican Shrimp Recipes:
    • 2 Pro Tip:
    • 3 Tacos Gobernador
      • 3.1 Ingredients
      • 3.2 Instructions
      • 3.3 Notes
      • 3.4 Nutrition
          • 3.4.0.1 Maggie Unzueta

    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 49 votes
    Print Pin Rate
    Course: Dinner
    Cuisine: Mexican
    Prep Time: 10 minutes minutes
    Cook Time: 25 minutes minutes
    Total Time: 35 minutes minutes
    Servings: 8 tacos
    Calories: 253kcal
    Author: Maggie Unzueta

    Ingredients

    • 1 lb medium shrimp shells removed, deveined, rough chopped
    • 1 tablespoon butter
    • 1 tablespoon olive oil
    • ½ onion diced
    • 1 garlic clove finely minced
    • 1 teaspoon 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 tablespoon cheese and 2 tablespoon 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!
    Maggie Unzueta
    Website | + posts

    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.

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    Reader Interactions

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      Recipe Rating




    1. 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
    2. Christopher Vogelmann

      October 09, 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
    3. Sangita

      May 05, 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. Angela

      May 04, 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
    5. Natalie

      May 04, 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.

    6. Emily Flint

      May 03, 2021 at 6:44 pm

      5 stars
      I love your description “cheese smooshing out of the sides” 😂I can taste it already, one of my favorite things ever!!!

      Reply
      • Maggie Unzueta

        May 25, 2021 at 12:07 pm

        lol. When I wrote that, I thought someone would get it. Thank you for getting it!

        Reply
    7. Chef Dennis

      May 03, 2021 at 2:27 pm

      5 stars
      I am so loving the crispy part and the delicious flavors of this!

      Reply
      • Maggie Unzueta

        May 25, 2021 at 12:07 pm

        Yes, the crispy parts are the best!

        Reply
    8. Julia

      May 03, 2021 at 1:40 pm

      5 stars
      So delicious, I’m making this for dinner again tonight!

      Reply
      • Maggie Unzueta

        May 25, 2021 at 12:07 pm

        Oooh! Can I come over for dinner? lol. kidding, of course. Enjoy!

        Reply
    9. Angela

      May 03, 2021 at 10:34 am

      5 stars
      Love this recipe. I feel like it is a mixture between a taco and a quesadilla. My family loved it!

      Reply
      • Maggie Unzueta

        May 03, 2021 at 10:49 am

        Yes. Exactly. My family loves these tacos. So will yours.

        Reply
    10. Sabrina

      May 03, 2021 at 8:52 am

      5 stars
      So so delicious! Love these unique regional flavours. Thanks

      Reply
      • Maggie Unzueta

        May 03, 2021 at 10:50 am

        Yes. Very unique to Sinaloa, but it’s a favorite all throughout Mexico.

        Reply
    11. Audrey

      May 03, 2021 at 8:38 am

      5 stars
      My family loved these tacos!

      Reply
      • Maggie Unzueta

        May 03, 2021 at 10:50 am

        Yours and mine. 🙂

        Reply
    12. Jessica Formicola

      May 03, 2021 at 7:59 am

      5 stars
      I am trying to decide what to make for cinco de mayo, and these tacos gobernador are it! They look so delicious and I can’t wait to try them!

      Reply
      • Maggie Unzueta

        May 03, 2021 at 10:50 am

        Yes, these tacos are perfect for Cinco de Mayo!

        Reply
    13. Agness of Run Agness Run

      June 04, 2017 at 7:56 am

      Delightful lunch idea, Maggie! I looove tacos!

      Reply
      • Maggie Unzueta

        June 06, 2017 at 12:05 pm

        Tacos for life. 🙂

        Reply
    14. Mira

      May 27, 2017 at 12:02 pm

      So simple but so delicious looking…I mean shrimp and cheese, how can you go wrong!

      Reply
      • Maggie Unzueta

        May 30, 2017 at 3:08 pm

        Exactly! You’ll love them.

        Reply
    15. Lauren

      May 27, 2017 at 11:41 am

      Omg so yum! Need to make these asap!

      Lauren

      Reply
      • Maggie Unzueta

        May 30, 2017 at 3:08 pm

        Yes! So yummy!

        Reply
    16. Cassie

      May 26, 2017 at 4:13 pm

      These look delicious and I absolutely loved that table setting too – oh so sweet. Will have to try these tacos soon!

      Reply
      • Maggie Unzueta

        May 30, 2017 at 3:08 pm

        It was a wonderful night. Hope you try the tacos. They are delicious!

        Reply
    17. Kuleigh

      May 26, 2017 at 3:58 pm

      I would have never thought to use the salsa as a marinade! These look delicious! We have shrimp tacos almost weekly so I’ll have to add this recipe to the rotation.

      Reply
      • Maggie Unzueta

        May 30, 2017 at 3:08 pm

        Yes! It’s a very versatile salsa.

        Reply
    18. Lynn Woods

      May 26, 2017 at 11:39 am

      The table setting is beautiful. I love shrimp tacos. Will definitely have to try these! Yum!

      Reply
      • Maggie Unzueta

        May 30, 2017 at 3:07 pm

        Oh yeah, that table setting was awesome. Hope you try the tacos. They’re delicious! (humbly speaking, of course)

        Reply
    19. Christine Anne

      May 26, 2017 at 9:26 am

      These look amazing Maggie! I can’t wait to try them! 🙂

      Reply
      • Maggie Unzueta

        May 30, 2017 at 3:06 pm

        Hope you do. It was nice meeting you. 🙂

        Reply
    20. Monica

      May 26, 2017 at 8:42 am

      Sounds like a fun time and food looks delish!!!

      Reply
      • Maggie Unzueta

        May 30, 2017 at 3:06 pm

        Thank you. It was a great time, and the food was delicious!

        Reply

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