Grilled Tequila Lime Shrimp
These Grilled Tequila Lime Shrimp are loaded with flavor…and they are ready in less than an hour. Grab some shrimp and fire up the grill for dinner tonight!
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It turns out that tequila has other uses besides cocktails. It makes for a great shrimp marinade. Say what!? Tequila in a marinade? Yup, tequila in a marinade…and it adds a delicious flavor to grilled shrimp. The shrimp are grilled on skewers to create an amazing summer meal or appetizer. Plus, it’s a simple recipe that doesn’t take long to prepare. Let’s fire up the grill!
Before we actually turn the grill on, the magic happens with the marinade. Tequila, lime juice and olive oil combine to create a simple marinade that will lead to amazing flavor on the grill. I added a bit of minced garlic, coriander and a chopped jalapeno to bring a tiny bit of heat to this recipe. (Don’t worry – these Grilled Tequila Lime Shrimp are not overly spicy at all!)
Grilled Tequila Lime Shrimp
For this marinade, we’re essentially making a margarita minus the triple sec and agave. If you want to add a bit of sweetness to this recipe, feel free to add a splash of either triple sec and/or agave to this marinade. I opted to keep it more on the savory side, and it turned out quite well. Grilled shrimp are delicious in their own right, but the bright, limy (is that a word!?) flavors of these Grilled Tequila Lime Shrimp just scream summer grilling!
And since you’ve got the tequila, limes and jalapenos out, I suggest making a couple of these Jalapeno Margaritas to sip on while the shrimp marinate. I would say sip on those margaritas while the shrimp grill, but they’re ready in about 4 minutes. Yup, this is a quick and easy summer recipe that’s perfect for entertaining!
What type of tequila should you use for cooking?
There is an old saying that you shouldn’t cook with a wine that you wouldn’t drink. I’ve used that same advice when cooking and baking with bourbon, and it’s also true here. Don’t use bottom-shelf tequila…either for drinking or marinating!
For these Grilled Tequila Lime Shrimp, I used a mid-level blanco (i.e. silver) tequila. Blanco tequila is unaged, and it’s known for its clear color and pure flavor. Alternatively, reposado and añejo tequilas are aged in oak barrels, which gives the tequila a darker color as well as a more complex flavor. Any type of tequila will work for this recipe, although blanco tends to be a bit cheaper due to the lack of aging.
Shrimp Marinade Ingredients
- Shrimp. Unless you live on the coast, I recommend using extra large frozen shrimp (26-30 per pound), although larger shrimp will work, too. Make sure to thaw the shrimp before marinating.
- Tequila. As noted above, use a decent or better quality tequila. If you wouldn’t drink it, don’t cook with it! I used a blanco tequila for this recipe, although reposado or añejo tequilas would certainly work as well.
- Olive Oil. Adds moisture and flavor to the marinade.
- Lime Juice. Fresh limes have a bit more zing than bottled lime juice, so use fresh limes if possible.
- Minced Garlic. The flavor of garlic pairs well with shrimp, and the minced garlic adds a depth of flavor to the marinade.
- Jalapeño. While the diced jalapeno does add some heat, I wouldn’t call the grilled shrimp ‘spicy.’ Instead, including the jalapeno into the marinade adds another layer of flavor.
- Coriander and Ground Pepper. Simple ground spices that contribute more flavor to the marinated shrimp.
The shrimp do not need to marinate very long in this mixture. In fact, the acidity of the lime juice will begin to “cook” the shrimp similar to ceviche. The shrimp should marinate for no more than 45 minutes. Once marinated, just slide the shrimp onto wooden skewers and send ’em off to the grill. (Any excess marinade should be discarded.) About 3-4 minutes later, those flavorful shrimp will be coming off the grill.
These Grilled Tequila Lime Shrimp can be served directly on skewers, but they are also great in shrimp tacos. (If you turn the grilled shrimp into tacos, then definitely whip up the southwestern sour cream sauce from this recipe!) These shrimp would also taste great served over rice with corn, lime juice and chopped cilantro. Another idea would be to serve leftover shrimp on top of a summer salad.
How to Store Leftovers
These grilled shrimp will taste best when eaten fresh. Leftover shrimp should be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. To reheat, place shrimp in a dry skillet over medium heat for several minutes, or until heated through.
If you’re looking for an easy summer grilling recipe, then these Grilled Tequila Lime Shrimp deserve a spot on the menu. They’re simple enough to make on a weeknight, but they’re interesting enough to serve with friends on a weekend. I hope you enjoy this recipe as much as we do here – Happy Grilling!
Did you make this Grilled Tequila Lime Shrimp recipe at home? Leave a comment, or snap a photo and tag me on Instagram (@Spicedblog) – I’d love to see your version!
Grilled Tequila Lime Shrimp
Ingredients
- ⅓ cup tequila
- 2 Tbsp extra-virgin olive oil
- 2 Tbsp lime juice
- 1 Tbsp minced garlic
- 1 medium jalapeno pepper chopped
- 1 tsp ground coriander
- ½ tsp black pepper
- 2 pounds large shrimp peeled and deveined, tail on
- wooden skewers for grilling
- fresh lime wedges for serving
- kosher salt for serving
Instructions
- Using a small bowl, whisk together the tequila, olive oil, lime juice, garlic, jalapeno, coriander and black pepper.
- Place shrimp in a large ziptop bag. Pour marinade into bag. Seal bag and turn several times until shrimp are fully coated.
- Refrigerate for 45 minutes. (Note: If using wooden skewers, this is a good time to soak them in water so they don’t burn on the grill.)
- Remove shrimp from bag and discard excess marinade.
- Thread shrimp onto skewers. Sprinkle top with kosher salt.
- Preheat grill to high heat (~400-425°F).
- Grill shrimp for 1-2 minutes, rotate and continue grilling for 1-2 more minutes, or until shrimp are opaque and fully cooked.
- Serve with fresh lime wedges.
Looking for more grilled shrimp recipes? Check out these other favorites, too:
Thanks for making me hungry BTW cant wait to make your recipes soon for me
I’ve never used tequila in cooking before! I’m intrigued. They look good!
Sounds delicious, David!
I’ve never cooked with tequila but I can easily see how it would add some great agave flavor to shrimp. It might be pricey but since you don’t use that much, I might actually go with a reposado or even an añejo for a bit of smokiness.