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    Home » Seafood » Grilled Margarita Shrimp Skewers

    Grilled Margarita Shrimp Skewers

    Published: Jul 24, 2019 · Modified: Jul 26, 2023 by Sula · This post may contain affiliate links · 42 Comments

    Jump to Recipe
    Pin for Margarita grilled shrimp.
    Grilled Margarita Shrimp Pin.

    July 24 is National Tequila Day. I’m sure everyone is looking for creative ways to celebrate. A margarita is an obvious choice, especially delicious in slushie form on a hot summer day.

    But don’t stop there! Since you already have tequila on hand, make some grilled margarita shrimp.

    Yes, there is such a thing and it’s delish! And very simple.

    serving tray of grilled margarita shrimp.
    Jump to:
    • Ingredients Needed
    • How to Make these Shrimp Skewers
    • Serving Suggestions
    • Storage
    • Recipe FAQs
    • More Delicious Recipes to Try
    • 📖 Recipe

    Ingredients Needed

    Ingredients: shrimp, tequila, lime, garlic, cilantro, cayenne pepper, olive oil.

    How to Make these Shrimp Skewers

    First, mix the simple marinade of tequila and lime juice (sounds like a margarita to me!) with olive oil and some Mexican-y spices.

    Marinade in a small cup.

    Pour the marinade over the peeled and deveined shrimp and stir gently to coat. Cover and refrigerate the shrimp while it marinates.

    Pouring marinade over the shrimp.

    This step needs at least 30 minutes but can be left up to 3 hours. Very convenient when you feel like having a drink there are other dishes to prepare.

    While the shrimp are soaking in the marinade, soak your skewers (only necessary for bamboo, not metal) for 30 minutes.

    Then, carefully thread the shrimp onto the skewers to make the kabobs.

    Threading shrimp onto a bamboo skewer.

    Preheat your grill on medium-high heat and oil the grates a little. Since shrimp are very low in fat, they tend to stick to grill grates unless you oil a little.

    Add the skewers to the hot grates. Grill the shrimp for about 2 to 3 minutes, then turn each skewer to cook the other side.

    Shrimp skewers cooking on a grill.

    Shrimp cooks very quickly, you only need about 5 to 6 minutes cooking time to produce delicious, perfectly cooked crustaceans on a stick.

    Cooked shrimp skewers removed from the grill.

    Your skewers are ready to serve, to celebrate national tequila day or just to celebrate the deliciousness of shrimp!

    Serving Suggestions

    I like to serve these grilled margarita shrimp with rice or a salad to make a light and satisfying meal.

    Don't forget to prepare some margaritas or a pitcher of prickly pear lemonade to complement the flavors of the dish.

    Did you know? According to cocktail historian David Wondrich, the margarita is merely a popular Mexican and American drink, the Daisy (margarita is Spanish for "daisy"), remade with tequila instead of brandy. It became popular during Prohibition as people drifted over the border for alcohol. There is an account from 1936 of Iowa newspaper editor James Graham finding such a cocktail in Tijuana, years before any of the other margarita "creation myths". (source: Wikipedia)

    Storage

    If you have any leftovers, store them in an airtight container in the fridge for up to two days.

    Reheat gently in a skillet or microwave, being careful not to overcook the shrimp.

    pin for grilled margarita shrimp skewers

    Recipe FAQs

    Can I use frozen shrimp for this recipe?

    You can use frozen shrimp that has been properly thawed and drained. However, fresh shrimp will yield a more tender and flavorful outcome.

    Is there a kid-friendly version of this recipe?

    Yes, for a kid-friendly version, omit the alcohol from the marinade and focus on the citrus. Add a little orange juice and possibly honey for a sweet and tangy taste that children will enjoy.

    More Delicious Recipes to Try

    Try this grilled margarita shrimp for your next cookout!

    If you love shrimp, you should also try Chili Lime Shrimp or Lime Shrimp and Avocado Salad .

    If you love grilling food on skewers, you should give these Sweet and Sour Pork Kabobs a try!

    📖 Recipe

    close up of shrimp skewers on a rectangular platter
    5 from 85 votes
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    Grilled Margarita Shrimp

    Very quick and easy shrimp skewers to make a delicious meal!
    Prep Time15 minutes mins
    Cook Time5 minutes mins
    Marinate time30 minutes mins
    Total Time50 minutes mins
    Course: Main Course
    Cuisine: American
    Servings: 4
    Calories: 228kcal
    Author: Sula

    Equipment

    • 8 bamboo skewers, soaked in water for 30 minutes

    Ingredients

    • 1 lb large shrimp peeled and deveined
    • 3 TB olive oil
    • 2 TB chopped fresh cilantro
    • 2 TB tequila
    • 2 TB lime juice
    • 2 garlic cloves minced
    • ¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper
    • ¼ teaspoon salt

    Instructions

    • Mix all marinade ingredients together, then pour over the shrimp in a bowl. Cover and refrigerate to marinate for 30 minutes.
    • Soak bamboo skewers in water while shrimp is marinating.
    • Preheat grill to medium-high heat and lightly oil the grates.
    • Thread the shrimp onto the skewers. Discard marinade.
    • Cook on the preheated grill for 2 to 3 minutes per side, until shrimp turn pink.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 228kcal | Carbohydrates: 1g | Protein: 23g | Fat: 12g | Saturated Fat: 2g | Cholesterol: 286mg | Sodium: 1027mg | Potassium: 91mg | Sugar: 1g | Vitamin A: 45IU | Vitamin C: 7.3mg | Calcium: 167mg | Iron: 2.5mg

    Nutrition values are estimates only, using online calculators. Please verify using your own data.

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    Filed Under: Seafood

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Tiffany Dahle

      July 31, 2023 at 7:34 am

      5 stars
      I love grilled shrimp, with a lime-y margarita marinade? Perfect!

      Reply
      • Sula

        July 31, 2023 at 1:14 pm

        It's an unbeatable combination!

        Reply
      • Jk

        September 16, 2023 at 1:40 pm

        5 stars
        So good, and so easy! Can't beat this recipe

        Reply
        • Sula

          September 17, 2023 at 6:28 pm

          Thank you!

          Reply
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