Description
Zesty Mexican margarita grilled shrimp skewers bring summer flavors to life with tangy lime and tequila marinade. Sizzling from grill to plate, these succulent shrimp promise a quick, delicious escape that will transport you straight to a beachside fiesta.
Ingredients
Scale
Proteins:
- 1 pound (454 grams) raw extra jumbo shrimp (16–20 per pound), peeled and deveined
Spices and Seasonings:
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1 teaspoon chili powder
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon cumin
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
Marinade and Aromatics:
- ⅓ cup (79 milliliters) olive oil
- 2 large garlic cloves, roughly chopped
- 1 teaspoon minced jalapeno
- 2 teaspoons brown sugar
- 2 teaspoons tequila (optional)
Garnish:
- Thin slices of fresh lime (for skewers)
- Chopped cilantro
- Wedges of fresh lime (for serving)
Instructions
- Prepare wooden skewers by submerging them in water for a minimum of 30 minutes to prevent charring during grilling.
- Clean and prepare shrimp by removing shells and veins, then place them in a spacious container.
- Create a vibrant marinade by combining olive oil, garlic, jalapeno, brown sugar, smoked paprika, chili powder, garlic powder, onion powder, cumin, salt, and black pepper in a mixing vessel.
- Pulverize the marinade mixture using an immersion blender, food processor, or standard blender until completely smooth and homogeneous.
- Thoroughly coat shrimp with the prepared marinade, ensuring each piece is evenly covered.
- Optional: Introduce tequila to the marinating shrimp for additional depth of flavor.
- Refrigerate the marinating shrimp for 2-3 hours, gently redistributing the marinade midway through to guarantee uniform seasoning.
- Preheat grill to medium-high temperature, meticulously cleaning and oiling the grates to prevent sticking.
- Carefully thread marinated shrimp onto pre-soaked skewers, strategically inserting lime slices between each shrimp for visual appeal and citrus infusion.
- Grill skewers for approximately 3-4 minutes per side, monitoring closely to achieve perfect charring without overcooking.
- Remove skewers from grill when shrimp appear opaque and display attractive grill marks.
- Transfer grilled skewers to a serving platter, garnishing generously with freshly chopped cilantro.
- Accompany the dish with lime wedges, allowing diners to squeeze additional citrus flavor over the shrimp just before enjoying.
Notes
- Strategic skewering transforms ordinary shrimp into a show-stopping appetizer that captures the essence of summer grilling.
- Tequila-infused marinade creates a bold, vibrant coating that caramelizes beautifully on the grill, delivering maximum taste in every single bite.
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 8 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner, Appetizer
- Method: Grilling
- Cuisine: Mexican
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 300
- Sugar: 2 g
- Sodium: 500 mg
- Fat: 24 g
- Saturated Fat: 3 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 21 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 6 g
- Fiber: 0 g
- Protein: 22 g
- Cholesterol: 200 mg