These grilled shrimp skewers scream summer! Made with a margarita-inspired marinade of tequila, agave, jalapeño, soy sauce, and garlic, these juicy and flavorful shrimp are perfect for grilling. Topped with plenty of lime juice, this Mexican take on grilled shrimp skewers is fresh and flavorful.
When warmer weather comes along, I find myself wanting to grill for almost every meal; it just makes everything taste delicious! If you’re looking to try something new on the grill this summer that’s easy, flavorful, and a healthier option, I recommend my grilled shrimp skewers.
I wanted to recreate the flavor profile of a refreshing margarita, so I made a marinade featuring those signature flavors like tequila, agave, salt, and some savory components like garlic, jalapeño, and soy sauce, all topped off with lime juice. Here’s why you’ll love this recipe:
- It’s easy. All the shrimp cooks together on the skewers, making it easy to whip up and clean up afterward.
- It’s healthy. Grilled shrimp is a great healthier meal option, packed with protein. You can easily pair it with grilled vegetables like juicy bell peppers for a healthy meal.
Recipe Tips
- Add lime at the end. The acidity in lime juice can “cook” the shrimp, like in ceviche and aguachile, which is why I don’t recommend adding it to the marinade and instead squeezing fresh lime juice on your skewers right before serving.
- Don’t have a grill? You can cook these in a grill pan or bake at 450°F for 5 to 7 minutes until fully cooked through.
- Make it spicy. Leave the jalapeño seeds in the marinade for a spicy kick.
Serving Suggestions
Grilled shrimp skewers are super easy since they are usually served as a whole meal, but they can also be easily paired with lots of delicious and fresh Mexican sides. Here are some ideas:
Storing and Reheating
To store, remove the shrimp from the skewers, store in an airtight container, and refrigerate them for up to 3 days.
To reheat, place the shrimp in the microwave for 1-2 minutes until warmed.
More Recipes
Juicy and flavorful grilled shrimp skewers are perfect for grilling. Tossed in a quick marinade, this recipe is quick and easy to make!
Instructions
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Whisk together the olive oil, garlic, jalapeños, agave nectar, tequila, soy sauce, lime zest, and salt in a medium bowl.
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Add the shrimp and toss to combine. Cover and marinate in the refrigerator for at least 15 minutes or up to 2 hours.
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Skewer 4 to 6 shrimp onto soaked wooden or metal skewers.
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Heat a grill or grill pan to medium-high heat and grill the shrimp for 2-3 minutes per side until the shrimp is pink and opaque.
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Garnish with cilantro and serve with fresh lime wedges.
Notes
- Add lime at the end. The acidity in lime juice can “cook” the shrimp, like in ceviche and aguachile, which is why I don’t recommend adding it to the marinade and instead squeezing fresh lime juice on your skewers right before serving.
- Make it spicy. Leave the jalapeño seeds in the marinade for a spicy kick.
- Don’t have a grill? You can cook these in a grill pan or bake at 450°F for 5 to 7 minutes until fully cooked through.
- Using wooden skewers? Don’t forget to soak them. This is an important step so they don’t completely burn during grilling.
Nutrition Information
Serving: 1serving, Calories: 147kcal (7%), Carbohydrates: 7g (2%), Protein: 1g (2%), Fat: 12g (18%), Saturated Fat: 2g (10%), Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g, Monounsaturated Fat: 9g, Sodium: 447mg (19%), Potassium: 33mg (1%), Fiber: 0.2g (1%), Sugar: 5g (6%), Vitamin A: 95IU (2%), Vitamin C: 8mg (10%), Calcium: 6mg (1%), Iron: 0.2mg (1%)
Photography by Ashley McLaughlin.
This post was originally published in June 2017 and has been updated with new photos and an updated recipe with better tips and tricks.