The Best Margarita Grilled Shrimp Skewers

Zesty & Flavorful Margarita Grilled Shrimp Skewers (The Best Margarita Grilled Shrimp Recipe)

What Makes This the Best Margarita Grilled Shrimp Recipe?

Seriously, friend, stop what you’re doing. Can you smell that? It’s the sharp, bright scent of lime juice meeting the deep, smoky heat of the grill. That is the smell of summer perfection, and it is exactly what happens when you make my Margarita Grilled Shrimp .

I spent years making sad, rubbery grilled shrimp that tasted vaguely of the sea and sadness. I learned the hard way that shrimp needs specific love it needs acid for brightness, not for tenderizing, and it needs high heat, fast. This recipe nails all of it.

We’re talking plump, zesty, slightly sweet, and perfectly cooked seafood that delivers huge flavor in about six minutes of cook time. If you want an easy weeknight meal or a spectacular summer appetizer, these Margarita Grilled Shrimp Skewers are the answer.

We are going to use a brilliant, fast acting Margarita Shrimp Marinade Recipe that includes a splash of tequila and orange liqueur. Don't worry, the alcohol cooks off immediately on the grill, leaving behind that incredible depth of flavor that defines a good margarita.

This is the only Margarita Grilled Shrimp Recipe you’ll ever need.

Recipe Metadata Check: Calories: 306 | Protein: 32.0g | Fat: 20.0g | Carbs: 10.0g | PrepTime: 1 hour | CookTime: 6 minutes | TotalTime: 1 hour 10 minutes | Yield: 12 ounces

The Chemistry of Flavor: Why Tequila & Lime Work Wonders

I’m a big believer in knowing the why behind the how . When you understand the science, you stop messing up.

The Role of Acidity in Tenderizing Seafood

Here is the biggest secret for spectacular shrimp: Acid, like lime juice, should be used for flavor, not for tenderizing. Shrimp meat is delicate and already tender. If you let it hang out in an acidic marinade for too long (more than 60 minutes), the lime juice actually starts to "cook" the protein (a process called denaturation), turning it tough and chalky.

We use lime and tequila here purely for that vibrant, zesty finish. This is why our prep time is structured around exactly a one-hour marination period no longer!

Balancing Sweet, Salty, and Zesty Notes

A great Margarita needs balance, and so does this Margarita Shrimp Marinade Recipe . Tequila provides an earthy, slightly vegetal base. The lime juice provides the necessary acidity and brightness.

We add just a teaspoon of honey (or agave) to counteract the sharpness of the acid, which prevents the final flavor from tasting sour. Then, the Cumin adds a hint of smoky warmth that really takes this grilled shrimp out of the "basic" category.

The Maillard Reaction and Grill Marks

We cook these Margarita Grilled Shrimp hot and fast, not just because they cook quickly, but because we want that Maillard Reaction. That's the fancy name for the chemical reaction that creates those gorgeous, crispy brown grill marks and a much deeper, savory flavor profile.

If your grill is too cold, the shrimp steam instead of sear, and you end up with rubbery seafood. You need screaming hot grates for the best results.

Essential Ingredients for the Margarita Shrimp Marinade

This recipe only uses about 9 simple ingredients, but quality matters, especially with the seafood.

high-quality Shrimp Selection and Prep

Listen, you need the right size shrimp for grilling. Look for Large or Jumbo shrimp (21/25 count or larger). If they are too small, they will overcook and slip through the grates before the outside has time to char. Make sure they are peeled and deveined.

If they are frozen (which is totally fine!), thaw them completely by running them under cool water for 15 minutes and then pat them absolutely dry before marinating. Wet shrimp = steamed shrimp, and we hate steamed shrimp.

Tools Needed for Grilling Success

You need wooden or metal skewers. If using wooden, remember to soak them in water for at least 30 minutes! This prevents them from catching fire when you’re cooking your delicious Margarita Grilled Shrimp Skewers over the high heat needed.

How to Make Margarita Grilled Shrimp Skewers (step-by-step)

This process is straightforward and fast. Remember: the bulk of the time here is the mandatory 1 hour of prep/marinating.

Prep Time: 1 hour Cook Time: 6 minutes Total Time: 1 hour 10 minutes Yield: 12 ounces (about 4 servings)

Nutrition Information

1. Mixing the Tangy Tequila Marinade

In a medium bowl, whisk together the tequila, fresh lime juice, orange liqueur, olive oil, lime zest, minced garlic, honey, and cumin powder. Make sure the honey/agave is fully dissolved. You now have the perfect base for your Tequila Grilled Shrimp Marinade .

2. Marinating for Maximum Flavor Absorption (Crucial Timing)

Add your cleaned, dry shrimp to the bowl. Toss gently to coat. Cover the bowl and refrigerate for exactly 60 minutes (1 hour). DO NOT MARINATE LONGER. I'm serious! Any longer and the shrimp will start to seize up due to the high acidity of the lime juice.

3. Threading the Shrimp and Preparing the Grill

While the shrimp marinates, soak your skewers. Once the time is up, thread 4 to 5 shrimp tightly onto each skewer, making sure they are parallel to the stick. Discard the excess marinade. Preheat your grill to high heat (about 450°F to 500°F).

Make sure the grates are scraped clean and lightly oiled to prevent sticking.

Pro Tip: Need a fast side dish for this delicious seafood? This Margarita Grilled Shrimp pairs incredibly well with my zesty Shrimp Broccoli Foil Packs: 30 Min Lemon Garlic Dinner for a complete meal!

4. Achieving the Perfect Grill Time and Temperature

Place the skewers on the hot, oiled grill. Cook for 2 to 3 minutes per side, flipping only once. The shrimp will curl slightly and turn opaque pink/orange. As soon as you see those beautiful sear marks and the center is cooked through, pull them off.

Total cook time should not exceed 6 minutes. Serve immediately with extra lime wedges.

Grilling Success: Tips, Tricks, and Common Mistakes to Avoid

We all make mistakes. I've learned these so you don't have to! Mastering Shrimp On The Grill Recipes requires attention to detail.

Mistake: Over Marinating the Seafood

This is worth repeating because it's the number one killer of delicious Margarita Grilled Shrimp . The one-hour limit is sacred. If you need to prep this ahead of time, prep the marinade and the shrimp separately, and only combine them 60 minutes before you plan to hit the grill.

What to Serve with Grilled Margarita Shrimp

Because this Margarita Grilled Shrimp Recipe is so zesty and bright, it needs sides that can handle the flavor.

Recommended Side Dishes (Rice, Salads, Salsas)

• Cilantro Lime Rice: Always a winner. The acidity complements the shrimp perfectly.
• Mango Salsa: The sweetness and juiciness of the mango cuts through the tequila and lime beautifully.
• Grilled Vegetables: Asparagus, corn on the cob, or even grilled zucchini are simple, fast pairings.

If you’re loading up the grill and craving a sandwich, try alternating your seafood with my tangy Chicken Parmesan Grilled Cheese: Ultimate Crispy Sandwich — it sounds weird, but trust me, it’s amazing.

Transforming Leftovers into Tacos or Bowls

If you have any leftovers (unlikely, but possible), they make the absolute best Grilled Margarita Shrimp Tacos the next day. Chop up the shrimp, mix with some shredded cabbage, and toss on a corn tortilla with a drizzle of spicy crema.

Storing and Reheating Leftover Grilled Shrimp

Seafood can be finicky, but handled properly, you can enjoy these Margarita Grilled Shrimp the next day.

Safely Storing Cooked Seafood

Store the fully cooked and cooled shrimp in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.

Best Methods for Reheating Leftover Margarita Grilled Shrimp

Do not, under any circumstances, use the microwave unless you want rubbery texture and tough bites. The best method for reheating grilled shrimp is to use the oven or an air fryer.

1. Air Fryer/Oven: Preheat your air fryer or oven to 300°F (150°C). Spread the shrimp in a single layer on a lined baking sheet or in the air fryer basket. Heat for 3 to 5 minutes, just until warmed through. The goal is to heat them gently without cooking them further.

Freezing Cooked Shrimp (Is it Recommended?)

While you can freeze cooked shrimp, I don't recommend it for this recipe. Freezing and thawing tends to break down the delicate protein structure, resulting in a mushier texture once reheated. This Margarita Grilled Shrimp Recipe is so fast, you should just make it fresh!

You'll be craving these bright, perfect Margarita Grilled Shrimp all summer long.