Tequila Jalapeño Shrimp

Looking for an easy summer appetizer packed with flavor? This grilled Tequila Jalapeño Shrimp is quick to make and a light appetizer your guests will love! It can also be served as a meal with some summer sides.

(This recipe for Tequila Jalapeño Shrimp was originally posted in June 2011, but was updated with new photos and content in 2018).

How many country music songs have been written about tequila? I can think of about 10 off the top of my head and I'm sure that doesn't even brush the surface of tequila tunes. There's just something about tequila that inspires music I guess.

Orrr maybe you just drink so much and you can't help but sing? Yup, that's probably it.

Don't get me wrong, I'll never ever turn down a margarita (especially a really well made one with all fresh ingredients [no sour mix, please] and some muddled jalapeño, too... yum!), but I also really love cooking with tequila.

And in the summer, grilling with tequila.

I first made this tequila shrimp appetizer recipe back in 2011 when Chris and I were living in a Brookline apartment building with a community grill. I'm pretty sure we rented the grill space out basically every weekend for that whole summer... And many weeknights, too.

It was fine, but it's so nice that we now have our own private backyard and can grill without a million other people walking by or splashing in the pool beside us. Just the occasional neighbor waving at us from their deck.

This is especially important to me since I am not a griller extraordinaire by any means and would much prefer to grill in the privacy of my own home than with bystanders watching and silently judging.

But honestly, grilling is one of the easiest forms of cooking and as long as you can get the grill started (which is the part I don't like), you're pretty much good to go. Grilling something like shrimp takes about 6 minutes and there's something about shrimp on the grill that's so much more delicious than when it's made indoors.

How to Make Tequila Jalapeño Marinade

This recipe for tequila jalapeño shrimp is incredibly easy to make and perfect for serving to a crowd. It's especially great for outdoor summer parties or BBQs when you need just one more appetizer to serve, but want something super easy.

The marinade can be quickly made in a blender or food processor and consists of:

• Jalapeño
• Garlic
• Mint
• Tequila
• Lime juice
• Orange juice.

You can even make it ahead of time if you're crazy stressed with the rest of your party prep.

I love my Vitamix for food prep, but you can use any standard blender.

I haven't tried doing it yet, but I'm thinking this marinade would also be delicious with a splash of my jalapeño simple syrup mixed in!

What Size Shrimp to Use

Shrimp sizes are so confusing, aren't they? The chart in this blog post is super helpful to see all the size options.

I like to use extra jumbo shrimp for this recipe as they're nice and big and make for a substantial appetizer bite.

You can really use any size you choose, but just note that cooking times may change.

How to Prep Shrimp

Cleaning the shrimp is really the most time-consuming part of this whole recipe, but even that doesn't take very long.

I peel and devein the shrimp (if necessary), but leave the tails on for visual appeal. Then thread 4 or 5 shrimp on a skewer and place them in a baking dish. And pour that beautiful marinade over the top, along with some salt and pepper.

If you're using wooden skewers, I recommend soaking them in water before threading the shrimp on. This is just for safety sake since you'll be putting the wooden skewers on a very hot grill.

Or you can purchase metal reusable skewers.

I let the tequila shrimp sit in the fridge for about an hour, rotating the skewers halfway through.

How to Grill Shrimp

And then it's time to throw the shrimp on the barbie! (feel free to say that loudly and with an Australian accent). Also, if you don't have a barbie at your disposal, you can always use a grill pan.

Or at the end of the day, any regular old pan. But like I said, grilled shrimp is just dreamy. If you don't have a lot of space, but really want a grill, I recommend the Weber Q Grill!

Heat grill to medium and lightly brush grates with oil. Place the tequila jalapeño shrimp skewers on the grill and cover, cooking for about 3 minutes on each side until pink, before moving to a separate platter.

I like to garnish the platter with sliced jalapeños, lime wedges, and some mint leaves. I also whipped up this super quick yogurt dip because I wanted a little something guests could dip the shrimp in if they so desired.

It's just Greek yogurt, garlic, and lime juice. Easy!

These slightly spicy tequila shrimp make the most perfect summer appetizer or side dish to almost any summer meal. If you're having a little summer BBQ, your guests can all just grab a skewer or two.

And you can clean off the grill for the next portion of the meal. Burgers? Dogs? Steak? Ribs? How crazy do you get when it comes to summer BBQs?

Of course, you could also grill up these skewers and just enjoy the tequila jalapeño shrimp as a meal. Which is basically how I live my best life in the summer.

Enjoy them with some rice or with a nice side salad for a light meal on a hot evening. Also, you should know that although I almost always prefer red wine, this shrimp is just dreamy with a nice cold glass of white.

And obviously with rosé. Because what doesn't go fabulously with rosé?

More Shrimp Recipes

If you love shrimp (in the summer and year-round) as much as I do, check out my other favorite shrimp recipes!

• Shrimp Scampi Pizza
• Steak and Shrimp Scampi
• Tequila Shrimp Ceviche
• Lemon Garlic Shrimp with Parmesan
• Chilled Mexican Corn Bisque with Shrimp
• Shrimp and Feta Orzo Salad
• Chili Mango Shrimp Pineapple Fried Rice
• Shrimp Spring Rolls (from BellyFull)
• Bang Bang Shrimp Pasta (from Nithi's Click and Cook)

And now, if you'll excuse me, I'm off to go write a song about tequila shrimp. Because, while there are plenty of songs about tequila, there aren't nearly enough about tequila jalapeño marinated shrimp. And really, I think that could make for a #1 hit.

What's your favorite summer appetizer?

If you're looking for more fabulous shrimp recipes, check out my Chilled Corn Mexican Bisque with Shrimp or my Chili Mango Shrimp Pineapple Fried Rice.