These tequila lime shrimp appetizers are bold, zesty, and made for sharing. Juicy shrimp are marinated in a mix of tequila, lime juice, garlic, and spices, then quickly seared for a flavor-packed bite. Serve them on skewers, in little cups, or on crisp tortilla rounds for easy party plating.
This is one of those appetizers that brings real energy to the table. The tequila adds a slight kick, the lime keeps it fresh, and the whole thing cooks in under 10 minutes. It’s a simple way to impress without overcomplicating things.
Helpful Tips
- There is no need to marinate the shrimp, but you can. The lime juice will start to cook the shrimp after 15 minutes, so don’t let it sit too long.
- Use large shrimp so they hold up well when skewered or plated.
- Add a quick garnish of chopped cilantro and lime wedges to dress them up for serving.
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Tequila Lime Shrimp Appetizer
Ingredients
- ½ pound jumbo shrimp
- 2 tablespoons fresh lime juice
- 1 tablespoon lime zest
- 1 tablespoon blanco tequila
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
- 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon salt AND pepper
- 2 tablespoons olive oil for cooking
- Lime wedges for serving
Instructions
- Pat the shrimp dry with a paper towel. Add it to a with the lime juice, lime zest, tequila, smoked paprika, cumin, garlic powder, salt and pepper. Stir to coat the shrimp.
- Heat olive oil over medium heat in a large skillet. Add the shrimp to the skillet in a single layer and cook for 2 minutes on each side, until shrimp is lightly charred. Set cooked shrimp aside and repeat with remaining shrimp.
- Turn heat off. Add all shrimp back to hot skillet and stir. Garnish with cilantro and lime wedges.
Nutrition
Laura is a home cook, with 25 years experience behind the stove, who spends an extraordinary amount of time in the kitchen cooking. She loves making new recipes and finding wonderful new things to eat, both at home or abroad. She spends a lot of time researching, crafting, and perfecting her recipes.