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What makes the best spicy shrimp tacos? Tequila Lime Shrimp! This Drunken Shrimp Recipe is loaded with flavor thanks to seasoned shrimp and a tequila lime sauce that has bright lime flavor with a hint of spice.
The tequila shrimp cooks in less than 10 minutes, so it’s a quick dinner option. Don’t forget the mango pineapple salsa for the tacos!
If you love shrimp recipes as much as I do, you’ll want to give these Air Fryer Bang Bang Shrimp or these Air Fryer Shrimp And Peppers a try next!
Why you’ll love Tequila Shrimp
There are so many reasons why you’ll love this shrimp recipe, but perhaps the best of all is that it is SO INSANELY flavorful! Shrimp are one of my favorite proteins and I love coming up with new ways to eat them and new flavors to season them with, and this is a really good one!
The shrimp are seasoned with some classic Mexican flavors like paprika, cumin, chili powder and some brown sugar for a tiny touch of sweetness that will help balance out the spice and citrus.
The shrimp cook in a few minutes and after you flip them, it’s time to make the tequila lime sauce! This mixture of tequila, lime juice, lime zest, jalapeños, and cilantro turns into a bright and flavorful sauce with some smoke and heat from the Mezcal and jalapeños.
What Is Drunken Shrimp?
Drunken shrimp is a Mexican-style shrimp with tequila lime sauce. Don’t worry, the alcohol cooks out of the shrimp, it’s really just a fun name for the recipe.
Drunken Shrimp Recipe Ingredients
This tequila shrimp recipe comes together with some classic Mexican inspired ingredients:
- Shrimp – Use jumbo shrimp that are peeled and deveined for the best flavor.
- Tequila – You can also use mezcal (more on that below!)
- Seasonings – Olive oil, kosher salt, black pepper, paprika, cumin, brown sugar, and chili powder.
- Fresh ingredients – Garlic, lime, jalapeño, and cilantro.
Can I use Mezcal instead of Tequila to make Lime Shrimp?
Yes, you can use either mezcal or tequila in this drunken spicy shrimp recipe.
Using mezcal will give you a more smoky flavor, which I think is awesome with the shrimp (I prefer mezcal!), but tequila also works well! Use a blanco tequila (we don’t need a super aged tequila for this recipe) or whatever you have on hand.
How to make Tequila Lime Shrimp
Let me show you how to make spicy tequila lime shrimp!
- Season shrimp. Sprinkle the shrimp with salt, pepper, paprika, cumin, chili powder, and brown sugar.
- Cook tequila shrimp. Heat olive oil in large pan over medium high heat. Sauté garlic for 30 seconds, until fragrant. Arrange shrimp in a single layer and cook for 3-4 minutes. Flip and cook on the other side for 2-3 minutes or until shrimp are cooked through.
- Make tequila lime sauce for shrimp. Immediately after flipping shrimp, add the lime juice, tequila, and jalapeño to skillet. Cook for 2 minutes or until shrimp are opaque and cooked through.
Tequila Shrimp Recipe tips
- Use a heavy bottom pan or cast iron skillet to cook the shrimp.
- When the shrimp turn pink or are no longer translucent, you will know they are done. To char on the edges, cook 90% on one side and then flip.
- If you want to add some heat to the recipe, add some of the jalapeño seeds to the skillet while cooking.
What to serve with Drunken Shrimp
I like to serve this drunken shrimp recipe folded into tortillas for spicy shrimp tacos and topped with mango pineapple salsa, Avocado Mango Salsa, or Guacamole.
You could also serve the shrimp over rice and add your favorite toppings, like my blackened shrimp taco bowl.
How to store Lime Shrimp
The shrimp will last 3-4 days in the refrigerator in an airtight container.
Reheat the shrimp gently in a hot skillet for best results, microwaving is not recommended.
More Easy Shrimp & Other Recipes To Try
If you love this tequila lime shrimp recipe, be sure to give my other recipes a try:
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Tequila Shrimp
Ingredients
- 1 lb jumbo shrimp, peeled and deveined
- 2 tbsp tequila, or Mezcal
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1/2 tsp kosher salt
- 1/4 tsp black pepper
- 1 tsp paprika
- 1 tsp cumin
- 1/2 tsp brown sugar
- 1/4 tsp chili powder
- 2 large garlic cloves, minced
- 1 lime, juice and zest
- 1 jalapeño, seeds removed and diced
- 1/2 cup fresh cilantro, roughly chopped
Instructions
- Season shrimp with salt, pepper, paprika, cumin, chili powder, and brown sugar.
- Heat olive oil in a large heavy bottomed pan medium high heat. Sauté garlic for 30 seconds, until fragrant. Arrange the shrimp in a single layer and cook for 3-4 minutes. Flip and cook on the other side for 2-3 minutes or until shrimp are cooked through.
- Immediately after flipping the shrimp, add the lime juice, mezcal, and jalapeño to the skillet. Cook for 2 minutes or until shrimp are opaque and cooked through.
- Remove from heat and top with lime zest and cilantro.
This is definitely top 5 shrimp recipes I have ever had. So good and you can use it for so many things, tacos, bowls, on a salad. I made a power bowl with quinoa and used this as my protein and it was so flavorful and delicious. 100% recommend
Thank you so much!
I loved it!! My husband enjoyed it too! Thanks for the recipe!
This is deliciously too good to make with some of my extra tequila! I’ll definitely make these tequila lime shrimps for dinner soon.
I love the very name of the dish. It was tasty as well. Sharing this idea with a few friends who are also shrimp lovers.
Oh my – pass me seconds – no wait – just pass me the pan! I don’t eat fish these days but wow – this is making my mouth water – best part is all these flavors would work with chickpeas too! Delicious!
You had me at less than 10 minutes! This tequila lime shrimp was absolutely amazing. So easy too!
Oh hello tequila lime sauce! Perfect with the shrimp!
SUCH a fab idea and totally delicious, these are such a treat! Thanks so much.
I loved it! So tasty and delicious!! My family loved it too!
I made this drunken tequila lime shrimp for Taco Tuesday this week and they were a hit! So much so that it is being requested again next week!
We made this shrimp dish and then served it with tortillas and taco toppings. Perfection!
My husband doesn’t like shrimp so I used this recipe for chicken and it was perfection. Absolutely incredible in a burrito with seasoned rice and avocado.
Wonderful recipe
This was absolutely delicious! I made these as tacos and topped them with a homemade pineapple salsa, and it was absolute perfection!! Will be making this again soon!
I made it for my wife and we both loved it. I bagged all of the spices and marinated the shrimp in the bag for 4 hours. I also added the lime juice and cilantro to the pan once the shrimp turned. Only negative was the meal was dry over rice. Any suggestions for a sauce?
You can mix the rice with a cilantro lime sauce or double the marinade and reserve some for serving. I like: https://jz-eats.com/cilantro-lime-crema/ and https://jz-eats.com/cilantro-lime-empanada-sauce/
My family said these tacos kicked ass! They were easy & delicious! Will make again.
could I use frozen cooked shrimp. maybe just heat them quickly
they won’t be quite as flavorful, but you can heat them in the pan with the other ingredients and you will definitely still taste all the flavors! i would heat the garlic and jalapeno first with the olive oil and then add the tequila, cook 30 more seconds and then everything else.
Second time I’ve made this. Oh my gosh, delicious! I serve this over cheesy grits with Parmesan, sharp cheddar and provolone.
The only thing I add at the end is 2 Tablespoons of unsalted butter. Makes it rich and a step up. ♥️