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You are here: Home / Ingredient / Shrimp / Drunken Tequila Lime Shrimp

Drunken Tequila Lime Shrimp

Published: August 18, 2021 | Updated: August 15, 2022 | By: Jordan

1.9K shares

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tequila lime shrimp

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!

drunken tequila lime shrimp in a black pan

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!

Drunken Tequila Lime Shrimp Recipe

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.

drunken tequila lime shrimp on a spoon

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.

Tequila Lime Shrimp 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.

How to Make Tequila Shrimp

Let me show you how to make spicy tequila lime shrimp!

  1. Season shrimp. Sprinkle the shrimp with salt, pepper, paprika, cumin, chili powder, and brown sugar.
  2. 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.
  3. 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.
how to make tequila shrimp

What To Serve With Tequila Lime 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.

tequila lime shrimp on a tortilla with salsa

How Long Will Mexican Drunken Shrimp Last In The Fridge?

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.

Can I Use Mezcal Instead of Tequila?

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.

Tips For The Best Drunken Shrimp Recipe

  • 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.

More Easy Shrimp Recipes To Try

If you love this tequila lime shrimp recipe, be sure to give my other shrimp recipes a try:

  • Shrimp Pho Noodle Soup
  • Blackened Shrimp Recipe
  • Honey Garlic Shrimp
  • Easy Garlic Butter Shrimp
  • Hawaiian Shrimp Taco Bowl
  • Blackened Shrimp Taco Bowl

WANT TO TRY THIS DRUNKEN TEQUILA LIME SHRIMP RECIPE?

PIN IT to your shrimp recipes, Mexican recipes, or dinner recipes board to save it for later!
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Did you make this recipe? Post a photo on Instagram and tag me @JZEATS or #JZEATS so I can see! Leave a comment below and let me know what you think, too!

drunken tequila lime shrimp on a spoon
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5 from 18 votes

Tequila Lime Shrimp

This drunken tequila lime shrimp recipe cooks up in less than 10 minutes! Serve tequila shrimp folded into tortillas for a fun twist on tacos.
Prep Time10 mins
Cook Time10 mins
Total Time20 mins
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: Mexican American
Servings: 4
Calories: 176kcal
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Author: Jordan

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.

Nutrition

Calories: 176kcal | Carbohydrates: 4g | Protein: 24g | Fat: 5g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 3g | Cholesterol: 192mg | Sodium: 778mg | Potassium: 158mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 1g | Vitamin A: 472IU | Vitamin C: 15mg | Calcium: 182mg | Iron: 3mg
Nutrition information is approximate and was calculated using a recipe nutrition label generator.
Tried this recipe?I’d love to see your dish, mention @jzeats or tag #jzeats!
1.9K shares

Published: August 18, 2021 Filed Under: Main Dishes, One Pan Recipes, Recipes, Seafood, Shrimp

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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Liz Burrage

    September 3, 2021 at 12:10 pm

    5 stars
    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

    Reply
    • JZ Eats

      September 7, 2021 at 11:25 pm

      Thank you so much!

      Reply
  2. Toni

    October 4, 2021 at 10:36 pm

    5 stars
    I loved it!! My husband enjoyed it too! Thanks for the recipe!

    Reply
  3. Mirlene

    October 4, 2021 at 10:38 pm

    5 stars
    This is deliciously too good to make with some of my extra tequila! I’ll definitely make these tequila lime shrimps for dinner soon.

    Reply
  4. Seema

    October 4, 2021 at 10:39 pm

    5 stars
    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.

    Reply
  5. Shashi

    October 4, 2021 at 11:20 pm

    5 stars
    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!

    Reply
  6. Tara

    October 4, 2021 at 11:27 pm

    5 stars
    You had me at less than 10 minutes! This tequila lime shrimp was absolutely amazing. So easy too!

    Reply
  7. Katherine

    March 11, 2022 at 8:55 am

    5 stars
    Oh hello tequila lime sauce! Perfect with the shrimp!

    Reply
  8. Kate

    March 11, 2022 at 9:01 am

    5 stars
    SUCH a fab idea and totally delicious, these are such a treat! Thanks so much.

    Reply
  9. Toni

    March 11, 2022 at 9:07 am

    5 stars
    I loved it! So tasty and delicious!! My family loved it too!

    Reply
  10. Gina

    March 11, 2022 at 9:11 am

    5 stars
    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!

    Reply
  11. Pam

    March 11, 2022 at 9:35 am

    5 stars
    We made this shrimp dish and then served it with tortillas and taco toppings. Perfection!

    Reply
  12. Denise

    September 11, 2022 at 12:45 pm

    5 stars
    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.

    Reply

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about meI’m that girl behind the camera and the creator of all the delicious recipes on this website. I’m a Baltimore food blogger who enjoys nothing more than food!
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