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Margarita Grilled Shrimp Skewers

Margarita Grilled Shrimp Kabobs are loaded with flavor and charred to perfection. A quick and easy grilled shrimp recipe that promises flavorful, succulent shrimp!

Grilled shrimp skewers on plates with white rice and fresh limes, also glasses of margaritas.

The Best Grilled Shrimp Kabobs

These Margarita Grilled Shrimp Kabobs are one of my favorite recipes EVER. And, from all the feedback I’ve gotten over the years, I know they’re a top reader favorite as well. If you love shrimp, you just have to try this!

These shrimp are tender and succulent, with a gorgeous lightly crisped exterior. They are also loaded with flavor – it’s amazing what your spice drawer can do for shrimp!

I like to serve these shrimp kabobs as both an appetizer and a meal, with or without skewers. It’s so quick and easy and fabulously delicious that Blake and I often grill up a batch just for ourselves… I’m serious when I say I crave this shrimp!

So shake up a margarita and throw some shrimp on the barbie. You’re gonna LOVE this grilled shrimp recipe!

Also, if you’re a big fan of easy shrimp recipes, you’re going to want to try shrimp ceviche, Mexican shrimp cocktail, and camarones a la diabla as well!

Margarita grilled shrimp and limes on a black plate.

Why You’ll Love This Shrimp Kabob Recipe

Shrimp kabobs are constantly on the meal plan at our house. Here’s why I think you’ll want them on yours, too:

Ingredients for margarita grilled shrimp.

Recipe Ingredients

The marinade for this grilled shrimp recipe comes together easily, thanks to your spice drawer. I bet you have all of these items on hand already – the only thing I usually need to pick up is a fresh jalapeno!

For the Shrimp Marinade

For the Shrimp Skewers

How Do I Choose Shrimp?

My best advice? Purchase shrimp that looks and smells fresh.

Living in Minnesota, we obviously don’t have access to just-caught seafood. We most often buy shrimp from our local Kowalski’s seafood counter or frozen seafood area, or in the Costco freezer case.

If you purchase shrimp from a seafood counter or fish market, plan to use it within a day or two.

Grilled shrimp and limes on a black plate.

How to Make Shrimp Kabobs

This shrimp kabob recipe has just a few straightforward steps for you to follow:

Shrimp marinade in a glass bowl.
Shrimp with marinade in a glass bowl.
Small plates of grilled shrimp skewers with white rice and fresh limes, also glasses of margaritas.
Jumbo shrimp on the grill.

How Long to Grill Shrimp on a Skewer

Shrimp does not take long to grill, especially over medium-high heat. Once the shrimp are nicely charred and no longer opaque, they’re done. Here’s my usual routine:

Jumbo shrimp in palm of hand to show its large size.

Tips for Success

Here are my top tips for the best grilled shrimp kabobs, margarita-style!

Grilled shrimp with charred grill lines.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does it take to marinate shrimp?

I like to marinate my shrimp for 2-3 hours in the fridge because it gives the flavors in the marinade enough time to really set in. Since the marinade doesn’t have citrus in it, you don’t have to worry about the shrimp becoming mushy.

Do I have to flip shrimp when grilling?

Yes, make sure to grill your shrimp for 3-4 minutes per side. Otherwise, part of the shrimp will be underdone.

How do I know when my shrimp is done on the grill?

The shrimp should be pink, opaque, and firm by the time both sides have been grilled. Shrimp cooks really fast and can turn rubbery quite quickly, so keep a close eye on it.

Grilled shrimp skewers on plates with white rice and fresh limes, also glasses of margaritas.

Serving Suggestions

As mentioned above, you can serve this shrimp many ways, as both an appetizer and a main course. These are a couple ways that my family loves to enjoy grilled shrimp:

Grilled shrimp with limes, piled on a black plate.

What to Drink With Grilled Shrimp

This meal just begs for a cold, refreshing margarita. With the shrimp and its Mexican flavors, and a margarita to wash it down, I am instantly reminiscing about wonderful times spent on the beaches in Mexico.

I’m a huge fan of margaritas. Thus I have a few recipes to share with you!

Nothing beats a classic margarita. But here are a few more fun variations:

Jumbo shrimp that is charred from grill, with fresh lime wedges.

How to Store & Reheat Leftovers

Got leftover shrimp? No problem! Here’s how to properly store and reheat this recipe:

A plate of margarita grilled shrimp skewers ready to eat.

More Shrimp Recipes

Looking for more easy ways to make juicy shrimp? I’ve got you covered!

Grilled shrimp and lime wedges on black plate, plus two margaritas.

Like this shrimp recipe? Save it to Pinterest!

Margarita grilled shrimp, fresh limes, and margaritas.
margarita grilled shrimp and fresh limes

Margarita Grilled Shrimp Recipe

Yield: 4
prep time: 30 minutes
cook time: 6 minutes
Additional Time: 2 hours
total time: 2 hours 36 minutes
Jumbo shrimp are marinated in bold flavors found in many Mexican dishes. A splash of tequila is included for the margarita effect, but you can certainly leave it out if you prefer – this dish is awesome either way!
4.4 Stars (382 Reviews)
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Ingredients

  • 1 pound raw extra jumbo shrimp 16-20 per pound, peeled and deveined
  • cup olive oil
  • 2 large garlic cloves roughly chopped
  • 1 teaspoon minced jalapeno
  • 2 teaspoons brown sugar
  • 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
  • 1 teaspoon chili powder
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1 teaspoon onion powder
  • 1 teaspoon cumin
  • 1 teaspoon kosher salt
  • ½ teaspoon black pepper
  • 2 teaspoons tequila optional
  • thin slices of fresh lime if placing shrimp on skewers
  • chopped cilantro
  • wedges of fresh lime for squeezing over top of grilled shrimp

Instructions

  • Shrimp can be grilled with or without skewers. If using wood skewers, start soaking them in water.
  • Place shrimp in a wide shallow bowl and set aside.
  • In a small bowl with high sides, combine all ingredients from olive oil through black pepper. Use an immersion blender to completely process until there are no sizable pieces. Or use a food processor or blender. Pour marinade over shrimp and gently stir to coat evenly. Cover and refrigerate for 2 to 3 hours, folding gently about halfway through.
  • Drizzle tequila over the shrimp, if desired, and gently fold to combine. If using skewers, thread shrimp onto skewers, with a folded slice of lime in between shrimp (see skewer photos in post).
  • Heat grill to medium-high. Make sure grates are clean, and then oil them well. Set shrimp on grates and grill for 3 to 4 minutes per side, or just until shrimp are no longer translucent and have some nice char. Smaller shrimp will take less time. Place shrimp on a platter and sprinkle with cilantro. Serve with fresh lime wedges to squeeze over the top.

Notes

  • Variations: If making skewers, create smaller appetizer-sized ones using short skewers (I highly recommend using flat-shaped skewers, as the shrimp won't twist and turn on the skewers!). I make these with 2 shrimp per skewer. Or, create meal-sized portions with long skewers that hold more shrimp. Or, simply grill the shrimp without the skewers. For this method, I highly stress the importance of using large jumbo-sized shrimp, so they don't fall through the grill grates as easily.
  • From a farmgirl's dabbles.
  • To store. You can store leftover grilled shrimp kabobs in the fridge in an airtight container for 2-3 days.
  • To reheat. Simply heat up your shrimp in the microwave, or cook them in a pan on the stovetop over medium heat until warmed through.

Nutrition Information:

Serving: 1 Calories: 352kcal Carbohydrates: 10g Protein: 32g Fat: 20g Saturated Fat: 3g Polyunsaturated Fat: 16g Cholesterol: 287mg Sodium: 1625mg Fiber: 2g Sugar: 3g
Nutrition information is automatically calculated by Spoonacular. I am not a nutritionist and cannot guarantee accuracy. If your health depends on nutrition information, please calculate again with your own favorite calculator.
Did you make this recipe?Please leave a comment below. And share a photo on Instagram with the hashtag #afarmgirlsdabbles or tag @farmgirlsdabble!

The Grill We Use

This post is sponsored by Ferguson Bath, Kitchen & Lighting Gallery.

Coyote grill from Ferguson Bath, Kitchen & Lighting Gallery

Ferguson Bath, Kitchen & Lighting Gallery asked if we’d like to review one of their Coyote Outdoor Living grills a few years ago.

Our grill was tired and worn out…and the Coyote grills looked awesome, so we didn’t hesitate. Especially since Ferguson is a company we’ve visited and purchased from in the past for home remodeling projects.

The grill pictured here in our back yard is a Coyote C-Series 34-Inch 3-Burner. It features durable premium stainless steel construction, 616 square inches of cooking area, and 60,000 BTUs of cooking power.

We love it!

Coyote grill from Ferguson Bath, Kitchen & Lighting Gallery

Everything about our Coyote grill is quality through and through.

The grill canopy is double-walled. I especially like the push-and-turn ignition knobs, used in the exact same way we ignite the gas stove in our kitchen, with no additional ignition button needed. There’s even an interior light for cooking into the night.

Grilling Accessories

Coyote also sent us some great accessories to try.

Their heavy-duty Signature Cooking Grates (upper left photo) are made from diamond laser-cut solid stainless steel and weigh almost 10 pounds per grate. They’re hefty! Coyote offers three different styles, each one specifically designed for everything from sturdy cuts of meat to delicate vegetables and fish.

And then there’s the beautiful heavy-duty Drop-In Griddle (lower right photo) that includes a removable grease trap for easy cleaning. This works great for bacon and eggs in the backyard on a lazy summer weekend!

Coyote Asado Smoker from Ferguson Bath, Kitchen & Lighting Gallery

Coyote Asado Smoker photos credit: Coyote Outdoor Living

Be sure to check out all the Coyote grill offerings at your nearest Ferguson Showroom, including this Coyote Asado Smoker.

The Coyote Asado Smoker features:

Find Ferguson Showroom on their website, Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, Instagram, and Houzz.

Find Coyote Outdoor Living on their website, Facebook, Twitter, and Pinterest.

This post was originally published in 2016, and then updated with some new photos and information in 2020.

This post is sponsored by Ferguson Bath, Kitchen & Lighting Gallery. They sent us a Coyote grill for our review and to share about their Summer Grilling Promotion. All opinions are 100% my own. Thank you for supporting the brands that help make this site possible.

Grilled shrimp with fresh lime wedges.