These easy grilled shrimp skewers pack all the flavors of a refreshing margarita into a quick and easy summer weeknight dinner.
For more weeknight meals on the grill, check out this Grilled Salmon with Mustard Sauce or these Grilled Fish Tacos.
This post may contain sales affiliate links. Please see my full Disclosure Policy for details.
I love grilling! I think it's the best way to cook in the summer! It's fast, generally not too messy and keeps you from having to heat up your kitchen on a hot, steamy day. And with just a few simple ingredients and a burst of flavor, what's not to love about this dish?
When I developed this recipe, the goal was to capture the bright, fresh flavors of a margarita. By combining citrus with a splash of tequila, I created a quick and easy marinade that infuses incredible flavor.
How to Grill Shrimp
First, you'll mix up all the marinade ingredients. I usually do this in a small mason jar or a bowl with a lid so I can pour them in and shake them up. Then you'll add the shrimp and marinade to a zip-top plastic bag and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes. I don't recommend leaving them in the marinade longer than 90 minutes as you are essentially cooking the shrimp - think ceviche!
Let's talk about skewers for a minute. If you are a grilling fan then you have probably made or at least thought about making kebabs before. There are basically two options when it comes to the skewers - either you use the wooden ones and throw them away when you are done which is great because - no cleanup! Or you use metal skewers.
While I love the idea of no cleanup and do occasionally use them, I personally prefer using these metal skewers. They don't require soaking like the wood ones do (you don't want them to burn), and they can be reused over and over again. The non-stick sets are pretty easy to clean. Just remember to drop them into some water as soon as you remove the food - this will make your clean up so much quicker.
So, once they are done in the marinade, you'll grab your skewers of choice and skewer the shrimp. I start by threading the skewer through the thicker side of the shrimp first as I think it makes the project a little easier. Depending on which type of skewer you are using, you should be able to get 4-6 shrimp on each skewer. Then you'll pop them on a hot grill and cook them for 2-3 minutes per side. They should be pink on the side that's on the grill and just be starting to turn pink around the edges on the side facing up when you flip them.
Shrimp will cook quickly on a hot grill so keep an eye on them. Total cooking time should be no more than 6 minutes and will vary depending on the heat level of your grill. Once they are pink on both sides they are done.
Make Ahead Tip
You can make the marinade a few hours or even up to a day ahead of time. Don't put the shrimp in the marinade until 90 minutes or less before you are ready to cook them. And you'll want to grill the shrimp very shortly after they come out of the marinade. You can also pre-grill them and serve them chilled or save any extras for lunch the next day.
These shrimp paired with this tasty Tuscan White bean Salad and a nice glass of chilled white wine give you a great al fresco meal! Then relax and enjoy the warm summer evening!!
Click here to subscribe to Urban Foodie Kitchen's Newsletter for free and fresh small batch recipes right to your inbox!
If you try this recipe, please let me know by leaving a comment with a star rating below. You can also take a photo & tag @urbanfoodiekitchen on Instagram.
Grilled Margarita Shrimp
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons fresh lime juice, about 1 lime
- 4 tablespoons fresh orange juice
- 1 teaspoon lime zest
- 3 tablespoons tequila
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- ¼ teaspoon ground pepper
- ⅛ teaspoon sea salt
- 12 ounces large peeled and deveined shrimp, I usually leave the tails on them for grilling
Instructions
- Mix the lime and orange juices, zest, tequila, olive oil pepper and salt in a small bowl or jar.
- Add the shrimp and marinade to a large zip-top bag and let the shrimp marinate in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes or up to 90 minutes.
- Preheat a gas grill to medium-high heat, about 400°F.
- While the grill is preheating, thread the shrimp onto skewers, leaving some space in between each shrimp. Depending on the type of skewer you are using you should be able to get 4-6 shrimp per skewer.
- Place the skewers on the hot grill and grill for 2-3 minutes. Flip the shrimp once the first side is pink and the edges on the side facing up are just starting to turn slightly pink. Grill for another 2-3 minutes until shrimp are completely pink and cooked through.
- Carefully remove the shrimp from the grill. You can serve the shrimp on the skewers or remove them and either serve immediately or chill and save them for another time.
Nutrition
This post was originally published in July 2018. It was updated in June 2025 with some new information and photos. No changes were made to the original recipe.
Jessie
I don't have a grill so I am going to have to save this for the next BBQ that I am invited to.
FoodieGirlChicago
You could also use a grill pan on your stovetop. You might need to increase the cooking time by a minute or two.
Kylie | Midwest Foodie
I just bought a grill pan and I can't wait to make these for my ladies next weekend when I host a girl's night! Thanks for sharing such a great recipe!
Gloria | Homemade & Yummy
LOVE shrimp on the grill. These would be great in tacos. Loving the seasoning. Perfect for summer entertaining.
Sharon
I love shrimp but shrimp on the grill is my FAVORITE! I love the margarita marinade for this too. Can't wait to make it.
Anna
What a great idea for BBQ season! And margarita flavoured marinade- just genius! I'm definitely trying this at our next bbq party, looks like a crowd pleaser all around!
Jordan
Shrimp is my all-time favorite thing to eat off of the grill! I love the tequila + citrus situation going on – absolutely trying this the next time we grill out!
Urban Foodie Kitchen
Enjoy!!
Julie
I have never, ever thought of marinating shrimp in tequila -- brilliant!! I love to grill and am always looking for new recipes because I feel like we make the same thing over and over. These shrimp are perfect to shake things up!
Marisa F. Stewart
We love shrimp and we love having it on the grill. Shrimp are amazing because they have their own colored thermometer. The margarita seasoning for the shrimp sounds perfect for our Mexican inspired evening dinner were planning. So yummy and I can imagine that the shrimp are plump and juicy with flavor.
Urban Foodie Kitchen
I love your point about the colored thermometer!!
Cathleen @ A Taste of Madness
I am a grilling fan, but I don't have a grill 🙁 But I am moving to another country next week. Probably will get one for my new place! 🙂
Urban Foodie Kitchen
If you don't end up getting a grill after you move you can also use a grill pan to cook these.
Amanda
Grilling is my favorite way to prepare shrimp, and I never turn down a margarita, so I'm all over this recipe! The marinade is so refreshing and perfect with shrimp. Thanks for sharing!
Charity
Girl, you had me at tequila! Add a little booze and it has to taste extra delicious!
Jo
Wow, who wouldn't love to have a bite of this delicious margarita flavored shrimps. Perfect summer dish, with all refreshing summer flavors. I absolutely love grilled shrimp and the flavors are mind blowing.
Liz Cleland
These looks so very tasty!! I wish my son would try seafood, I might just have to whip some up while grilling later!