Smoked Tequila-Lime Shrimp Recipe for Flavorful Grilled Shrimp

This Smoked Tequila Lime Shrimp is a flavorful, slightly lighter dish that works equally well as an appetizer or a main when served with crusty bread for dipping.

I prepared this in a cast iron skillet on a Traeger pellet grill, but any reliable smoker will produce excellent results.

How to make Smoked Tequila Lime Shrimp

Start by dicing tomatoes, onion, jalapeños, and garlic.

Place the vegetables in a cast iron skillet or a casserole dish. Drizzle with olive oil and season with kosher salt, pepper, and chili powder. Toss to coat evenly.

Pour in about 1/2 cup of tequila. The alcohol cooks off during smoking; if you prefer no alcohol, substitute chicken broth. Beer is another easy alternative if tequila isn’t on hand.

Set your smoker to 225°F (about 107°C) and place the skillet inside. Smoke the vegetables for 1 to 1½ hours, stirring occasionally so everything softens and melds.

After the vegetables have smoked, add 2 pounds of peeled and deveined jumbo shrimp, 3/4 cup freshly chopped cilantro, the juice and zest of one lime, and 1 tablespoon of Old Bay or Tajín. Stir to combine.

Return the skillet to the smoker and continue cooking at 225°F for another 45 minutes to an hour, stirring a few times so the shrimp cook evenly and absorb smoky flavor.

Smoked Tequila Lime Shrimp has a stunning presentation and a heavenly aroma

The sauce that forms in the skillet is perfect for soaking up with toasted baguette or crusty bread. The shrimp pick up a bright, smoky, and tangy flavor from the tequila, lime, and seasonings.

One favorite bite is a little shrimp with some roasted tomatoes and extra sauce on a slice of baguette—simple and delicious.

If you like Smoked Tequila Lime Shrimp, you might also enjoy these recipes

Smoked Tacos and Tequila Chicken Wings

Traeger Mexican Skillet Brownies

Grilled Caribbean Jerk Shrimp

Smoked Lasagna Stuffed Meatballs

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Smoked Tequila Lime Shrimp

A simple cast-iron skillet recipe smoked on a Traeger or other smoker. Great for dipping with bread and serving as an appetizer or main.

5 from 1 vote

Prep Time 15 mins

Cook Time 2 hrs

Course Appetizer, Main Course

Cuisine American, Mexican

Servings 6

Calories 197 kcal

Equipment

• Traeger / Pellet Grill
• Smoker

Ingredients

• 3 to 4 tomatoes (Roma recommended), diced
• 2 to 3 jalapeño peppers, seeds removed and diced
• 1 onion, diced
• 6 to 7 cloves garlic, minced
• Olive oil, kosher salt, pepper, chili powder (to taste)
• 1/2 cup tequila (or beer or chicken broth)
• 2 pounds jumbo shrimp, peeled and deveined
• 3/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro
• 1 lime (juice and zest)
• 1 tablespoon Old Bay or Tajín seasoning
• Optional: baguette or toasted bread for serving

Instructions

1. Combine diced tomatoes, jalapeños, onion, and garlic in a cast iron skillet or casserole dish. Drizzle with olive oil and season with kosher salt, pepper, and chili powder.
2. Toss to combine, then pour the tequila over the vegetables. Place the pan in a smoker preheated to 225°F and smoke for 1 to 1½ hours, stirring occasionally.
3. Add the shrimp, chopped cilantro, lime juice and zest, and Old Bay or Tajín. Stir to combine and return the skillet to the smoker for another 45 minutes to 1 hour, stirring a few times.
4. Adjust seasoning to taste with more salt, pepper, chili powder, Old Bay, or Tajín as needed. Serve warm with baguette or toasted bread for dipping.

Keyword Easy, Lime, Seafood, Shrimp, Smoked, Tequila, Traeger

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