Here’s an easy recipe for Shrimp Mezcal, otherwise known as shrimp cooked with tequila and then served with tomato and avocado.
When it comes to Mexican themed foods, they’re always a big hit at our house. Maybe it’s because we lived in San Diego for so long, but we do love our avocado, tequila and lime. That’s probably why we love our ceviche style shrimp and avocado tacos so much. And I’ve come to enjoy cilantro too. This shrimp mezcal recipe is a good one. It can be eaten on its own, or you can serve it over rice.
🛒 Ingredients Needed:
- medium shrimp
- butter
- garlic
- Mezcal or tequila
- avocado
- lime
- green Tabasco sauce
- tomatoes
- fresh cilantro
What is Mezcal?
Basically, tequila is a type of mezcal. While mezcal can be produced from up to 50 species of the agave plant, tequila can be made from just one: Weber blue agave. Mezcal can taste a little charred because of the way it’s produced, but you might also find some with floral, fruity, or earthy notes. You can use either for this recipe.
✏️ How to make Shrimp Mezcal:
*The complete, printable recipe is in the recipe card at the end of this post.
- In a large stainless steel skillet (don’t use a nonstick pan), sauté the shrimp in butter for 1 minute. Add the garlic and tequila and ignite with a match. As the flame burns down, add the remaining ingredients, through Tabasco sauce and simmer for 3 minutes, or until the shrimp is pink.
- Serve immediately garnished with tomatoes and cilantro.
➡️ Tips and Substitutions:
- Use either tequila or mezcal in the recipe. It doesn’t really matter which one.
- You can buy shrimp already peeled and de-veined at your market. It will cost a bit more, but sometimes it’s worth it!
- Look for an avocado that has just the right amount of ripeness. When you gently squeeze it with your hand, it should give in just a little bit.
✔️ What to serve with Shrimp Mezcal:
Mexican Chopped Salad with Honey Lime Dressing is the perfect, light side dish to Mexican food, and it will keep this meal light too. If you’d like to serve your mezcal shrimp over rice, try this recipe for cilantro lime rice.
❤️ What I Love About This Recipe:
- It’s a super easy recipe to make for dinner, especially if you buy the shrimp already peeled and de-veined!
- When you cook with tequila, it’s a good excuse to have margaritas with your dinner.
- I love a light and healthy dinner recipe!
Recipes Using Tequila:
Shrimp Mezcal
Ingredients
- 1 pound medium shrimp, peeled and de-veined
- ¼ cup (½ stick) butter
- 1 teaspoon minced garlic
- 1 ounce Mezcal or tequila
- 1 medium ripe avocado, peeled and diced
- 1 medium lime, juiced
- 1 teaspoon green Tabasco sauce
- 2 medium tomatoes, chopped
- ¼ cup chopped fresh cilantro
Instructions
- In a large stainless steel skillet (don't use a nonstick pan), sauté the shrimp in butter for 1 minute. Add the garlic and tequila and ignite with a match. As the flame burns down, add the remaining ingredients, through Tabasco sauce and simmer for 3 minutes, or until the shrimp is pink.
- Serve immediately garnished with tomatoes and cilantro.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
