15 Top-Rated Ways to Cook with Tequila

Margarita Grilled Shrimp
Photo: abapplez

Eat your tequila! It's not just for margaritas anymore. These 5-star recipes call for a generous splash of tequila, which adds flavor of its own to the dishes while also drawing out flavors from other ingredients -- that's one of the secrets of cooking with alcohol! It coaxes out the best from other ingredients.

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Grilled Tequila-Lime Shrimp

Grilled Tequila-Lime Shrimp
Allrecipes Magazine

If you like, add a pinch of cayenne pepper. "The mild undercurrent of hot goes nicely with the tequila and other spices," says dbcad.

02 of 16

Acapulco Margarita Grouper

Acapulco Margarita Grouper
Photo by DIZ.

While you're mixing a margarita for yourself, make one for the fish! And this recipe's not just for tequila people. "I'm not a lover of tequila," admits Don Booher. "But this marinade reduction was fantastic! We will definitely make it again!"

03 of 16

Restaurant-Style Tequila Lime Chicken

Restaurant-Style Tequila Lime Chicken
Photo by Molly.

Many reviewers recommend increasing the amount of tequila in this recipe to 1/4 cup. "This spicy, marinated broiled chicken dish is the same as that of a well-known restaurant chain's Tequila Lime Chicken," says Robbie Rice. "Enjoy! Serve with rice and pico de gallo salsa, if desired."

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Tipsy Fruit

Tipsy Fruit
Photo by Big Shots Mom.

The recipe combines fresh watermelon, pineapple, and strawberries in a lime juice, tequila, and agave nectar dressing. "While this fruit salad won't get you tipsy, it is so delicious you might not stop eating it!" says beccwarnacutt, the recipe submitter. "Mango or jicama can be added if you don't feel stuck to the original recipe."

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Tequila-Lime Pork Tenderloin

Tequila Lime Pork Tenderloin
Photo by lutzflcat.

Before hitting the grill, pork tenderloin marinates in tequila and lime juice spiced up with cilantro, chopped green chiles, chili powder, garlic, and honey. "A wonderful overnight marinade gives your pork tenderloin a wonderful lime-grilled flavor," says celeste. "You can also grill one tenderloin and freeze the other for future use."

06 of 16

Margarita Grilled Shrimp

Margarita Grilled Shrimp
abapplez

Another tasty tequila-based marinade! PDX Cookie also recommends it for marinating chicken or beef for fajitas. Meanwhile, many reviewers seem to agree with shermil: "Doesn't hurt to add a touch more tequila."

07 of 16

Tequila Lime Burgers

equila Lime Burgers
Photo by Soup Loving Nicole.

"YUM!," says Shana. "I added some coconut to these and I thought it complimented the lime really well." Shana also had a cooking tip to share: "I took a shot of tequila right before dinner just for fun and these were soooo good!"

08 of 16

Grilled Salmon with Habanero-Lime Butter

Grilled salmon with habanero butter
Photo by Meredith.

Marinate the salmon in orange and lime juice with tequila and minced habanero peppers. Then serve it with a habanero pepper and lime zest butter. "Remove the seeds from the peppers to tame the heat," says Mike Smith, the recipe submitter. You can also substitute a less fiery pepper like jalapenos.

09 of 16

Tequila Chili

Tequila Chili in light blue bowl
Photo by Meredith.

"This simple and quick one-pot chili has great flavor and is nice and meaty," says Tracy J., the recipe submitter. "A thick, meaty chili," adds LIZCANCOO. "Very quick to make, which is nice for a weeknight meal."

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Carne Asada Enchiladas

Carne Asada Enchiladas
SunnyDaysNora

Slow-cooked chuck is shredded, wrapped up in tortillas, and smothered in a homemade pasilla chile sauce and cheese. "A dish full of flavor, color, and texture and as close to Mexican as I know how to get," says Joey Joan. "I served this family-style, letting everyone choose their own toppings of Greek yogurt, chipotle sauce, and guacamole. Refried beans and a fresh-from-the-garden tossed salad makes this one delicious and complete meal.

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Chicken Tequila Fettuccini

Chicken Tequila Fettuccini
Chicken Tequila Fettuccini | Photo by cookingmama43.

Creamy chicken fettuccine with jalapenos, garlic, cilantro, and colorful red, yellow and green bell peppers, and finished with a splash of tequila and lime juice. "This is a great Southwestern twist on the classic Fettuccini Alfredo," says foodandgardendailies. "The cilantro and jalapenos give it a little kick without being too spicy."

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Grilled Chicken Nachos with Lime Crema

You'll marinade slices of chicken breast in tequila, olive oil, lime juice, cilantro, cumin, garlic powder, and cayenne. "Grilled chicken breast and a blend of Mexican cheese nachos topped with lime crema and cilantro," says Sharon Dyson-Demers. "I created this dish to pair with Vermentino wine which is customarily served with seafood. The pair worked really well and I had many requests for the nacho recipe. I kind of just did it, so use this as a guideline and make it your own!"

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Fiesta Grilled Chicken

"This main dish stars chicken marinated in tequila that's then grilled, and topped with Texas Bean Salsa and splashed with lime juice," says IIJUAN12.

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Mexican Prawn Pasta with Chipotle

Mexican Prawn Pasta with Chipotle
Mexican Prawn Pasta with Chipotle | Photo by gem.

"Spaghetti or linguine with prawns and spinach tossed in a creamy chipotle tequila sauce," says Crema. "A fantastic Mexican dish that's dinner party worthy!"

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Mike's Drunken Mussels

752155_mikes-drunken-mussels_nomnomdelicious
Mike's Drunken Mussels | Photo by nomnomdelicious.

Tequila and lime juice steam these boozy mussels, flavored with fresh bells pepper, jalapenos, and cilantro. "Quick and easy to make with stuff we had on hand including jalapeños," says mainered. "This recipe is better than most restaurants. Didn't change a thing!"

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