11 Tequila Recipes That Go Beyond Cocktails to Tasty Dishes (2024)

Our best tequila recipes make it a breeze to shake up your routine by adding the spirit to a meal. Try our tender tequila-lime chicken recipe, spiked scallops, nachos with some tequila shrimp recipe flair and more. If you love margaritas and Mexican food, the transition to tequila food recipes is an easy one. Pop a bottle of your favorite tequila and get cooking!

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Seared Scallop-Tequila Shooters

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11 Tequila Recipes That Go Beyond Cocktails to Tasty Dishes (1)

This fiesta-starting Mexican appetizer puts tequila in its rightful place: the shot glass. Together with a mango puree, the liquor infuses the mango and scallop skewers with its trademark tang. If you love tequila shrimp recipes, give this scallop dish a try for something a little more unexpected (and totally tasty).

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Orange-Tequila Lamb Shanks

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You might be more familiar with lamb chops, but this tequila cooking recipe is about to convince you of the succulent, practically swoon-worthy powers of lamb shanks. One of the easiest cuts of meat to cook, this portion from a leg of lamb is affordable, a dream to slow cook, and scores so much richness thanks to all of the collagen that resides in the bone. Here, we'll coach you through how to braise those lamb shanks in a red wine- and tequila-spiked broth. It's good to the last drop.

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Queso Fundido Pizzas

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Don't bother choosing between Mexican fare and pizza recipes. In our world, you can have the best of both, and this is one of the best tequila recipes that prove this point. Our fresh fundido pizzas feature crumbly Chihuahua cheese and creamy avocados sprinkled on tequila-zested chorizo, all atop crispy flour tortilla "crusts."

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Grilled Drunken Shrimp and Scallop Skewers

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A double dose of tequila is just what you need to perk up a summer barbecue. We created a tequila-lime marinade that doubles as a salad dressing by blending tequila with olive oil and herbs. Drizzle it over crunchy jicama slaw, and brush it on shrimp for a crisp, flavorful finish to the tequila food recipe.

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Jicama and Belgian Endive Salad with Tequila-Orange Vinaigrette

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Don't feel limited by our orange, jicama, and endive suggestion. The boozy part of this tequila recipe is within the dressing, which is made with orange juice, white wine vinegar, chopped shallot, white pepper, oil, and tequila. That means you can feel free to drizzle it over any and every salad you like!

Celeb Chef Alex Guarnaschelli Just Shared a 4-Ingredient Salad Dressing That Will Have You Craving Salads

Chicken in Honeyed Chipotle Tequila Sauce

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11 Tequila Recipes That Go Beyond Cocktails to Tasty Dishes (6)

The ingredient list for this tequila BBQ sauce recipe—shallots, apricots, brown sugar, port wine, balsamic vinegar, chicken broth, chipotle pepper in adobo sauce, honey, and tequila—might sound a bit random, true. And it might seem a bit long. But trust us. Every one of those pantry staples plays a role, and once that unexpected draft team boils then simmers down, they blend beautifully into a complex-tasting sauce. A generous dose of said sauce elevates this weeknight-friendly chicken leg dinner to restaurant-worthy status.

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Fish Tacos with Peppers

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For a taco recipe that packs a punch, look no further. A 30-minute tequila-lime marinade is enough to infuse flaky halibut with a powerhouse of tangy flavor. Top off the light yet satisfying tequila cooking recipe with fresh mango slices to balance the spice from the peppers with just enough sweetness.

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Chile-Garlic Mushrooms (Champinones al Ajillo)

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If you, too, think garlic is something you measure with your heart rather than by the book ("one clove" often means more like four, if you ask us!), you'll fall head over heels for this flavor-packed mushroom dish. Simmered in chicken broth and gold tequila, cremini mushrooms, serrano peppers, and 12 (count 'em) cloves of garlic practically melt together. The finished product? A hearty plant-based tequila recipe that's spicy, tangy, and a little sweet.

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Tequila-Marinated Chicken Thighs

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Tequila can add just as much kick to your chicken dinner as it does to your pitcher of margaritas. The bold agave flavor brings together a blend of citrus juices, chipotle peppers, and garlic in the chicken thigh marinade. Serve alongside plenty of fresh lime wedges and over rice and beans; this is one tequila-lime chicken recipe you'll be dreaming about until you make it again.

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Tequila Shrimp "Nachos"

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We've never met a plate of nachos we didn't like. But this ranks up there among the best and the freshest combinations. Fill a platter with the cumin-spiced OJ-infused tequila shrimp recipe, then sprinkle on plenty of salty queso fresco, and colorful heirloom tomatoes. Serve with a mountain of tortilla chips and everyone can build their ideal bites.

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Tequila-Honey-Lime Marinated Drumsticks

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Warning: Sharing this tequila-lime chicken recipe might be impossible. The citrus notes in tequila fit right in alongside honey and lime for a classic tequila-lime marinade that gets even better on the grill. The marination makes the magic happen; hands-on prep time is just 15 minutes.

Test Kitchen Tip: Not a fan of drumsticks? Try using the marinade to make tequila lime wings.

11 Tequila Recipes That Go Beyond Cocktails to Tasty Dishes (2024)

FAQs

What to mix with tequila mixed drinks? ›

What to Mix With Tequila
  • Triple Sec + Lime (a Margarita)
  • Grapefruit Soda (a Paloma)
  • Orange Juice + Grenadine (a Tequila Sunrise)
  • Tomato Juice (a Bloody Maria)
  • Crème de Cassis + Ginger (an El Diablo)
  • Lemon Juice + Simple Syrup + Club Soda (a Tequila Collins)
  • Lager Beer (a Corona Sunrise)
  • Club Soda.
Dec 27, 2021

What tequila drink is not a margarita? ›

The favorite is the Paloma, a winning blend of tequila, fresh-squeezed grapefruit and tequila. A spectacularly refreshing match-up of sweet and tart, you definitely want to try this one during a Barcelo vacation.

Is pineapple juice good with tequila? ›

Tequila and pineapple are the perfect pair for the summer

When you think of pineapple, where do you think of? Maybe Hawaii? But the delicious fruit isn't native to the islands.

Does tequila go with cranberry juice? ›

The tartness of the cranberries compliments the tequila, orange liqueur, and lime juice to create an exceptionally festive cocktail fit for any holiday event. Cranberry margaritas are refreshing in the heat, but the cranberry also serves as a reminder that winter is just around the corner.

What not to mix with tequila? ›

Don't Mix Milk or Dairy Products with Tequila

From a digestive standpoint, your stomach could turn into a washing machine in spin mode. Tequila, with its high alcohol content, does not go well with milk and your body is likely to let you know in the worst possible way.

What doesn't mix well with tequila? ›

What doesn't mix well with tequila? The consensus here is that creamy or heavy mixers (which include dairy products) don't make for a great combination with tequila of any sort. And even some fruity/citrus flavors can be a turn-off.

What do Mexicans drink instead of tequila? ›

Mezcal. Mezcal is tequila's smoky cousin. Made from other types of agave, mezcal maintains more of the smoky flavors of its distillation process.

What to order instead of margarita? ›

Whether you're heading to a cantina or hosting a fiesta at your Springs luxury apartment home, give these tasty drinks a try.
  1. Paloma. ...
  2. Michelada. ...
  3. Chavela. ...
  4. Ponche. ...
  5. Scoville Sipper. ...
  6. Prickly Pear Mezcal Mule. ...
  7. Horchata. ...
  8. Agua Fresca.

What is stronger than a margarita? ›

Manhattan — (27.68%, 4.75oz in volume, 1.31oz alcohol) Long Island Iced Tea — (19.35%, 6.4oz in volume, 1.24oz alcohol) Margarita — (22.5%, 5.33oz in volume, 1.2oz alcohol) Cosmopolitan — (16.5%, 6.67oz in volume, 1.10oz alcohol)

What can I mix with tequila to make it taste good? ›

Savory Drink Combos
  • Bloody Maria: Tequila + Tomato Juice + Lemon & Lime + Celery + Hot Sauce.
  • Spicy Margarita: Tequila + Sliced Jalapeños + Lime Juice.
  • Ranch Water: Tequila + Lime Juice + Mineral Water + Lime Wedges (for garnish)
  • Beer Margarita: Tequila + Beer + Lime Juice.
Feb 14, 2024

What flavor juice goes well with tequila? ›

Typically, tropical and citrus fruit juice mixes well with tequila. The fresher, the better, so squeeze your fruit for the most natural flavor. The Paloma is the most classic tequila + juice concoction, made with fresh grapefruit and lime juices.

What is tequila shot and pineapple juice called? ›

The Matador is a tequila-based cocktail. Less widely known than the margarita, its structure is similarly simple, with three primary ingredients: silver or blanco tequila, pineapple juice, and lime juice.

What is orange juice and tequila called? ›

Tequila and orange juice make two classic drinks: the Tequila Screwdriver or the Tequila Sunrise! The Screwdriver is an improved spin on the classic, or add grenadine you've got a brilliantly colored 1970's California cocktail.

What flavor soda goes with tequila? ›

You can mix tequila with the classic cola flavors, sprite, orange sodas, and even some of the more nostalgic flavors of root beer and vanilla cream soda. The top two choices to mix with tequila are grapefruit soda and ginger beer for a quick and easy fizzy drink.

Does OJ go with tequila? ›

You not only can mix tequila and orange juice, you should! The agave flavor from tequila pairs amazingly with orange's sweet and citric taste. Classic tequila cocktails make orange part of their identity.

Does tequila mix well with anything? ›

Tequila is the one versatile liquor that can be mixed with anything and still taste good. Even though most people will use tequila to make a delicious margarita, there are so many possibilities and drink concoctions to make using tequila.

What is a popular drink made with tequila? ›

Probably the best-known tequila cocktail, the margarita is simple with only three ingredients: blanco tequila, lime juice and your preferred orange liqueur. The ingredients are then shaken with ice, strained into a glass with ice, and garnished with lime.

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