Cachaça-Glazed Grilled Shrimp Skewers with Lime
Juicy shrimp marinated and glazed in a sweet and tangy cachaça-lime sauce, grilled to smoky perfection for a Brazilian-inspired seafood treat. This brazilian-inspired seafood ready in about 25 minutes pairs peeled and deveined large shrimp, cachaça, freshly squeezed lime juice for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 170 calories and feeds 4, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart.
Ingredients
- 1 lb, peeled and deveined large shrimp
- 1/4 cup cachaça
- 3 tbsp, freshly squeezed lime juice
- 2 tbsp honey
- 3, minced garlic cloves
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tsp smoked paprika
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp, freshly ground black pepper
- 2 tbsp, chopped for garnish fresh cilantro
- 8, soaked in water for 30 minutes wooden skewers
Instructions
- Step 1: In a medium bowl, whisk together 1/4 cup cachaça, 3 tbsp freshly squeezed lime juice, 2 tbsp honey, 3 minced garlic cloves, 2 tbsp olive oil, 1 tsp smoked paprika, 1 tsp salt, and 1/2 tsp freshly ground black pepper to create the marinade.
- Step 2: Add 1 lb peeled and deveined large shrimp to the marinade and toss to coat evenly. Cover and refrigerate for 30 minutes to 1 hour to infuse flavors.
- Step 3: Preheat grill or grill pan to medium-high heat (about 450°F). Thread the marinated shrimp onto 8 soaked wooden skewers, distributing evenly.
- Step 4: Grill shrimp skewers for 2-3 minutes per side, basting occasionally with reserved marinade, until shrimp turn pink and opaque with slight char marks.
- Step 5: Remove from grill and sprinkle with 2 tbsp chopped fresh cilantro. Serve immediately with lime wedges for an added zesty kick.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Cachaça-Glazed Grilled Shrimp Skewers with Lime take to make?
Total time is about 25 minutes (15 min prep + 10 min cook). Most home cooks find this fits comfortably into a weeknight; double the batch on Sunday for two dinners.
How do I store leftover Cachaça-Glazed Grilled Shrimp Skewers with Lime?
Cool to room temperature within 2 hours, then store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat covered in a 350°F oven for 10-12 minutes, or microwave at 70% power in 60-second bursts to keep cachaça from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Cachaça-Glazed Grilled Shrimp Skewers with Lime?
Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.
How do I scale Cachaça-Glazed Grilled Shrimp Skewers with Lime for a different number of people?
The recipe is written for 4 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 4). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.
What goes well with Cachaça-Glazed Grilled Shrimp Skewers with Lime?
Brazilian seafood like this pair well with a simple grain (rice, couscous, or crusty bread), a quick salad with acid (lemon vinaigrette, pickled onions), and a pan sauce or yogurt-based dip. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" to get specific side suggestions.
What others are saying
- ★★★★★
My go-to for entertaining. The cachaça-glazed shrimp with lime is a hit every time. Easy and impressive.
- ★★★★★
This recipe is a game-changer! The shrimp turned out perfectly juicy and the glaze was the perfect balance of sweet and tangy.
- ★★★★☆
Perfect for a summer dinner! The lime and cachaça combo was amazing. My family devoured these.
