In the fall, Saturday afternoons mean one thing in my family: college football! Every year, my family and I don our college team colors and cheer on our favorite teams. Our college football game day tradition is not complete unless we have a few delicious football snacks to munch on. I plan throughout the week and on Saturday morning, I tie on my FSU apron and get to work. My favorite football snack recipe at the moment is my Bacon-Wrapped, Jalapeno Stuffed Shrimp. I serve these shrimp with a side of Honey-Lime Dipping Sauce and it is a true palate pleaser. The salty and spicy shrimp pair perfectly with the sweet and acidic dipping sauce. A touch of cilantro in the sauce gives the shrimp a beautiful, earthy herbaciousness.
Since things have been a little different this year, I thought I would do a series of recipes to help football fans bring the tailgate party home. Social distancing does not mean having to give up all of the things we love about football! I have always hosted living room tailgate parties and I think more people will be doing the same thing this year.
Here are some more Tailgate-At-Home Recipes you are sure to enjoy:
- Slow Cooker Buffalo Chicken Dip
- Air Fryer Hot Honey Chicken Wings
- Angeled Eggs
- Deviled Eggs
- Raspberry Brie Puff Pastry Tartlets (if you want to serve something a little fancier!)
What's Not to Love?
Ron Swanson from Parks and Rec said it best - bacon-wrapped shrimp is the GREATEST THING EVER! I have it on good authority that mostly everyone loves bacon. So, bacon-wrapped anything is already a good start. Add jalapeño and a sweet and tangy dipping sauce and KA-POW! It packs a flavor punch that will knock your socks off!
In all seriousness, I just love this recipe because the flavor is so well-balanced. It touches all of the classic flavor profiles of a great dish - salty, spicy, savory, sweet, tangy. It is easy to serve because it is a finger food. I can't walk past a plate of these bad boys without popping one in my mouth.
Whether your team is on fire this year or experiencing a "building" year (or a series of "building" years, smh), rest assured that these jalapeno stuffed shrimp will be the star of the show on game day. Football season isn't a bust when you can tailgate in your own living room. So, kick back, cheer or boo the teams on your television, and enjoy this fantastic football snack.
Football isn't your thing? No worries! These shrimp are perfect party food for any occasion. Tie on your favorite apron and let's get cooking!
Essential Tools
Please note, this post contains affiliate links which means I will receive a small commission on the sale of these items at no cost to you.
All of my posts contain my recommendations for essential tools. I have researched these tools. Many of them are already in my kitchen. The ones that are not come highly rated. I do the research so you don’t have to and I only recommend high-quality tools.
If you are just starting to furnish your kitchen with tools or if you are looking to expand your kitchen toolkit, be sure to reference Expert Guide: Equip Your Kitchen for Less Than $200. This guide contains links to all of the equipment items I recommend for a basic kitchen set up.
My essential tools when making this recipe include the following:
Bacon-Wrapped, Jalapeno Stuffed Shrimp
Ingredients
- 1 lb. large shrimp peeled and deveined
- 2 jalapeños seeds removed, julienned
- 1 lb. thick cut bacon (applewood smoked preferred) cut into thirds
- 4 limes zested and juiced
- 1 cup honey
- ⅛ cup cilantro chopped (You can substitute with chopped parsley, if preferred)
- skewers I prefer 12" metal skewers
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F.
- Place 1 slice of jalapeño into the groove of a deveined shrimp. Wrap shrimp in bacon strip (be sure each slice of bacon has been cut into thirds!). Secure bacon around shrimp with a metal skewer. Repeat this process for all shrimp.
- Whisk together lime juice and honey. Divide the mixture between two bowls: one bowl will be for basting the raw shrimp and one bowl will be for a dipping sauce.
- Add lime zest and chopped cilantro to dipping sauce and set aside.
- Using the basting sauce and a silicone brush, baste shrimp and place into the oven for 10 minutes, flipping halfway (this is why I prefer using skewers and not toothpicks).
- After 10 minutes, remove shrimp from oven and turn broiler on to high. Carefully place rack under the broiler element, leaving enough room for the tray of shrimp skewers.
- Baste shrimp with remainder of basting sauce.
- Broil shrimp skewers for 5 minutes on each side, until bacon is crisp.
- Let the shrimp cool slightly and serve with dipping sauce. Enjoy!
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