Holiday gatherings call for flavorful recipes that put guests in a festive mood. This year we built a smorgasbord of low-carb appetizers — all tasty and mostly under one carb each. At the top of our list: Chipotle Lime Bacon-Wrapped Shrimp. We host a neighborhood party every December, and it’s always the highlight of our year. Neighbors, good food and a few signature drinks make it special.
Alongside the bacon-wrapped shrimp we served Swedish Meatballs and Chicken Bacon Ranch Flatbread topped with slivered onions. For drinks we made a Peach Bellini (peach vodka, peach schnapps and Prosecco) and also offered low-carb beer for guests who wanted to stay keto. We try to make everyone feel welcome, so we included options for those not following a low-carb plan.
Back to the Chipotle Lime Bacon-Wrapped Shrimp — everything is better with bacon, and this chipotle-lime marinade gives the shrimp a bright Southwestern flavor. It’s simple, impressive and quick to prepare.
Ingredients
You only need a handful of ingredients: shrimp, thin-cut bacon, limes and chipotle seasoning. We prefer U20 shrimp (about 20 per pound) because they’re easier to wrap and cook evenly; if you use larger shrimp (15 per pound) add a minute or two to the oven time. Use thin-cut bacon so it wraps easily without overwhelming the shrimp.
Use fresh limes — both zest and juice — for the best citrus flavor. A good extra-virgin olive oil helps the marinade coat the shrimp and promotes even cooking. We like a quality chipotle powder for the smoky heat; smoked paprika or creole seasoning can work, but chipotle gives the most authentic Southwestern flavor.
Preparation Tips
Brining the shrimp for 30 minutes keeps them plump and straight, which makes wrapping with bacon much easier. Our brine is simply water, sea salt and a low-carb sweetener; include ice so the shrimp do not begin to cook in the salted water. After brining, pat the shrimp dry on paper towels.
Par-cook the bacon so the shrimp won’t be overcooked while waiting for the bacon to crisp. We lay bacon strips between paper towels and microwave briefly — about 90 seconds for four strips — until the bacon is pliable but not fully crisp. Cut strips in half if you want smaller bites. Be careful: paper towels will absorb hot fat, so change them often when cooking larger batches.
Lime zest and juice brighten the marinade and balance the chipotle’s smokiness. Make sure every shrimp is well coated, and drizzle any leftover marinade over the wrapped shrimp before baking. When the bacon crisps, the appetizer is ready — don’t overcook the shrimp.
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Chipotle Lime Bacon-Wrapped Shrimp – A Southwestern Treat!
Our neighborhood loved the low-carb smorgasbord and we loved hosting. Whether for the holidays or any day you want a crowd-pleasing appetizer, try these Chipotle Lime Bacon-Wrapped Shrimp. They’re bold, simple and definitely Tasty Low Carb!
Chipotle Lime Bacon-Wrapped Shrimp
5.0 from 25 votes
A Southwestern treat – great as an appetizer or main dish. Bacon and shrimp are perfect together!
4
20
minutes
10
minutes
379.3
kcal
4.3
g
30
minutes
Ingredients
- Shrimp
-
1 pound Shrimp (U20), peeled and deveined (tail on)
-
2 tablespoons Olive oil
-
1 Lime, zested
-
2 tablespoons Lime juice
-
1/2 teaspoon Chipotle powder
-
10 strips Bacon, thin and halved
- Brine
-
4 cups Water
-
1/4 cup Sea salt
-
1/4 cup Low-carb sweetener (optional)
-
1 cup Ice cubes
Instructions
- Brining
- Whisk water, sea salt and sweetener until dissolved. Add ice and shrimp; let sit 30 minutes. Drain and dry on paper towels.
- Shrimp
- Mix lime zest, lime juice, olive oil and chipotle powder in a bowl. Toss shrimp in the marinade to coat thoroughly.
- Lay bacon (4 pieces at a time) between paper towels and microwave until fat softens and bacon is par-cooked (about 90 seconds for four strips).
- Wrap a bacon half around each shrimp and secure with a wooden toothpick.
- Place wrapped shrimp on a cooling rack set inside a foil-lined baking pan. Bake at 450°F (230°C) for 5–6 minutes until shrimp are cooked through and bacon is crisp. Do not overcook.
Equipment
- Mixing Bowls
- Measuring Cups
- Baking Pan and Cooling Rack
Nutrition Facts
- Calories: 379.3kcal
- Fat: 30g
- Carbohydrates: 4.9g
- Protein: 22.6g
- Net Carbs: 4.3g