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Disclosure: This post is sponsored by El Yucateco Brand. As always, all opinions are my own.
Tropical Tequila Fire Wings are a healthier, tropical twist on your gameday fare. Baked in the oven and finished under the broiler or grill, these wings have a tastebud-tingling sweet, crave-worthy heat.
When the weather turns cooler (unless you’re here in Florida) and football season rolls around, I find myself thinking of new ways to make wings. Fortunately for me (and now, for you), my friends at El Yucateco sent me their new line of six amazing hot sauces! Each one is full of flavor and perfectly balanced. There’s a reason they’re #kingofflavor!
El Yucateco has been a pioneer in producing habanero-based hot sauces and marinades since 1968 when Mr. Priamo J. Gamboa O founded the company. They have thirteen sauces to choose from – seven classic and six NEW flavors – for the first time since 2016.
Their new hot sauce flavor lineup includes Coffee and Habanero, Ghost Pepper and Habanero, Red Marisquera, Black Marisquera, Chiltepin and Habanero, and my favorite, Grilled Pineapple and Habanero.
It comes as no surprise that El Yucateco is the #1 habanero sauce in the US and ranks in the top 10 of all hot sauces in the US. There’s a flavor and heat level to meet every need, so check them out and order a six-pack sampler box.
You can imagine my excitement as I sampled each of them, and my mind immediately started spinning with ways to use each one in new and exciting recipes – everything from cocktails to desserts.
While I loved each of the new sauces, my favorite was the Grilled Pineapple and Habanero. It has a bright, sweet, fruity flavor with a hint of smoke from the grilled pineapple and a gentle, gradual heat that warms the back of your throat. Perfect for wings.
This recipe bakes the wings instead of deep frying them, making them healthier yet still flavorful. I used the hot sauce in the marinade, which was then boiled and reduced to make a glaze and dipping sauce.
The wings can be packaged after baking and taken to your tailgating site to glaze and finish on the grill or under the broiler at home before guests arrive. I’ve included instructions for both. If your friends and family are anything like mine, they want their wings ASAP at the tailgating site. By baking the wings at home, you’re only using the grill to reheat the wings and get a char on the outside, getting them on the table in minutes. This will leave your grill available for all those brats and burgers.
These Tropical Tequila Fire Wings are seriously satisfying. So, grab a beer and a stack of napkins and dig into a pile of sticky, sweet, and spicy wings.
Football is big, no matter what part of the United States you live in. However, in the South, SEC football is almost a religion. Birthday parties, showers, and even weddings are planned around the big game on Saturday.
Then there’s the NFL. Profession football is a Sunday and Monday night tradition across the States, with millions of viewers. So, if you’re lucky, you can watch a great game on Monday, Thursday, and all day on Saturday and Sunday. If you have a football fanatic in your house like I do, that’s a lot of gameday food planning!
Whether for college or NFL games, tailgating, and Gameday Watch parties are much-loved traditions. There’s something about gathering with like-minded sports fans, with their combined energy, that makes the game AND the food more enjoyable. And what’s ubiquitous with tailgating or watch parties? Chicken wings! They’re budget-friendly, fun to eat, portable, and, when cooked properly, tender and delicious.
Although it may look like a long list of ingredients, the recipe comes together quickly and easily. Here’s how to do it:
You can save up to 70 cents per pound on chicken wings by purchasing whole wings and separating them yourself. It can feel daunting, but with a bit of practice and a very sharp chef’s knife, you’ll be butchering and cooking your own wings in no time. Use the wing tips for stock to save even more money and not waste anything. Just toss them into a freezer bag and store them in the freezer. Here’s how to separate the wings:
Tropical Tequila Fire Wings are a healthier, tropical twist on your gameday fare. Baked in the oven and finished under the broiler or grill, these wings have a tastebud-tingling sweet, crave-worthy heat.
For the marinade:
For the glaze:
Whisk together the tequila, lime juice, lime zest, pineapple juice, hot sauce, Worcestershire sauce, olive oil, garlic, cumin, paprika, onion powder, salt, and pepper in a large bowl.
In an extra large zip-top bag, place the wings, sliced habanero pepper, and the minced cilantro.
Pour the marinade into the bag with the wings.
Zip the top and massage the marinade into the wings.
Place in the refrigerator for at least 90 minutes or up to 4 hours.
Remove the wings from the bag, reserving the marinade.
Pat the wings dry with paper towels.
Preheat the oven to 425 degrees.
Line a baking sheet with foil and spray it lightly with cooking spray.
Lay the wings on the baking sheet in a single layer.
Bake for 50-55 minutes until golden on the top, and they register 165 degrees on a meat thermometer.
Meanwhile, make the glaze.
Strain the reserved marinade with a fine mesh strainer and add to a medium saucepan.
Bring the mixture to a full rolling boil, then reduce the heat to low and simmer for 10 minutes, stirring often.
Stir in the agave syrup, hot sauce, and butter.
Simmer for another 5-7 minutes or until the sauce has thickened slightly.
When the wings come out of the oven, brush the glaze on all sides of the wings.
Place the wings under the broiler for 5 minutes, turning once or until the tops have caramelized slightly.
Remove from the broiler and brush again with the glaze.
Serve hot with some of the glaze on the side for dipping.
Alternatively, preheat your grill to high.
Lightly oil the grates.
Place the wings on the grates and grill until they begin to lightly caramelize and char on all sides.
Brush the wings again on all sides with the glaze before serving.