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Jimmy Buffet’s Margaritaville Copycat Recipes

Escape to Margaritaville with these tasty tropical copycats. After checking these dishes out, you'll feel like you're on island time.

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 Jimmy Buffett Guinness World Record for the largest margarita ever made in celebration of the Margaritaville Casino Opening at Flamingo, Las Vegas, America - 14 Oct 2011REX/Shutterstock

Find yourself nibblin’ on sponge cake and watching the sun bake? You may just be a Jimmy Buffet fan. The musician, author and American businessman is known for his sweet tunes and vacation-worthy restaurants around the world. Luckily, you won’t have to leave the kitchen to enjoy these copycat recipes. (Just don’t misplace your shaker of salt!)

Be sure to check out these tropical desserts next.

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Fresh Lime Margaritas Exps Thjj17 29268 B02 08 7b 3

Inspired by: Margaritaville (of Course!)

This basic fresh margarita recipe is easy to modify to your tastes. Try it frozen or with strawberries. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen
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Key Lime Pie Exps Ppp18 32936 B05 15 2b 2

Inspired by: Margaritaville Signature Key Lime Pie

We created this refreshing mini pie with a homemade crumb crust and a pudding-like lime filling. If you can’t find Key lime juice, regular lime juice works just fine. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen
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Exps Hck17 25596 B08 23 1b 13

Inspired by: Margaritaville Fish Tacos

Searching for a lighter alternative to traditional fried fish, I came up with this crispy, crunchy fish tacos recipe. It's a hit with friends and family. —Jennifer Palmer, Rancho Cucamonga, California
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Inspired by: Margaritaville Cheeseburger in Paradise

Go on a burger road trip in your own backyard. Grill the patties and load them sky-high with your favorite toppings. For instance, peanut butter and bacon make them southern style; coleslaw and tomatoes, a northern version. —Susan Mahaney, New Hartford, New York
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Baked Coconut Shrimp Apricot Sauce Exps227100 Th143190d10 03 2bc Rms 2

Inspired by: Margaritaville Coconut Shrimp

Coconut flakes and panko crumbs give my spicy air-fryer coconut shrimp recipe its crunch. It’s perfect for an appetizer or for your main meal. —Debi Mitchell, Flower Mound, Texas
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Inspired by: Margaritaville Jerk BBQ Chicken

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Cuban Style Pork Sandwiches Exps Scmbz17 133011 B01 11 1b 2

Inspired by: Margaritaville Cuban Sandwich

Loaded with tangy flavor, this is a lighter version of a favorite restaurant-style sandwich. If you don’t have a panini maker, tuck the sandwiches under the broiler until the bread is browned and the cheese melted. —Robin Haas, Cranston, Rhode Island
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Frozen Lemon Berry Margaritas Exps37047 Cm2043886d08 11 4bc Rms 2

Inspired by: Margaritaville Tropical Fruit Margarita

I like to cool down with this absolutely fantastic frozen margarita recipe. It's slightly icy, thick and perfect for when you need a break. —Julie Hieggelke, Grayslake, Illinois
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Shrimp Po Boys With Pineapple Slaw Exps Tham17 84813 B11 09 3b 8

Inspired by: Margaritaville Resort Shrimp Po'Boys

This twist on the traditional po'boy sandwich adds flavor and veggies while reducing fat and calories. For a smoked flavor, grill the shrimp. For a lower-carb option, serve the po'boy open-faced on a baguette half. —Melissa Pelkey Hass, Waleska, Georgia
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Exps21579 Th153340c10 02 2b 6

Inspired by: Margaritaville Chicken Wings

I took these slow-cooked wings to work, and they vanished before I even got a bite! The tangy sauce is lip-smacking good. —Sherry Pitzer, Troy, Missouri
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Passion Fruit Hurricanes Exps Jmz18 37571 C03 14 8b 3

Inspired by: Margaritaville Resort Hurricanes

This is our Test Kitchen’s version of the famous Hurricane beverage that's so popular in New Orleans. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen, Greendale, Wisconsin
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Caribbean Coconut Rum Cake Exps Thso17 200099 B04 21 4b 15

Inspired by: Margaritaville Rum Cake

My take on those boozy treats that weigh down suitcases returning from Jamaica, this moist cake packs a rum punch. You may wish to card your guests before serving. The longer the rum soaks in, the better—overnight is best. —Jenn Hall, Collingswood, New Jersey
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Inspired By: Margaritaville Resort Watermelon Salad

My 4-year-old twin grandchildren love to cook in the kitchen with me. Last summer, the three of us were experimenting with watermelon and cheese, and that's where this recipe began. It's amazing for picnics, at neighborhood gatherings or as a healthy snack on a hot summer day. —Gwendolyn Vetter, Rogers, Minnesota
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Barbecued Chicken Pizzas Exps Sdjj17 44709 C02 17 2b 12

Inspired by: Margaritaville Resort BBQ Chicken Flatbread

So fast and so easy with refrigerated pizza crust, these saucy, smoky pizzas make quick fans with their rustic, hot-off-the-grill flavor. They're perfect for impromptu cookouts and summer dinners on the patio. —Alicia Trevithick, Temecula, California
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Coconut Tres Leches Cupcakes Exps Sdam18 50867 D12 05 2b 2

Inspired by: Margaritaville Resort Coconut Tres Leches

Three types of milk wonderfully moisten these cupcakes. Toasted coconut on top adds an elegant touch. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen
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Exps133666 Sd153321b01 30 6b 2

Inspired by: Margaritaville Volcano Nachos

My mom gave me a fundraiser cookbook, and this is the recipe I’ve used most. My whole family is on board. For toppings, think sour cream, tomatoes, jalapeno and red onion. —Judy Hughes, Waverly, Kansas
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Horchata Exps168854 Thraa2874593b01 31 2bc Rms 12

Inspired by: Margaritaville Resort Horchata

In this Horchata recipe, the mixture of ground rice and almonds is accented with a hint of lime. Depending on your preference, you can use more or less water for a thinner or creamier beverage. —James Schend, Dairy Freed
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Big John S Chili Rubbed Ribs Exps Sfbz23 119906 P2 Md 11 17 2b

Inspired by: Margaritaville Full Rack of Ribs

When my family thinks of summer grilling, it's ribs all the way. Our Asian-inspired recipe is a welcome change from the usual barbecue-sauce versions. —Ginger Sullivan, Cutler Bay, Florida
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Pina Coladas Exps Thfm18 37191 C09 15 6b 6

Inspired by: Margaritaville Resort Pina Coladas

Velvety-smooth texture and a taste of the tropics are what this tropical drink delivers. The easy-to-make pina colada recipe can be mixed and chilled ahead of time. When ready to serve, just blend for a creamy and delicious beverage. —Linda Schend, Kenosha, Wisconsin
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Orange Lemon Cake Exps48028 Sd1785603d52 Rms 2

Inspired by: Margaritaville Resort Orange Sunset Cake

Family and friends will love this moist cake’s refreshing citrus taste and its pretty presentation. —Ann Robinson, Bloomington, Indiana
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Inspired by: Margaritaville Caribbean Shrimp & Citrus Salad

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Exps10765 Mrr133247b07 30 1bc Rms 3

Inspired by: Margaritaville Key West Chicken Quesadilla

Leftover chicken gets Mexican flair from cumin in this fun main dish. The chicken quesadilla recipe has an impressive look and taste yet requires little preparation. —Linda Wetzel, Woodland Park, Colorado
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Citrus Mustard Roasted Chicken Exps74069 Th2236620b06 01 11b Rms 2

Inspired by: Margaritaville Rotisserie Lemon Dijon Herb Chicken

Tender roast chicken is an elegant dish that's easy to make. We love the tang of orange and lemon slices and the subtle heat from mustard. —Debra Keil, Owasso, Oklahoma
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Exps179074 Sd143207b05 30 6b 1

Inspired by: Margaritaville Jimmy's Jammin' Jambalaya

I tried to mimic Jambalaya from my favorite restaurant and it turned out so well my daughter and husband now prefer my recipe and won't order it when we go to the restaurant! —Alexis Van Vulpen, St. Albert, Alberta
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Inspired by: Margaritaville Flourless Chocolate Cake

Here's the perfect dessert for chocoholics—like me! I bake this melt-in-your-mouth torte all the time for special occasions. For an elegant finish, dust it with confectioners' sugar. —Kayla Albrecht, Freeport, Illinois

Lisa Kaminski
Lisa is an editor at Taste of Home where she gets to embrace her passion for baking. She pours this love of all things sweet (and sometimes savory) into Bakeable, Taste of Home's baking club. Lisa is also dedicated to finding and testing the best ingredients, kitchen gear and home products for our Test Kitchen-Preferred program. At home, you'll find her working on embroidery and other crafts.