Mexican Street Corn-Inspired Grilled Shrimp Tacos

By , Test Kitchen Director · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · ·

Juicy grilled shrimp tossed in a creamy chipotle sauce, topped with fresh corn salsa and crumbled cotija cheese in warm corn tortillas. This mexican-inspired seafood ready in about 25 minutes pairs peeled and deveined large shrimp, fresh or frozen corn kernels, mayonnaise for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 320 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. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.

Prep: 15 min Cook: 10 min Serves 4 Mexican cuisine 320 cal/serving
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Ingredients

Instructions

  1. Step 1: Preheat grill or grill pan to medium-high heat. In a bowl, toss 1 lb peeled shrimp with 2 tbsp olive oil, 1 tsp garlic powder, 1/2 tsp ground cumin, 1 tsp salt, and 1/2 tsp black pepper.
  2. Step 2: Grill shrimp for 2-3 minutes per side until pink and opaque with grill marks. Remove from heat.
  3. Step 3: In a separate bowl, combine 1 cup corn kernels, 1/4 cup mayonnaise, 1 tbsp finely chopped chipotle in adobo, 2 tbsp lime juice, and 1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro. Mix to create corn salsa.
  4. Step 4: Warm 8 small corn tortillas on the grill for 30 seconds per side until pliable.
  5. Step 5: Assemble tacos by placing 3-4 grilled shrimp on each tortilla, topping with 2-3 tbsp of the corn salsa, and sprinkling with 1 tbsp crumbled cotija cheese.
  6. Step 6: Serve immediately with additional lime wedges if desired.

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Frequently asked questions

How long does Mexican Street Corn-Inspired Grilled Shrimp Tacos 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 Mexican Street Corn-Inspired Grilled Shrimp Tacos?

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 fresh or frozen corn kernels from drying out.

Can I substitute ingredients in Mexican Street Corn-Inspired Grilled Shrimp Tacos?

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 Mexican Street Corn-Inspired Grilled Shrimp Tacos 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 Mexican Street Corn-Inspired Grilled Shrimp Tacos?

Mexican 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.

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