Pan-Grilled Grasshopper Tacos with Pickled Onions and Oaxacan Cheese

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

Traditional Oaxacan street food featuring toasted grasshoppers pan-grilled and served in warm corn tortillas with sharp Oaxacan cheese and tangy pickled red onions. This mexican-inspired tacos & burritos ready in about 50 minutes pairs olive oil, small corn tortillas, Oaxaca cheese, crumbled for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 220 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: 40 min Cook: 10 min Serves 4 Mexican cuisine 220 cal/serving
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Ingredients

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Instructions

  1. Step 1: Combine 1/2 cup white vinegar, 1/2 cup water, 1 tbsp sugar, and 1 tsp salt in a bowl. Stir until sugar and salt dissolve. Add 1 thinly sliced medium red onion and let sit for at least 30 minutes to pickle.
  2. Step 2: Heat 2 tbsp olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add 1 cup dried grasshoppers (chapulines) and pan-grill for 4-5 minutes, stirring frequently, until they are fragrant and slightly crispy.
  3. Step 3: Warm 8 small corn tortillas on a dry skillet over medium heat for 30 seconds per side until pliable and lightly toasted.
  4. Step 4: Assemble tacos by placing a generous spoonful of the grilled grasshoppers onto each tortilla, topping with crumbled 1 cup Oaxaca cheese and a few pickled red onion slices.
  5. Step 5: Garnish with 1/4 cup fresh cilantro leaves and serve immediately with lime wedges to squeeze over the tacos for a burst of bright acidity.

Frequently asked questions

How long does Pan-Grilled Grasshopper Tacos with Pickled Onions and Oaxacan Cheese take to make?

Total time is about 50 minutes (40 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 Pan-Grilled Grasshopper Tacos with Pickled Onions and Oaxacan Cheese?

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 olive oil from drying out.

Can I substitute ingredients in Pan-Grilled Grasshopper Tacos with Pickled Onions and Oaxacan Cheese?

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 Pan-Grilled Grasshopper Tacos with Pickled Onions and Oaxacan Cheese 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 Pan-Grilled Grasshopper Tacos with Pickled Onions and Oaxacan Cheese?

Mexican tacos & burritos 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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