Toasted Grasshopper and Black Bean Tacos with Pickled Red Onion

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

Crunchy toasted grasshoppers combined with hearty black beans and tangy pickled red onion create a unique and traditional Oaxacan-inspired taco. This mexican-inspired tacos & burritos ready in about 50 minutes pairs dried grasshoppers (chapulines), black beans, cooked, corn tortillas for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 280 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 280 cal/serving
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Ingredients

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Instructions

  1. Step 1: Prepare pickled red onions by combining 1/2 cup thinly sliced red onion, 1/2 cup white vinegar, 1/2 cup water, 1 tbsp sugar, and 1 tsp salt in a jar; stir until sugar dissolves and let sit at room temperature for at least 30 minutes.
  2. Step 2: Heat a dry skillet over medium-high heat. Add 1 cup dried grasshoppers and toast for 3-4 minutes, stirring frequently until crisp and aromatic; remove from heat.
  3. Step 3: Warm 8 corn tortillas on a hot skillet for 30 seconds per side until pliable and slightly charred.
  4. Step 4: Spread 1/8 cup cooked black beans evenly over each tortilla, then top with a generous tablespoon of toasted grasshoppers and some pickled red onion.
  5. Step 5: Garnish with 1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro and serve immediately with 4 lime wedges for squeezing over tacos.

Frequently asked questions

How long does Toasted Grasshopper and Black Bean Tacos with Pickled Red Onion 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 Toasted Grasshopper and Black Bean Tacos with Pickled Red Onion?

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 black beans, cooked from drying out.

Can I substitute ingredients in Toasted Grasshopper and Black Bean Tacos with Pickled Red Onion?

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 Toasted Grasshopper and Black Bean Tacos with Pickled Red Onion 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 Toasted Grasshopper and Black Bean Tacos with Pickled Red Onion?

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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