Chapulines - Cooked Grasshoppers Recipe

By Chelsie Kenyon

Updated 01/07/18

Chapulines
César Rincón / Flickr / CC By 2.0
Ratings (25)
  • Total: 30 mins
  • Prep: 20 mins
  • Cook: 10 mins
  • Yield: 4-8 servings
Nutritional Guidelines (per serving)
95 Calories
1g Fat
19g Carbs
6g Protein
(Nutrition information is calculated using an ingredient database and should be considered an estimate.)

These chapulines, or grasshoppers, are delicious when wrapped in a corn tortilla and drenched in chile sauce, or on their own as a quick snack. They are very popular in Oaxaca, Mexico where they are consumed on a daily basis. Chapulines are very high in protein yet very low in fat and have a wonderful crunchy texture when cooked properly. Grasshoppers in abundance are hard to find, and even in Mexico they are only found in certain states. But if you do come across a good Chapulines source, you can use this recipe for fantastic results. Grasshoppers can sometimes contain parasites, so cooking them thoroughly is very important.

Ingredients

  • 1 lb chapulines
  • 3 cloves of garlic (peeled and chopped)
  • 1 serrano chile (seeded and diced)
  • 1 lime cut into wedges
  • 1/2 of an onion (chopped)
  • 1/2 cup oil (for frying)
  • Dash salt (or to taste)

Steps to Make It

  1. You will need to pull the wings and legs off of each chapuline.

  2. Heat the oil in a shallow pan and saute the garlic, chile and the onions until the onions are translucent.

  3. With a slotted spoon, remove and discard the onions, chile and the garlic from the oil, leaving the oil in the pan.

  4. Saute the chapulines in the oil until they are brown and crispy.

  5. Remove the chapulines and drain them well, on paper towels.

  6. Sprinkle salt over the top, and then squeeze some lime over them. You can enjoy them as a snack or use as a filling for tacos.