Fast and easy grilled shrimp make a lighter alternative to meaty taco fillings. Toss them quickly in spicy chipotle powder, cumin, and lime juice, then grill to develop a flavorful char. Stuff them into warm corn tortillas, top with a fresh avocado-corn-tomato salsa, and wash it all down with an ice-cold Michelada.

Special equipment: You’ll need 10 (12-inch) skewers. Be sure to soak wooden skewers in water for at least 30 minutes beforehand to keep them from burning on the grill.

  • Yields: 6 to 8 servings
  • Difficulty: Easy
  • Total: 45 mins

Ingredients (16)

For the salsa:

  • 4 ears white or yellow corn, shucked
  • 4 medium scallions, thinly sliced (white and light green parts only)
  • 3 medium tomatoes, cored, seeded, and cut into small dice
  • 3 tablespoons freshly squeezed lime juice (from about 2 medium limes), plus more as needed
  • 2 tablespoons finely chopped fresh cilantro
  • 1 serrano chile, stemmed and finely chopped
  • 1 1/2 teaspoons kosher salt, plus more as needed
  • 2 medium avocados

For the tacos:

  • 2 tablespoons freshly squeezed lime juice (from about 2 medium limes)
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 4 teaspoons chipotle powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon ground cumin
  • 2 pounds peeled and deveined large shrimp (about 45 shrimp)
  • 10 (12-inch) skewers (soak wooden skewers in water for 30 minutes to avoid burning on the grill)
  • 16 grilled or warmed corn tortillas

Instructions

For the salsa:

  1. Remove the corn kernels from the cobs: Place a large container on a damp towel. Fold a paper towel into fourths and place it inside the container. Stand 1 ear of corn on the paper towel, using the stem as a handle. Using a paring knife, slice downward, letting the kernels fall into the container. Rotate the cob and continue until all the kernels have been removed; discard the cob. Repeat with the remaining corn. Discard the paper towel.
  2. Add the scallions, tomatoes, measured lime juice, cilantro, serrano, and measured salt and stir to combine.
  3. Halve and pit the avocados. Using a paring knife, score the flesh of the avocado halves in a 1/4-inch-wide crosshatch pattern (be careful not to cut through the skin). Using a spoon, scoop the avocado pieces into the corn mixture and gently fold to combine.
  4. Taste and add more lime juice or salt as needed; set aside.

For the tacos:

  1. Heat an outdoor grill to high (about 450°F to 550°F). Meanwhile, assemble the shrimp.
  2. Whisk the lime juice, oil, chipotle powder, salt, and cumin together in a large bowl. Add the shrimp and toss to combine.
  3. Skewer each shrimp through the tail and head ends, leaving about 1/4 inch of space between each shrimp. Transfer the skewers to a baking sheet.
  4. Place the skewers in a single layer on the grill without touching. Close the grill and cook until grill marks appear on the bottom, about 4 minutes. Flip the skewers, close the grill, and cook until the shrimp are just firm, about 1 minute more. Transfer the skewers to a clean baking sheet.
  5. Remove and discard the skewers, transfer the shrimp to a cutting board, and coarsely chop. Place in a serving bowl.
  6. Serve the shrimp with the tortillas and salsa.