A traditional Baja California dish — Camarones Zarandeados are butterflied shrimp marinated in a smoky chile-garlic adobo and grilled on a wire rack, or zaranda, over live coals. The open fire chars the marinade into a sticky, savory glaze that Baja and Sonora cooks have perfected. They are served straight off the grill with lime, salsa, and tortillas — pure coastal barbecue.
Camarones Zarandeados
A traditional Baja California dish — Camarones Zarandeados are butterflied shrimp marinated in a smoky chile-garlic adobo and grilled on a wire rack, or zaranda, over live coals.

Step by stepInstructions
- Toast the guajillo chiles in a dry skillet until fragrant, about thirty seconds per side, then soak them in hot water for ten minutes.
- Blend the softened chiles with the garlic, lime juice, olive oil, Worcestershire, oregano, cumin, salt, and pepper into a smooth adobo.
- Toss the butterflied shrimp in the adobo and marinate for thirty minutes at room temperature or up to two hours chilled.
- Light a hot charcoal or gas grill and oil a wire rack or the grill grate well.
- Grill the shrimp for two to three minutes per side, until charred at the edges and just opaque through.
- Serve immediately with lime wedges, salsa, and warm tortillas.
💡 Chef tips & storage
Butterflying the shrimp lets the adobo penetrate and keeps them from curling on the grill. Keep the heat honest — a true zarandeado should have a gentle, smoky warmth, not a burn.

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