Nacho tacos – street food

Ingredients:

The Ground Beef Mixture

16 oz ground beef I recommend using between 80-95% lean; ground chicken or turkey would also work

1/4 cup vegetable oil or another neutral oil

1/2 tablespoon chili powder adjust the amount to taste

1/2 teaspoon cumin powder

1/2 teaspoon dried oregano

1/2 teaspoon garlic powder

1/2 teaspoon onion powder

1/2 teaspoon salt

1/4 teaspoon black pepper

1 cup crushed tomato or tomato passata

Other Taco Ingredients (Optional Toppings)

12 taco shells use hard taco shells, or soft corn tortillas or even flour tortillas

lettuce shredded, Iceberg or Romaine lettuce

lime wedges

homemade salsa thick and chunky or Pico de Gallo or a Jarred salsa

sour cream or Greek yogurt

cheese Monterey jack, Tex-Mex blend, Cheddar, or cotija

Directions:

Mix the taco seasoning spices.

Heat the oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat.

Once hot, add the beef and cook it for 4-5 minutes, or until it’s completely browned, using a spatula or spoon to break it down into crumbles.

Drain the excess grease before lowering the heat to low and adding the taco seasoning and crushed tomatoes/tomato passata. Stir well and simmer for a couple of minutes.

While the beef cooks, prepare your chosen toppings. Wash and shred the lettuce (by hand or with a mandoline/food processor slicing disk), slice the lime, and shred the cheese.

Optionally, heat the tortillas. You can do this for 20-30 seconds per side in a dry skillet, or a few seconds per side over an open flame (this will slightly char them and add smoky flavor). Or stack and wrap them in foil and then heat them in the oven at 350ºF/175ºC for 10-15 minutes.

Divide the ground beef mixture between the tortillas and add your favorite toppings, then enjoy!

You can also heat the tacos (only filled with the meat and cheese) in order to melt the cheese and crisp up the taco shells. You can do so in the oven at 350ºF/175ºC for about 5 minutes. I also love using my Air Fryer to do this – just a few minutes at 350ºF/175ºC. Once the cheese is melted, fill the tacos with your favorite toppings. 

Storage Instructions

Make ahead: You can prepare and store the cooked ground beef 3 days in advance and store it in an airtight container in the fridge. Fresh toppings, like lettuce, can be shredded a day in advance and stored in a paper-towel-lined airtight container.

Store: Once assembled, enjoy the juicy tacos quickly to avoid them becoming soggy. Store leftover fillings in containers in the fridge for 3-4 days.

Freeze: You can freeze the cooked ground beef in a freezer-safe Ziplock bag/container for up to 3 months. Thaw it in the refrigerator overnight before reheating it in a skillet or in the microwave until heated. Add a little beef broth or chicken broth or tomato sauce if it’s a little dry.