Skip the Fast Food for these Better than Taco Bell Tacos
TACOS!
Whether you’ve been following me through my food blog or my business, you KNOW by now, how much I LOVE tacos. Yes, I talk about tacos in my business. While evenly tied as my favorite with pizza, tacos are a huge part of my life. Which is why I’m a bit surprised that I haven’t shared one of my favorite taco recipes with you. These bad boys truly are better than Taco Bell tacos.
I highly recommend keeping a big batch of the seasoning mix for these tacos on hand at all times. It’s so easy to make and doesn’t have all the additives those mixes from the store do. That way you can have a batch of tacos on the table in less than 30-minutes for those days when the clients kept you busy.
A Brief History of Tacos
Tacos have a long-standing history with the Mexicans. The Aztecs were thought to be the first to use a corn tortilla to get food from the pot or you mouth. A damn good food delivery system if you ask me. And of course, over time and with influences, tacos have changed and evolved. Today, using wheat and other grains or even non-grain foods to make the tortillas.
And the fillings. OMG, the fillings. You only need to use your imagination to decide what to put in your tacos. The one I’m sharing today, is the classic American style that I grew up with. It’s kinda like the comfort food taco for me for when I want to feel home a little bit or feeling a bit down.
Btw, if you haven’t watched the Taco Chronicles on Netflix, I highly recommend it. It’s an amazing series that goes through many of the traditional and classic flavors of tacos from different regions throughout Mexico and the US, told from the point of view of the tacos. I admit to drooling the entire time I watched it. #NoShame
Substitutions
Beef is the classic meat choice in these tacos BUT you can make them with any ground meat of your choice. Or skip the meat and go vegetarian with beans, meat-substitutes, or even crumbled firm tofu (delicious). If using turkey, chicken, or meatless options, reduce the amount of seasoning mix you use and add to taste. They require a bit less and will be overpowered if you use the full amount.
I also like to add a cup (or 14 oz can) of black beans to the recipe, mixed with the meat. It’s one of my favorite ways to eat them, rather than with just meat. The black beans add yummy goodness and texture. But if you’re not a black bean fan, pinto and cranberry beans go well, as well.
For the veggies, you can swap in cabbage in the place of the lettuce. And as always sour cream and Greek yogurt are interchangeable. We don’t even use sour cream in our kitchen anymore. It’s Greek yogurt in any dish that says sour cream, including baking. Better for you and it tastes the same when you get the good thick ones.
Btw, if you’re looking for an amazing vegetarian taco, check out my recipe for Roasted Delicata Squash, Kale and Black Bean Tacos with Smoked Spanish Paprika and Chili Aioli
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Crunchy or Soft?
Hard or soft tacos. Which is better is always the debate. In our house, we eat either. But the hubby prefers the hard ones and I’m a huge fan of the soft. Regardless, we’ll eat them anyway they are served, without complaint.
Soft tacos are a bit easier to eat if you’re serving up a dinner with guests. Soft is also more forgiving if you’re making ahead to serve as appetizers. Personally, I recommend setting up a taco bar for people to make their own because even the soft tortillas get soggy and will break.
But the satisfying crunch when you bit into a crunchy hard shell is also so freaking TASTY. The trick is being able to bite them, without shattering the whole shell.
Btw, if you’re buying hard taco shells in the store, revive them to fresh tasting by heating them on a baking sheet in the oven before serving. AND if you want to make your own tortillas, my recipe is here.
Taco, Taco, Tacos!
So, are you a fan of the hard or soft taco shell? What’s the debate in your home or with friends? Let me know in the comments, along with your favorite flavor. There’s nothing wrong with a healthy debate. Not to mention, there is no wrong answer here.
Also, I would love to know if you give these Better than Taco Bell Tacos a try, or please do drop your questions. I’m happy to help.
Better than Taco Bell Tacos
Ingredients
- 1 tsp olive oil
- ½ medium size onion finely diced
- 2 cloves garlic minced
- 1 lb (450 grams) ground beef
- 1 batch
Taco Seasoning Mix - ¾ cup water
- 2 medium size tomatoes chopped
- 1 cup lettuce roughly chopped
- ½ cup Monterey Jack or mild cheddar cheese grated
- sour cream or Greek yogurt for finishing
- taco sauce for finishing
- 12 hard taco shells or use 6" soft corn or flour tortillas
Instructions
- Heat oil in large skillet over medium heat. Add onion and garlic, cooking until soft.
- Pour in the Taco Seasoning Mix and cook until fragrant before adding the ground beef. Cook beef, browning lightly, until cooked through.
- Add water and cook until taco mix reaches your desired sauce level. Remove from the heat and serve up with the rest of the ingredients to make your tacos.
- Layer a bit of taco mix, chopped tomatoes, lettuce, sprinkle of cheese into your taco shell. Then finish up with dollops of sour cream or Greek yogurt and taco sauce. Eat and enjoy.