It might seem strange for some people, but I don't think my family eat tacos before I was 17. That's when my mom, brother, sister, and I moved from upstate New York to Florida's west coast. Once here, Mom decided that tacos would be a wonderful (and inexpensive) meal to fix at least once a week.
Of course, back then, tacos were pretty much restricted to the crunchy taco shells (always yum), along with a bowl of cooked-up ground beef, and other bowls filled with cut up tomatoes, shredded cheese, and lettuce. Everyone pretty much made their own tacos, but that was fine.
Now, there are so many other ingredients to add to tacos, which makes it a whole lot more interesting. Check out the Pulled Pork Tacos with Pineapple Slaw, Crack Chicken Tacos, or any of the other yummy taco recipes in today's post. Enjoy!
Mom, sitting by our Florida pool, along with her Uncle George, and Tom (a family friend).
BLACK BEAN, RICE AND QUESO MINI TACOS
This is from Old El Paso, and begins, "Kids will love these filled mini tacos, which are packed with cilantro-lime rice, black beans, cheese and drizzled with Old El Paso™ Creamy Queso sauce. Easy to assemble and great for on-the-go, busy families."
Prep Time: 24 minutes; Total Time: 40 minutes; Makes 6 servings
To view this online, go to https://www.oldelpaso.com/recipes/black-bean-rice-and-queso-mini-tacos.
Ingredients
1/2 cup uncooked regular long-grain white rice
1 cup water
1 tablespoon butter
1 tablespoon lime juice
1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro
1 package (12 count) Old El Paso™ Mini Soft Tortilla Bowls
1 can (15 oz) Progresso™ black beans, drained, rinsed
1 can (4.5 oz) Old El Paso™ Chopped Green Chiles
1 cup Old El Paso™ ™ Shredded Mexican Style 4 Cheese Blend
1/2 cup pico de gallo
1/3 cup Old El Paso™ Creamy Queso sauce
Directions
In 1 to 1 1/2-quart saucepan, heat white rice and water to boiling; reduce heat. Cover and simmer 8 to 10 minutes or until all water is absorbed. Remove from heat; let stand covered 5 minutes. Fluff with fork; stir in butter, lime juice and cilantro. Cover and set aside.
Heat oven to 375°F. In ungreased 13x9-inch (3-quart) baking dish, place tortilla bowls.
In medium bowl, mix beans and green chiles. Divide rice mixture evenly among tortilla bowls; top each with 2 teaspoons of the cheese. Divide bean mixture evenly among tortilla bowls; top each with remaining cheese.
Bake 10 to 12 minutes or until hot and cheese is melted. Top with pico de gallo and sauce.
Expert Tips
Salsa may be substituted for the pico de gallo in this recipe.
Precooked rice is available for purchase in the frozen section of the grocery store and is a convenient alternative to the cooked rice in this recipe. You may also use 1 1/2 cups leftover cooked rice, heated in microwave.
Variation: Try Old El Paso™ Creamy Salsa Verde sauce as an alternative to the creamy queso sauce.
EASY AL PASTOR CHICKEN TACOS
This is from Old El Paso, and begins, "Take tacos al pastor for a spin with this easy, family friendly chicken recipe."
Prep Time: 25 minutes; Total Time: 25 minutes; Makes 8 servings
To view this online, go to https://www.oldelpaso.com/recipes/easy-al-pastor-chicken-tacos.
Ingredients
1 tablespoon vegetable oil
1 lb boneless skinless chicken breasts, cut into 1/2-inch strips
1 can (8 oz) pineapple tidbits in juice, undrained
1 package (0.85 oz) Old El Paso™ Al Pastor Taco Seasoning Mix
1 cup shredded iceberg lettuce
1 package (8 count) Old El Paso™ Soft Tortilla Bowls, heated as directed on package
1/3 cup sour cream, if desired
1 cup Old El Paso™ Shredded Monterey Jack Cheese (4 oz)
1/3 cup diced red bell pepper
1/3 cup sliced green onions
Directions
In 10-inch skillet, heat oil over medium-high heat. Add chicken; cook 4 to 6 minutes, stirring occasionally, until no longer pink in center.
Stir in pineapple and taco seasoning mix; heat to boiling. Reduce heat; simmer uncovered 1 to 3 minutes, stirring frequently, until thickened.
Divide lettuce among tortilla bowls. Top with sour cream. Divide chicken mixture among tortilla bowls; add cheese, bell pepper and green onions.
Expert Tips
For best results, pat chicken slices dry before adding to hot skillet.
Shredded green cabbage makes a nice substitute for the shredded lettuce.
PULLED PORK TACOS WITH PINEAPPLE SLAW
This is from Delish. The recipe begins, “You'll want to use the pineapple slaw on everything.”
Yields: 8; Prep Time: 15 minutes; Total Time: 8 hours 15 minutes
To view this online, click here.
Ingredients
4 lb. pork shoulder
1 c. barbecue sauce
1/2 c. brown sugar
Juice of 3 limes, divided
2 tbsp. garlic powder
2 tbsp. chili powder
2 tsp. cayenne pepper
1/2 head cabbage, shredded
1 whole pineapple, cut and diced
2 tbsp. extra-virgin olive oil
1/2 small red onion, sliced
2 green onions, sliced
1 tsp. crushed red pepper flakes
8 corn tortillas
Directions
In a 6-quart slow-cooker, add pork. In a medium bowl, combine barbecue sauce, brown sugar, juice of 2 limes, garlic powder, chili powder, and cayenne, then mix together into a thick paste and spread all over pork.
Cook on high for 5 to 6 hours or on low 8 to 9 hours, until tender, then shred.
When ready to eat, make pineapple slaw: Combine cabbage, pineapple, remaining lime juice, olive oil, red onions, green onions, and red pepper flakes.
Top tortillas with shredded pork and pineapple slaw.
GROUND BEEF TACOS
This comes from Pillsbury, and begins, “This taco recipe is the classic Tex-Mex-style version of tacos that many Americans grow up with: seasoned ground beef stuffed in a crispy taco shell with additional fillings like lettuce, cheese, tomatoes and sour cream. Even better, these ground beef tacos can be on the table in just 25 minutes.”
Prep Time: 25 minutes; Total Time: 30 minutes; Servings: 6
To view this online, click here.
Ingredients
1 lb lean ground beef
1 medium onion, chopped
1 teaspoon chili powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
1 can (8 oz) tomato sauce
12 Old El Paso™ crunchy taco shells
1 1/2 cups shredded Cheddar cheese (6 oz)
2 cups shredded lettuce
2 medium tomatoes, chopped
3/4 cup Old El Paso™ Thick 'n Chunky salsa
3/4 cup sour cream, if desired
Directions
Heat oven to 250°F. In large skillet, brown ground beef and onion over medium heat for 8 to 10 minutes or until beef is thoroughly cooked, stirring frequently. Drain.
Stir in chili powder, salt, garlic powder and tomato sauce. Reduce heat to low; cover and simmer 10 minutes.
Meanwhile, place taco shells on ungreased cookie sheet. Heat at 250°F. for 5 minutes.
To assemble tacos, layer beef mixture, cheese, lettuce and tomatoes in each taco shell. Serve with salsa; top with sour cream.
Expert Tips
Chili powder is a vibrant mix of dried oregano, garlic, cumin, and mild to hot chiles. Commercial blends can vary in flavor, but they all add that south-of-the-border taste to the meat. Choose a chipotle chili powder for more heat and a smoky undertone to the flavor it adds.
These are very classic Mexican-American style tacos, the beauty of which is they’re completely customizable. Skip the ground beef and swap in ground chicken (which is terrific with taco seasoning), use Old El Paso™ soft flour tortillas warmed per package directions instead of the crunch taco shells, and bump up the toppings—set out bowls of chopped radish, sliced green onion, pickled jalapeños, and/or torn fresh cilantro leaves.
CRACK CHICKEN TACOS
This is from Lindsay Funston at Delish. Lindsay wrote, “If you're addicted to our Crack Chicken, just wait until you taste it in tacos. Prep Time: 25 minutes; Total Time: 50 minutes; Yields: 4.
To view this online, click here.
Ingredients
2 lb. boneless skinless chicken breasts, cut into 2" pieces
1 c. all-purpose flour
2 c. panko bread crumbs
3 large eggs
Kosher salt
Freshly ground black pepper
1 c. barbecue sauce
1/2 c. brown sugar
Juice of 2 limes
1 tsp. garlic powder
8 Small flour tortillas
1/2 head green cabbage
1/4 c. Ranch dressing, for drizzling
2 tbsp. Freshly chopped cilantro, for garnish
Directions
Preheat oven to 425° and line a large baking sheet with parchment. In a large resealable plastic bag, combine chicken and flour and shake until fully coated.
In one bowl, add bread crumbs. In another bowl, beat eggs. Dip chicken in eggs, then in panko until fully coated. Transfer to prepared baking sheet and season with salt and pepper.
Bake until golden and crispy, 23 to 25 minutes.
Meanwhile, in a small saucepan over low heat, warm barbecue sauce, brown sugar, lime juice, and garlic powder.
Coat baked chicken in sauce.
Serve chicken in tortillas with cabbage and drizzled with ranch. Garnish with cilantro.
BEEF TACO BOATS
These are from Lauren Miyashiro on Delish. Lauren wrote, “Your new favorite way to eat a taco.”
Yields: 4; Prep Time: 20 minutes; Cook Time: 10 minutes; Total Time: 30 minutes
To view this online, go to https://www.delish.com/cooking/recipe-ideas/recipes/a53019/beef-taco-boats-recipe/.
Ingredients
4 medium flour tortillas
Uncooked rice
1 tbsp. extra-virgin olive oil
1 onion, chopped
2 cloves garlic
1 lb. ground beef
1 tsp. chili powder
1/4 tsp. paprika
Kosher salt
Freshly ground black pepper
Shredded lettuce
1/2 c. shredded cheddar
Pico de gallo
Guacamole
Sour cream
Directions
Preheat oven to 350°. Shape a large piece of foil (smaller than the size of your tortillas) into a boat. Place one tortilla inside foil boat so that the perimeter of tortilla comes up the sides. Repeat to make 4 boats. Fill each boat with rice.
Bake until lightly golden, about 15 minutes. Let cool in foil until ready to serve.
Meanwhile, in a large skillet over medium heat, heat oil. Add onion and cook, stirring, until soft, about 5 minutes. Add garlic and cook until fragrant, 1 minute more. Add ground beef, chili powder, and paprika and season with salt and pepper. Cook, breaking up meat with a wooden spoon, until beef is no longer pink, about 6 minutes. Drain fat.
Remove rice and foil from tortilla boats and fill each with ground beef. Top with lettuce, cheddar cheese, pico de gallo, guacamole, and sour cream.
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