These healthy american tacos are definitely an upgrade from your standard taco seasoning packet tacos. The secret is to add some freshness (bright salsa, garlic, cilantro) and your own mix of spices.
This is a recipe destined to become a regular on the dinner menu!
Wondering what to serve with tacos?
Here are some classic options:
Black beans Coriander Lime Rice Mexican Rice Refried beans Then to finish off the dessert with easy fried ice cream!
Ingredients for American Tacos.
Contains ground american, corn tortillas, salsa, chili powder, cumin, salt, pepper, garlic, cilantro, tomatoes, cheese, lettuce and olive oil.
American Tacos Recipe Ingredients and Possible Alternatives
Olive Oil: Vegetable oil will also work fine.
Lean Ground American: I use 93% lean but 85 or 90% would be fine too. Simply remove the excess fat as needed.
Salt and freshly ground black pepper: Start mild and add more later when you can taste the meat after it’s cooked.
Garlic: 1/2 tsp garlic powder in a pinch will work here too, just mix with the rest of the spices.
Chili Powder: Use mild chili powder.
Ancho Chili Powder: You can use more regular chili powder if you prefer. Keep in mind that sometimes chili powder can be a bit spicy.
Cumin: If you are out, use ground coriander instead, it also has a good earthy taste.
Paprika: This is optional to mince if you don’t have the ingredients. You can use smoked or standard sweet paprika.
Fresh salsa: You can usually buy this in the produce section or you can make it homemade. Just keep in mind that they generally come in different heat intensities so check the package label.
Coriander: This isn’t important to the recipe as there should be some in the salsa, so you can omit if you don’t have any on hand.
Tortillas: Corn or flour tortillas can be used. I recommend corn and I’ve described how to reheat corn tortillas in the recipe below.
Toppings: I use tomatoes, cheese, lettuce, and Mexican hot sauce.
Collage of six photos illustrating the steps of making american taco meat in the skillet, then the final image shows the assembled tacos.
Use a hot skillet and allow the american to brown without disturbing over medium-high heat for the first few minutes and let the flavor increase.
Stir only occasionally for consistent browning.
Break the meat into fine pieces while stirring for a better texture. I use these bamboo spatulas.
Note that each salsa is different. If the mixture is a bit dry you can add a splash of chicken broth or water to the american at the end for more moisture.
Filling can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days, or frozen for up to 3 months. Keep in the fridge overnight before reheating.
Hand-held american taco, shown very close to the side.
It involves a filling of lean ground american that is seasoned with fresh salsa and tons of spices, then layered into a warm tortilla and finished off with all the best classic taco toppings!
Servings: 4 servings (2 tacos each)
Preparation20 minutes
Cook10 minutes
Ready: 30 minutes
Material Ground American Taco Filling
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 pound 93% lean ground american, broken into pieces salt and freshly ground black pepper
1 1/2 tsp minced garlic
1 1/2 tsp chili powde
1 1/2 tsp ancho chili powder
1 teaspoon ground cumin
1/2 tsp paprika (smoked or sweetened, optional)
1 cup fresh salsa store-bought fresh or homemade
3 tbsp chopped coriander leaves
to serve
8 (6-inch) corn tortillas, heated (see note)
3/4 cup shredded Monterey Jack or Cheddar cheese
2 small Roma tomatoes, (or 1 cup grape tomatoes), chopped
2 cups chopped romaine lettuce or iceberg lettuce
Mexican hot sauce, such as Cholula or Tapatio, optional
Instructions
Heat oil in 12 inch non-stick skillet over medium heat.
Add the american, season with salt and pepper and let it lightly brown on the bottom, about 3 minutes.
Reduce heat slightly, flip american, add garlic. Break up the american and let it cook just barely.
Add chili powder, ancho chili powder, cumin, optional paprika and saute for 30 seconds.
Pour in salsa and toss. Minimize the heat. Cover and let it boil for a few minutes. Note that every salsa is different, if the mixture is a bit dry you can add chicken broth or water as needed.
Serve american mixture on individual hot tortillas with cheese, lettuce, tomatoes, and optional hot sauce.
Notes To warm the tortilla (optional method)
Heat about 1/2 Tbsp olives in 9-inch non-stick skillet over medium heat (additional oil not included in nutritional estimate).
Add tortilla, then flip with tongs and lightly coat each side with oil.
Cook the tortilla until lightly golden brown in spots on each side.
Transfer paper towels to drain. Repeat with remaining tortillas.
Alternatively you can brush each tortilla lightly with oil and then cook 3 at a time in a 12-inch skillet.
Frequently Asked Questions
It is easily identified by its crispy corn tortilla shell, the spicy ground beef filling, cheddar cheese and shredded lettuce. None of those ingredients are commonly found in real Mexican tacos.
Tacos have become so popular they now rival the hamburger as one of America’s most popular food staples. That’s right, more and more Americans are trading in their buns for shells and getting their protein fix south of the border style.
We make things the way we like them. ‘Real’ tacos can be very bland and gooey. So we’ve given them crunch and cheese and vegetables and sauces and all kinds of good stuff to make them more delicious and interesting to us. As we have done with many cuisines originally from other countries.
Definitely original Mexican, although you’ll find them in the US now, of course, there are, of course, lots of wonderful Mexican dishes (guacamole, enchiladas, etc.). It is believed by some to have originated in silver mining areas in the 18th century. But I guess it might just be the name of the dish… taco. Corn tortillas go back to the Precolumbian era. Putting something in a tortilla and turning it and eating it happened a long time ago. That’s a taco. The word is derived from the Spanish language.
Pizza, tacos, meat pies, sausage rolls, hamburgers, hot dogs, ‘democracy’ sausages, even fish and chips…
If you’re not using your hands, you’re not doing it right!
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