Taco Tips
What do you put in a taco?
When tacos first started to be part of American meals, the ingredients didn’t vary greatly. In the 1970s, a taco usually consisted of seasoned ground beef placed in a crunchy V-shaped tortilla and topped with shredded iceberg lettuce, chopped tomatoes and shredded cheese. Since then, regional ingredients and cooking styles have snuck into
taco recipes, giving us dozens of variations to enjoy.
What's in a traditional taco?
Throughout Mexico, tacos come with a wide variety of tortillas, fillings and toppings. But generally, if you order Mexican-style tacos at a U.S. restaurant, you can expect to get a warm corn tortilla filled with your choice of meat and topped with chopped onions, fresh cilantro, a squeeze of lime, sliced radishes, grilled or pickled jalapeños, and a choice of salsa.
What other meats can I put in a taco?
The answer is a simple one: Almost anything. The seasoned ground beef mixture in this recipe is a popular option.
Fish tacos, once seen only in California, are now on almost every restaurant menu. Other popular options are
short ribs,
shredded pork,
shredded chicken and
portobello mushrooms.
Can you freeze taco meat?
Yes; this meat mixture freezes beautifully. Make a big batch and freeze individual portions in plastic bags to thaw on the fly.
Research contributed by James Schend, Taste of Home Deputy Editor, Culinary
Test Kitchen Tips This meat mixture freezes beautifully. Make a big batch and freeze individual portions in plastic bags to thaw on the fly. Skip the shells and serve this over a bed of lettuce for a tasty taco salad. Top with crushed tortilla chips if you love that crunch!
Nutrition Facts
2 tacos: 294 calories, 11g fat (4g saturated fat), 42mg cholesterol, 420mg sodium, 30g carbohydrate (3g sugars, 3g fiber), 17g protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 2 starch, 2 lean meat.
