Description
Create a flavorful and interactive meal with this Totally Tasty Taco Bar recipe. Featuring a robust homemade taco seasoning, perfectly sautéed ground beef, and a variety of classic toppings, this recipe is ideal for a quick, crowd-pleasing dinner ready in just 30 minutes. Customize your taco experience with fresh veggies, cheese, salsa, and creamy aioli for a delicious Mexican-inspired feast.
Ingredients
Taco Seasoning
- 1 tablespoon chili powder
- 2 teaspoons ground cumin
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon ground black pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
- 1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes (or less for sensitive palates)
- 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1/2 teaspoon paprika
- Optional: 1/2 teaspoon sugar
Main Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon olive oil (or avocado oil)
- 1 small white onion, diced (about 1 cup)
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 pounds lean ground beef (or ground turkey)
- 1 cup beef broth (or chicken broth)
Taco Bar Toppings
- 16 taco shells (soft or hard, warmed according to package directions)
- 2 cups lettuce, chopped
- 2 cups tomatoes, diced
- 1/2 cup red onion, diced (or pickled red onions)
- 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese (or Mexican blend or Cotija cheese)
- 2 avocados, diced (or guacamole)
- 1 cup salsa (recommended: Mateo's medium salsa)
- Cilantro Lime Aioli (in a squeeze bottle)
- 8 ounces sour cream (or plain Greek yogurt)
- Fresh cilantro, chopped
- Lime wedges
- 1 (15-ounce) can black beans, rinsed and warmed (or pinto beans)
- Cilantro Lime Rice
Instructions
- Make Seasoning: In a small bowl, combine chili powder, cumin, salt, black pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, crushed red pepper flakes, dried oregano, paprika, and optional sugar. Stir well and set aside for later use.
- Saute Onion: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add diced onion and sauté, stirring frequently, until softened, about 4 to 5 minutes. Add minced garlic cloves and cook for an additional 30 to 60 seconds until fragrant.
- Cook Ground Meat: Add ground beef to the skillet. Cook for 5 to 7 minutes, breaking the meat apart with a wooden spoon or spatula, until no longer pink and well browned. Drain off any excess grease to keep it lean.
- Season & Simmer: Sprinkle 3 to 4 tablespoons of the prepared taco seasoning over the cooked meat. Stir well to evenly coat. Pour in 1 cup of broth (chicken, beef, or vegetable), bring to a simmer, then reduce heat to medium-low. Let it simmer uncovered for about 5 minutes until some liquid has reduced and flavors meld.
- Serve: Transfer the seasoned meat to a serving bowl. Arrange taco shells, chopped lettuce, diced tomatoes, diced red onions, shredded cheese, diced avocados, salsa, cilantro lime aioli, sour cream, chopped cilantro, lime wedges, warmed black beans, and cilantro lime rice in separate bowls or dishes to create a festive taco bar assembly line. Keep tortillas warm by wrapping them in a clean dish towel until ready to serve.
Notes
- Adjust red pepper flakes to control the heat level for sensitive eaters.
- You can substitute ground turkey for beef for a leaner option.
- Keep taco shells warm by wrapping them in a towel or using a low oven heat setting.
- For extra flavor, try adding pickled red onions or a squeeze of fresh lime juice over the finished tacos.
- Make the cilantro lime aioli ahead of time and store in a squeeze bottle for easy serving.
- If desired, prepare cilantro lime rice and warm black beans to accompany the taco bar.
