This is the recipe for you if you’re searching for the Best Taco Meat to make ground meat tacos with even more flavor! This dish, which is produced with basic ingredients like tomato paste and homemade taco seasoning, is a guaranteed way to up the ante on your tacos—or burritos, chimichangas, nachos, you name it!
National Taco Day: An Appetizing Way to Honor
Discover how tacos became a top-5 favorite cuisine and a national obsession!
One of the most consumed foods in the US is tacos. How well-liked? In a recent Harris Poll, participants were asked what dish they would prefer to eat forever. You guessed it: tacos made it into the Top 5 (ranking #4, following burgers, steak, and pizza). Naturally, there is a holiday dedicated to tacos: National Taco Day is observed annually on October 4. And who doesn’t acknowledge the weekly Taco Tuesday? But how did this uncomplicated street dish become more popular?
A Little Taco History
National Taco Day: A Delicious Way To Celebrate
Learn how tacos came to be a national obsession and a top-5 favorite food!
Tacos are one of the most popular foods in the United States. How popular? A recent Harris Poll asked people which food they would want to eat for the rest of their lives. And you guessed it—tacos made it into the Top 5 (#4, after pizza, steak, and burgers). Of course, tacos have their own holiday; National Taco Day is celebrated on October 4th each year. And who doesn’t give a nod to Taco Tuesday each week? But how did this simple street food rise in the ranks?
A Little Taco History
By definition, tacos are corn or flour tortillas rolled around a savory meat filling. No one can say for certain when and where tacos originated but we know that they looked and tasted a bit different from the tacos we know and love today. As early as the 1880s tacos were being sold out of carts by Mexican immigrants who arrived in the southwestern United States and were devoured by Americans who were interested in the new spices and tastes. By 1920, the recipes were adapted to appeal more to the American palate with ingredients like ground beef, chicken, and cheddar cheese.
Authentic Street Tacos Recipe
Want to make your own tacos in celebration of Taco Day and every Taco Tuesday? Here’s a simple recipe for tacos. Feel free to customize it to your liking!
Ingredients:
Taco filling of your choice
Soft corn tortillas, warmed
Chopped white onions
Fresh cilantro
Lime wedges
Directions:
Filling; In Mexico, you’ll find everything from carne asada (sliced beef) to carnitas (shredded pork), fish, or grilled shrimp. Pick your favorite, or you can use our recipe, below.
You’ll also notice that authentic tacos call for soft corn tortillas. That’s because flour tortillas and hard taco shells were more of an Americanized adaptation to the recipes that first popped up. The same is true of shredded lettuce, shredded cheese and sour cream—these are American additions to the original Mexican taco. Corn tortillas should we warmed in a skillet over medium high heat.
Put out bowls of all your toppings and spoon into tortillas. Top with a squeeze of lime and enjoy!
Whole30 Compliant Easy Taco Filling
This version is perfect for Whole30 diets and doesn’t contain MSG, sugar, or other additives found in packaged taco seasoning mixes. We promise, it tastes like the “real” thing!
1 pound ground beef or turkey
1 tablespoon chili powder
2 teaspoons ground cumin
2 teaspoons salt or more to taste
2 heaping tablespoons canned tomato paste (be sure to freeze the rest!)
1/4 cup water
Directions:
Brown the ground beef or turkey in a large skillet over medium heat, and drain. Reduce heat to low and add spices, water, and tomato paste. Combine thoroughly and simmer until the water has evaporated.
Serve inside your favorite taco shell!