Vibrant Taco Salad Crispy Tortilla Bowl (Print view)

Crispy tortilla bowl filled with seasoned beef, fresh vegetables, beans, cheese, and zesty toppings for a satisfying meal.

# Ingredient List:

→ Tortilla Bowls

01 - 4 large flour tortillas (10-inch)
02 - 2 tablespoons vegetable oil

→ Beef Mixture

03 - 14 oz ground beef
04 - 1 small onion, finely chopped
05 - 2 cloves garlic, minced
06 - 2 teaspoons chili powder
07 - 1 teaspoon ground cumin
08 - 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
09 - 1/2 teaspoon salt
10 - 1/4 teaspoon black pepper

→ Salad Components

11 - 1 can (14 oz) black beans, drained and rinsed
12 - 5 oz cherry tomatoes, halved
13 - 1 small head romaine lettuce, shredded
14 - 3.5 oz shredded cheddar cheese
15 - 1 small red onion, thinly sliced
16 - 1 avocado, diced
17 - 1/2 cup corn kernels

→ Toppings

18 - 1/2 cup salsa
19 - 1/2 cup sour cream
20 - Fresh cilantro leaves for garnish
21 - Lime wedges for serving

# How-To Steps:

01 - Preheat oven to 400°F. Brush both sides of each tortilla with vegetable oil. Drape each tortilla over an upside-down oven-safe bowl or ramekin on a baking sheet to form bowl shape. Bake for 8-10 minutes until golden and crisp. Let cool and carefully remove from molds.
02 - Heat large skillet over medium heat. Add ground beef and cook until browned, breaking up with spoon. Drain excess fat. Add chopped onion and garlic; sauté 2-3 minutes until softened. Stir in chili powder, cumin, paprika, salt, and pepper. Cook 1 more minute. Remove from heat.
03 - In large mixing bowl, combine lettuce, cherry tomatoes, black beans, corn, red onion, and avocado. Toss gently to distribute evenly.
04 - Place each tortilla bowl on plate. Fill with salad mixture, then top with warm beef mixture. Sprinkle with shredded cheddar. Add salsa and sour cream. Garnish with cilantro and serve with lime wedges.

# Expert Suggestions:

01 -
  • The homemade tortilla bowls are infinitely better than store bought versions and they stay perfectly crisp
  • Its basically a deconstructed taco that you can eat with a fork but still get all those familiar flavors
02 -
  • Let the tortilla bowls cool completely before filling or they will steam and get soggy
  • The beef mixture can be made ahead and reheated which actually helps the flavors develop
03 -
  • If the tortillas crack while shaping warm them for 20 seconds in the microwave first
  • Line your baking sheet with parchment for easy cleanup
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