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Flavor-Packed Family Cinco de Mayo Taco Bar for Six

Cinco de Mayo Taco Bar - featured image
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A quick, colorful, and satisfying taco bar recipe perfect for Cinco de Mayo or any casual celebration, allowing everyone to customize their own tacos.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1.5 pounds ground beef or ground turkey (lean preferred)
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 1 small onion, finely chopped
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 2 teaspoons chili powder
  • 1 teaspoon cumin
  • 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
  • ½ teaspoon dried oregano
  • Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
  • ¼ cup water or beef broth
  • 12 small corn or flour tortillas (warmed)
  • 1 cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese
  • 1 cup shredded iceberg lettuce
  • 2 medium tomatoes, diced
  • ½ cup chopped fresh cilantro
  • ½ cup diced red onion
  • 1 jalapeño, thinly sliced (optional)
  • 1 ripe avocado, sliced or mashed
  • ½ cup sour cream or Mexican crema
  • Fresh lime wedges

Instructions

  1. Heat 2 tablespoons olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Add chopped onion and sauté until translucent, about 3-4 minutes.
  2. Add minced garlic and cook for 30 seconds until fragrant.
  3. Add ground beef or turkey, breaking it apart with a spatula. Cook until browned and no longer pink, about 6-8 minutes. Drain excess fat if needed, keeping some for flavor.
  4. Sprinkle chili powder, cumin, smoked paprika, oregano, salt, and pepper over the meat. Stir well to coat evenly.
  5. Pour in ¼ cup water or beef broth to keep the meat moist. Simmer gently for 5 minutes, stirring occasionally.
  6. While meat simmers, chop tomatoes, onion, cilantro, jalapeño, and lettuce. Arrange in small bowls for easy access.
  7. Slice or mash avocado and squeeze a little lime juice on it to keep fresh.
  8. Warm tortillas by wrapping in foil and placing in a low oven or using a tortilla warmer. Alternatively, microwave wrapped in a damp paper towel for about 30 seconds per batch.
  9. Set up the taco bar by laying out warmed tortillas, bowls of taco meat, cheese, and toppings within easy reach.
  10. Let everyone build their own tacos and enjoy.

Notes

To keep meat warm longer, use a slow cooker on low and stir occasionally. Rinse chopped onions in cold water to reduce sharpness. For gluten-free, use corn tortillas. Adjust spice level by omitting jalapeños or adding chipotle powder. Leftover meat stores well in fridge up to 3 days; reheat with a splash of water to retain moisture.

Nutrition

Keywords: taco bar, Cinco de Mayo, family meal, quick dinner, customizable tacos, ground beef tacos, ground turkey tacos, festive meal

Find it online: https://clunkcook.com/flavor-packed-family-cinco-de-mayo-taco-bar-recipe-for-six-easy-and-fun-meal-idea/