No tortillas? No problem! Celebrate “Taco Tuesday” with these handy and hearty Taco Bowls.
My family and I used to join countless other Americans in doing a weekly “Taco Tuesday” dinner, which consisted of flour tortillas, lightly spiced taco meat, and a rainbow of veggie fixings and toppings. But when I stopped eating flour tortillas, this taco bowl recipe rescued this dinnertime ritual for good.
Now, my mom and I make them whenever we want tacos but either don’t have or aren’t able to eat tortillas. Taco bowls are a marvelous way to skip the tortillas while still getting all those tasty Tex-Mex flavors we savor. And with the same amount of potential for customization, each person in the family can craft their own bowl so they’re satisfied.
The basics for a taco bowl recipe are well-seasoned ground beef, romaine lettuce, brown rice, black beans, red cabbage, tomatoes, red onion, avocado, and cheddar cheese. But take note—just as regular taco ingredients can be played with to your liking, so can these. No matter how it’s dressed up or down, every taco bowl is made specially to please.
Some potential customizations
My family is fun because we have a wide range of eaters. Most folks are omnivores, meaning they eat a decent balance of meat, veggies, and grains. But I eat a vegetarian diet, so when I dig into taco bowls, I omit the meat and replace it with either more black beans or Air-Fryer Tofu. For those who eat meat but prefer something lean, you can easily replace ground beef with ground chicken or turkey, then season it the same way. Sometimes, my mom will add green cabbage to the red for more color and crunch, but the men in my family frown upon this, preferring more cheese and less veg. However you choose to customize it, remember to have fun—that’s the real magic of Taco Tuesday!
How do I store leftovers?
Ideally, you’ll want to store each taco fixing in its own container in the fridge so that nothing gets soggy. But if you do happen to have a taco bowl that’s already assembled leftover, cover it with plastic wrap and refrigerate for 1-2 days. The sooner you eat it, the fresher and better it will taste. Enjoy leftovers cold or at room temperature, only heating up the meat if it was stored separately. To do so, grease a skillet with avocado oil and stir the leftover meat in it until it’s completely warm.
Serving suggestions
Top off your taco bowl with a dollop of Greek Yogurt or Sour Cream, plus some Chunky Guacamole and Chipotle Salsa. No “Taco Tuesday” is complete without these zesty condiments! Want to add even more to your meal? If you’d like to take a page out of my family’s cookbook, consider pairing your decadent taco bowls with a side of Mexican Chopped Salad and/or spicy Mexican Potatoes.
Ingredients
- 2 teaspoons neutral cooking oil
- 1 pound lean ground beef
- 1 tablespoon taco seasoning
- 2 tablespoons water
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 6 cups romaine lettuce chopped
- 1 1/4 cups cooked brown rice
- 1 1/4 cups black beans drained and rinsed
- 2 cups finely sliced red cabbage
- 2 Roma tomatoes chopped
- 2/3 cup red onion chopped
- 1 ripe avocado chopped
- 1/3 cup cheddar cheese shredded
- Handful of fresh cilantro chopped
- Juice of 1 lime
- 1/2 cup nonfat Greek yogurt optional
Instructions
- Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat and add cooking oil. Add the lean ground beef and cook, breaking it up with a spatula, until it is browned. Sprinkle in the taco seasoning, add water, and let the beef simmer for about 10 minutes so the flavors blend well. Season with salt and pepper.
- In each serving bowl, start with a base of chopped romaine lettuce, then add a layer of cooked brown rice. Next, add black beans, red cabbage, tomatoes, red onion, and avocado.
- Top with the cooked beef, sprinkle shredded cheddar cheese and chopped cilantro over the top, and finish with a squeeze of lime juice. Drizzle with nonfat Greek yogurt if desired.
Nutrition Info:
Nutrition information are estimates only and may vary based on the specific brands, ingredients, and portion sizes you use. This data is provided for informational purposes only.
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