Crispy Tortilla Bowl Taco Salad (Printable)

Crispy tortilla bowls filled with seasoned beef, fresh vegetables, beans, cheese, and vibrant toppings for a satisfying Mexican-inspired meal.

# What You Need:

→ For the Tortilla Bowls

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

→ For the 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

→ For the Salad

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 (fresh, frozen, or canned)

→ For the 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 Make It:

01 - Preheat the 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 a bowl shape.
02 - Bake for 8–10 minutes, or until golden and crisp. Let cool and carefully remove from molds.
03 - Meanwhile, heat a large skillet over medium heat. Add ground beef and cook until browned, breaking it up with a spoon. Drain excess fat.
04 - Add the chopped onion and garlic; sauté for 2–3 minutes until softened. Stir in chili powder, cumin, paprika, salt, and pepper. Cook for 1 more minute. Remove from heat.
05 - In a large mixing bowl, combine lettuce, cherry tomatoes, black beans, corn, red onion, and avocado.
06 - Place each tortilla bowl on a plate. Fill with salad mixture, then top with warm beef mixture. Sprinkle with shredded cheddar.
07 - Add salsa and sour cream. Garnish with cilantro and serve with lime wedges.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • Every forkful delivers that perfect hot and cold contrast that makes restaurant food feel special
  • The crispy tortilla bowls turn ordinary salad ingredients into something you will actually crave
02 -
  • Those tortilla bowls continue crisping in the first few minutes after leaving the oven, so resist the urge to dig in too soon
  • Squeezing fresh lime over everything right before eating transforms the entire dish—it is not optional
03 -
  • Warm your tortillas slightly in the microwave before draping them over bowls—they will shape more easily without cracking
  • If your beef mixture seems too dry, splash in a tablespoon of water while cooking to help the spices distribute evenly
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