Taco Salad Tortilla Bowl (Printable)

Crisp tortilla bowl layered with seasoned beef, beans, cheese, fresh salsa, and creamy toppings for a festive meal.

# What You’ll Need:

→ Tortilla Bowls

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

→ Beef Mixture

03 - 14 ounces 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

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

→ 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 Prepare:

01 - Preheat the oven to 400°F.
02 - Brush both sides of each tortilla with vegetable oil. Drape each tortilla over an inverted oven-safe bowl or ramekin arranged on a baking sheet to form bowl shapes.
03 - Bake for 8 to 10 minutes until golden and crisp. Allow to cool before carefully removing from the molds.
04 - Heat a large skillet over medium heat. Add ground beef and cook until browned, breaking it apart with a spoon. Drain excess fat.
05 - Add chopped onion and minced garlic to the skillet. Sauté for 2 to 3 minutes until softened. Stir in chili powder, ground cumin, smoked paprika, salt, and black pepper; cook for an additional minute. Remove from heat.
06 - In a large mixing bowl, combine shredded romaine lettuce, halved cherry tomatoes, drained black beans, corn kernels, sliced red onion, and diced avocado. Toss gently.
07 - Place each tortilla bowl on a serving plate. Fill with the salad mixture, then top with the warm beef mixture. Sprinkle with shredded cheddar cheese.
08 - Add salsa and sour cream on top. Garnish with fresh cilantro leaves and serve alongside lime wedges.

# Expert Suggestions:

01 -
  • Everything tastes better in a crispy edible bowl you can actually eat
  • The warm spiced beef against cool fresh toppings is pure magic
  • It looks impressive but comes together in under 40 minutes
02 -
  • The tortilla bowls can be made ahead and stored in an airtight container for up to 2 days
  • Don't skip draining the beef fat or your salad will end up greasy and heavy
  • The warmth of the beef slightly melts the cheese, which is exactly what you want
03 -
  • Warm your tortillas slightly in the microwave before shaping to prevent cracking
  • Add a squeeze of fresh lime juice over the salad right before serving for brightness
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