Faqs About Taco Salad Shells
How to store taco salad bowls?
Store them in an airtight container for up to 2 days at room temperature, or up to a week in the fridge.
Can I freeze tortilla bowls?
Yes! You can freeze them for up to 3 months in an airtight container. I dont recommend it though. They take up a lot of space in the freezer and theyre easy to make fresh! Freeze the tortillas instead and make bowls when youre ready.
Can I use corn tortillas?
Yes! Make corn tortilla bowls the same way. Theyre a great gluten free option!
How To Make Baked Tortilla Bowls
The recipe we are sharing today is technically a baked tortilla bowl recipe, even though you flash fry the tortillas first.
You can skip the step of flash frying and just brush the tortillas with oil, shape, and bake But they will not form the large airy bubbles that are not near and dear to our hearts.
It worth the extra 4 minutes of work to gain golden pillowy bubbles in your taco bowl shells.
What Are Taco Salad Shells Made Of
This soft, crunchy taco bowl is deep-fried to perfection in an oil basket. Extra-large flour tortillas are fried in specially tailored basket and deep-fry into crunch. Nonetheless, vast majority of Americans dont own deep fryers. Try baking tortilla bowls out in parchment paper if you want them bubbly and puffy.
Read Also: Calories In Wendys Taco Salad
What Readers Are Saying About These Taco Bowls
- Hannah says: Looks amazing easy and flavorful summer recipe!
- Erin says: I never considered making my own bowls before- these are so easy and make our Mexican dinner nights feel a little more special!
- Roberta says: These are perfect! I even made mini bowls for the grandkids and they got such a kick out of it. Thanks for sharing!
You cannot make everybody happy you are not a taco.
Taco Salad Bowls are so easy to make and delicious that youd never guess they are light in calories, too! With less than 150 calories, these darling shells are the perfect way to serve taco salad without guilt.
If youre anything like our family, we like to eat Mexican-inspired dishes at least once a week for dinner. These homemade taco bowls are such an easy way to elevate a simple meal!
Taco salad bowls add such a nice flavor and texture to your favorite taco salad.
Do I Need To Use A Mold To Make A Tortilla Bowl In The Air Fryer
Yes, you need to use a mold or some kind of shape to make your flat tortilla into a bowl shape. This mold can be made from aluminum foil, made with real bowls, or could just be the shape of your air fryer basket.
You may need to experiment to get your bowls just right for your size of tortilla. See one of my tests below!
For my recipe and in my photos, I have used two oven safe bowls to mold my tortilla in a bowl shape.
You May Like: Aldi Specially Selected Salad Dressing
Crispy & Flaky Taco Salad Shells
To create your crispy, yet flaky taco salad shell, you will take a frying pan and place it over medium-high heat, then add your oil to heat up. You will want just enough oil to cover the bottom of the pan. Once it is warm, take your taco shell and place it in the bottom of the frying pan. Give it a slight swish so that the entire bottom is covered with oil. Then allow cooking for 30 seconds to one minute, or until it begins to puff up and turn golden on the bottom side. Flip it over and repeat the process. After the tortilla shell is crispy, you are going to place it into an oven save bowl and bake it at 400F for 5-10 minutes, to dry out the shell and make it crispy. You will then remove the bowl and allow it to cool while you prepare your salad.
Diy Fiesta Taco Salad Recipe
First, youll cook the beef and add the seasoning packet and water. Then, mix in your beans, cheese and sour cream. Lastly, top with the fresh veggies and dressing.
The great thing about this salad is you can really customize your toppings to jazz it up. If youre a fan of spice, add some chopped jalapeños or chipotle peppers. If you miss the crunch of the Taco Bell Strips, add some tortilla chips to the top.
We like serving this up with a side of fresh guacamole and pico de Gallo. If youre not eating this salad to be healthy, you could even serve it in a tostada bowl to get the full Fiesta Taco Salad vibe. If youre able to snag some Taco Bell hot sauce, you just might trick yourself into thinking you ordered it in the drive-thru.
Get the recipe here.
Products featured on Wide Open Eats are independently selected by our editors. However, when you buy something through our links, we may earn a commission.
Recommended Reading: Chicken Salad Chick Mac And Cheese
Homemade Taco Bowls Ingredients:
- Flour Tortilla Shells Whatever size you want. I like the 8 or 10 inches. You can also use mini tortilla shells. Corn tortilla shells can be used for gluten-free taco bowls.
- Cooking Spray Whatever kind you have is great.
- Aluminum Foil
- Oven-safe bowl, or muffin tin for mini shells for baking tortilla bowls.
How Do You Make Flour Tortilla Bowls In An Air Fryer
To make flour tortillas into tortilla bowls in your air fryer, youll need to create a mold in the shape of a bowl to form the tortilla while it cooks.
The best way to achieve this is by using actual bowls to shape the tortilla. Smart, huh? This method allows you to use either taco size or burrito size flour tortillas.
The most important part of this process is finding bowls that are the proper size for your tortillas. You dont want much extra tortilla hanging over the edges of the bowls because theyll go whatever direction they want and make your tortilla bowl look a lot less like a bowl!
Taco size tortillas will need smaller bowls than burrito size tortillas to make tortilla bowls in the air fryer. You can see in the photos how the tortilla fits in between the inner and outer bowls.
After 5 minutes of cooking, the tortilla has started to form its shape. However, you can see the center and outside are not quite browned.
Remove the outer bowl so that the tortilla can brown all around the outside. But leave the inner bowl so air bubbles dont form in the tortilla. Air fry for 3-4 more minutes.
If you want any additional browning, remove the inner bowl and air fry for just another minute to add a hint of brown to the inside of the bowl. Flip it over to avoid it flying around in the air fryer .
You May Like: What’s In A Taco Salad
Tortilla Bowl Serving Suggestions:
You really can serve them a million different ways! Here are a few ideas to get you started!
- Taco Salad the obvious, but even better with Homemade French Dressing!
- Sweet Pork Salad Check out my instant pot Mexican Pork recipe!
- Breakfast Burrito Bowls or any other burrito bowl
- Other Burrito Bowls
I love it when you make my recipes and give me feedback! If you have a minute please and leave astar ranking! Also, be sure to follow me on , , and !
News Result For Where Can You Buy Taco Salad Shells
15 Food Companies That Serve You ‘Wood’Your browser indicates if you’ve visited this link
TheStreet.com
Taco
15 Food Companies That Serve You ‘Wood’Your browser indicates if you’ve visited this link
TheStreet.com
Taco
35 Pork Recipes to Cook When You’re in Desperate Need of Dinner InspirationYour browser indicates if you’ve visited this link
Yahoo
35 Pork Recipes to Cook When You’re in Desperate Need of Dinner InspirationYour browser indicates if you’ve visited this link
Yahoo
Organic Grocery Pioneers Join ForcesYour browser indicates if you’ve visited this link
Yahoo Finance
buy
Organic Grocery Pioneers Join ForcesYour browser indicates if you’ve visited this link
Yahoo Finance
buy
I’m a professional baker and my boyfriend is a chef. Here are 13 of our favorite things to buy at Costco.Your browser indicates if you’ve visited this link
Yahoo News
buy
I’m a professional baker and my boyfriend is a chef. Here are 13 of our favorite things to buy at Costco.Your browser indicates if you’ve visited this link
Yahoo News
buy
Red Wine Global Market Report 2022Your browser indicates if you’ve visited this link
Yahoo Finance
The #1 Snack to Buy at Costco for Better Sleep, According to a DietitianYour browser indicates if you’ve visited this link
Yahoo
The #1 Snack to Buy at Costco for Better Sleep, According to a DietitianYour browser indicates if you’ve visited this link
Yahoo
Is It Safe To Eat Leftover Easter Eggs?Your browser indicates if you’ve visited this link
Yahoo News
shells
You May Like: Whole30 Salad Dressing To Buy
How To Make Taco Bowls With Tortillas
As a disclaimer, you dont need to make homemade tortillas bowls. You can use store bought, mix up the salad in a big bowl, or plate the taco salad individually.
However, if you are going to make tortilla bowls, its a fast and easy process! Begin by preheating your oven and add a bit of oil to a large skillet.
Heat a tortilla until it starts to bubble, flip it over, and allow it to bubble again.
Remove it, place it in an oven-safe bowl, and press down gently making sure not to rip the tortilla, but keep the sides up.
Alternatively, flip the bowl over so the opening is face down on your counter, and drape the tortilla over the bowl. Then make sure the sides are pressed down fairly firmly over the bowl, taking care not to rip the tortilla.
Repeat this process with how many taco bowls you want to make. I made 6 in total.
Place the bowls on a cookie sheet and bake for 15 minutes.
Tap the tortillas to make sure they are nice and crisp before removing. If the bottoms are not crisp enough, bake an additional minute or two or until done.
Honey And Mustard Dressing
A rather versatile dressing, this one goes equally well with green salads, steamed veggies, chicken, fish, and meats. Heres how to make it:
Ingredients:
1 tablespoon Dijon mustard + 1/4 cup
1 tablespoon honey
1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
1 1/2 teaspoons salt
2 tablespoons vegetable oil plus 1/4 cup
Method
Combine the mustard, vinegar, honey, and salt in a medium to large mixing bowl. To make the dressing creamy, slowly sprinkle in the oil while whisking. Refrigerate for up to three days before using.
You May Like: Salad Seasoning For Pasta Salad
Make Ahead And Freezing Instructions:
To make ahead: Everything can be prepped a day or two in advance. Reheat the meat mixture in the microwave or in a skillet, and serve hot.
To freeze: Allow meat mixture to cool completely and store in freezer-safe bag in the freezer for up to 3 months. Allow to thaw in the refrigerator overnight and reheat on the stove or in the microwave.
Taco Salad Done Right
Maybe youre thinking, taco salad? Meh. Id rather have tacos.
I get it, tortillas are tough to beat. But Im telling you, when you use the right ingredients and commit to making your own dressing, you will have a change of heart. You will go from thinking of taco salad as a second class healthy substitute to real tacos, to thinking mid-salad-chomp, Dang. This is legit amazing. And suddenly salad is no longer substandard.
Here are my secrets to get yourself to the BEST taco salad situation:
- you must make a dressing, even if its an easy one
- avocados are required, either fresh or in guac form
- Taco meat must be beef. Sorry turkey, but no, you are not the best.
- Mix herbs in with your lettuce. Chop your lettuce into small easy-to-bite pieces.
- Dont skimp on the cheese! Cheese is everything!
- You must use Juanitas or Fritos. The end. Forever and ever amen.
Recommended Reading: Create Your Own Salad Calories
Taco Salad With Homemade Tortilla Bowls
Taco salad with homemade tortilla bowls are the ultimate meal. You can prepare them for any occasion and everyone will think you have prepared a gourmet meal. These taco bowls add a lovely compliment to your dinner and look like they took a long time for you to prepare. Give them a try and let us know what you think about them!
Crunchy Bubbly Taco Salad Bowls
The best thing about eating a taco salad at a restaurant is the crunchy tortilla bowl. Am I right?
The golden color and crisp airy bubbles are so alluring, its hard not to break off a big chunk of bowl before ever picking up your fork!
At restaurants, taco salad bowls are made by deep-frying extra-large flour tortillas in a specially-shaped frying basket.
However, most of us dont have deep fryers at home. And if you try to just bake tortilla bowls, they come out crisp, but not puffy and bubbly.
So today Im going to teach you a quick trick to making crispy taco salad bowls at home, without a deep fryer!
Don’t Miss: Individual Clear Glass Salad Bowls
Tips For The Best Taco Bowl Shells
- If you have one nearby, a local Hispanic market will carry fresh tortillas. You can often find them at your favorite grocery store!
- If your tortillas are tearing, try warming them in the microwave or stovetop first. This makes them softer to help shape into bowls without tears.
- Experiment with sizes. Mini tortillas are great for kids or smaller servings, and larger burrito-sized tortillas are great for hungry guests.
- For an extra indulgent touch, line the bowl with cheese!
- If youre making several at once, place bowls on baking sheets. This will allow you to put them in the oven and remove them with ease.
Bubbly Taco Salad Bowls
This article focuses primarily on how to create the delicious bubbly taco shell to use for salads or Mexican taco bowls. The process of making the bowls is a simple process that uses store-bought tortilla shells, oil, a frying pan, a bowl that can go in the oven, and thats it! Its a super simple process, that my family enjoys eating. I wish I had known about this trick years ago because it is such a simple way to have a delicious meal.
Read Also: How To Make Chipotle Salad Dressing
How To Make Taco Salad:
For a crowd, or if uncertain of your guests preferences, set up a build-your-own taco salad bar.
What Do You Put In Taco Salad Bowls
- Taco Salad shells are also an adorable way to serve dry accompaniments for a taco bar like cheese, onions, cilantro and lettuce.
- My favorite Taco Salad recipe so flexible by using all your favorite ingredients.
Truly, these bowls work well with any Mexican food, especially brown rice and cilantro!
Love that cilantro lime flavor combination? Dont skip this Cilantro Lime Crema and Cilantro Aioli!
To see just how easy taco salad bowls are to make, watch the video in this post!
- Pin this for later!
You can find all of my Easy Mexican Recipes here! Youre especially going to love this taco salad thats perfect to fill these shells. Dont forget to make my favorite skinny margaritas to go along with your taco night! What are your familys favorite Mexican dishes?
You May Like: If I Just Eat Salad Will I Lose Weight
How To Make Taco Salad Bowls:
Little Dairy on the Prairie Pro Tip: Before you start making the tortilla bowls, find oven-safe bowls that the tortillas will fit in. Its okay if the shells stick up a little bit over the rim of the bowl.
STEP 1: Microwave tortillas for a few seconds until they are soft. It helps keep them from tearing if theyre pliable.
STEP 2: Spray tortillas with cooking spray on both sides.
STEP 3: Set tortilla in bowls. Crumple a piece of aluminum foil in a loose ball that fits inside the tortilla.
STEP 4: Bake tortilla bowls. Let cool in the bowls before removing.
Air Fryer Taco Salad Bowls
If you have a round air fryer, you can try this way of creating them for a change:
Begin by spraying both sides of your tortilla with cooking spray, then fold it into a piece of foil just slightly larger than the tortilla shell. Place it into the bottom of your air fryer and place a bowl on top to weigh it down. Cook until golden brown, remove from your air fryer and serve after it has cooled.
You May Like: Easy To Make Salad Dressing
How To Make Ground Beef For Taco Salad
To a large skillet, add the ground beef, evenly season with taco seasoning, and cook until done and browned.
As an alternative to ground beef, you can change up the meat and use preseasoned chicken fajita or beef fajita meat.
Or try ground, cubed, sliced, or shredded chicken or turkey. Sausage and ground pork are also great options.
Baked Tortilla Bowls Variations:
- Cheesy Taco Shells Remove aluminum foil ball during the last two minutes of baking. Sprinkle grated cheese on the insides of the bowls.
- Mini Shells To make mini taco cups turn a muffin tin upside down and press the street taco shells or small tortillas between the bottoms of the cupcake cups.
- Corn Tortilla Bowls Corn tortillas are smaller. Either use a smaller bowl or the bottom of a muffin tin.
- Dessert Shells Sprinkle the inside of the bowls with cinnamon and sugar before baking. These are fantastic with vanilla ice cream!
Also Check: Jack In The Box Southwest Salad