Description
Cheesy pocket tacos deliver a Mexican-inspired culinary adventure that blends crispy tortilla edges with melted cheese and savory fillings. Hearty, portable, and packed with flavor, these handheld delights invite you to savor each delectable bite of street-style comfort.
Ingredients
Scale
Proteins and Cheese:
- 1 pound (454 grams) ground beef (or ground turkey)
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese (or a Mexican cheese blend)
- 1/2 cup shredded Monterey Jack cheese
Seasonings and Liquid:
- 1 packet taco seasoning
- 1/2 cup water
Filling and Garnish Ingredients:
- 1/4 cup chopped red onion
- 1/4 cup chopped cilantro
- 1/4 cup sour cream (or Greek yogurt)
- 12 small flour tortillas (street taco size or slightly larger)
Optional Toppings:
- Diced tomatoes
- Shredded lettuce
- Salsa
- Guacamole
- Jalapenos
Instructions
- Prepare the protein by browning ground meat in a skillet over medium-high heat, breaking it into small crumbles and removing excess fat.
- Enhance the meat’s flavor by incorporating taco seasoning and a splash of water, allowing the mixture to simmer and thicken for several minutes.
- Create a creamy cheese blend by mixing cheddar and Monterey Jack in a separate bowl, ensuring even distribution.
- Gently warm tortillas until they become flexible, avoiding over-heating that might cause cracking.
- Construct each pocket by laying out a tortilla and strategically placing seasoned meat on one half, followed by a generous cheese layer.
- Sprinkle red onion and fresh cilantro across the meat for added texture and aromatic complexity.
- Carefully fold the tortilla into a half-moon shape, creating a compact pocket that seals in the savory filling.
- Achieve a crispy exterior by grilling the pockets in a hot skillet or panini press, rotating to ensure even golden-brown coloration and melted cheese.
- Elevate the dish with vibrant garnishes like diced tomatoes, crisp lettuce, zesty salsa, creamy guacamole, and spicy jalapeños.
- Serve immediately with a dollop of cooling sour cream or tangy Greek yogurt to balance the robust flavors.
Notes
- Elevate meat flavor by using a blend of ground beef and pork for deeper, richer taste profile.
- Reduce fat content by choosing lean ground turkey or chicken and draining excess grease thoroughly after cooking.
- Make the dish gluten-free by using corn tortillas instead of flour tortillas and checking taco seasoning ingredients for wheat-based additives.
- Enhance cheese melting by bringing cheese to room temperature before assembling pockets, ensuring smoother, more even melting during toasting.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner, Snacks
- Method: Sautéing
- Cuisine: Mexican
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6
- Calories: 400
- Sugar: 2 g
- Sodium: 800 mg
- Fat: 22 g
- Saturated Fat: 10 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 30 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 20 g
- Cholesterol: 70 mg