Crispy Avocado Tacos

At the time I became pregnant with my oldest daughter, I was working for Marion Cunningham, a well-respected cookbook author and the proverbial fairy godmother of home cooking. Among the perks of the job was being on the receiving end of the lunches Marion made each day. No matter how busy we were, she would take time to set a proper table and cook a civilized meal, the sort of thing you might expect for Sunday supper: Roast chicken with all the sides, a beef and vegetable stew, meatloaf and mashed potatoes. And there was always dessert, everything from apple pie to warm brownies crowned with vanilla ice cream. 

A Not-So-Ordinary Taco

One day, Marion was in the kitchen making what appeared to be rather ordinary tacos. Having grown accustomed to my mid-day feast, I was a little disappointed. But one bite in and I was a convert. There was nothing ordinary about anything Marion cooked, least of all these tacos. A combination of crisp corn tortillas, melted cheese, thick slices of avocado, and crunchy lettuce, they were so good, I found myself going for seconds and then thirds. 

Two Crispy Avocado Tacos with salsa

Essentials for Crispy Avocado Tacos 

These avocado tacos are all about texture. It’s essential to get the tortillas very crisp in an oil-slicked skillet. Next is to add perfectly ripe avocado, followed by crunchy lettuce. This is not the time for arugula and spinach. Marion used iceberg lettuce, of which she was quite fond. I opt for the crunchiest, light green leaves from a head of Romaine. Sharp Cheddar is my cheese of choice, but feel free to substitute a milder version or Monterey Jack. Avocados add “healthy” fats to these tacos and help make them nourishing and satisfying. 

What to Serve with These Tacos

To round out a meal of these tacos, I like to add a side or two. Here are a few ideas:

  • Make a side of beans, either homemade black or pinto beans, or store-bought.
  • Add a plate of crunchy raw vegetables with a squeeze of lime and Tajin or chili powder.
  • Make this colorful slaw. 

If you like these Crispy Avocado Tacos, you might like:

Slow Cooker Lentil Tacos with Indian Spices.

Collard Green Tacos with Crème Fraîche

Delicata Squash Tacos with Pickled Onions

Cauliflower Tacos

Blackened Salmon Tacos

Crispy Avocado Tacos

A couple of these tacos and a simple side dish --  black beans, corn on the cobb, a shredded cabbage salad, a simple plate of raw veggies -- and you have a meal.  An icy cold Mexican beer with a slice of lime makes a fine, "adults only" side as well.
Course Lunch, Main Course
Cuisine Mexican
Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 10 minutes
Total Time 15 minutes
Servings 3 to 4 servings
Calories 372 kcal
Author Katie Morford

Ingredients

  • 1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil
  • 4 ounces sharp Cheddar cheese, grated (about 1 1/2 cups)
  • 8 corn tortillas
  • Favorite salsa, taco sauce, or sriracha
  • 2 ripe avocados, sliced
  • Salt
  • 8 crunchy, light-green leaves of Romaine
  • Lime wedges

Instructions

  1. Set a large skillet over high heat. Add the olive oil and swirl the pan to coat the bottom. While the pan is heating, sprinkle the cheese over the tortillas, covering the entire surface.
  2. When the pan is hot, lay the tortillas in the pan (as many as can fit without overlapping) and cook until the cheese is melted and the tortillas are crispy and dotted with brown patches. Transfer to a serving platter.
  3. Top the tortillas with 1 to 2 teaspoons of salsa or a drizzle of taco sauce. Divide the avocado slices among the tortillas, laying them across the center. Add a small pinch of salt to the avocado. Tear each Romaine leaf in half and set it on top of the avocado. Fold and serve with lime wedges.

 

graphic image for crispy avocado tacos

Comments

04.25.2011 at10:05 PM #

Melissa Graham

Love these. I’m a huge fan of tacos. As a throwback to my childhood, we not infrequently have our “white boy” taco night – hard shell tacos filled with seasoned ground beef. I’ll definitely have to give this one a go.

05.01.2011 at12:48 PM #

Annie

This is the perfect easy healthy lunch or dinner. I made them with the Ezekiel sprouted corn tortillas. Amazing.

05.04.2011 at3:46 AM #

Alison Thompson

These were delicious! Rather than doing them by batch in a pan on the stove I brushed flour tortillas with olive oil and baked them all together on a cookie sheet in a 350 degree oven and they turned out really well. they were still crispy and bubbly. My children loved them. Thanks!

05.04.2011 at3:46 AM #

momskitchenhandbook

Great idea. Glad they turned out.

07.27.2012 at8:12 AM #

Sally

These sound delicious.

I love iceberg lettuce in the summertime. Everyone thinks iceberg lettuce is devoid of nutrients. In fact, it’s nearly as nutrient-dense as romaine: http://www.jeffnovick.com/RD/Newsletter/Entries/2008/3/21_Iceberg_Lettuce__A_Lesson_In_Nutrient_Density.html

07.27.2012 at8:12 AM #

Sally

I made these last night and they were delicious. The end product is more than the sum of its parts. I did add a squirt of lime juice to the avocado before salting. I’d just made a pot of beans and added a spoonful of those. They will be added to my rotation.

06.03.2015 at8:16 PM #

Alex Caspero MA,RD (@delishknowledge)

Totally my kind of taco! I put avocado on my avocado! Love the sound of these- sometimes easy really is the best kind of food!

06.03.2015 at8:16 PM #

Katie Morford

Thanks Alex. And yes to avocado topped avocado!

Post Your Comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Recipe Rating