Healthy Taco Bowl (Printable)

Seasoned beef with crisp vegetables and tangy lime crema

# Components:

→ Ground Beef

01 - 1 lb lean ground beef
02 - 1 tablespoon olive oil
03 - 1 teaspoon ground cumin
04 - 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
05 - 1/2 teaspoon chili powder
06 - 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
07 - 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
08 - 1/2 teaspoon salt
09 - 1/4 teaspoon black pepper

→ Salad Base

10 - 1 large head romaine lettuce, chopped
11 - 2 medium tomatoes, diced
12 - 4 radishes, thinly sliced
13 - 1/4 cup fresh cilantro, chopped

→ Lime Yogurt Crema

14 - 3/4 cup plain Greek yogurt
15 - 2 tablespoons fresh lime juice
16 - 1 teaspoon lime zest
17 - 1/4 teaspoon salt

→ Optional Toppings

18 - 1 avocado, sliced
19 - 1/4 cup shredded cheddar cheese
20 - Lime wedges

# Method:

01 - Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add ground beef and cook, breaking it up with a spoon, until fully browned, approximately 5-7 minutes. Drain excess fat if necessary.
02 - Stir in cumin, smoked paprika, chili powder, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and black pepper. Mix thoroughly and cook for 2-3 minutes to meld the flavors. Transfer to a clean bowl.
03 - In a small bowl, whisk together Greek yogurt, lime juice, lime zest, and salt until smooth and well combined.
04 - Divide chopped lettuce evenly among four serving bowls. Top each with seasoned ground beef, diced tomatoes, sliced radishes, and fresh cilantro.
05 - Drizzle each bowl with lime yogurt crema. Add avocado slices, shredded cheese, and lime wedges if desired. Serve immediately.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • It comes together faster than waiting for takeout and tastes twice as fresh.
  • The lime yogurt crema is tangy and creamy without any of the heaviness of sour cream.
  • You can prep the ingredients in the morning and assemble everything in minutes when hunger strikes.
  • It is endlessly adaptable to whatever vegetables or proteins you have around.
02 -
  • Do not skip draining the fat from the beef, even if you use lean meat, or the bowl can feel greasy instead of fresh.
  • Slice the radishes as thin as you can manage because thick slices can be too peppery and overpower the other flavors.
  • Make the crema first so the flavors have a few minutes to meld while you cook the beef.
  • If your lettuce is damp, dry it well or the crema will slide right off and pool at the bottom of the bowl.
03 -
  • Toast your spices in the dry skillet for 30 seconds before adding the beef to unlock even deeper flavor.
  • Use a microplane to zest the lime directly over the crema so you catch every bit of the fragrant oils.
  • If you do not have radishes, thinly sliced red cabbage or cucumber add a similar refreshing crunch.
  • Double the crema recipe because you will want extra for drizzling, dipping, or using on other meals throughout the week.
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