Game Day Football Tacos with Zesty Slaw
Playful football-shaped tacos filled with spicy beef and cool slaw—ideal for cheering on your team while keeping game day feasting fun. This Mexican recipe, ready in about 30 minutes, pairs ground beef, salsa, red onion for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 350 calories and feeds 4, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.
Ingredients
- 1 lb ground beef
- 1/2 cup salsa
- 1/4 cup, finely chopped red onion
- 1/4 cup, chopped fresh cilantro
- 1/2 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- 1/4 cup sour cream
- 1 tbsp lime juice
- 1/4 tsp cumin
- 8, 6-inch corn tortillas
- 1 cup shredded cabbage
- 1 tbsp apple cider vinegar
- 1 tsp sugar
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Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Instructions
- Step 1: Brown 1 lb ground beef in a skillet over medium heat, breaking it into crumbles, for 5-7 minutes until no pink remains; drain excess fat.
- Step 2: Stir in 1/2 cup salsa, 1/4 cup chopped red onion, 1/4 cup chopped cilantro, 1/4 tsp cumin, and 1 tbsp lime juice; cook for 3 minutes until fragrant and heated through.
- Step 3: Warm 8 corn tortillas in a dry skillet for 30 seconds per side until pliable. Place 1/2 cup beef mixture on each, top with 1/4 cup shredded cheddar and 1 tbsp sour cream.
- Step 4: Fold tortillas in half to form football shapes, then arrange on a plate. In a small bowl, toss 1 cup shredded cabbage with 1 tbsp apple cider vinegar and 1 tsp sugar until coated and slightly wilted.
- Step 5: Serve tacos immediately with slaw on the side, ensuring the beef is hot and the slaw is crisp.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Game Day Football Tacos with Zesty Slaw take to make?
Total time is about 30 minutes (20 min prep + 10 min cook). Most home cooks find this fits comfortably into a weeknight; double the batch on Sunday for two dinners.
How do I store leftover Game Day Football Tacos with Zesty Slaw?
Cool to room temperature within 2 hours, then store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat covered in a 350°F oven for 10-12 minutes, or microwave at 70% power in 60-second bursts to keep ground beef from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Game Day Football Tacos with Zesty Slaw?
Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.
How do I scale Game Day Football Tacos with Zesty Slaw for a different number of people?
The recipe is written for 4 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 4). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.
What goes well with Game Day Football Tacos with Zesty Slaw?
Mexican mexican like this pair well with a simple grain (rice, couscous, or crusty bread), a quick salad with acid (lemon vinaigrette, pickled onions), and a pan sauce or yogurt-based dip. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" to get specific side suggestions.
What others are saying
- ★★★★★
Made exactly as written. Wouldn't change a thing.
- ★★★★☆
Solid recipe. Not groundbreaking but definitely making it again.
- ★★★★☆
My family liked it. I personally would prefer more depth of flavor.
