Build your own taco bowl night
30-minute dinner recipe
Dinner is one of those things that never stops needing to be figured out. If your house in anything like mine, I prepare dinner, everyone loves it, everyone eats it all, then I start thinking… OK now what in the world should I come up with for tomorrow night?
I hate being in the spot where it’s 5 PM, and I have no idea what to make for dinner. I RARELY put myself in that position because by then, everyone is hungry (myself included). Between filming recipe videos, chasing after my toddler, and trying to get dinner on the table, I need meals that don’t stress me out. This one is perfect because it’s quick, healthy, and everyone actually eats it. I love this Build-Your-Own Taco Bowl Night. I do it once every 2 weeks! It’s easy, filling, and interactive. Everyone gets to build their own plate exactly how they like it, which means less stress for YOU (the chef).
This is one of those meals where you can totally make it your own. I love crunchy taco shells, but you can use soft tortillas, gluten-free tortillas, corn tortillas, or even a big tortilla to roll everything into a burrito. And toppings? Use what you have!! Pile on the cheese, drizzle on all the hot sauce, or keep it simple with just avocado and salsa. No rules and no stress. Just use what you love, what you’re craving or what you have on hand.
Even my (almost) two-year-old is into this one! If you’re making it for little ones, I’ll show you exactly how I served it for her. I always feed her what we eat so I am not making 2 different meals. Plus, it’s a meal I feel good about serving because it’s packed with protein, healthy fats, and fresh ingredients.
If dinner always feels like a challenge, I’m here to make it easier. This meal comes together in less than 30 minutes, and there are always leftovers (which means tomorrow’s dinner is already figured out). No overthinking, no complicated steps, just a simple, delicious meal that works for everyone at the table. Let’s get cooking, friend!
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Build-Your-Own Taco Bowl Night
I grew up in Southern California, so taco night was a once a week thing for us. Every Wednesday we had it for dinner and it was my favorite! Some nights we all made burritos, some nights we had soft shell tacos, and other nights we made burrito bowls (over rice). It always felt like something different! I remember it very vividly!
Serves: 4
Time: 20 minutes
Ingredients
1 tablespoon avocado oil (or preferred cooking oil)
1 small onion, diced
1 pound ground turkey (or ground meat of choice)
1 packet Siete mild taco seasoning (or any taco seasoning)
1/3 cup water
Grain-free hard taco shells (or tortillas, or serve as a bowl)
Toppings:
Shredded cheese
Chopped lettuce
Chopped tomatoes
Sliced avocado
Salsa
Hot sauce
Directions
Heat a large pan over medium heat and add the avocado oil. Once hot, add the diced onion and cook for 5-8 minutes, or until translucent (meaning they are see-through).
Add the ground turkey to the pan. Break it up with a spatula and cook until the meat is no longer pink, about 5-7 minutes. Just keep cooking it on medium/high heat.
Sprinkle in the taco seasoning and pour in the water. Stir well to coat the meat evenly. Let it simmer for 2-3 minutes until the liquid is mostly absorbed. You can place the lid on the pot at this point. I really love this pan!
While the meat is cooking, prepare the toppings by chopping the tomatoes, shredding the lettuce, and slicing the avocado.
Prep the taco shells on the plates.
When it’s ready to serve, add the seasoning turkey into the taco shells, cheese, lettuce, tomatoes, avocado, salsa and hot sauce! Everyone can assemble their own taco shells, or bowls.
I love serving with steamed corn (my husband and toddler love this), and roasted root veggies (my fav). I use the Frozen Pura Vida Roasted Sweet Potatoes from Costco (see image above)!
The taco holders I use and love
How I served this to my toddler
Olive doesn’t know how to eat a hard shell taco yet. So I serve this in quesadilla form! I use gluten-free tortillas (see image below) and add in some cheese and the seasoned ground meat, then cook it on the stove until it’s golden and crispy. Once it’s done, I cut it into strips so it’s easy for little hands to grab. On the side, I like to serve boiled corn (sometimes cut off the cob for easier eating) and sliced avocado for some healthy fats. It’s a perfectly balanced meal with protein, carbs, and healthy fats. If your little one isn’t into quesadillas, you can also serve the components separately—some ground turkey, a few pieces of soft tortilla, avocado slices, and a sprinkle of cheese so they can mix and match however they like.
How would you serve to your kiddos? Share ideas! I can never have too much inspiration!
Answering questions!!
❓Can I use a different type of meat? Swap the ground turkey for ground beef, chicken, or even a plant-based alternative like lentils or crumbled tofu. Just adjust the seasoning to taste!
❓ What if I don’t have taco seasoning? You can make your own by mixing 1 teaspoon each of chili powder and cumin, plus ½ teaspoon each of garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, and salt. Add a pinch of cayenne for some heat!
❓ What’s the best way to serve this for toddlers? I love to serve it in a quesadilla! I use gluten free tortillas, and add in some cheese, and the ground meat, then cook it on the stove until it’s crispy. I will cut it into strips. Then I will serve with boiled corn on the side, along with avocado. It’s perfectly balanced!
❓ How do I store this? The seasoned turkey keeps well in the fridge for up to 4 days. Just reheat and serve with fresh toppings. You can also roast extra sweet potatoes and corn to have sides ready to go.
❓ What can I use instead of taco shells? You can serve this as a taco bowl over rice, quinoa, or even shredded lettuce for a low-carb option. Or wrap everything up in a big tortilla to make a burrito!
❓ How do I make this dairy free? Just skip the cheese or use a dairy-free alternative. Everything else in this recipe is naturally dairy-free!
What sides go well with this?
Air Fryer Corn on the Cob – The charred, slightly smoky flavor pairs perfectly with tacos and adds a crunchy, juicy contrast to the meal.
Mango salsa - Its bright, fresh sweetness balances out spicy or savory taco fillings, adding a refreshing bite if you add it on top!
Sweet potato fries – Their natural sweetness and crispy texture complement bold taco flavors while providing a satisfying, hearty side.
I’d love to hear how you make taco night your own! What toppings do you love? Do you switch up the protein or go for something unique?
Thanks for being here, see you next week!
xx, Jazz
Merci
Looks so yummy!