Tacos with Nopal Filling

c
@cocinero44

These Tacos with Nopal Filling bring a delightful taste of Mexico to your table. With a mixture of savory ingredients and the unique texture of nopales (cactus paddles), these tacos are both nutritious and flavorful.

Tacos with Nopal Filling recipe
Prep Time
15min
Cook Time
25min
Total Time
40min

Ingredients

4 Servings
(1 serving = 2 tacos)
  • corn tortillas
    corn tortillas
    15
  • large nopales, cut into thin strips
    large nopales, cut into thin strips
    5
  • medium onion, chopped
    medium onion, chopped
    1
  • cloves of garlic
    cloves of garlic
    2
  • large whole onion
    large whole onion
    1
  • Oregano
    Oregano
  • Heavy cream
    Heavy cream
  • Fresh cheese (queso fresco), grated
    Fresh cheese (queso fresco), grated
  • Tomato sauce
    Tomato sauce
  • Salt to taste
    Salt to taste
  • Oil
    Oil

How to make Tacos with Nopal Filling

  1. Step 1

    Begin by cooking the nopales in a saucepan with water, a little salt, the whole onion, and the garlic cloves.

  2. Step 2

    Boil until the nopales are tender. Remove them from the water, rinse with cold water, and set aside.

  3. Step 3

    In a frying pan, heat a little oil and sauté the chopped garlic and medium onion.

  4. Step 4

    Add the nopales strips, season with salt and oregano, and cook until lightly golden.

  5. Step 5

    In a separate pan, heat a little oil and fry the tortillas on both sides until golden and crispy. Drain on absorbent paper to remove excess oil.

  6. Step 6

    Fill each tortilla with the nopales mixture, pressing them gently so they stay closed.

  7. Step 7

    Arrange the filled tortillas in a dish and top with tomato sauce, heavy cream, and grated queso fresco.

  8. Step 8

    Serve the nopales tacos immediately, or place them in a hot oven for 5 minutes to melt the cheese before serving.

Tips & Tricks

  1. Rinse the cooked nopales well under cold water to reduce their natural slimy texture before sautéing.

  2. Lightly pan-fry the tortillas just until golden to keep them crisp but flexible enough to fold.

FAQS

  1. How do I reduce the slime in nopales?

    Rinse the nopales thoroughly before cooking to remove some of the mucilage.

  2. Can I use flour tortillas instead of corn?

    Yes, you can substitute flour tortillas if preferred.

  3. How should I store leftover filling?

    Store any leftover filling separately from the tortillas in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.

  4. What can I serve with these tacos?

    Pair with a side of Mexican rice or refried beans for a complete meal.

  5. Can I make this recipe ahead of time?

    Yes, you can prepare the nopales filling in advance and store it in the refrigerator for up to **3 **days. Fry the tortillas and assemble the tacos just before serving for the best texture.

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