Nopal Tacos with Cheese
Quick and satisfying tacos filled with tender cactus paddles, melted cheese, and fresh toppings. A simple, flavorful weeknight meal ready in about 20 minutes.
- Total time
- 20 min
- Servings
- 4
- Calories
- 280
- Protein
- 12g
Ingredients
- 2 cups nopal (cactus) paddles, cleaned and sliced
- 8 small corn tortillas
- 1 cup shredded cheese (such as Monterey Jack or cheddar)
- 1 cup shredded lettuce
- ½ cup salsa (store-bought or homemade)
- ¼ cup crema or sour cream
Instructions
- 1
Heat a dry skillet over medium-high. Add the 2 cups nopal slices and cook, stirring occasionally, until they release their liquid and start to brown, about 8 minutes. Season with salt and pepper.
- 2
Warm the 8 corn tortillas in a separate skillet or directly over a flame until soft and pliable, about 30 seconds per side. Keep them wrapped in a clean towel.
- 3
Divide the cooked nopal among the tortillas, then sprinkle 1 cup shredded cheese over the hot nopal so it melts slightly.
- 4
Top each taco with 1 cup shredded lettuce, a spoonful of salsa, and a drizzle of crema. Serve immediately.
- 5
Optional: add chopped onion, cilantro, or a squeeze of lime for extra freshness.
Tools you’ll need
- skillet
- spatula
- tongs
- clean kitchen towel
Cook smarter
Get matched recipes for what’s in your fridge
Custrd is a free iOS app that finds real recipes from the ingredients you already have. No more grocery-list aspirations.
