Dairy Free Cassava Ground Beef Tacos
Looking for a gluten-free and dairy-free taco recipe that’s full of flavor and texture? These Dairy-Free Cassava Ground Beef Tacos are a perfect choice for anyone avoiding dairy, gluten, or both. Made with ground beef, red onion, vegan cheese, and homemade cassava flour taco shells, they’re an easy and delicious dinner. The homemade taco shells are soft but firm enough to hold your favorite fillings. The secret to keeping them folded? While cooking in the oven, simply place a second cookie sheet on top! The result is crispy, delicious, and perfectly folded tacos that are packed with flavor.
Why You’ll Love These Dairy Free Cassava Ground Beef Tacos:
- Gluten-Free: Made with cassava flour, a grain-free flour that’s naturally gluten-free.
- Dairy-Free: A great option for those avoiding dairy, featuring vegan cheese and a flavorful beef filling.
- Easy to Make: From homemade taco shells to savory beef filling, this recipe is easy to prepare and bake.
Where to Buy Cassava Flour
You can find it at health food stores like Whole Foods, Trader Joe’s, and Sprouts. It is also sold in many specialty grocery stores that focus on gluten-free or paleo products. For the convenience of home delivery, popular online platforms like Amazon, Thrive Market, and specialty websites like Bob’s Red Mill or Cassava Flour Co. offer a variety of options. When shopping for cassava flour, it’s essential to choose a reputable brand to ensure quality and avoid added preservatives or fillers.
Cassava Flour’s Benefits for Gut Health
As for its health benefits, cassava flour is a great option for supporting gut health. Cassava flour is naturally gluten-free and grain-free, which makes it a safe choice for those with gluten sensitivity or celiac disease, both of which can disrupt gut function, per the National Institutes of Health. Cassava is also rich in resistant starch, according to Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health. Resistant starch is a type of carbohydrate that resists digestion in the small intestine and reaches the colon intact, where it acts as food for good bacteria, improving gut health and potentially reducing inflammation.
Incorporating cassava flour into your diet can be an easy and nutritious way to promote a balanced gut microbiome while adhering to a gluten-free, paleo, or low-histamine lifestyle! Without further ado, here’s the recipe for dairy free cassava ground beef tacos. If you try it, let me know in the comments!
Dairy Free Cassava Ground Beef Tacos
Course: DinnerCuisine: MexicanDifficulty: Medium4
servingsIngredients
- For the taco shells
1/4 teaspoon sea salt
2 tablespoons olive oil
3/4 cup warm water
- For the taco filling
1 lb ground beef (grass-fed if possible)
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 medium red onion, finely chopped
1-2 cloves fresh garlic
- Toppings
Vegan cheese, shredded, optional
Cilantro, optional
Lime wedge, optional
Arugula, optional
Directions
- Prepare the dough: In a large bowl, combine the cassava flour and sea salt. Add in the olive oil and warm water. Stir together until a dough forms. If the dough is too sticky, add a little more cassava flour; if it’s too dry, add more water, one tablespoon at a time.
- Knead the dough: Knead the dough for 2-3 minutes on a flat surface until smooth. Divide it into 8 equal portions.
- Roll out the dough: Dust your work surface with extra cassava flour. Roll each portion into a small ball and flatten it into a thin circle, about 6-7 inches in diameter. Use a rolling pin to make it even, and dust with more flour if needed to prevent sticking.
- Cook the taco shells: Heat a skillet or frying pan over medium heat. Place each flattened dough circle onto the pan and cook for about 1-2 minutes on each side, until lightly golden brown with small brown spots. Remove from the pan and let cool.
- Cook the beef: In a large pan, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add the chopped onion and sauté until softened, about 3 minutes. Add the garlic and cook for another minute until fragrant. Add the beef and cook until fully browned, 7-8 minutes.
- Preheat oven to 375 degrees.
- Fold the taco shells: Take each cooked cassava flour taco shell and place a spoonful of the ground beef filling in the center. Sprinkle with vegan cheese (if using). Fold the shell in half, ensuring the edges are gently pinched together to hold the filling inside.
- Arrange the tacos: Place the folded tacos on a baking sheet. To keep them folded while baking, place a second baking sheet on top of the tacos. This helps them hold their shape as they crisp up in the oven.
- Bake: Bake for about 10-12 minutes, or until the taco shells are golden and crispy. The vegan cheese should melt, and the taco shells should hold their shape without unfolding.
- Garnish: Once the tacos are done, remove them from the oven and let them cool for a minute. Garnish with fresh cilantro, arugula, and a squeeze of lime. Enjoy!
