Tacos - with guacamole and sauteed onions & green peppers

We all love tacos!  Piled with lots of different toppings, they're just fun and delicious.  The one problem I always found is that I could never find a quick, easy recipe for taco meat that I thought really hit the spot.  This one isn't too spicy (although you can alter that), so it's perfect for the kids and adults here at my house.  We love having some fresh guacamole and onions & green peppers on the side, so I've included our quick and easy recipes for this fun, family friendly meal!
These are also great with the Indian Fry Bread, too!

 

A fun spread of corn tortillas, meat and toppings.

Tacos – with guacamole and sautéed onions & green peppers

 

To Serve: tacos and toppings are great on hard or soft taco shells (make sure they’re corn/gluten-free), Indian fry bread (one of our FAVORITE ways to have tacos or fajitas), tortilla chips (make sure they’re gluten-free, but I find most corn chips are just fine and dandy!)

 

Heat in large, low sided saucepan over medium heat:

1 Tbsp olive oil

 

Add and cook until softened:

½ onion

5-6 mushrooms, diced (optional)

 

Add and cook until browned:

1 lb. ground beef

 

Then add:

1 Tbsp chili powder

½-1 tsp ground cumin

½ tsp salt

½-1 tsp garlic powder

¼ tsp ground cayenne (add an extra ¼ tsp for a spicier meat)

1 cup water

 

Bring to a boil over medium heat, then lower heat to low and simmer uncovered about 15 minutes.  Once it's simmered, it's ready to eat!

 

Meanwhile: 

 

Sautéed Onions & Green Pepper:

Slice up in thin slices:

½ onion

½ green pepper

Chop:

1-2 cloves garlic, diced small (optional)

2-3 mushrooms, diced (optional)

Thinly sliced onions.

 

In a small frying pan over medium heat warm:

1 Tbsp olive oil

 

Once warmed, add and cook until mostly tender:

½ onion, sliced

2-3 mushrooms, diced (optional)

¼ - ½ tsp ground cumin (optional)

Salt and pepper

 

Add and cook 1 minute:

1-2 cloves garlic, diced small (optional)

 

Add and cook until barely tender:

½ green pepper, sliced

 

Remove from heat and serve as a side with tacos or fajitas!

 

Guacamole!

 

Mix in a bowl, using a fork to mash/mix:

1 avocado (soft, like a peach; pitted, scooped out)

1-3 Tbsp salsa (start with 1Tbsp and adjust to taste)

Juice from ½ lemon

 

So easy, so delicious! Enjoy!

 

Other great sides to include:

 

Grated cheddar cheese or similar mild cheese

Diced tomato

Lettuce, rinsed & chopped

Black beans – drain and warm separately with a little cumin mixed in

Refried beans – warm separately

Sour Cream

Salsa

Top row (L to R): taco meat, salsa, sour cream, guacamole, sauteed onions & green pepper.

Bottom row (L to R): corn torillas (gluten-free!), shredded cheese blend, lettuce

Piled into pyrex glassware with lids, it makes for easy cleanup!