Bison tacos with bacon, queso blanco and pico de gallo, a little sour cream, and hot sauce in a white corn tortilla. Yes please! Just put all the ingredients on the table and let the family build their own taco. Quick, easy, and delicious! With respect I will point out there is nothing traditional or “authentic” about this recipe. It’s just a lifelong chef riffing with taco stuff for a quick meal.
Ingredients
- Ground Bison
- Bacon
- Crumbled Queso Blanco
- Cilantro
- Soft Corn Tortillas
Taco Seasoning
- Garlic Powder
- Onion Powder
- Cumin
- Cinnamon
- Paprika
- Oregano
- Corn Starch
- Salt and Pepper
Pico De Gallo
- Diced Tomatoes
- Diced Yellow Onion
- Chopped Cilantro
- Fresh Lime Juice
- Salt and pepper
Why Bison?
Why not? Hehe. Honestly, I planned on doing a beef taco for this recipe. I saw the ground bison on sale and decided to go with it. I have worked with bison before. It is high in protein and low in fat. We are going to need to hook up this bison if we want a good taco. Any chef will tell you “Fat is flavor.” It is also texture. From a culinary viewpoint, fat is one of the most critical components of every dish.
After selecting my package of bison, I headed straight for the bacon aisle. I can use bacon and it’s high-fat content to balance out the bison taco meat.
Then I’m off to produce to select my pico de gallo ingredients. I decided to go with grape tomatoes for the pico. It is January and there are no particularly good tomatoes at the store. I find grape or cherry tomatoes have the best flavor of what’s available in the winter months.
20 Minutes Till Dinner is Served
I have worked in professional kitchens most of my life and most likely chop faster than you. I whisk, blend, and navigate the space of a kitchen in a way that only comes from years of busy dinner services. Because of this, it is sometimes challenging for me to estimate how long the everyday home-cook will need to follow a recipe.
If I’m showing off, I can literally peel and finely chop a large onion in about 90 seconds. I think for many others the task could take as long as 10 minutes.
Anyway, depending on your chopping skills this should take 20-30 minutes to prepare.
The Right Tortilla
Over the years, I have gravitated to soft corn tortillas when I make tacos. They just have a great flavor. The “crunch” of a hard-shell taco is overrated and loses its appeal quickly as your taco falls apart and becomes an unwelcome fashion accessory.
Also, check your local taco truck. Aint no hard-shell tacos anywhere in sight! You could also use a soft flour tortilla if you want. Just make sure to apply a little heat. A cold tortilla makes a sad taco.
I like to crank up my grill pan and get some light grill marks on the tortillas.
Hopefully, your next Taco Tuesday will be a hit.
Happy cooking – Chef Eric
Bacon and Bison Tacos with Pico de Gallo and Queso
Equipment
- Standard Stove
- Medium Saucepan
- Medium Mixing Bowl
- Spatula
- Knife
- Cutting Board
- Stove Top Grill Pan
Ingredients
Tacos
- 1 lb ground bison
- 4 strips thick cut bacon
- 6-8 6" soft corn tortillas
Taco Seasoning
- 1/2 tsp garlic powder
- 1/2 tsp onion powder
- 1/2 tsp ground cumin
- 1/2 tsp smoked paprika
- 1/2 tsp oregano
- 1/2 tsp corn starch
- 1/4 tsp ground cinnamon
Pico De Gallo
- 1/2 cup diced tomato
- 1/2 cup diced yellow onion
- 3 tbsp chopped cilantro
- 3 tbsp fresh lime juice
- to taste salt and pepper
Toppings
- Sour Cream
- Crumbled Queso Blanco
- Fresh Cilantro Leaves
Instructions
Pico De Gallo
- Combine all the ingredients listed and mix well.
- Cover and refrigerate till needed.
Taco Meat
- Chop bacon strips into 1/2-inch pieces and cook over medium heat till almost crispy.
- When the bacon drippings begin to foam add ground bison and brown well.
- When bison is thoroughly cooked turn down heat and add 1/4 cup of water and all the taco seasoning ingredients.
- Mix well and continue cooking till sauce thickens.
Finishing the tacos
- Using a grill pan on medium high heat. (a standard skillet will work also) lightly brown the taco shells so they are warm, soft, with just a hint of browning. You may need to spray with cooking spray to prevent sticking.
- I like to spread a little sour cream on a tortilla. Then top with the taco meat, then a little pico de gallo and cheese, and a few bits of fresh cilantro. Then a dash of my favorite hot sauce.
Video
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More Mex
Check out our Guacamole You Can Brag About and our Instant Pot Pork Loin Roast & Pineapple Salsa.
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