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Let’s take a little walk back in time. So, my mom is from Idaho. I like to believe that is why her tacos are weird. Not that Idaho is weird, but maybe that’s where the random potatoes came from. You see, my mom shreds potatoes into her taco meat. Why? I don’t know. I should ask her. In fact, I think I will. I personally HATED ground beef growing up. Ok, so my mom would make her potato taco meat and I would choose to have a quesadilla. What a stinkin’ pill. Yes, I know this now. I’ve apologized on many occasions. Let’s move on.
Are Potatoes Good For You?
When cooked the right way — without heaps of butter, cheese or cream — potatoes can be good for you.
Potatoes are low in calories — a medium-sized baked potato contains only about 110 calories.
They are a good source of vitamins C and B6, manganese, phosphorus, niacin and pantothenic acid.
Well, since I have been crazy busy lately I’ve really been struggling to make meals. We’ve had a lot of quick meals. Whenever times get crazy I tend to go back to the recipes of my childhood and I’m kind of glad I did because it was so yummy to have these again.
The potatoes add a good hearty quality to the meat so it wasn’t just lame ground beef. The spices added a great rounded out flavor and gave the dish a little more depth. Worried about the potatoes? Don’t be. You really don’t realize that they are there. They cook down and get all soft and really do just make it more filling. Maybe that’s why they were added. So that poor farmers could use it as a filler. Anyway, I think you should try it and even play with it to make it your own.
If I could I would add some guac, cheese and a little salsa with cilantro, but we grew up with just lettuce, cheese and tomatoes.
Are Corn Tortillas Gluten Free?
Corn tortillas are made from corn and while the ingredients themselves are gluten free, if they are manufactured in a facility that manufactures gluten products, there may be cross contamination.
Mom’s Idaho Tacos
Beef & Potato Tacos
Ingredients
- 1 Pound Ground Beef
- 1 Medium Potato, shredded
- 2 ½ teaspoons Thyme
- ½ teaspoon Garlic Powder
- 2 Tablespoons Vinegar
- Pinch Salt, to taste
- Tortillas
- Cheese, shredded
- Lettuce
- Tomatoes
- Any other toppings
Instructions
- Place the ground beef and potato in a pan and cook over medium heat for 2 minutes.1 Pound Ground Beef, 1 Medium Potato
- Add remaining ingredients and simmer for 20 minutes.2 ½ teaspoons Thyme, ½ teaspoon Garlic Powder, 2 Tablespoons Vinegar, Pinch Salt
- Serve with tortillas, cheese, lettuce, tomatoes, and any other toppings.Tortillas, Cheese, Lettuce, Tomatoes, Any other toppings
Recipe Notes
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
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Oh I LOVE potatoes in my burritoes. Like the 1/2 lb beef and potato from Taco Bell. YUM. I like to add tater tots to my burritos, or southern style hashbrowns. Try it. It is also my favorite to use tater tots in my breakfast burritoes.
larry thinks i'm weird for the potatoes too but i love it. i always thought they were onions and most of the time i don't tell anyone anything different (although larry does). i do it just the way mom did only i add taco seasoning too.
Doesnt look gross to me, great idea
I think this is a great idea! The potatoes add vitamins and fiber and thats a great thing in my book!
I'm an Idaho girl and have never heard of this…very strange! I've had potato in tamales but never tacos. Must be a way to bulk up the dinner meal. My husband would probably love it.
I think it is a poor farmer thing to make the meat go further. I've had several roommates from farm families in Idaho & Utah that put potatoes in hamburger meat for all kinds of dishes-including tacos.
I know! So weird right?
Is this for real? Potatoes in tacos? What an odd, yet intriguing idea. I will have to try it, even though I know I'll get strange looks from my fiance. thanks for the idea.