Best 9 California Tacos Recipes

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**California Tacos: A Culinary Journey Through Flavorful Fusions**

In the realm of culinary creations, California tacos stand out as a unique and delectable fusion of Mexican and American flavors. Originating in San Diego in the 1990s, these tacos have gained immense popularity, captivating taste buds with their vibrant ingredients and innovative combinations. From the classic carne asada taco to the adventurous al pastor taco, each recipe in this article offers a distinct culinary experience. Whether you're a seasoned taco aficionado or a novice explorer of Mexican cuisine, prepare to embark on a flavorful journey as we delve into the tantalizing world of California tacos.

Here are our top 9 tried and tested recipes!

CALIFORNIA TACOS



California Tacos image

These tacos are full of fresh vegetables and lime. They're quick and easy to make and they manage to be both healthy and very budget-friendly!

Provided by WHIRLEDPEAS

Categories     World Cuisine Recipes     Latin American     Mexican

Time 25m

Yield 4

Number Of Ingredients 12

3 tomatoes, seeded and chopped
2 avocados, chopped
1 small onion, chopped
¼ cup chopped fresh cilantro
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 lime, juiced
2 tablespoons vegetable oil
8 corn tortillas
1 (15 ounce) can black beans, drained and rinsed
1 cup cooked white rice
2 tablespoons chopped fresh cilantro
1 dash green pepper sauce (such as Tabasco®), or to taste

Steps:

  • Mix tomatoes, avocados, onion, 1/4 cup cilantro, and garlic together in a bowl. Drizzle lime juice over tomato mixture; toss to coat.
  • Heat vegetable oil in a skillet over medium heat. Arrange tortillas, 2 at a time, in hot oil; cook until crisp, about 1 minute per side. Remove tortillas using tongs and repeat with remaining tortillas.
  • Spoon 2 tablespoons black beans and 2 tablespoons cooked rice onto each crisp tortilla; top with tomato mixture. Garnish tacos using remaining 2 tablespoons cilantro and green pepper sauce.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 512.2 calories, Carbohydrate 67.2 g, Fat 23.7 g, Fiber 19.1 g, Protein 13.7 g, SaturatedFat 3.4 g, Sodium 448.2 mg, Sugar 4.5 g

CALIFORNIA STYLE INDIAN FRY BREAD TACOS



California Style Indian Fry Bread Tacos image

If you have ever been to the State Fair in Sacramento, you would have seen booths selling these wonderful tacos! One definitely makes a meal!

Provided by That Napa Chicken R

Categories     Native American

Time 50m

Yield 4 serving(s)

Number Of Ingredients 14

1 cup unbleached flour
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon powdered milk
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 cup water
vegetable oil (for frying)
1 lb ground beef
1 cup diced onion
salt and pepper
1 head lettuce, shredded
3 tomatoes, diced
2 cups cheddar cheese, shredded
1 (3 ounce) can diced green chilies, drained
sour cream (optional)

Steps:

  • Make the breads:.
  • Sift together the flour, salt, powdered milk, and baking powder into a large bowl. Pour the water over the flour mixture all at once and stir the dough with a fork until it starts to form one big clump.
  • Flour your hands. Using your hands, begin to mix the dough, trying to get all the flour into the mixture to form a ball.
  • NOTE: You want to mix this well, but you do NOT want to knead it. Kneading it will make for a heavy Fry Bread when cooked. The inside of the dough ball should still be sticky after it is formed, while the outside will be well floured.
  • Cut the dough into four (4) pieces. Using your floured hands, shape, stretch, pat, and form a disk of about 5 to 7 inches in diameter.
  • Use a large dutch oven and heat about 1 inch of vegetable oil to 350°F (If you don't have a thermometer you can tell if the oil is ready for each batch when a un-popped popcorn kernel is dropped in and pops immediately!).
  • Take the formed dough and gently place it into the oil, being careful not to splatter the hot oil. Press down on the dough as it fries so the top is submersed into the hot oil. Fry until brown, and then flip to fry the other side. Each side will take about 3 to 4 minutes.
  • The bread can be kept warm in a 200°F oven for up to 1 hour. They refrigerate well and can be reheated in a 350°F oven for 10 to 15 minutes before serving.
  • Make the Tacos:.
  • In a large frying pan over medium-high heat, brown ground meat and onions until cooked; add salt and pepper to taste. Remove from heat.
  • Place Fry Bread, cupped side up, on separate plates. Layer ground meat, lettuce, tomatoes, Cheddar cheese, and green chiles onto top of each Fry Brad. Top with sour cream, if desired.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 640.5, Fat 36.6, SaturatedFat 18.8, Cholesterol 137.1, Sodium 947.9, Carbohydrate 36.4, Fiber 4, Sugar 6.1, Protein 41.1

CALIFORNIA FISH TACOS WW



California Fish Tacos Ww image

From WW's Hit the Spot. The original recipe called for red snapper, but catfish works well, too. You can use any firm white fish, so mahi mahi, grouper, tilapia, haddock, or cod will also work to suit your personal preference. (Sole or flounder would be too thin.) 4 WW "thingies" on old plan, but add 2 "thingies" if add 1/4 avocado to each serving. Update 5/4/13: Made these for myself, and I was disappointed: the fish didn't stay hot after flaking, the cabbage-onion mixture overwhelmed the fish, and cold tacos are a waste of calorie expenditure. DH would have preferred lettuce to cabbage, although lettuce has no nutritional value.On the plus side, the lime juice kept the avocado from spoiling. For a better fish taco, try WiGal's WiGal's Recipe #480852 #480852.

Provided by KateL

Categories     Lunch/Snacks

Time 20m

Yield 8 6-inch tortillas, 4 serving(s)

Number Of Ingredients 14

1 tablespoon lime juice
2 teaspoons olive oil
3/4 teaspoon chili powder
3/4 teaspoon coriander powder
1/4 teaspoon salt
3 (1/4 lb) haddock fillets or 3 (1/4 lb) cod fish fillet
2 cups green cabbage, thinly sliced
2 scallions, thinly sliced
1/2 cup red onion, finely chopped
1/3 cup fresh cilantro, coarsely chopped
8 (6 inch) corn tortillas, warmed
1 ripe avocado, peeled and cut in 8 wedges (optional)
1/2 lime, juice of (for optional avocados)
salt and pepper, to taste (optional)

Steps:

  • Spray a 7x11-inch baking dish with nonstick spray.
  • Stir together the lime juice, oil, chili powder, ground coriander, and salt in a cup. Place the fish in the prepared baking dish in one layer and brush with the lime juice mixture.
  • Cover with plastic wrap and vent one corner. Microwave on HIGH until the fish is just opaque in the center, about 3 minutes. Break the fish into flakes.
  • Stir together all the remaining ingredients except the tortillas in a medium bowl.
  • Top each tortilla with about 2 tablespoons of the cabbage mixture, 2 tablespoons of the fish, and another 1 tablespoon of the cabbage mixture. Fold the tortillas in half.
  • Serve a plate of dressed avocado wedges alongside. Halve, pit, and peel an avocado. Cut into wedges and arrange on a plate. Squeeze the juice from 1/2 lime over the avocado and sprinkle with salt and pepper.

CALIFORNIA STYLE SHRIMP & POTATO TACOS WITH CILANTRO CREMA



California Style Shrimp & Potato Tacos With Cilantro Crema image

Ready, Set, Cook! Special Edition Contest Entry. In Mexico, shrimp tacos are traditionally made with beer battered fried shrimp. Delicious, but not particularly healthy. This recipe is lightened up (no frying) and uses Simply Potatoes Diced Potatoes with Onions for a hearty flair. And the addition of fresh ingredients such as red, ripe tomatoes, baby spinach, avocado and goat cheese gives these tacos a fresh California twist!

Provided by home4dinner

Categories     Potato

Time 35m

Yield 10-12 tacos, 4-6 serving(s)

Number Of Ingredients 15

12 corn tortillas
2 tablespoons vegetable oil
1 (1 lb) package Simply Potatoes Diced Potatoes with Onion (1 lb)
1 cup sour cream
1 (1 1/4 ounce) envelope taco seasoning, divided
4 tablespoons fresh squeezed lime juice, divided
1/2 cup chopped fresh cilantro, divided
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 lb fresh medium shrimp, shelled and deveined, tails removed
1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
3 green onions, green parts only, chopped
1 cup fresh Baby Spinach, cut into chiffonade (thin ribbons)
1 large tomatoes, diced
1 Hass avocado, diced
3 ounces crumbled goat cheese

Steps:

  • To prepare the tortillas, wrap loosely in a damp kitchen towel and place in a preheated 250 degree oven.
  • Heat the vegetable oil over medium-high heat in a large (12-inch), non-stick skillet. When the oil is hot, add the entire package of Simply Potatoes Diced Potato with Onion; spread out evenly. Cover and cook the potatoes for 10 minutes, stirring every 2-3 minutes, ensuring that the potatoes are browning evenly.
  • While the potatoes are cooking, combine the sour cream, about ½ of the taco seasoning, 2 tablespoons lime juice, half of the chopped cilantro and the salt in a blender or food processor. Process until smooth and set aside.
  • Toss the remaining taco seasoning and ground cumin with the shrimp. After the potatoes have been cooking for 10 minutes and are nice and brown, add the seasoned shrimp, green onions and the remaining chopped cilantro and stir gently. Continue cooking the potato-shrimp mixture for an additional 3-5 minutes, uncovered, stirring occasionally, or until the shrimp is cooked through.
  • Assemble the tacos by topping each warm tortilla with some of the shrimp and potato mixture, a pinch of the spinach, some tomato and avocado, a few crumbles of goat cheese and a drizzle of the cilantro crema. Enjoy!

CALIFORNIA CARNE ASADA SOFT TACOS



CALIFORNIA CARNE ASADA SOFT TACOS image

Categories     Beef     Low Carb     Grill/Barbecue

Yield Makes 4 servings

Number Of Ingredients 17

1 1/2 lb piece of flap steak (carne asada cut of beef)
1 orange (juiced)
3 limes (juiced)
8 cloves of fresh garlic (minced)
1 1/2 cups chopped fresh cilantro (1/2 cup for marinade)
2 tablespoons Paprika
1/4 cup worchester sauce
1 1/2 teaspoon season salt
1 tablespoon black pepper
1 tablespoon brown sugar
2 teaspoons tabasco
1/4 teaspoon cumin
corn tortillas
sour cream
red onion chopped
fresh tomato chopped
guacamole

Steps:

  • In a large ziploc bag combine the meat, orange juice, lime juice, minced garlic, 1/2 cup cilantro, paprika, worchester, salt, pepper, sugar, cumin and tabasco and let marinate in the fridgerator at least 24 hours. When ready to grill, heat up the grill to medium heat and remove meat from the marinade and discard bag with marinade. Place meat on the grill, and grill the meat for approximately 20 minutes, about 5 minutes on each side until medium well. Check to make sure that meat does not burn, as there is sugar and fruit juice in the recipe. When finished, take meat off the grill and chop into 2 inch chuncks or 1 inch strips. Serve with the tortillas (which can be warmed on the grilled), and use the sour cream, guacamole, tomato, cilatro, and red onion to garnish the tacos.

CALIFORNIA TACOS



California Tacos image

I always describe this as similar to a taco salad, without the bowl. It is a meat sauce, placed over corn chips, and topped how you like it. Can be finger food if your chips are big enough.

Provided by Darryn Glass

Categories     One Dish Meal

Time 35m

Yield 4 serving(s)

Number Of Ingredients 13

1 lb ground beef
1 cup chopped onion
1 garlic clove
1 1/2 teaspoons salt
1/8 teaspoon pepper
1 (8 ounce) can tomato sauce
2.5 (8 ounce) cans water (measured in tomato sauce can)
1 (6 ounce) can tomato paste
1 teaspoon chili powder
2 teaspoons sugar
1 1/2 teaspoons oregano
1 1/2 teaspoons cumin
2/3 cup rice

Steps:

  • Brown ground beef with the onion, garlic, salt and pepper until red is gone.
  • Add the rest of the ingredients except the rice and simmer uncovered 30 minutes.
  • Add 2/3 cup minute rice.
  • Cover and simmer 3-5 minutes.
  • Serve over corn or tortilla chips and top with cheese, letuce, tomato, onions or whatever you would like.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 440.3, Fat 17.8, SaturatedFat 6.8, Cholesterol 77.1, Sodium 1603.7, Carbohydrate 43.9, Fiber 4.2, Sugar 11.5, Protein 26.6

CALIFORNIA FISH TACOS



CALIFORNIA FISH TACOS image

Categories     Fish     Dinner     Summer

Yield 6 servings

Number Of Ingredients 27

PICKLED ONIONS
1 small red onion, halved and sliced thin
2 jalapeño chiles, stemmed and sliced into thin rings
1 cup white wine vinegar
2 tablespoons lime juice
1 tablespoon sugar
1 teaspoon salt
CABBAGE
3 cups shredded green cabbage
1/4 cup pickling liquid from pickled onions
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon pepper
WHITE SAUCE
1/2 cup mayonnaise
1/2 cup sour cream
2 tablespoons lime juice
2 tablespoons milk
FISH
2 pounds skinless whitefish fillets, such as cod, haddock, or halibut, cut crosswise into 4 by 1-inch strips
Salt and pepper
3/4 cup all-purpose flour
1/4 cup cornstarch
1 teaspoon baking powder
1 cup beer
1 quart peanut or vegetable oil
24 (6-inch) corn tortillas, warmed
1 cup fresh cilantro leaves

Steps:

  • 1. FOR THE PICKLED ONIONS: Combine onion and jalapeños in medium bowl. Bring vinegar, lime juice, sugar, and salt to boil in small saucepan. Pour vinegar mixture over onion mixture and let sit for at least 30 minutes. (Pickled onions can be made and refrigerated up to 2 days in advance.) 2. FOR THE CABBAGE: Toss all ingredients together in bowl. 3. FOR THE WHITE SAUCE: Whisk all ingredients together in bowl. (Sauce can be made and refrigerated up to 2 days in advance.) 4. FOR THE FISH: Adjust oven rack to middle position and heat oven to 200 degrees. Set wire rack inside rimmed baking sheet. Pat fish dry with paper towels and season with salt and pepper. Whisk flour, cornstarch, baking powder, and 1 teaspoon salt together in large bowl. Add beer and whisk until smooth. Transfer fish to batter and toss until evenly coated. 5. Add oil to large Dutch oven until it measures about ¾ inch deep and heat over medium-high heat to 350 degrees. Working with 5 to 6 pieces at a time, remove fish from batter, allowing excess to drip back into bowl, and add to hot oil, briefly dragging fish along surface of oil to prevent sticking. Adjust burner, if necessary, to maintain oil temperature between 325 and 350 degrees. Fry fish, stirring gently to prevent pieces from sticking together, until golden brown and crispy, about 2 minutes per side. Transfer fish to prepared wire rack and place in oven to keep warm. Return oil to 350 degrees and repeat with remaining fish. 6. Divide fish evenly among tortillas. Top with pickled onions, cabbage, white sauce, and cilantro. Serve.

CALIFORNIA SOFT TACOS



California Soft Tacos image

This my imitation of the "California" soft taco dish the Southern California restaurant Islands used to have

Provided by lex 2

Categories     Lunch/Snacks

Time 15m

Yield 4 serving(s)

Number Of Ingredients 7

4 soft taco-size whole wheat tortillas
1 (14 ounce) can kidney beans
1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
6 leaves romaine lettuce
1 chopped tomato
1 sliced avocado
ranch dressing

Steps:

  • Heat up the tortillas so that they are firm enough to hold all of the above ingredients. Throwing them in the skillet for about 6 minutes should do the trick.
  • Take about a quarter cup of cheddar and place it down the center of the tortilla.
  • Add about 3 oz of kidney beans.
  • Add a quarter of the chopped tomato.
  • Add lettuce.
  • Add a quarter sliced avocado.
  • Pour as much ranch dressing as desired.
  • Enjoy your salad in a tortilla!

Nutrition Facts : Calories 431, Fat 20.5, SaturatedFat 7.5, Cholesterol 29.7, Sodium 932.9, Carbohydrate 45.8, Fiber 9.2, Sugar 3.2, Protein 18

CALIFORNIA SHRIMP TACOS WITH CORN SALSA



California Shrimp Tacos with Corn Salsa image

After trying fish tacos, I fell in love. I wanted to recreate them at home and though Why not use shrimp? It's an affordable healthy way to feed my seafood-loving family. -Kayla Peters, Cecilia, Kentucky

Provided by Taste of Home

Categories     Dinner

Time 25m

Yield 4 servings.

Number Of Ingredients 12

1 can (11 ounces) Mexicorn, drained
3/4 cup chopped seeded tomatoes
1/2 cup black beans, rinsed and drained
1/4 cup minced fresh cilantro
3 garlic cloves, minced
1/4 teaspoon pepper
1/2 cup guacamole
3 tablespoons reduced-fat ranch salad dressing
16 uncooked large shrimp, peeled and deveined
3 teaspoons chili powder
1/2 teaspoon Cajun seasoning
8 taco shells, warmed

Steps:

  • In a small bowl, combine the first six ingredients. In another small bowl, combine guacamole and salad dressing., In a large bowl, toss shrimp with chili powder and Cajun seasoning. In a large nonstick skillet coated with cooking spray, saute shrimp until pink, about 5 minutes., Place two shrimp in each taco shell. Top with 1/3 cup corn salsa; drizzle with 1 tablespoon guacamole mixture.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 342 calories, Fat 14g fat (3g saturated fat), Cholesterol 83mg cholesterol, Sodium 1007mg sodium, Carbohydrate 40g carbohydrate (7g sugars, Fiber 7g fiber), Protein 17g protein.

Tips:

  • Use fresh, high-quality ingredients: The better the ingredients, the better the tacos will be. Look for fresh, ripe produce, and high-quality meat and seafood.
  • Don't overcook the meat: Overcooked meat is tough and dry. Cook the meat until it is just cooked through, then remove it from the heat and let it rest for a few minutes before slicing.
  • Use a variety of toppings: The best California tacos are loaded with toppings. Some popular toppings include shredded cabbage, diced tomatoes, sliced avocado, sour cream, and salsa.
  • Make your own tortillas: Homemade tortillas are always better than store-bought tortillas. They are fresher, more flavorful, and have a better texture. If you don't have time to make your own tortillas, look for high-quality store-bought tortillas.
  • Serve the tacos immediately: Tacos are best served immediately after they are made. The tortillas will get soggy if they sit for too long.

Conclusion:

California tacos are a delicious and versatile dish that can be enjoyed by people of all ages. They are perfect for a quick and easy weeknight meal, or for a fun and festive party. With so many different ways to make them, there's sure to be a California taco recipe that everyone will love. So next time you're looking for a new and exciting meal to try, give California tacos a try. You won't be disappointed!

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