Kamil Perry
Tacos are a versatile dish, and cheese is a common addition. While authentic Mexican tacos usually don't contain cheese, cheese tacos are popular in the US and Northern Mexico. Cheese tacos can be made with almost any type of cheese, but melty cheeses like cheddar, Monterey Jack, Pepper Jack, or mozzarella are common choices. For a crispy effect, try grating the cheese and melting it in a skillet before placing the tortilla on top, allowing the cheese to crisp up and stick to the tortilla. Fillings can include anything from avocado and apple to chicken, lettuce, or leftover meat.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Type of Cheese | Asadero, Chihuahua, Oaxaca, Manchego, Monterey Jack, Pepper Jack, Mozzarella, Cheddar, Parmesan, Feta, Fontina, Swiss, Queso Fresco, Cotija, Crumbly Cheese, Cream Cheese |
| Preparation | Grated, Shredded, Melted, Crispy, Toasty, Burnt |
| Fillings | Salsa, Sour Cream, Avocado, Apple, Lettuce, Meat, Beans, Chicken, Chorizo, Mushrooms, Steak, Eggs, Black Beans, Tater Tots, Pineapple, Mint, Radishes, Roasted Garlic, Roasted Mushrooms, Mexican Oregano, Pulled Chicken, Roasted Tomatillos, Pork Belly |
| Condiments | Chipotle Dipping Sauce, Sour Cream, Salsa, Butter |
| Cooking Tools | Non-stick Skillet, Cast Iron Pan, Frying Pan, Rubber Spatula |
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What You'll Learn
Choosing the right cheese
Melting Properties
If you're looking for a cheese that will melt smoothly and create a gooey texture, go for options like asadero, Chihuahua, Oaxaca, or Manchego. These cheeses have excellent melting properties and will add a creamy texture to your tacos. On the other hand, if you prefer crumbly cheeses, queso fresco, cotija, or queso de cincho are excellent choices that provide a salty crunch.
Taste and Texture
Consider the overall taste and texture of your taco when selecting a cheese. Creamy cheeses, such as Monterey Jack, are perfect for balancing the heat and spices in spicy tacos. They provide a smooth and velvety layer that binds the ingredients together. Sharp cheeses like cheddar go well with bold proteins like ground beef, while milder cheeses can offer a complementary contrast.
Proportion and Timing
Finding the right proportion of cheese to fillings is crucial. Adding too much cheese can overpower the other flavours in your taco, while too little may not provide the desired richness. A moderate amount of cheese that complements the other ingredients is usually best. Additionally, consider adding the cheese halfway through the cooking process, allowing it to melt and blend perfectly with the other flavours.
Personal Preference
Ultimately, the choice of cheese depends on your palate and preference. Experiment with different types of cheese, including mozzarella, cheddar, and Mexican cheeses like cotija and queso añejo, to find the ones that elevate your taco experience. Don't be afraid to try new combinations and have fun with your taco creations!
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Preparing the tortilla
Softening the Tortilla
Before adding any cheese, it is important to soften the tortilla. This can be done by placing the tortilla directly into a hot pan, or by softening it in the microwave. For the pan method, heat a cast-iron frying pan to medium-high heat. Lightly butter one side of the tortilla and place it in the pan, butter side down. Use a spatula to quickly flip the tortilla over to the other side and repeat until both sides are coated in melted butter. If using a microwave, place the tortilla on a paper towel and heat for about 20 seconds on high.
Melting the Cheese
Once the tortilla is softened, it's time to add the cheese. If using the pan method, place slices of cheese on one side of the tortilla, ensuring there is room for the cheese to melt without spreading all over the pan. If using the microwave method, add the cheese and fold the tortilla over, heating for a few more seconds until the cheese melts. For a crispy cheese effect, try grating the cheese and melting it directly in the pan before placing the tortilla on top. This will create a cheese crisp that sticks to the shell. Use a non-stick skillet and heat to medium-low. Place the tortilla on top of the melting cheese, allowing half of the cheese to remain uncovered.
Folding the Taco
Finally, it's time to fold your taco. Use a spatula to gently bring both sides of the tortilla together, sealing the melted cheese inside. For a crispy cheese taco, allow the cheese to cool slightly before folding, as this will make it easier to remove from the pan and create a crispier texture.
Tips for Success
When melting cheese in a pan, aim for a deep golden brown colour. Be careful not to burn the cheese, adjusting the heat as needed. If using a cast-iron pan, ensure it is well-seasoned to prevent sticking. For a more authentic Mexican flavour, try using corn tortillas instead of flour ones.
Now that you've prepared the tortilla, it's time to add your favourite fillings and enjoy your delicious cheese tacos!
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Heating the cheese
For a soft, warm tortilla with melted cheese, you can use a microwave. Place the tortilla on a paper towel and heat for 20 seconds on high. Then, add your cheese, fold the tortilla, and heat for a few more seconds until the cheese melts.
If you want a crispy cheese taco, you can use a non-stick skillet. Grate your cheese of choice and form a rectangle on the skillet, ensuring the cheese extends beyond the edge of the tortilla. Turn the heat to medium-low and place the tortilla on top of the cheese once it's almost completely melted. This will give you a soft, melted cheese centre with crispy, golden brown edges.
For a more traditional, "quesadilla-style" cheese taco, you can butter one side of the tortilla and heat it in a pan until it bubbles. Add your cheese to one side of the tortilla, allowing room for it to melt without spreading everywhere. You can also add other ingredients at this stage, such as sliced avocado, apple, chicken, or lettuce.
When it comes to choosing a cheese for your tacos, there are many options. Melty cheeses like asadero, Chihuahua, Oaxaca, and Manchego are popular choices. Crumbly cheeses like queso fresco, cotija, or feta can also be used. For a more authentic Mexican flavour, you might opt for Monterey Jack, or a blend of yellow and white cheddar with taco seasonings.
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Adding other fillings
When it comes to adding fillings to your cheese tacos, the possibilities are endless. You can add sliced avocado, apple slices, chicken, lettuce, and leftover meat. You can also add refried beans, cooked chicken, crumbled chorizo, sautéed mushrooms, seared steak, scrambled eggs, black beans, or tater tots. For a vegetarian option, fill your tacos with roasted garlic, roasted mushrooms, and Mexican oregano, or pulled chicken, roasted tomatillos, and radishes. If you're feeling adventurous, try pork belly, pineapple, and mint, or experiment with hard or semi-hard cheeses like Parmesan or Pepper Jack.
For a breakfast taco, fill your crispy cheese taco with scrambled eggs, pico de gallo, and hot sauce, or try a combination of meaty carnitas, salsa verde, onions, and cilantro. If you're a fan of spicy food, add some chipotle sauce for dipping, or fill your tacos with crumbled chorizo and black beans. For a more subtle flavor, use sour cream and slices of fresh avocado. If you're avoiding meat, fill your tacos with sautéed mushrooms, scrambled eggs, or tater toos.
For an authentic Mexican experience, use Land of Lakes white American cheese, or try Monterey Jack, which melts quickly and has a salty flavor. If you're looking for a melty cheese, Asadero, Chihuahua, Oaxaca, and Manchego are great options. For a crumbly cheese, go for queso fresco, cotija, or queso de cincho. If you want to get creative, experiment with different blends of shredded cheese, such as yellow and white cheddar with Monterey Jack or Pepper Jack.
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Serving suggestions
Cheese tacos can be served with a variety of toppings and dips. For instance, you could serve them with a bright, chipotle dipping sauce, made by whisking together canned chipotle in adobo sauce, mayo, lime juice, and salt. The more canned chipotle you add, the spicier it will be. Alternatively, they can be enjoyed with salsa, sour cream, or slices of fresh avocado.
If you want to add more ingredients to your cheese tacos, you could include refried beans, cooked chicken, crumbled chorizo, sautéed mushrooms, seared steak, scrambled eggs, black beans, or tater tots. For a breakfast taco, you could add scrambled eggs, pico de gallo, and hot sauce. For a vegetarian option, fill your tacos with roasted garlic, roasted mushrooms, and Mexican oregano. If you're a meat-eater, you could try pulled chicken, roasted tomatillos, and radishes. For a more exotic option, fill your tacos with pork belly, pineapple, and mint.
If you're making crispy cheese tacos, you might want to add fillings after cooking, as the cheese will be very hot and crispy, and may not take well to being filled. However, you can still add toppings, such as salsa verde, diced onion, and cilantro.
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Frequently asked questions
Some popular cheeses to put in tacos include cheddar, Monterey Jack, Pepper Jack, mozzarella, Oaxaca, Manchego, Parmesan, and feta.
Some other ingredients that go well with cheese in tacos are avocado, apple, lettuce, chicken, refried beans, cooked chicken, crumbled chorizo, sautéed mushrooms, seared steak, scrambled eggs, black beans, tater tots, and salsa.
To make crispy cheese tacos, grate your cheese of choice and sprinkle it into a non-stick skillet in a rectangle shape. Turn the heat to medium-low and place a tortilla on top of the cheese once it begins to melt. Let the cheese cook until it turns an even golden brown colour, then carefully slide a spatula underneath the cheese and remove the tortilla from the pan.
First, butter one side of a tortilla and heat it in a pan until it bubbles. Add slices of cheese to one side of the tortilla, allowing room for the cheese to melt. Once the cheese has melted, add your desired ingredients and fold the tortilla over.
