This Anti-Inflammatory Bourbon Queso Crunch Taco Tray has bold flavors. We prepare this taco tray with lean ground turkey, olive oil, onions, bell peppers, garlic, fire-roasted tomatoes, Greek yogurt, cheddar cheese, Monterey Jack cheese, baked tortilla chips, and a flavorful blend of turmeric, cumin, smoked paprika, and black pepper. There are approximately 420 calories, 18 g net carbs, and 34 g protein in this taco tray. We can prepare this taco tray in just 50 minutes. This Anti-Inflammatory Bourbon Queso Crunch Taco Tray is ideal for busy weeknights, meal prep, game-day gatherings, potlucks, and casual family dinners. For later use, we can store leftovers in the refrigerator for almost 4 days or freeze them for only 3 months without the fresh garnishes. You can serve this taco tray with Avocado Cucumber Salad, Cilantro Lime Quinoa, Roasted Brussels Sprouts, Fresh Guacamole, or Sparkling Lime Water.
STATS:
- Cuisine: American, Mexican
- Prep Duration: 20 minutes
- Calories: 420 kcal
- Diet: Anti-Inflammatory
- Course: Main Course
- Cook Duration: 30 minutes
- Portion Size: 1/6 of the tray
- Cooking Mode: Baking
- Total Servings: 6 servings
- Difficulty Level: Easy
- Total Time: 50 minutes
TOOLS:
- Skillet
- Bowls
- Wooden spoon
- Sharp knife
- Cutting board
- Baking dish
- Cheese grater
- Aluminum foil
- Oven mitts
INGREDIENTS:
TACO FILLING:
- 1 lb ground turkey
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1 yellow onion
- 1 tsp ground cumin
- 1 red bell pepper
- 2 garlic cloves
- ½ tsp black pepper
- 1 tsp ground turmeric
- 1 tsp smoked paprika
- ½ tsp sea salt
- 1 cup fire-roasted tomatoes
- 2 tbsp bourbon glaze
QUESO LAYER:
- 1 cup plain Greek yogurt
- 1 cup cheddar cheese
- ½ cup Monterey Jack cheese
- 1 tbsp nutritional yeast
- ½ tsp garlic powder
CRUNCH LAYER:
- 3 cups tortilla chips
- Olive oil spray
GARNISHES:
- 1 avocado
- ¼ cup cilantro
- 1 lime
- 2 tbsp green onions
INGREDIENT NOTES AND THEIR SUBSTITUTIONS:
LEAN GROUND TURKEY:
- We use lean ground turkey, which will deliver a protein content to this taco tray. You can replace it with ground chicken, lean beef, bison, or crumbled tofu.
OLIVE OIL:
- Use olive oil to deliver healthy fats and help cook the elements uniformly. As another option, you might use avocado oil.
YELLOW ONION:
- You can utilize this onion to give a savory and deep flavor. We can switch it out with shallots, sweet, or red onions.
RED BELL PEPPER:
- Utilize red bell pepper to provide sweetness and color. You can replace it with orange, yellow, or green bell peppers.
GARLIC:
- We use fresh garlic, which will boost flavor and provide anti-inflammatory qualities. As a further option, you could use garlic powder.
TURMERIC:
- Utilize turmeric, as it provides a warm flavor and anti-inflammatory qualities. Curry powder could be utilized as a replacement.
CUMIN:
- We use cumin to provide an earthy and smoky flavor to this taco tray. You can replace it with ground coriander.
SMOKED PAPRIKA:
- Use smoked paprika to give a rich and smoky taste. You can alternate it with regular paprika or chipotle powder.
FIRE-ROASTED TOMATOES:
- We use fire-roasted tomatoes to add depth and a slightly smoky flavor. You can replace them with sliced or crushed tomatoes.
BOURBON-INSPIRED SAUCE:
- Utilize bourbon-inspired sauce to provide sweet and smoky flavor. As a replacement, use a mixture of apple cider vinegar and vanilla extract.
GREEK YOGURT:
- We use Greek yogurt to create a creamy queso layer while adding protein. As different options, you may utilize sour cream or non-dairy yogurt.
CHEDDAR CHEESE:
- Use cheddar cheese for its sharp flavor and excellent melting quality. As a substitute, use Colby Jack or Gouda.
AVOCADO:
- We add avocado for creaminess and healthy fats. You can replace it with guacamole or diced cucumber.
MONTEREY JACK CHEESE:
- We utilize Monterey Jack cheese for a smooth and creamy texture. Alternate it with pepper jack cheese.
TORTILLA CHIPS:
- Use baked tortilla chips to create the crunchy topping. You can substitute them with whole-grain tortilla chips, baked pita chips, or corn chips.
CILANTRO:
- Use fresh cilantro, which will deliver a bright texture and refreshing taste. As an alternative, you can use fresh parsley.
INSTRUCTIONS:
- Coat a dish and preheat the empty oven to 375°F.
- Gently warm the olive oil in a big pan.
- Â Include the bell pepper and onion, and slowly cook till they become soft, for almost four minutes.
- Whisk in the garlic and cook for just thirty seconds.
- Cook the ground turkey till it is brown, and cut it into pieces.
- Perfectly stir the sea salt, turmeric, black pepper, cumin, and smoked paprika.
- Whisk in bourbon glaze and fire-roasted tomatoes.
- Gently cook till they become lightly thicker, for about seven minutes.
- Mix the garlic powder, cheddar cheese, Greek yogurt, nutritional yeast, and Monterey Jack cheese in a dish.
- Uniformly distribute the mixture in a dish.
- Spread the queso mixture on the layer of meat.
- Equally garnish the surface with crushed tortilla chips and gently coat with olive oil.
- Bake it without covering till it is golden and bubbly, for almost twenty-five minutes.
- Cool this tray for almost five minutes and then serve with lime wedges, cilantro, avocado, and green onions.
TIPS:
- Don’t bake this taco tray to avoid the yogurt layer from getting grainy.
- Include slices of jalapeños for additional heat.
- Leave the casserole for some time and then slice it.
- Use whole-grain tortilla chips for more nutrition.
- Whisk in the black beans for extra fiber.
- We utilize freshly grated cheese to get a smooth queso texture.
- Eat this casserole with lime juice to provide a fresh flavor and bright texture.
SERVING SUGGESTIONS:
SALADS:
- Avocado Cucumber
- Mediterranean Tomato
- Citrus Kale
- Mango Cabbage Slaw
- Mixed Greens
VEGETABLE SIDE DISHES:
- Roasted Brussels Sprouts
- Grilled Zucchini Spears
- Garlic Green Beans
- Roasted Cauliflower Florets
- Charred Sweet Corn
HEALTHY GRAIN PAIRINGS:
- Cilantro Lime Quinoa
- Brown Rice Pilaf
- Wild Rice Blend
- Herbed Farro
- Lemon Barley Salad
TOPPINGS AND DIPS:
- Fresh Guacamole
- Greek Yogurt Lime Crema
- Pico de Gallo
- Fresh Mango Salsa
- Avocado Corn Salsa
BEVERAGES:
- Ginger Turmeric Tea
- Sparkling Lime Water
- Hibiscus Iced Tea
- Cucumber Mint Water
- Unsweetened Citrus Green Tea
STORAGE INFORMATION:
FRIDGE:
- Keep this taco tray in a closed box and store it for only four days.
FREEZER:
- Store this taco tray for nearly 60-90 days.
FAQs:
May we prepare this taco tray without dairy?
- Yes, you can make this taco tray without dairy by using dairy-free yogurt and vegan cheese substitutes.
Will we prepare this taco tray earlier?
- Yes, you can assemble this taco tray twenty-four hours earlier.
How can we maintain the crunchy texture of the topping?
- Before baking, you can use tortilla chips and do not cover the dish after cooking.
Could we utilize beef as an alternative to turkey?
- Sure, you can use chicken, ground beef, or bison.
NUTRITIONAL FACTS:
Calories: 420 kcal
Sodium: 620 mg
Net Carbs: 18 g
Fiber: 5 g
Sugar: 5 g
Fats: 22 g
Proteins: 34 g
Total Carbs: 23 g
Portion Size: 300g
