
High Plains Bison Tacos
High Plains Bison Tacos
Filling
- 1 tsp Ground cumin
- 1 tbsp Dark chili powder
- 1 tsp Smoked paprika
- 1/8 tsp Cayanne powder (optional)
- 1/4 tsp Garlic powder
- 3/4 tsp Salt
- 1/8 tsp Cracked black pepper
- 1 tbsp Avacado oil (or preferred vegetable oil)
- 1 lb Ground High Plains Bison
- 2 tbsp Water
Pico
- 1 cup Cherry tomatoes (quartered)
- 1/2 cup Red onion (small diced)
- 1/4 cup Cilantro (chopped)
- 1 tbsp Diced jalapeno (seeds removed)
- 1/2 tsp Fresh squeezed lime juice
- 1/4 tsp Salt
For Serving
- 12 Fresh corn tortillas
- 1 Mashed avacado (optional)
- 1/4 cup Cotija cheese (crumbled)
- 1/4 cup Fresh cilantro (chopped)
- Lime Wedges
- Sliced jalapenos (optional)
- Sour cream
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Mix cumin, dark chili powder, smoked paprika, cayenne pepper, garlic powder, kosher salt, and cracked black pepper in a small bowl. Set aside.
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Preheat a medium-sized skillet over medium-high heat until very hot. Add oil and swirl the pan to coat it evenly. Add ground bison meat, crumbling the meat with a wooden spoon. Cook bison, occasionally stirring until it is almost completely browned; about 8-10 minutes. (Because bison is naturally leaner than most other meats, it is very important to retain all of the juices in the pan at this step!)
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Add dry seasonings and water to bison. Bring mixture to a simmer and stir to allow the meat to absorb water, about 3-5 minutes.
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Make pico by combining quartered cherry tomatoes, diced red onion, chopped fresh cilantro, diced jalapeno, fresh lime juice, and salt in a small bowl—taste adjusting for salt and lime juice, to taste. Refrigerate while heating tortillas.
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Heat corn tortillas on a grate over an open flame, flipping on both sides until slightly charred in spots, about 30 seconds each side. Alternatively, tortillas can be heated in a hot nonstick skillet for 30 seconds on each side. Watch for the corn tortillas to puff and then flip them. With either method, cover tortillas with a towel and rest for 5 minutes before serving. This allows tortillas to steam.
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To assemble tacos, place 1 oz of seasoned ground bison into each shell and top with pico and your choice of other toppings like mashed avocado, crumbled cotija cheese, sour cream, chopped cilantro, sliced jalapenos, and a fresh squeeze of lime.