Taco Potatoes
Basically these taco potatoes are baked russets with crispy skin that you break open and fluff with butter. Then add your seasoned ground beef that’s been mixed with nacho cheese and hot sauce. Sprinkle on some cheddar and broil. Top with chipotle sauce and chives.
Ingredients For Taco Potatoes
| Ingredient | Notes |
|---|---|
| Russets | I used 3 large ones. Get the biggest you can. |
| Oil and coarse salt | For the outside of the potatoes. |
| Ground beef | I used 1 lb of 85/15. |
| Onion | 1/2 onion diced. |
| Taco seasoning | Into the beef. |
| Nacho cheese | I used 1/2 can from the store. |
| Taco Bell mild hot sauce | 3 tbsp. |
| Butter | About 1/2 tbsp for each potato half. |
| Cheddar cheese | Grate some on top. |
| Chipotle sauce and chives | To garnish. |
You’ll find specific measurements on the recipe card below.
No Foil Around Your Potatoes
I like to place my potatoes directly on the oven rack or on my grill. Oil them and season them with salt. But do not cover with foil.
If you wrap your potatoes in foil they will not have crispy skin. The foil traps moisture on the outside of your potato. This is what causes that soggy skin you get from baking your potatoes in foil at home.
Your potato will still cook on the inside it just won’t give you that crispy exterior. By placing them bare on the rack they can dry out. The oil and salt will help crisp your skin as well. Which you want for this recipe.
Use the biggest potatoes you can find. Since we are cutting them in half you want as much potato as possible.
Directions For Taco Potatoes
Place your potatoes on the rack with oil and salt. No foil. I cooked mine at 400 degrees.
Cook for about 45 min to 1 hr.
Once done turn off your oven and leave your potatoes in to keep warm.
Brown your ground beef with onion and taco seasoning.
Add 1/2 can of nacho cheese and about 3 tbsp of hot sauce. Stir to combine.
Cut your potatoes in half and place them cut side up. Make sure both ends of the potato are resting on your plate.
Fluff your potatoes with a fork. Add butter to each half and mix in.
Season and add your beef and cheese mixture on top.
Broil until cheese is melted.
Top with chipotle sauce and chives.
See recipe card for times and temperatures.
Fluff Your Potatoes Before Adding Beef
Take your time and really fluff your potato. Once your potato is cut open you want to fluff it all the way through.
Potatoes come out of the oven packed together. When you add butter to a baked potato that has not been fluffed it just sits on top. If you fluff your potatoes the butter will seep in and flavor the entire potato.
This will also allow your beef to stick to your potato. You will have something to hold onto instead of a smooth baked potato.
Make sure they are flat. You want to make sure your potatoes are resting flat. Both ends of the potato should be touching the plate.
Author’s Notes
You Can Get Creative
These are a really good dinner. Also a great lunch.
For me personally, 85/15 ground beef works because it keeps the meat nice and juicy. It’s just a great all around.
You can get creative, or you can even add whatever toppings you want on top of the potato.
Miguel
Tips From Miguel
- Get the biggest potatoes you can find.
- Do not use foil when baking your potatoes.
- I like to use 85/15 ground beef. The fat keeps the meat nice and juicy.
- Fluff your potatoes then add butter.
- Turn your oven off and leave your potatoes in the oven while you cook your beef.
FAQs
Can I grill my potatoes?
Yes. I like to grill my potatoes as well. Keep the temperature the same and place them directly on the grate.
Can I use anything besides nacho cheese?
You can but I like using nacho cheese. It gives the beef that cheesy taste.
What can I add to these potatoes?
Any topping you would put on a regular potato. Have fun with it.
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Taco Potatoes
Ingredients
Equipment
Method
- Preheat your oven or grill to 400°F. Wash and dry the potatoes, coat the outside with a little oil and season with coarse salt. Place them directly on the oven rack or grill grates. Do not wrap them in foil, or the skin will steam instead of crisping.
- Bake 45 minutes to 1 hour, until tender when pierced with a fork.
- Turn off the oven and leave the potatoes inside to stay warm while you cook the beef.
- Brown the ground beef with the diced onion and taco seasoning until cooked through.
- Stir in half a can of nacho cheese and about 3 tablespoons of hot sauce until the beef is coated.
- Cut each potato in half lengthwise and place the halves cut side up, pressing them so both ends rest flat on the plate.
- Fluff the inside of each half thoroughly with a fork. Add about 1/2 tablespoon of butter to each and mix it in, then season with garlic pepper.
- Spoon the beef mixture over each half and top with freshly grated cheddar.
- Place under the broiler until the cheddar is melted and bubbly. Finish with chipotle sauce or sour cream and chives.
