Taco Loaded Baked Potatoes (Printable Version)
Crisp baked russets topped with seasoned taco meat, cheese, avocado and tangy salsa for a hearty Tex‑Mex dinner.
# What You'll Need:
→ Potatoes
01 - 4 large russet potatoes, scrubbed
→ Taco Meat
02 - 1 pound ground beef, or ground turkey or plant-based crumbles
03 - 1 tablespoon olive oil
04 - 1 small onion, diced
05 - 2 cloves garlic, minced
06 - 2 tablespoons taco seasoning, store-bought or homemade
07 - 1/3 cup water
08 - Salt and black pepper, to taste
→ Toppings
09 - 1 cup shredded cheddar or Mexican blend cheese
10 - 1 cup cherry tomatoes, diced
11 - 1/2 cup sour cream
12 - 1/2 cup sliced black olives
13 - 1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro
14 - 1 avocado, diced
15 - 2 green onions, sliced
16 - Salsa or hot sauce, to taste
# Directions:
01 - Preheat oven to 400°F. Prick russet potatoes with a fork, rub with olive oil and a sprinkle of salt, and place directly on the middle oven rack. Bake for 60 to 70 minutes until skins are crisp and flesh is tender.
02 - While potatoes bake, heat olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Add diced onion and cook for 2 to 3 minutes until softened. Add minced garlic and sauté for 30 seconds.
03 - Add ground beef to the skillet and cook, breaking up with a spoon, until well-browned and cooked through. Drain excess fat if necessary.
04 - Sprinkle taco seasoning over the browned meat, pour in water, and stir thoroughly. Simmer for 3 to 4 minutes until the mixture is thickened. Adjust seasoning with salt and black pepper to taste.
05 - Remove baked potatoes from oven and let cool slightly. Cut a lengthwise slit in each, then gently fluff interior with a fork.
06 - Generously fill each potato with prepared taco meat, then top with cheese, cherry tomatoes, sour cream, black olives, avocado, green onions, cilantro, and desired amount of salsa or hot sauce.
07 - Serve immediately, allowing each person to personalize their toppings.
# Expert Hints:
01 -
- It lets everyone build their own perfect bite—no two potatoes ever look the same.
- They're surprisingly filling and transform a weekday dinner into a fun event.
02 -
- Trying to rush the potatoes in the microwave leaves the skin disappointing and the inside gummy—oven is worth the wait.
- I once forgot to season the beef and learned that proper seasoning transforms the whole dish.
03 -
- A preheated oven and direct placement on the rack are the secrets to the crispiest potato skins.
- Letting the taco meat simmer just a bit longer melds the seasonings and makes it extra flavorful.