• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer
Healthy Recipes Blog
  • Fall Recipes
  • Subscribe
  • Recipe Index
  • About
menu icon
go to homepage
subscribe
search icon
Homepage link
  • Fall Recipes
  • Subscribe
  • Recipe Index
  • About
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • Twitter
    • YouTube
  • ×
    Home » Meat Recipes » Keto Tacos

    Keto Tacos

    Last updated: Jul 16, 2023 · Recipes developed by Vered DeLeeuw and nutritionally reviewed by Rachel Benight MS, RD · This website generates income via ads and uses cookies.

    Jump to Recipe Jump to Video Print Recipe

    It's easy to make these 30-minute keto tacos with crispy cheddar cheese shells that you quickly "bake" in the microwave.

    Filled with all the traditional goodies, these tacos are so good. In fact, they're just as good as traditional tacos!

    Keto tacos with a cheese shell, stuffed with ground beef, salsa, and sour cream.

    There's no need to give up tacos on the low-carb diet! These keto tacos are incredibly good and so easy to make.

    Simply replace the tortilla shell with a crispy cheddar cheese shell. The cheesy shell is delicious! Another excellent low-carb option is this tasty and filling taco salad.

    Jump to:
    • Ingredients
    • Variations
    • Keto Tacos Instructions
    • Expert Tip
    • Recipe FAQs
    • Serving Suggestions
    • Storing Leftovers
    • More Mexican Recipes
    • Recipe Card

    Ingredients

    You'll only need a few simple ingredients to make these keto tacos. The exact measurements are listed in the recipe card below. Here's an overview of what you'll need:

    • Shredded cheddar: You can shred it yourself or buy it pre-shredded. I like to use extra-sharp cheddar because it's so flavorful.
    • Lean ground beef: I use 85% lean ground beef.
    • Taco seasoning: To make life easier, I use a store-bought mix.
    • Toppings: Whatever you like! I use salsa and sour cream.
    The ingredients needed to make keto tacos.

    Variations

    • You can use ground chicken or turkey instead of ground beef, but you should use dark meat. White meat is too dry.
    • Ground pork is another tasty option that I like. It's very juicy.
    • Vary the toppings you use. I typically use salsa and sour cream, but other tasty options that I tried and liked include sliced avocado, guacamole, sliced jalapenos, and cilantro.

    Keto Tacos Instructions

    Scroll down to the recipe card for detailed instructions. Here are the basic steps for making this recipe:

    You start by wrapping a ruler in foil and suspending it between two glasses or mugs. You will use this contraption to shape the cheddar shells.

    A photo collage showing steps 1-4 for making keto tacos.

    Form taco shells using microwaved cheddar cheese: Place shredded cheddar on a piece of parchment paper. Spread it thinly into a circle. Microwave until golden brown, about 1:30 minutes. Allow it to slightly cool but still be pliable. Gently peel it off the parchment paper and fold it over the ruler to shape it into a taco shell.

    A photo collage showing steps 5-8 for making low-carb tacos.

    Cook the ground beef with taco seasoning: Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the ground beef. Cook, stirring to break up the meat, until the meat is no longer raw. Drain well. Return the meat to the skillet and reduce the heat to medium. Stir in the taco seasoning and 2-4 tablespoons of water. Keep cooking for 2 more minutes.

    A photo collage showing steps 9-12 for making low-carb tacos.

    Assemble the tacos: Divide the meat between the cheddar shells, top it with your favorite toppings, and serve.

    A photo collage showing steps 13-16 for making keto tacos.

    Expert Tip

    You'll want to microwave the cheddar shells until crispy but still pliable, and you should allow them to cool for no more than a couple of seconds before shaping them into tacos. If they become too crunchy, they'll break as you try to shape them.

    Recipe FAQs

    Can you have tacos on the keto diet?

    Yes! You simply need to replace the traditional shells, typically made with corn tortillas, with a low-carb alternative. Baked cheese shells are perfect, and this is what we use here.

    What is a low-carb taco made of?

    The filling is identical to a traditional taco - ground beef cooked with lots of spices. The difference is in the shell you use. You use a crispy cheese shell instead of a corn tortilla shell.

    Can I make the cheddar shells ahead of time?

    Not really. You can make them an hour or so in advance, but not much more. They lose their crunch quickly.

    But they are so easy to make and ready so fast that I don't see it as an issue.

    Serving Suggestions

    As you can see in the photos, I like to top these tacos with salsa and sour cream. You can add sliced avocado or guacamole.

    I don't like to sprinkle them with shredded cheddar since they already have quite a bit of cheese in the shells!

    Apart from these toppings, I often serve keto tacos with an easy vegetable side, such as fresh-cut veggies, microwave broccoli, arugula salad, or cucumber tomato salad.

    Storing Leftovers

    The only component of this recipe that can be stored is cooked ground beef. You can keep it in the fridge, in an airtight container, for up to 3 days and reheat it in the microwave.

    The assembled tacos won't keep as leftovers, and as mentioned above, the cheddar shells will lose their crispness when stored.

    Keto tacos served on a white plate with a red napkin.

    More Mexican Recipes

    • Keto taco salad is served on a white plate with a napkin and silverware.
      Keto Taco Salad
    • Keto pork rind nachos topped with a dollop of sour cream.
      Pork Rind Keto Nachos
    • Chicken fajitas served in a cast-iron skillet.
      Chicken Fajitas Recipe
    • Pork rinds are served in a white bowl with a napkin.
      Pork Rinds (Chicharrones)

    👩🏻‍🍳 I aim to publish a new recipe once or twice a month. Want these recipes in your inbox? Subscribe today! You can unsubscribe at any time.

    Recipe Card

    Keto tacos served on a white plate.
    4.98 from 47 votes
    Pin Recipe Share on Facebook Print Recipe

    Keto Tacos

    These flavorful keto tacos are made with crispy cheddar shells. They are at least as good as traditional ones, if not better!
    Prep Time20 minutes mins
    Cook Time10 minutes mins
    Total Time30 minutes mins
    Course: Main Course
    Cuisine: Mexican
    Diet: Gluten Free
    Servings: 4 servings
    Calories: 399kcal
    Author: Vered DeLeeuw
    Prevent your screen from going dark

    Ingredients

    • 2 cups cheddar shredded (8 oz)
    • 1 lb. lean ground beef 85/15
    • 1 oz taco seasoning
    • Your choice of toppings

    Instructions

    • Wrap a sturdy ruler in foil and hang it between two glasses or mugs, to create a tool for shaping the taco shells.
    • Place ½ cup (2 oz) shredded cheddar on a piece of parchment paper. Spread it thinly into a 6-inch circle. Microwave on high until golden brown, about 1:30 minutes. Keep in mind that microwave ovens vary.
    • Allow the cheddar to cool for no more than a couple of seconds, just until you can bear touching it. You want it to remain pliable. Gently peel it off the parchment paper, and fold it over the ruler, as shown in the video below. This will shape the cheddar crisp into a taco shell.
    • Repeat three more times with the remaining cheese. Place the formed cheddar taco shells on plates.
    • Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the ground beef. There’s no need to add fat – the meat will release fat fairly quickly. Cook, stirring to break up the meat, until the meat is no longer raw, about 5 minutes. Drain well.
    • Return the meat to the skillet and reduce the heat to medium. Stir the taco seasoning and 2-4 tablespoons of water into the meat (start with 2 and see if you need to add more). Keep cooking for 2 more minutes.
    • Remove the skillet from the heat. Scoop the meat up from the skillet, dividing it evenly among the cheddar shells. Add your choice of toppings (such as sour cream, guacamole, and salsa) and serve.

    Video

    Notes

    • Nutrition info does not include toppings.
    • You can use ground chicken or turkey instead of ground beef, but make sure to use ground dark meat. White meat could be too dry.
    • You'll want to microwave the cheddar shells until crispy but still pliable, and you should allow them to cool for no more than a couple of seconds before shaping them into tacos. If they become too crunchy, they'll break as you try to shape them.
    • The only component of this recipe that can be stored is cooked ground beef. You can keep it in the fridge, in an airtight container, for up to 3 days. Reheat it in the microwave. The assembled tacos won't keep as leftovers, and as mentioned above, even the cheddar shells by themselves will lose their crispness when stored.

    Add Your Own Notes

    Click here to add your own private notes. They're only visible to you. If you clear your browser's cache, they'll be lost.

    Nutrition per Serving

    Serving: 1taco | Calories: 399kcal | Carbohydrates: 5g | Protein: 37g | Fat: 25g | Saturated Fat: 13g | Sodium: 1016mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 2g
    SubscribeI aim to publish a new recipe once or twice a month. Want these recipes in your inbox? Subscribe today! You can unsubscribe at any time.
    Pinterest icon Facebook icon Youtube icon Instagram icon Twitter icon Tiktok icon
    DisclaimersMost of our recipes are low-carb (or keto) and gluten-free, but some are not. Please verify that a recipe fits your needs before using it. Recommended and linked products are not guaranteed to be gluten-free. Nutrition info is approximate, and the carb count excludes non-nutritive sweeteners. Nutrition info may contain errors, so please verify it independently. Recipes may contain errors, so please use your common sense when following them. Please read our Terms of Use carefully before using any of our recipes.

    ❤️ Let's connect! Follow me on Pinterest, Facebook, TikTok, YouTube, Instagram, or Twitter.

    More Meat Recipes

    • Ham steak served with green beans.
      Ham Steak
    • Picanha steak topped with butter.
      Picanha Steak
    • New York strip steak in a cast-iron skillet.
      Perfect New York Strip Steak
    • Pork jowls are served on a white plate with a fork.
      Crispy Pork Jowl

    About the Author

    Vered Deleeuw Vered DeLeeuw, LL.M., CNC, has been following a low-carb real-food diet and blogging about it since 2011. She's a Certified Nutrition Coach (NASM-CNC), has taken courses at the Harvard School of Public Health, and has earned a Nutrition and Healthy Living Certificate from Cornell University. Her work has appeared in several major media outlets, including Healthline, HuffPost, Today, Women's Health, Shape, and Country Living. Click to learn more about Vered.

    Reader Interactions

    Leave a Reply Cancel reply

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *
    Each comment is reviewed before being published. We reserve the right to publish, delete, or edit comments.

    Recipe Rating




    Primary Sidebar

    A photo of Vered DeLeeuw.

    Healthy Recipes Blog was founded in 2011 by Vered DeLeeuw. It features real-food recipes with a focus on low-carb and gluten-free ingredients. All recipes are nutritionally reviewed by a Registered Dietitian. Contact us at HealthyRecipesBlog@gmail.com.


    👩🏻‍🍳 I aim to publish a new recipe once or twice a month. Want these recipes in your inbox? Subscribe today! You can unsubscribe at any time.

    Fall Recipes

    • Roasted pumpkin on a baking sheet.
      Roasted Pumpkin
    • Cabbage casserole served in a white baking dish with a serving spoon.
      Cabbage Casserole
    • Keto pumpkin pie topped with a dollop of whipped cream.
      Keto Pumpkin Pie
    • Moroccan chicken served in a white saucepan.
      Moroccan Chicken
    • Pulled chicken served in a white bowl.
      Pulled Chicken
    • Keto pumpkin bread, sliced, served on a white tray.
      Keto Pumpkin Bread
    • Pumpkin curry soup served in a white bowl.
      Pumpkin Curry Soup
    • Roasted butternut squash served in a white bowl with a napkin.
      Roasted Butternut Squash
    Pinterest icon Facebook icon Youtube icon Instagram icon Twitter icon Tiktok icon

    Popular Recipes

    • Baked chicken breast served on a white plate with a fork.
      How To Bake Chicken Breast
    • Cauliflower pizza crust topped with cheese and pepperoni.
      Cauliflower Pizza Crust
    • Microwave bacon served on paper towels.
      Microwave Bacon
    • Oven-baked pork chops in a cast-iron skillet.
      Oven-Baked Pork Chops
    • Turkey burger in a bun.
      Turkey Burgers
    • Grilled chicken breast, sliced and served on a white plate.
      Grilled Chicken Breast
    • Pork roast, sliced, and served on a white platter with broccoli.
      Easy Boneless Pork Roast
    • Baked chicken wings served on a white plate with a dip.
      Baked Chicken Wings

    Footer

    Media mentions

    Media mentions of Healthy Recipes Blog: logos

    The information on this website has not been evaluated by the FDA and is not intended to diagnose, treat, prevent, or cure any disease.


    By accessing or using this website, you agree to abide by the Terms of Service and Privacy Policy.


    Accessibility Statement


    Copyright © 2023