Taco fandom: Taco thoughts to ponder on National Taco Day

Are you celebrating National Taco Day? Taco fandom has grown tremendously over the years which has created some unlikely, yet tasty, taco pairings.

From National Taco Day to Taco Tuesday, people love their tacos. While people can debate the best taco or proper taco eating, the taco fandom is constantly growing. According to NationalTacoDay.com, “Americans ate over 4.5 billion tacos last year.” But, why are tacos so popular?

Old El Paso did some research on the popularity of the taco. From state’s favorite recipes to taco ingredients, it is clear that people love tacos. For 80 years, the brand has been bringing its signature, customizable taco style to the dinner table.

For the home cook, tacos are a great meal choice because they are customizable. From setting up a taco bar to even just bowls on the table, everyone can have her taco the way that she likes it. From extra pico de gallo to heaping portions of guacamole, each person can create her favorite taco combination.

National Taco Day, Grilled Pork Tenderloin Tacos, photo provided by Old El Paso

Even with the customization, there is no additional work for the home cook. All the ingredients are the same, but everyone controls her portion. This type of variety helps to keep each meal fresh as well as avoids the dreading dinner time pouting.

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Also, for the busy family, taco night can be a sneaky way for parents to hide some additional vegetables in a dinner. Many kids (and adults) might not want to eat a big kale salad for dinner. Adding a few pieces of kale into the shredded lettuce boosts the dinner time vegetables. The same can be said for a variety of other vegetables.

Since the taco format is familiar, families can experiment more. In some cases, people might not like a particular protein, ingredient or seasoning. When presented in a favorite taco, they could be more likely to sample that new food. The familiar could bring a new flavor or food discovery.

Recently, Old El Paso researched some of the most popular taco recipes across the United States. While many of the recipes were traditional, a few recipes were quite astonishing. Of course, creativity in the kitchen should be applauded, the inspiration seems a little confusing. Who knew that tacos and pasta could make for a tasty meal?

National Taco Day, state’s favorite recipes, photo provided by Old El Paso

Again, these recipes show that tacos, and their flavors, lend themselves to a variety of dishes. Yes, a taco pizza is a fun idea. From using a thicker tortilla as a crust or a traditional pizza dough, the idea works because it uses the flavors that people enjoy in another format.

Although Old El Paso focused on savory recipes, the taco can be transformed into a sweet treat as well. A soft flour taco can be the foundation for seasonal fruit and a little honey drizzle. Maybe kids would be more willing to eat their fruit if it is presented in a format that they enjoy.

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Will your dinner celebrate National Taco Day? Are you part of the taco fandom? Share your favorite taco recipe with us or tag us in a picture using #FoodSided.

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