Chorizo Tacos with Radish-Jicama Slaw - Grain-free, Dairy-free, Paleo, Whole30
Tuesday, April 24, 2018
Of all of the different types of sausages out there, chorizo might be my favorite. It's flavor is so robust that it elevates every dish it's part of. And yeah, I also like that it's greasy. But it's that bigger-than-life flavor that can also make cooking with chorizo challenging. What do you top it with? Of course, cheese and sour cream are excellent on chorizo, but what can you put on chorizo if you're aiming for dairy-free, Paleo or Whole30-compliant? Plop a glob of guacamole on chorizo and you find your taste buds in the middle of a flavor war. What's a chorizo-loving girl to do?
Well, I'm doing a little happy dance because I figured out the perfect solution. These Chorizo Tacos are topped with a Radish and Jicama Slaw that is lightly dressed with lime juice, scallions and cilantro. It's so light and refreshing, and it just happens to perfectly balance the richness and bold flavors of chorizo. In fact, it's such a perfect combination that you won't miss dairy on this taco one bit!
Health Benefits & Nutrition Info
The Radish-Jicama Slaw doesn't just add fresh flavors and crunch to these Chorizo Tacos, it also adds plenty of nutrients and surprising benefits for your health:
- Radishes contain vitamin C and small amounts of other important nutrients, such as potassium, manganese, copper, folate and vitamin B6. While radishes may contain most of these nutrients in small amounts, radishes offer other benefits that are quite impressive. As a member of the brassica family, radishes contain compounds that fight cancer called isothiocyanates. They also contain a protein called RsAFP2 that acts as a natural antifungal by killing Candida albicans, a yeast that can overgrow in the human body and cause problems like athlete's foot, thrush, yeast infections and digestive upset (source).
- Jicama is also a great source of vitamin C, potassium and the B-vitamins, but perhaps the most impressive benefit of this tuber is its fiber content. Not only does jicama contain plenty of fiber, the majority of the fiber in jicama is inulin, a prebiotic fiber that's so loved by beneficial bacteria that it promotes a healthy population of probiotics in the gut (source).
While not part of the Radish-Jicama Slaw, the avocado in this recipe lends a neutral flavor and creamy texture to the experience of these Chorizo Tacos as well as lots of nutrients and health benefits. Avocado is a great source of vitamin B5 (pantothenic acid) and folate, vitamin K, potassium, copper, vitamin E and vitamin C, as well as fiber, phytosterols and the same monounsaturated fats found in olive oil (source). All of this is why avocado has earned the name "superfood" and why research has found avocado to be so good for heart health.
All of this means that these tasty tacos are low-glycemic and lower in carbs than most tacos as well as gluten-free, grain-free, dairy-free, egg-free, nut-free, Paleo, Primal and Whole30-friendly. Don't forget, they're also nutrient dense, which means these Chorizo Tacos with Radish-Jicama Slaw would be a great way to start or end any day, or to celebrate Taco Tuesday or Cinco de Mayo!
Helpful Hints, Tools & Ingredients
Links to products are included below as part of this section. Some of them are affiliate links, which means that I may receive a small commission if you purchase a product through one of my links. Don't worry, it doesn't change the price you pay. Thank you for supporting Taste Abounds!
- Let's face it, not everyone knows how to cut jicama. It's an awkward shape, has thick skin, and it's just...hard. There are tricks that make it fairly easy, though. If you want to see them, click here.
- My all-time favorite chorizo is Mulay's. The amount of fat and spice combination that they use is right on point, the ingredients are simple and natural, and they only source meat from farms that use certified humane and sustainable farming practices. But they go even further by producing sausages that are certified Paleo and allergen free! I buy Mulay's Chorizo at Natural Grocers, but I've seen it at other stores, as well.
- See my Pliable Pumpkin Seed (Pepita) Tortillas post for my helpful hints on purchasing pumpkin seeds, including pumpkin seeds that are certified free from gluten, dairy, soy and nuts. It contains a lot of other helpful information and a short video showing you how easy it is to make the tortillas. Click the link above or here to check it out.
- A mandolin is a necessity for julienne slicing vegetables (unless you're a professionally-trained chef and have wicked cool knife skills). It makes julienne slicing the jicama in this recipe a breeze! I picked up this 3Haus Mandolin for $22 and I love it. Not only does it slice super thin, but it switches to julienne mode with just the turn of a knob. It's also easy to clean and comes with a finger guard (so you don't slice your vegetables and your fingers). Click the image below to check it out!
Now that we've covered how great these tacos taste, how nutritious they are and my secrets to making this recipe, here it is.
Chorizo Tacos with Radish-Jicama Slaw
Gluten-free | Grain-free | Egg-free | Nut-free | Dairy-free | Paleo | Whole30 | Low Glycemic
Prep Time: 25 minutes
Cook Time: 30 minutes
Total Time: 30 minutes (prep can be done during cook time)
Makes 6-8 tacos
Ingredients:
- One batch of my Pliable Pumpkin Seed (Pepita) Tortillas. Click here for the recipe.
- 1 15-oz package of chorizo (remove the casing, if not using Mulay's)
- 1/2 cup radishes, sliced (about 5-6 radishes)
- 1/2 to 2/3 cup jicama, julienned (about half of a jicama root)
- 1 Tbsp lime juice
- 1 Tbsp cilantro, chopped
- 1 Tbsp scallions, slivered
- 1/8 tsp salt
- 2 avocados
Directions:
Heat a griddle over low heat. Mix up the batter for the Pumpkin Seed (Pepita) Tortillas. Start making the tortillas, using 1/4 cup of batter for each. Set on a towel on the kitchen counter to cool when done.
While the tortillas cook, heat a skillet over medium heat. Add the chorizo and cook, using a spatula to crumble. Cook about 15 minutes or until cooked through. Set aside when done.
Prepare the Radish-Jicama Slaw while the tortillas and chorizo cook. Cut the ends off the radishes, cut in half and then slice each half thinly. Place in a bowl and set aside.
Cut the ends off the jicama. Using a sharp knife, make downward cuts to remove the skin. Cut into pieces small enough for the mandolin, if necessary. Julienne the jicama and add to the bowl with the radishes.
Sliver the scallions and cilantro next and add to the bowl along with the salt. Toss to combine and set aside.
Cut each avocado in half and remove the seed. Use a spoon to scoop out the flesh and place flat (cut) side down. Scrape away any brown spots before slicing.
Prepare the tacos with 3 slices of avocado, about 2 Tbsp of cooked chorizo and a small handfull of Radish-Jicama Slaw.
Whether you make these Chorizo Tacos with Radish-Jicama Slaw for breakfast, brunch, Taco Tuesday or Cinco de Mayo, I sure do hope you enjoy them!
Disclosure: this post includes affiliate links for convenience. I am a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com.
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