Garbage Plate Tacos

Ever been to/lived in Rochester, NY? Then you probably know what a garbage plate is and are totally down with the idea of a garbage plate taco!

When I am away from Rochester, NY (where I grew up) for any length of time I start to crave garbage plates. Since the last time I was there was Christmas last year you could say the cravings are setting in. Garbage plates used to be my first stop whenever I would get into town. I used to text my fiends with an ETA to meet there before I would even go home because it was right off the highway on the way. I occasionally make them at home, but this time turned them into tacos for #NationalTacoDay ! I used the sauce as the taco meat, topped with the macaroni salad and home fries as per usual, followed by ketchup, mustard and chopped onion! I even served it with baked beans on the side (another popular garbage plate addition).

Normally I associate garbage plates with a cold can of Genny Light, but since this is the taco version I feel like they should be served with one of those alcoholic seltzers to fully complete the white-girl makeover. The only kind I like is from a company called Crook & Marker which serendipitously comes from Rochester, NY! It’s sparkling water, not seltzer, so maybe that’s why I like it better? Whatever the reason they are the only drink of it’s kind that I enjoy. But I digress. Scroll down for even more creative taco goodness to celebrate!

Happy National Taco Day!

Thank you to Valentina from The Baking Fairy for hosting this one-day event!
Check out all the delicious recipes we made for the occasion:

Chorizo and Sweet Potato Breakfast Tacos by A Kitchen Hoor’s Adventures
Egg and Bacon Loaded Breakfast Tacos by Cheese Curd in Paradise
Garbage Plate Tacos by The Spiffy Cookie
Huevos Rancheros Tacos by Our Good Life
Instant Pot Pork Carnitas Tacos by The Redhead Baker
Lobster Roll Street Tacos by Daily Dish Recipes
Old-School Hard Shell Tacos by Karen’s Kitchen Stories
Seared Albacore Tuna Loin Soft Tacos by Culinary Adventures with Camilla
Shrimp Tacos with Apple Pomegranate Salsa by A Day in the Life on the Farm
Tacos de Calabacitas by Tip Garden
Vegan Nopales Tacos with Charred Corn and Black Bean Salsa by The Baking Fairy
Vindaloo Pork Belly Street Tacos by Palatable Pastime
Walking Taco Bar by For The Love of Food

Two years ago: Pumpkin Chess Pie

Five years ago: Buckeye Granola Bites

Six year ago: Jalapeno Popper Fettucine Alfredo

Seven years ago: Hazelnut Praline Paste

Eight years ago: Pumpkin Danish

GARBAGE PLATE TACOS

Serves 8

Ingredients:

PLATE SAUCE

1 large yellow onion, chopped

1 clove garlic, minced

1 Tbsp olive oil

1 lb. ground beef

1/2 cup water, plus more if needed

1/4 cup tomato paste

1 Tbsp brown sugar (or 1/2 cup grated carrots)

1 tsp ground black pepper

1 tsp salt

1 tsp chili powder

3/4 tsp cayenne pepper

1/2 tsp ground cumin

1/2 tsp paprika

1/2 tsp allspice

1/4 tsp cinnamon

1/4 tsp ground cloves

TACO ASSEMBLY

16 flour soft taco shells

2 cups shredded white cheddar cheese

2 cups macaroni salad

2 cups home fries (cubed hash browns), cooked

1 small yellow onion, diced

Ketchup, mustard and Frank’s hot sauce

Directions:

1. In large skillet, fry chopped onion and garlic in oil until soft. Add meat, stirring constantly to keep its texture fine. Once the meat browns, add water and tomato paste. Simmer 10 minutes. Add sugar (or carrots) and spices. Simmer 30 minutes, or until water cooks off to resemble taco meat. Remove from heat.
2. To assemble the tacos, layer meat, cheese, macaroni salad, and hash browns into each taco shell. Top with diced onions, ketchup, mustard, and hot sauce (if desired).

Source: Adapted slightly from my Homemade Garbage Plates.