Griddled Cheddar Shell Tacos with Ground Pork, Cotija & Microgreens

These tacos have one little trick: you griddle shredded cheddar onto the outside of the tortilla so it crisps into a golden, cheesy shell. Once it sets, you fill it with seasoned ground pork, salty cotija cheese, and microgreens for crunch and freshness.

Shop the recipe: ground pork · microgreens

INGREDIENTS (makes 8 tacos)

Pork filling

• 1 lb ground pork
• 1 tbsp neutral oil
• 1 small yellow onion, finely diced
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 tsp kosher salt (plus more to taste)
• 1 tsp smoked paprika
• 1 tsp chili powder (or chipotle powder)
• 1/2 tsp cumin
• 1/2 tsp black pepper
• Juice of 1 lime
• Optional: 1–2 tbsp tomato paste and a splash of water for a saucier filling

Tacos

• 8 small tortillas (corn or flour)
• 1 1/2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
• 1/2 cup crumbled cotija cheese
• 2 cups microgreens
• Hot sauce or salsa (optional)
• Lime wedges

DIRECTIONS

Make the pork filling

1. Heat a skillet over medium-high with the oil. Cook the onion until softened and lightly golden, about 5–7 minutes.
2. Add garlic and cook for 30 seconds.
3. Add the ground pork. Cook, breaking it up as you go, until browned with crisp edges, about 6–8 minutes.
4. Stir in the salt, smoked paprika, chili powder, cumin, and black pepper.
5. Add the lime juice (and tomato paste + water if using). Cook 1–2 more minutes, taste, and adjust seasoning.

Griddle the cheddar shells

1. Preheat a griddle or nonstick skillet to medium.
2. Sprinkle a thin layer of shredded cheddar in a tortilla-sized circle on the hot surface.
3. Press a tortilla on top of the cheese and gently press with a spatula so it bonds.
4. Once the cheese is bubbling and turning golden at the edges (about 60–90 seconds), carefully flip.
5. Toast the tortilla side for 20–30 seconds. Remove to a tray, cheese side down, so it crisps as it cools.
6. Repeat with remaining tortillas, adding more cheddar as needed.

Assemble

1. Fill each cheddar shell with pork, sprinkle cotija, and top with microgreens.
2. Serve with hot sauce or salsa and lime wedges.