Also known as tacos sudados or tacos de canasta, tacos al vapor are a street food dish kept warm and lightly steamed in large baskets often sold off of taco trucks and on the backs of bicycles.
Street tacos come in a plethora of forms: pastor/trompo, guisados, chapulines, etc. While I’ve enjoyed those, I have been unable to sample until National Taco Day a hard-to-find variety in Dallas: tacos al vapor. These tacos are steamed treats sometimes listed as tacos de canasta (basket, referring to the vessel in which they are kept warm and steamed) and tacos sudado (sweated). But at the two taquerías I visited last Thursday, they were labeled as al vapor. Along for the ride was Alex Flores, the graphic whiz who gives this blog its visual appeal.
The tacos al vapor at Taco Rico on Clarendon are priced at a dollar a piece and available by cash only. We didn’t know what to expect. For that price, we could easily be presented with cold, gummy envelopes hiding sad fillings. What we received was a plate of iridescent pockets containing deshebrada de pollo, potato and frijol, each of which could be piled with cabbage and chopped tomatoes.
At Mi Tierrita on Davis Street—now with corrected signage—tacos al vapor come wrapped in aluminum foil to slow the cooling that could render them inedible. While the deshebrada was a zinger, the beans were tepid, cracked blocks. Thankfully, the potato tacos al vapor, blanketed with stretches of finger-staining cascabel chile paste, were delightful. Opening the small snacks released wisps of steam carrying rustic, smoldering notes that materialized in a stack of napkins, shredded and red.
TACOS AL VAPOR | EASY STREET TACO RECIPE
FAQ
What is the difference between tacos al vapor and canasta?
What is Al Carbon tacos made of?
What is the origin of tacos de vapor?
How many calories are in tacos al vapor?
What are tacos al vapor?
Tacos al vapor are steamed tacos, but there’s more to it than that. The trick is to brush the tortilla with a flavorful mixture of spices and then fry it before being filled with your favorite filling, wrapped, and then steamed. The cooking process creates one of the most flavorful tacos you’ve ever eaten. Recipes you might like:
How do you make tacos al vapor?
Create your own version of tacos al vapor in your home. In a pot over high heat, boil the chiles until soft. Drain and transfer to a blender. Add the garlic clove, pinch of ground clove, and water and pulse until smooth. Heat 1 Tbsp oil in a skillet over medium heat. Brush a tortilla with the Chile ancho sauce and take it to the pan.
Are tacos al vapor healthy?
Tacos al vapor are a delicious and healthy Mexican dish. They are made by cooking the tacos in a steamer, which gives them their unique flavor. This recipe is easy to follow, and the results are mouth-watering! Who doesn’t love tacos? They’re delicious and so easy to make! This recipe for tacos al vapor is sure to please.
Where did tacos al vapor come from?
The origins of tacos al vapor have been historically attributed to San Vicente Xiloxochitla, a village a few hours away in the Tlaxcala state. Over the 20th century, workers from all around Mexico came to the capital, bringing taco-making techniques with them.