TacosEasy

Tacos Placeros (Market Tacos)

Name: Tacos Placeros (Market Tacos)
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 10 min
Total time: 25 min
Cuisine: Mexican
Ingredients: 2 Avocados maduros; 2 Limes; 4 Cactus paddles limpios; 200 g Fresh cheese o panela; 1 tsp Salt; 200 ml Salsa verde; 12 Corn tortillas

4.0(1 rating)

25 min (15 prep + 10 cook) Easy 6 servings Ciudad de México

Edmond Bojalil

Recetas Mexas

Published: 24 Mar 2026 · Updated: 8 Jun 2026

Market tacos with cactus, cheese and avocado.

About this recipe

Market tacos with grilled cactus paddles, fresh cheese, avocado and salsa on corn tortillas. The most popular taco in Mexico City markets.

History & Origin

Tacos placeros are the soul of Mexican markets, a snack as old as the pre-Hispanic tianguis. Their name comes from "plaza" or market. What defines a taco placero is its simplicity: corn tortilla, grilled cactus paddles, fresh cheese, avocado, and salsa. Unlike tacos requiring elaborate stews, the taco placero celebrates fresh market ingredients. The cactus is the star: grilled on the comal until it loses its mucilage and acquires a smoky flavour. These tacos prove that the best Mexican food needs neither expensive ingredients nor complicated techniques.

Estimated cost

£23.31

Total cost

£3.88

Per serving

* Approximate prices based on UK supermarkets

Nutritional information per serving

200

Calories

Protein

22g

Carbohydrates

10g

Fat

Fibre

350mg

Sodium

* Approximate values. May vary depending on ingredients used.

Method

1
Limpia the cactus paddles, retirando espinas and orillas. Cut into strips or cuadros medianos.
2
Roast the cactus paddles in a comal (flat griddle) hot with a little salt for 5-6 minutes for lado until cambien of colour and pierdan the baba. Leave them enfriar slightly.
💡 No agregues water; the baba va sola with the calor of the comal (flat griddle).
3
Cut the fresh cheese into slices or crumble it. Slice the avocados.
4
Heat thes corn tortillas in the comal (flat griddle).
5
Assemble the tacos: place cactus paddles roasted, fresh cheese, avocado and green sauce. Serve with lime to taste.

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Edmond Bojalil

Founder, Recetas Mexas

Mexican from Puebla, IT professional and foodie. Author of 1000+ authentic Mexican recipes adapted for home kitchens worldwide. Based in Madrid since 2018.