Description
These Crispy Ground Beef Tacos offer a perfect blend of seasoned beef, melted cheese, and crispy tortillas for a delicious and satisfying Mexican-American main course. Quick to prepare on the stovetop, they’re ideal for taco nights and family dinners, with customizable optional toppings to suit your taste.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients
- 1 pound ground beef (80/20)
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 small yellow onion, finely chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 tablespoons tomato paste
- 1 tablespoon chili powder
- 1 teaspoon ground cumin
- 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/4 cup water
- 10 small corn tortillas
- 1 1/2 cups shredded cheddar or Mexican blend cheese
- Vegetable oil, for frying
Optional Toppings
- Shredded lettuce
- Diced tomatoes
- Sour cream
- Sliced jalapeños
- Chopped cilantro
- Salsa
Instructions
- Sauté Aromatics: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add finely chopped onion and sauté for 3–4 minutes until softened. Stir in minced garlic and cook for another 30 seconds until fragrant.
- Cook Ground Beef: Add ground beef to the skillet, breaking it apart with a spoon. Cook for 6–8 minutes until browned and fully cooked. Drain any excess grease from the skillet if needed.
- Season the Beef: Stir in tomato paste, chili powder, ground cumin, smoked paprika, salt, pepper, and water. Simmer for 2–3 minutes, allowing the mixture to thicken slightly, then remove from heat.
- Assemble Tacos: Spoon a layer of the beef mixture and shredded cheese onto one half of each corn tortilla. Fold tortillas in half to enclose the filling.
- Fry Tacos: Heat a thin layer of vegetable oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Place the folded tacos in the skillet and cook for 2–3 minutes per side until golden and crispy. Work in batches as needed to avoid overcrowding.
- Drain and Serve: Remove tacos from skillet and drain on paper towels. Serve hot with your favorite optional toppings like shredded lettuce, diced tomatoes, sour cream, sliced jalapeños, chopped cilantro, or salsa.
Notes
- Warm tortillas briefly before filling them to prevent tearing during folding and frying.
- For a lighter alternative, substitute ground turkey or chicken for the beef.
- Leftover tacos can be reheated in the oven or air fryer to maintain their crisp texture.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Mexican-American
