Description
These Crispy Ground Beef Tacos are a delicious and easy Mexican-inspired dish featuring seasoned ground beef cooked with aromatic spices, folded in corn tortillas, and cooked until golden and crispy. Perfect for quick weeknight dinners or entertaining, they are served with classic toppings like shredded lettuce, diced tomatoes, sour cream, and hot sauce.
Ingredients
Scale
Beef Mixture
- 1 lb ground beef
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1/2 small onion, finely diced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tablespoon chili powder
- 1 teaspoon cumin
- 1/2 teaspoon paprika
- 1/2 teaspoon oregano
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/4 cup tomato sauce or salsa
Tacos
- 8 small corn tortillas
- 1 cup shredded cheddar or Mexican blend cheese
- Oil for frying or spray oil for baking
Toppings (optional)
- Shredded lettuce
- Diced tomatoes
- Sour cream
- Hot sauce
Instructions
- Prepare the Beef Mixture: Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Add the finely diced onion and cook for 2–3 minutes until softened. Stir in the minced garlic and cook for an additional 30 seconds until fragrant. Add the ground beef, breaking it up with a spatula, and cook until browned and no longer pink, about 5–7 minutes. Drain excess grease if necessary.
- Season the Beef: Stir in chili powder, cumin, paprika, oregano, salt, black pepper, and tomato sauce or salsa. Mix well to combine all flavors. Let the mixture simmer for 3–5 minutes, allowing it to thicken slightly and blend the spices.
- Assemble the Tacos: Warm the corn tortillas slightly to prevent cracking. Spoon a few tablespoons of the seasoned beef mixture onto one half of each tortilla. Sprinkle shredded cheese over the beef, then fold the tortilla in half to close.
- Cook the Tacos (Pan-Fried Method): Heat a thin layer of oil in a skillet over medium heat. Place the folded tacos in the skillet and cook for 2–3 minutes per side, pressing lightly with a spatula until the tortillas are golden brown and crispy, and the cheese inside has melted.
- Cook the Tacos (Baked Method): Preheat the oven to 425°F (220°C). Arrange the folded tacos on a baking sheet and spray them lightly with oil. Bake for 10–12 minutes, flipping once halfway through, until crispy and golden.
- Serve: Serve the crispy tacos hot with your choice of toppings such as shredded lettuce, diced tomatoes, sour cream, and hot sauce for added flavor and texture.
Notes
- For softer tacos, use flour tortillas instead of corn.
- Add refried beans to the filling for extra heartiness.
- This recipe is great for quick weeknight dinners or party platters.
- To make it dairy-free, omit the cheese or use a vegan cheese alternative.
- If baking, keep an eye on the tacos to prevent burning and ensure even crispiness.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop, Baking
- Cuisine: Mexican-Inspired
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 2 tacos
- Calories: 420
- Sugar: 2g
- Sodium: 480mg
- Fat: 24g
- Saturated Fat: 8g
- Unsaturated Fat: 13g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 26g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 24g
- Cholesterol: 70mg
