Description
Crispy Ground Beef Tacos feature seasoned ground beef cooked until perfectly browned and nestled inside golden, crispy flour tortillas. This quick and flavorful recipe is perfect for a satisfying weeknight dinner, topped with fresh lettuce, cheese, sour cream, and vibrant salsa for a delicious Mexican-inspired meal.
Ingredients
Beef and Seasoning
- 1 pound 80/20 ground beef
- 2 tablespoons taco seasoning (homemade or store-bought)
- 1 tablespoon water
Tortillas
- Vegetable oil, for frying (approximately 1 cup)
- 8 (6-inch) flour tortillas
Optional Toppings
- Shredded iceberg lettuce
- Shredded cheddar cheese
- Sour cream
- Cilantro leaves
- Pico de gallo
- Salsa
Instructions
- Cook the Ground Beef: Place the ground beef in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Break it up with a wooden spoon and cook until browned, about 8 minutes. Stir frequently to ensure even cooking. Add taco seasoning and 1 tablespoon of water, then cook while stirring until the mixture thickens and bubbles. Remove the skillet from the heat.
- Fry the Tortillas: In a separate medium skillet, pour vegetable oil to a depth of about 1/4 inch and heat over medium until glistening. Add one tortilla and cook undisturbed until golden brown, about 1 minute per side. Flip carefully and cook the other side until equally crispy. Transfer to a paper towel-lined plate to drain excess oil. Repeat with remaining tortillas, adding more oil as necessary.
- Assemble the Tacos: Evenly divide the cooked beef among the crispy tortillas. Add your preferred toppings such as shredded lettuce, cheddar cheese, sour cream, cilantro, pico de gallo, and salsa to taste.
Notes
- Use 80/20 ground beef for a good balance of flavor and fat to keep the meat juicy.
- Taco seasoning can be homemade or store-bought; homemade will allow customization of spice levels.
- Handle hot oil carefully when frying tortillas to avoid burns.
- For gluten-free variation, use corn tortillas and ensure taco seasoning is gluten-free.
- Leftover taco meat can be refrigerated for up to 3 days and used in other dishes.
