why make this recipe
This recipe gives you crunchy, cheesy tacos with simple steps. You get a satisfying mix of seasoned beef and melted mozzarella inside a crisp tortilla. It cooks fast and uses common ingredients. If you like easy ground beef ideas, also try a pasta option like pasta shells and ground beef for a different weeknight meal.
introduction
Crispy Ground Beef Tacos are simple and fun to make. The beef cooks with onion, tomato paste, and taco seasoning. Then you fill tortillas with cheese and beef and fry them until they are golden and crunchy. This recipe makes 8 tacos and is great for a quick dinner or a casual gathering.
how to make Crispy Ground Beef Tacos
Heat about 1 tablespoon oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the finely chopped onion and cook until soft, about 2 to 3 minutes. Add the ground beef. Break it up with a spoon and cook until most of the beef is browned, about 4 to 5 minutes. Mix in the tomato paste and the taco seasoning. If the filling looks dry, stir in 1/4 cup water or beef broth. Cook until the beef is fully done and most liquid has evaporated, about 3 to 4 more minutes. Taste and add salt if needed. Remove from heat and let the filling cool a little before you assemble tacos.
On a clean surface, lay a tortilla down. On the top half of the tortilla, add 1 1/2 to 2 tablespoons shredded mozzarella. Spoon some beef filling over the cheese and add another 1 1/2 to 2 tablespoons cheese on top. Fold the bottom half of the tortilla over the filling and press gently to seal. Put each assembled taco on a large baking sheet. Repeat until you have 8 tacos.
Heat 3 to 4 tablespoons oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Fry the tacos in batches, about 1 minute per side, until golden brown and crispy. Move fried tacos to a wire rack set over a baking sheet to drain. Add more oil between batches if needed so tacos brown well. Serve while hot and crispy. For a different flavor idea, you can also try a stir fry style ground beef dish like the spicy ground beef stir fry bowl with garlic veggies.
Ingredients :
1 pound 90/10 ground beef
1/2 medium onion, finely chopped
2 tablespoons taco seasoning
2 tablespoons tomato paste
1/4 cup water or beef broth, as needed
salt to taste, as needed
8 (6 inch) taco size flour tortillas
2 to 3 cups mozzarella cheese, shredded
avocado or vegetable oil
fresh cilantro, finely chopped, garnish
Directions :
Heat some oil (about 1 tablespoon) in a large skillet over medium heat. Add in the onions and cook until softened, about 2-3 minutes.
Next, add in the beef. Use a large spoon to break up the beef and cook until most of the beef is browned, about 4-5 minutes.
Mix in the tomato paste and then the taco seasoning. Stir in the water (or beef broth) if filling appears dry and continue to cook until the beef is fully cooked through and most of the cooking liquid has evaporated, about 3-4 minutes. Taste the filling and season with salt, if needed. Remove from heat and set aside to cool slightly before assembling tacos.
On a clean work surface, place down a tortilla. On the top half of the tortilla, add some mozzarella cheese (about 1 1/2 to 2 tablespoons). Spoon over a portion of the beef filling and top with some more cheese (about 1 1/2 to 2 tablespoons). Fold the bottom half of the tortilla over the filling and gently press down to seal.
Transfer assembled taco to a large baking sheet and repeat with remaining beef filling, cheese and tortillas for a total of (8) tacos.
Heat up some oil (about 3-4 tablespoons) in a large skillet over medium heat. In batches, pan fry the tacos, about 1 minute per side, or until golden brown. Transfer to a wire cooling rack placed over a baking sheet. If needed, add a little more oil in between frying the batches of tacos to ensure that you get nicely golden brown and crispy tacos.
Garnish tacos with fresh cilantro (optional) and serve immediately while still hot and crispy with your favorite sauce. Enjoy!
how to serve Crispy Ground Beef Tacos
Serve these tacos hot so the cheese is melty and the shell stays crispy. Add chopped fresh cilantro on top and squeeze a little lime if you like. Offer sauces on the side, such as salsa, sour cream, or hot sauce. For a full meal, serve with rice or beans and a simple salad. You can also pair with other beef dishes like beef enchiladas for a Mexican-style spread.
how to store Crispy Ground Beef Tacos
Store any leftover beef filling in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. Keep fried tacos separate from the filling so they do not get soggy. Reheat filling in a skillet and warm the tacos in an oven or air fryer to bring back crispiness. Avoid storing assembled fried tacos for long; they lose crunch over time.
tips to make Crispy Ground Beef Tacos
- Use 90/10 ground beef to drain less fat and still get good flavor.
- Do not overfill the tortillas or they can burst when frying.
- Let the filling cool a bit before assembling so the cheese helps seal the tortilla.
- Fry at medium heat so the tacos brown without burning.
- If you want less oil, bake the tacos in a 425°F oven for 8–10 minutes, turning once.
variation (if any)
- Make them spicy: add chopped jalapeño or cayenne to the beef.
- Use cheddar or pepper jack cheese instead of mozzarella.
- Swap flour tortillas for corn tortillas, but watch that corn tortillas are more fragile and may need a bit of water to help seal before frying.
- Make baked tacos by brushing tortillas with oil and baking until crisp.
FAQs
Q: Can I use leaner or fattier beef?
A: Yes. Lean beef (90/10) works best to limit oil. Fattier beef will need more draining.
Q: Can I freeze the beef filling?
A: Yes. Cool the filling and freeze in a sealed bag or container for up to 3 months. Thaw in the fridge before using.
Q: How do I keep tacos crispy after frying?
A: Place them on a wire rack so air can circulate. Do not stack them while hot. Reheat in the oven or air fryer to refresh crispiness.
Q: Can I make these without frying?
A: Yes. You can bake them at 425°F for about 8–10 minutes until crisp, flipping once.
Conclusion
For another take on crispy tacos, see the baked-not-fried version at Crispy Beef Tacos (Baked Not Fried!) • Kroll’s Korner. If you want a similar stovetop method with tips, check this guide: Crispy Ground Beef Tacos – A Flavorful Bite. For a classic recipe and extra notes, review the Simply Recipes version at Crispy Ground Beef Tacos Recipe.
Crispy Ground Beef Tacos
Ingredients
For the Beef Filling
- 1 pound 90/10 ground beef Use lean ground beef to limit oil
- 1/2 medium onion, finely chopped Adds flavor and texture
- 2 tablespoons taco seasoning Season to taste
- 2 tablespoons tomato paste Enhances moisture and flavor
- 1/4 cup water or beef broth Add as needed to prevent dryness
- to taste salt Adjust according to preference
For Assembling Tacos
- 8 pieces 6 inch taco size flour tortillas Can use corn tortillas, but they may need extra care when sealing
- 2-3 cups mozzarella cheese, shredded Can substitute with cheddar or pepper jack
- to taste avocado or vegetable oil For frying
- to taste fresh cilantro, finely chopped For garnish
Instructions
Preparation of Filling
- Heat about 1 tablespoon of oil in a large skillet over medium heat.
- Add the finely chopped onion and cook until soft, about 2 to 3 minutes.
- Add the ground beef, breaking it up with a spoon, and cook until mostly browned, about 4 to 5 minutes.
- Mix in the tomato paste and taco seasoning.
- If the filling looks dry, stir in water or beef broth as needed.
- Cook until the beef is fully done and most liquid has evaporated, about 3 to 4 more minutes.
- Taste and add salt if needed. Remove from heat and let cool slightly.
Assembling Tacos
- On a clean surface, lay a tortilla down.
- On the top half, add 1 1/2 to 2 tablespoons shredded mozzarella.
- Spoon some beef filling over the cheese and add another 1 1/2 to 2 tablespoons cheese on top.
- Fold the bottom half of the tortilla over the filling and press gently to seal.
- Transfer each assembled taco to a large baking sheet. Repeat until all tacos are assembled.
Frying Tacos
- Heat 3 to 4 tablespoons of oil in a large skillet over medium heat.
- Fry the tacos in batches, about 1 minute per side, until golden brown and crispy.
- Move fried tacos to a wire rack set over a baking sheet to drain and add more oil between batches if needed.
- Serve while hot and crispy.
