Crispy Ground Beef Tacos Recipe: Family Favorite Crunch (Print Version)

Make this Crispy Ground Beef Tacos Recipe for an easy weeknight meal! My simple method gets crunchy shells and flavorful beef, a true family hit.

# Recipe Info:

Prep Time: 15 Minutes minutes
Cook Time: 25 Minutes minutes
Total Time: 40 minutes
Servings: 4 Servings
Difficulty: Beginner
Cuisine: Tex-Mex
Dietary: Contains meat, dairy

# Ingredients:

→ Main Ingredients

01 - 1 lb ground beef (80/20 recommended)
02 - 1 yellow onion, finely chopped
03 - 2 cloves garlic, minced
04 - 1/2 cup beef broth
05 - 12 small corn tortillas

→ Flavor Boosters

06 - 2 tbsp chili powder
07 - 1 tbsp ground cumin
08 - 1 tsp smoked paprika
09 - 1 tsp salt (or to taste)
10 - 1/2 tsp black pepper (or to taste)

→ Crispy Shell Essentials

11 - 2 tbsp vegetable oil (for frying tortillas)
12 - 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese

→ Fresh Toppings

13 - Shredded lettuce
14 - Diced tomatoes
15 - Sour cream
16 - Hot sauce (optional)

# Instructions:

01 - First things first, get your biggest skillet heating over medium-high. Drizzle in a tiny bit of oil, then toss in that ground beef. Break it up with a spoon, let it sizzle and brown. This is where the magic starts! Once it's mostly browned, drain off any excess grease – I usually just tilt the pan and scoop it out with a spoon, careful not to lose any delicious beef. Now, add your chopped onion and garlic. Oh, the smell! It's incredible. Sauté until the onion is soft and translucent, about 5-7 minutes. Don't rush this part; perfectly cooked aromatics make all the difference in your Crispy Ground Beef Tacos Recipe.
02 - Once those onions are happy and soft, it's time for the spices! Sprinkle in the chili powder, cumin, smoked paprika, salt, and black pepper. Stir it all together, letting those spices toast for about a minute. You'll smell them bloom, a warm, inviting aroma filling your kitchen – that's when you know you're doing it right. Pour in the beef broth and bring it to a gentle simmer. Let it cook down for about 5-10 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the sauce has thickened slightly and the beef is super flavorful. This juicy, seasoned meat is what makes our Crispy Ground Beef Tacos Recipe truly special.
03 - This step is crucial for getting those shells just right for your Crispy Ground Beef Tacos Recipe. Lightly brush each corn tortilla with a little oil – I just use a pastry brush. Heat a separate skillet over medium. One by one, warm each tortilla for about 15-20 seconds per side until it's pliable. You want it soft enough to fold without breaking, but not crispy yet. Stack them up on a plate and cover them with a clean kitchen towel to keep them warm and flexible. Don't skip this, or your shells *will* crack!
04 - Now for the fun part! This is where we make our Crispy Ground Beef Tacos Recipe live up to its name. Take a warmed tortilla, spoon a generous amount of the seasoned ground beef onto one half, then sprinkle with a little shredded cheese. Carefully fold the other half over, pressing gently. Place the folded taco seam-side down into the hot skillet (the one you used for the beef, wiped clean if needed, with a fresh drizzle of oil). Fry for 2-3 minutes per side, until golden brown and crispy. I usually do 2-3 at a time, depending on pan size.
05 - As each batch of Crispy Ground Beef Tacos Recipe comes out of the skillet, transfer them to a wire rack set over a baking sheet. This lets air circulate, so they stay crispy and don't get soggy. You can keep them warm in a low oven (around 200°F or 90°C) while you finish frying the rest. Honestly, I've tried just stacking them, and the bottom ones get soft. A rack is a game-changer! Don't let all that hard work go to waste by letting them steam themselves soft.
06 - Once all your Crispy Ground Beef Tacos Recipe are fried to golden perfection, it's time to load them up! Fill them with your favorite toppings: shredded lettuce, diced tomatoes, a dollop of sour cream, and a splash of hot sauce if you like a kick. Arrange them on a big platter and let everyone dig in. The crunch of the shell, the savory beef, the fresh toppings – it’s a symphony of textures and flavors. Serve immediately and watch them disappear!

# Notes:

01 - Don't overcrowd the pan when frying the tortillas; they won't get crispy, I learned that the hard way!
02 - For best crispiness, store beef and tortillas separately, then assemble and fry fresh.
03 - Ground turkey works, but add a little extra oil for flavor and crisping power, it's just not the same without that beefy fat.
04 - Serve these with a side of creamy avocado dip for an extra special touch, it balances the crunch so well.

# Tools You'll Need:

01 - Large skillet
02 - smaller skillet
03 - wire rack
04 - baking sheet

# Nutrition Facts (Per Serving):

Calories: 450
Total Fat: 28g
Total Carbohydrate: 25g
Protein: 25g

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