Bringing back one of my childhood favorites - Crispy Ground Beef Tacos!! I can VIVIDLY remember taco night as a kid. A pot of fragrant ground meat with taco seasoning, a variety of different hard or soft taco shells (although lets be real - crispy fried tacos are where it's at) and all the accoutrements. It's dinner in less than 20 minutes and it's exactly what I'm craving these days.
Table of Contents
Why I Love This Recipe
I think it's safe to say that a Ground Beef Taco night is a staple in many homes across the world. A few different things go into making this a successful dinner that can be prepped in less than 15 minutes. A pot of fragrant ground meat with taco seasoning (obviously this is my favorite), you could serve either hard or soft taco shells but I'm going to teach you how to fry them and make crispy tacos and all the accoutrements like guacamole, salsa, shredded cheese and perhaps some onions and cilantro. Ground Beef Tacos make dinner less than 20 minutes away and it's exactly what I'm craving these days.
Ingredients & Substitutions
- Your favorite taco seasoning
- Ground beef (80/20 when it comes to fat ratio, you don't want these to dry out or be too lean)
- Yellow onion - or a red onion
- Olive oil - or avocado oil
- Tortillas
- Potatoes - optional but encouraged
- Freshly shredded cheddar cheese
- Freshly shredded Monterey jack cheese
- Salsa or Pico
- Guacamole
*For a full list of ingredients and instructions please see recipe card below.
How to Make Ground Beef Tacos
Step 1: Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium high heat. Add the ground meat, onion and potato sauté for 5 minutes and break it up with the back of a wooden spoon.
Step 2: Add all the taco seasoning and stir to combine. Continue to cook the ground meat and break it down with the back of a wooden spoon until it's fully cooked and no pink remains.
Step 3: Once cooked, add 2 tablespoons of water and reduce to a simmer. Let simmer for 10 minutes.
Step 4: Serve the taco meat with tortillas, shredded cheese, salsa, and any other taco fixings you prefer. Voila, Ground Beef Tacos are done!
How to Store Ground Beef Tacos
You can store any leftover ground beef in an airtight container in the fridge for 3-4 days. Make sure to reheat it till its warmed through, whether you are using the stove or the microwave. Tacos are best assembled fresh- so warm some tortillas, and get all your toppings and you're all set!
How to Freeze Ground Beef Tacos
You can freeze the ground beef! Portion out in freezer bags or containers for about 3 months. Make sure to thaw before you plan to eat it and warm it through well.
Tips & Tricks
Taco meat is so versatile, it's something that we all need in our back pocket. It's also so insanely easy and simple so the tricks are to use great ingredients.
I obviously designed the perfect taco seasoning for recipes just like this! Super flavorful, not too spicy and perfect all across the board. So snag a few jars so you always have that on hand. After that, it's all about getting the best quality of ground beef you can get your hands on and having an assortment of toppings. The Salsa, Pico and Guacamole (should you choose to make them at home for these Ground Beef Tacos) can be prepped the morning of and stored in the fridge until you're ready to serve.
FAQs
What is the best ground beef for tacos?
I always choose 80/20 ground beef for tacos
Which tortillas do you prefer using for these?
You really can use any tortillas, flour or corn, hard or soft!! If you're frying them, opt for corn.
Similar Recipes
If you tried this recipe, please leave a 🌟 star rating and let me know how it goes in the 📝 comments below. Thanks for visiting today
Crispy Ground Beef Tacos
Ingredients
- ½ tablespoon olive oil
- 1 small yellow onion finely diced
- 1 cup sweet potato finely diced
- 1 pound ground beef
- 2 tablespoons taco seasoning
- 1 lime juiced
For Serving
- small corn tortillas
- shredded cheese Cheddar or Monterey Jack
- Pico de Gallo
- Chipotle Salsa
- Guacamole
Instructions
- Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium high heat.
- Add the ground meat, onion and potato sauté for 5-10 minutes and break it up with the back of a wooden spoon. Add all the taco seasoning and stir to combine. Continue to cook the ground meat and break it down with the back of a wooden spoon until it's fully cooked and no pink remains and sweet potatoes are fork tender. Once cooked, season with salt as needed and add lime juice to taste
- Warm the tortillas slightly so they’re pliable. Spoon 2 tablespoon of the beef mixture and a little shredded cheese into each tortilla, then fold it in half.
- Heat about ½ inch of neutral oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Once hot, carefully add the stuffed tortillas, pressing down gently with a spatula. Fry until golden and crispy on both sides, about 2–3 minutes per side. Transfer to a paper towel–lined plate to drain.
- Top each taco with guacamole, and serve with pico de gallo and chipotle salsa on the side
Notes
- 10 (5-inch) corn tortillas
- 1 cup avocado oil (or enough for ½ inch depth in pan)
- Dalkin&Co. Taco Seasoning, to taste
- Flaky salt, to taste
- 1 lime, cut into wedges
Instructions:
- Heat the Oil: In a large skillet, heat avocado oil over medium heat until it reaches 350°F (or until a small piece of tortilla sizzles immediately when dropped in).
- Fry & Shape the Shells: Using metal tongs, carefully place a tortilla in the hot oil. Let it fry for about 10-15 seconds, then use the tongs to gently fold it in half, holding it open just enough to create a taco shell shape. Fry for another 30-45 seconds per side, flipping as needed, until golden brown and crispy.
- Drain & Season: Remove the shell from the oil and let excess oil drip off before placing it on a paper towel-lined plate. Immediately sprinkle with a pinch of salt and Dalkin&Co. Taco Seasoning. Finish with a squeeze of fresh lime juice.
- Repeat: Continue frying the remaining tortillas, working in batches to avoid overcrowding the pan.
Do you have a taco seasoning recipe to recommend? I would love to buy yours but it is not in my budget right now.
So quick, so easy, I now use the Dalkin & Co taco seasoning and it’s fantastic. Great on ground chicken and turkey too.
Mary, I’m also a lover of Dalkin and Co seasonings, and recently made Salmon Tacos with Gaby’s Taco Seasoning. OMG SOOOO YUMMY. Love love love the seasonings!
I could eat these every single day!!