Description
Mexican Tacos Dorados with ground beef deliver a crispy, golden delight packed with savory flavor. Crunchy corn tortillas cradle seasoned meat, offering a perfect balance of texture and zest you’ll crave again and again.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 lb ground beef (or ground turkey/chicken)
- 1/2 cup tomato sauce or salsa
- 1 small onion, finely diced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tsp ground cumin
- 1 tsp chili powder
- 1/2 tsp smoked paprika (optional)
- 1/2 tsp dried oregano
- salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Brown ground beef in a skillet over medium heat until no longer pink, breaking it into small crumbles.
- Incorporate diced onions and minced garlic, sautéing until vegetables become translucent and fragrant.
- Sprinkle cumin, chili powder, smoked paprika, oregano, salt, and pepper into the meat mixture, stirring thoroughly to distribute seasonings evenly.
- Pour tomato sauce or salsa into the skillet, allowing the mixture to simmer for 5 minutes to develop rich, deep flavors.
- Warm vegetable oil in a separate large skillet over medium heat, creating a shallow frying environment.
- Quickly pass corn tortillas through the hot oil for approximately 30 seconds per side, rendering them flexible without becoming crisp.
- Transfer softened tortillas to paper towels to absorb excess oil, then cool slightly for easier handling.
- Place a measured portion of seasoned beef filling along the center of each tortilla, carefully folding to create a half-moon shape.
- Gently lower filled tortillas into the hot oil, frying until edges turn golden brown and crispy, approximately 2-3 minutes per side.
- Remove tacos using tongs, allowing excess oil to drain on fresh paper towels.
- Arrange crispy tacos on serving plates, garnishing with shredded lettuce, crumbled queso fresco, dollops of sour cream, fresh salsa, sliced avocado, and pickled jalapenos or radishes.
- Serve immediately while tacos maintain their crisp texture and warmth.
Notes
- Customize spice levels by adjusting chili powder and adding hot sauce for heat lovers or reducing for mild palates.
- Swap ground beef with ground turkey, chicken, or plant-based crumbles for leaner or vegetarian alternatives that maintain similar flavor profiles.
- Prevent tortillas from breaking during frying by ensuring they’re slightly warm and not cold, which increases flexibility and reduces cracking risk.
- Use a shallow pan with minimal oil to reduce greasiness while achieving crispy golden texture, ensuring even browning without excessive absorption.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner, Appetizer, Snacks
- Method: Frying
- Cuisine: Mexican
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 320 kcal
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 250 mg
- Fat: 20 g
- Saturated Fat: 8 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
- Trans Fat: 0.5 g
- Carbohydrates: 6 g
- Fiber: 1.5 g
- Protein: 22 g
- Cholesterol: 75 mg