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Fried Tacos with Taco Salsa
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5 from 2 votes

The Ultimate Crispy Fried Tacos (Quick, Easy Recipe!)

The ultimate crunchy + crispy fried tacos filled with spiced ground beef - perfect for lunch, game night or a weekend treat.
Prep Time15 minutes
Cook Time30 minutes
Total Time45 minutes
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: Mexican
Keyword: Fried Tacos
Servings: 6

Ingredients

  • 2 tbsp oil
  • 1 medium onion finely chopped
  • 1 tbsp minced garlic
  • 1 lb ground beef
  • 3 tablespoons taco seasoning or 1 packet
  • 16 small corn tortillas
  • 2 cups grated cheddar cheese or Mexican blend cheese
  • Lettuce shredded
  • 2 tomatoes diced
  • ½ cup sour cream
  • 1 jalapeño sliced
  • Fresh cilantro chopped (optional)
  • 1 cup salsa or pico de gallo optional
  • Oil for frying
  • Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions

Beef Filling:

  • Heat the oil in a skillet over medium heat. Add onion and sauté until translucent. Add garlic and sauté for another minute.
  • Add the ground beef and taco seasoning, breaking it apart as it cooks. Cook until no longer pink.

Prep Tortillas:

  • To make the tortillas pliable and prevent tearing during folding, heat each tortilla in a dry skillet over medium heat for about 20-30 seconds on each side or until they are soft and pliable. Alternatively, you can wrap them in a damp cloth and microwave for about 30 seconds.

Assemble Tacos:

  • Lay out each tortilla, place a spoonful of beef mixture on one side, and sprinkle with some cheese. Fold the tortilla in half over the filling.

Fry Tacos:

  • Generously coat the bottom of a frying pan with oil and heat over medium heat.
  • Once the oil is shimmering hot (about 350°F), use tongs to carefully touch the oil with a small piece of test tortilla. If it sizzles and bubbles immediately, it’s ready.  Carefully place a few tacos in the pan.
  • Fry each side until golden brown, about 1-2 minutes per side. Use tongs in one hand to pinch closed the open side of the tacos as you flip them over. Use a spatula in the other hand to help flip it if needed.
  • Remove the tacos using tongs and let them drain on a plate lined with paper towels.

Serve:

  • Open each taco slightly (be careful as they'll be hot and crispy) and stuff with lettuce, tomato, and any other preferred fillings.
  • Serve with sides of sour cream, jalapeño slices, salsa, and a sprinkle of cilantro.

Video

Notes

If you’re having trouble getting the tacos to stay closed as you fill them, place a baking sheet or a plate on top of them to pin them shut as you work.
Don’t add more than 2 tbsp of taco meat per small (5 ½ - 6”)  tortilla  or the filling will spill out in the pan and make a mess. Better to keep extra meat hot on the side and add it to the tacos after frying.

Nutrition

Calories: 611kcal | Carbohydrates: 40g | Protein: 28g | Fat: 39g | Saturated Fat: 16g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 3g | Monounsaturated Fat: 14g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 103mg | Sodium: 730mg | Potassium: 635mg | Fiber: 6g | Sugar: 5g | Vitamin A: 1201IU | Vitamin C: 12mg | Calcium: 383mg | Iron: 3mg