Description
Delicious and crispy pan-fried beef tacos made with seasoned ground beef, melted cheese, and warm corn tortillas, perfect for a quick and satisfying Mexican-American meal.
Ingredients
Scale
Beef Mixture
- 1 pound ground beef
- 1/2 small onion, finely chopped
- 2 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 tablespoon chili powder
- 1 teaspoon ground cumin
- 1/2 teaspoon paprika
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/2 cup tomato sauce
Tacos
- 8 small corn tortillas
- 1 cup shredded cheddar or Mexican blend cheese
- 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
Optional Toppings
- Shredded lettuce
- Diced tomatoes
- Sour cream
- Sliced jalapeños
- Chopped cilantro
Instructions
- Cook the Beef: Heat a large skillet over medium heat. Add the ground beef and cook until browned, breaking it up with a spoon.
- Add Aromatics: Stir in the finely chopped onion and minced garlic, cooking for about 3 minutes until softened.
- Season the Meat: Mix in chili powder, cumin, paprika, salt, and black pepper to the beef mixture.
- Simmer: Pour in the tomato sauce, reduce heat to low, and simmer for 3 to 4 minutes until slightly thickened. Remove from skillet and set aside.
- Prepare the Skillet: Wipe the skillet clean and add vegetable oil, heating over medium heat.
- Assemble Tacos: Place a corn tortilla in the skillet, spoon a few tablespoons of the beef mixture onto one half of the tortilla, then sprinkle with shredded cheese. Fold the tortilla over and press gently.
- Fry Tacos: Cook for 2 to 3 minutes on each side or until the tortilla is crispy, golden, and the cheese is melted.
- Repeat and Serve: Continue with remaining tortillas and filling. Serve warm with optional toppings such as shredded lettuce, diced tomatoes, sour cream, jalapeños, and cilantro.
Notes
- Warming the tortillas slightly before frying helps prevent cracking.
- You can substitute ground turkey or chicken for a lighter option.
- These tacos are best served immediately while the tortillas are crispy.
