Crispy Ground Beef Tacos Dorados Recipe: A Family Favorite

Crispy golden tacos dorados with ground beef dance on the plate, promising a flavor explosion that will delight your taste buds.

These traditional Mexican treats bring comfort and excitement to any mealtime.

Crunchy tortillas wrapped around seasoned ground beef create a perfect handheld feast that everyone loves.

Each bite delivers a satisfying crunch and rich, savory filling that makes taste buds sing.

The combination of crisp exterior and tender meat inside creates a magical culinary experience.

Simple ingredients transform into a crowd-pleasing dish that connects you to authentic Mexican street food traditions.

You won’t be able to resist these irresistible tacos that bring the vibrant spirit of Mexico right to your dinner table.

Why You’ll Love These Tacos Dorados with Ground Beef

• Packed with bold, zesty spices like Slap Ya Mama seasoning, cumin, and red pepper flakes, these tacos deliver an explosion of mouthwatering taste in every bite.
• Ground beef cooks rapidly, and the entire recipe comes together in just a few simple steps, making it perfect for busy families craving a delicious dinner without spending hours in the kitchen.
• Easily adaptable with various cheese options, toppings, and spice levels, these tacos dorados appeal to different preferences and can satisfy everyone from kids to spice lovers.
• The frying technique transforms ordinary corn tortillas into golden, crunchy shells that provide an irresistible textural contrast to the savory beef filling, creating a satisfying eating experience.

What You’ll Need for Crunchy Tacos Dorados

• Ground Beef: Provides the hearty and flavorful base for the tacos dorados.

• Onions, Jalapeno: Add depth of flavor and a slight spicy kick to the beef mixture.

• Slap Ya Mama Seasoning, Garlic Powder, Cumin, Black Pepper, Red Pepper Flakes: Create a robust and complex flavor profile for the ground beef.

• Monterey Jack Cheese, Sharp Cheddar Cheese: Adds creaminess and a rich, melty texture to the tacos.

• Corn Tortillas, Vegetable Oil: Form the crispy shell and provide the medium for frying the tacos to golden perfection.

• Paper Towels: Used for draining excess oil from the fried tacos.

How to Make Crispy Beef Tacos at Home

Step 1: Sizzle the Beef Blend

In a large skillet, combine ground beef, diced onions, and chopped jalapeños over medium heat.

Cook the mixture, stirring occasionally, until the beef turns completely brown and the vegetables soften, roughly 8-10 minutes.

Step 2: Spice Up the Filling

• Slap Ya Mama seasoning
• Garlic powder
• Cumin
• Black pepper
• Red pepper flakes

Stir thoroughly to distribute spices evenly.

Drain any excess grease to keep the filling firm.

Step 3: Prepare Frying Station

Heat vegetable oil in the skillet over medium-high temperature until it shimmers and looks ready for frying.

Step 4: Transform Tortillas

Using tongs, quickly warm corn tortillas in hot oil, flipping after 10-15 seconds to ensure even heating.

Step 5: Build Delicious Pockets

• Shredded Monterey Jack cheese
• Seasoned beef mixture
• Additional cheese

Fold tortilla into a half-moon shape, pressing gently to seal.

Step 6: Create Golden Crunch

Fry tacos, turning occasionally, until both sides become beautifully golden and crispy, about 2-3 minutes per taco.

Transfer to paper towel-lined plate to drain excess oil.

Step 7: Serve and Celebrate

Arrange crispy tacos on a platter and top with your favorite garnishes like salsa, sour cream, or fresh cilantro.

Pro Tips for Perfect Tacos Dorados

• Remove fat from the beef mixture to prevent soggy, greasy tacos that lose their crispy texture.
• Select fresh, thick corn tortillas that won't break during frying and will hold the delicious filling securely.
• Maintain medium-high heat while frying to ensure crispy, golden tacos without burning or undercooking the tortillas.
• Mix different cheese varieties like monterey jack and sharp cheddar for a more complex, rich flavor profile in your tacos.
• Chop fresh garnishes like cilantro, diced onions, and prepare salsa beforehand to make serving faster and easier.

How to Store and Crisp Up Leftovers

• Wrap cooled tacos dorados individually in aluminum foil or plastic wrap, then place in an airtight container. Keep refrigerated for up to 3 days to maintain freshness and prevent them from becoming soggy.
• Carefully stack tacos in a freezer-safe container with parchment paper between layers. Freeze for maximum 1 month. Seal tightly to prevent freezer burn and maintain crispy texture.
• Preheat oven to 375°F. Place tacos on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Warm for 10-12 minutes, flipping halfway through to ensure even heating and restore crispy exterior. Avoid microwave to prevent soggy shells.
• Heat a skillet over medium heat with minimal oil. Warm tacos for 2-3 minutes per side, turning carefully to maintain their shape and crispiness. This method helps recreate the original golden, crunchy texture.

Best Pairings for Ground Beef Tacos Dorados

• Zesty Wine Pairing: Choose a crisp, light-bodied Mexican lager like Modelo Especial or Corona to complement the spicy ground beef and cut through the rich, crispy taco texture.
• Cooling Salsa Companion: Whip up a fresh pico de gallo with diced tomatoes, cilantro, onions, and lime juice to add brightness and balance the deep-fried taco's intensity.
• Flavor-Boosting Side Kick: Prepare a creamy guacamole with ripe avocados, lime juice, salt, and a hint of jalapeno to provide a smooth, cool contrast to the hot and crunchy tacos dorados.
• Tangy Dipping Delight: Create a quick lime crema by mixing sour cream, fresh lime juice, and a pinch of salt, offering a zesty and creamy dipping sauce that enhances the taco's spicy profile.

Recipe Twists for Tacos Dorados

• Vegetarian Taco Option: Replace ground beef with crumbled tofu, black beans, or lentils seasoned with the same spices for a plant-based protein alternative.
• Low-Carb Keto Version: Swap corn tortillas with large lettuce leaves or low-carb cauliflower tortillas to reduce carbohydrate content while maintaining the crispy texture.
• Gluten-Free Adaptation: Use certified gluten-free corn tortillas and verify that all seasonings are gluten-free to accommodate those with gluten sensitivities.
• Lean Protein Alternative: Substitute ground beef with ground turkey or chicken for a lighter, lower-fat version of the classic tacos dorados recipe.

FAQs

• What are Tacos Dorados?

Tacos Dorados are traditional Mexican crispy tacos made by filling corn tortillas with meat, folding them, and then deep-frying until golden and crunchy. They’re also known as flautas or taquitos in different regions of Mexico.

• Why do I need to drain excess grease from the beef?

Draining excess grease prevents the filling from becoming soggy and helps create a more flavorful, concentrated meat mixture. It also reduces the overall fat content of the dish and ensures a better texture for your tacos.

• Can I use a different type of meat instead of ground beef?

Absolutely! You can substitute ground beef with shredded chicken, ground turkey, or even pulled pork. Each meat will bring its own unique flavor to the Tacos Dorados while maintaining the traditional crispy preparation method.

• How do I keep my Tacos Dorados crispy after frying?

To maintain crispiness, place the fried tacos on a wire rack or paper towel-lined plate to drain excess oil. Serve immediately after cooking, and avoid stacking them to prevent steam from making the tortillas soft.

Tacos Dorados With Ground Beef Recipe

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4.5 from 32 reviews

• Total Time: 25 minutes
• Yield: 12 1x

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Description

Crispy golden tacos dorados brim with savory ground beef, offering a mouthwatering Mexican classic that delights taste buds. Crunchy tortillas and rich, spiced meat create a perfect handheld meal you’ll crave again and again.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Protein and Meat:

• 1.5 pounds lean ground beef

Cheese:

• 1 cup Monterey jack cheese, shredded
• 1 cup sharp cheddar cheese, shredded

Vegetables and Seasonings:

• 1 jalapeno, seeds removed, diced
• 1 white onion, diced
• 1 teaspoon Slap Ya Mama seasoning
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1 teaspoon cumin
• 1 teaspoon black pepper
• 0.5 teaspoon red pepper flakes

Base:

• 12 corn tortillas

Cooking Liquid:

• vegetable oil, for frying

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Instructions

1. In a large skillet over medium heat, combine ground beef, diced onions, and jalapeños. Cook until beef loses its pink color and vegetables soften, approximately 8-10 minutes, stirring periodically to prevent scorching.
2. After meat is fully cooked, incorporate Slap Ya Mama seasoning, garlic powder, cumin, black pepper, and red pepper flakes. Mix thoroughly, ensuring spices distribute evenly. Eliminate excess grease to maintain filling’s integrity.
3. Clean skillet and add vegetable oil, covering bottom surface. Heat oil at medium-high temperature until it shimmers, signaling optimal frying conditions.
4. Using tongs, briefly warm corn tortillas in hot oil, flipping after 10-15 seconds to ensure uniform heating.
5. Rapidly layer shredded Monterey Jack or sharp cheddar cheese, add seasoned beef mixture, then sprinkle additional cheese. Gently fold tortilla into half-moon shape, pressing edges to secure filling.
6. Fry each taco, rotating with tongs, until exterior transforms to crispy golden brown, approximately 2-3 minutes per side. Transfer to paper towel-lined plate for excess oil absorption.
7. Plate tacos dorados immediately and accompany with preferred garnishes for a delectable presentation.

Notes

• Drain ground beef thoroughly to prevent soggy tacos, ensuring a crispy exterior by removing excess grease before filling tortillas.
• Use corn tortillas at room temperature for easier folding and less likelihood of cracking during frying process.
• Keep oil temperature consistent around 350-375°F to achieve perfect golden-brown crispiness without burning tortillas.
• For gluten-free option, verify seasoning blend ingredients and use certified gluten-free corn tortillas.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 10 minutes
• Category: Lunch, Dinner, Snacks
• Method: Frying
• Cuisine: Mexican

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 12
• Calories: 350
• Sugar: 1g
• Sodium: 550mg
• Fat: 20g
• Saturated Fat: 10g
• Unsaturated Fat: 8g
• Trans Fat: 0g
• Carbohydrates: 30g
• Fiber: 2g
• Protein: 18g
• Cholesterol: 60mg