Description
Mexican street-style crispy ground beef tacos deliver authentic flavors from traditional kitchens. Crunchy corn tortillas filled with seasoned meat create a perfect handheld meal you’ll crave again and again.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 1 pound (1 lb) ground beef
- 8 taco shells (hard or soft)
Protein and Cheese Toppings:
- 1 packet taco seasoning (or homemade blend)
- 1 cup shredded cheese
- 1/4 cup sour cream
Vegetable and Sauce Toppings:
- 1/4 cup water
- 1 cup shredded lettuce
- 1/2 cup diced tomatoes
- Salsa or hot sauce (optional)
Instructions
- Sizzle ground beef in a skillet over medium-high heat until thoroughly browned and no pink remains, approximately 7-8 minutes.
- Eliminate excess grease by carefully draining fat from the meat using a colander.
- Return meat to pan and sprinkle taco seasoning, stirring to coat evenly while incorporating water for optimal flavor distribution.
- Reduce heat and allow mixture to simmer for 4-5 minutes, allowing seasoning to penetrate meat completely.
- Preheat oven to 350°F and arrange taco shells on a baking sheet, warming for 3-4 minutes until crisp and golden.
- Gently fill each shell with seasoned beef, creating a substantial base layer.
- Layer crisp shredded lettuce atop meat for fresh crunch and texture.
- Sprinkle shredded cheese generously, allowing slight melting from residual heat.
- Distribute diced tomatoes across tacos for vibrant color and tangy flavor.
- Optional: Add dollop of sour cream, drizzle of salsa, or splash of hot sauce according to personal preference.
- Serve immediately while shells remain crisp and ingredients maintain optimal temperature.
Notes
- Drain ground beef thoroughly to prevent soggy tacos and reduce excess grease for a cleaner, crispier texture.
- Toast taco shells slightly longer for extra crunchiness, watching carefully to avoid burning.
- Experiment with lean ground beef or turkey for a healthier protein option without sacrificing flavor.
- Consider using homemade taco seasoning to control sodium and customize spice levels for different dietary preferences.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 12 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner, Snacks
- Method: Simmering
- Cuisine: Mexican
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 8
- Calories: 308 kcal
- Sugar: 2 g
- Sodium: 580 mg
- Fat: 19 g
- Saturated Fat: 8 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 9 g
- Trans Fat: 0.5 g
- Carbohydrates: 16 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 17 g
- Cholesterol: 50 mg