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Quick Crispy Beef Tacos

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A fast and easy recipe for crispy beef tacos ready in just 25 minutes, perfect for busy weeknights with simple ingredients and bold flavors.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 lb (450 g) ground beef (80/20 lean-to-fat ratio)
  • 8 crispy hard taco shells
  • 1 tbsp olive oil
  • 1 small onion, finely chopped
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 tbsp chili powder
  • 1 tsp ground cumin
  • 1 tsp paprika (smoked if possible)
  • 1/2 tsp oregano
  • 1 tsp salt
  • 1/2 tsp black pepper
  • Pinch of cayenne pepper (optional)
  • 1/4 cup (60 ml) water
  • 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
  • Handful fresh cilantro, chopped
  • Optional toppings: diced tomatoes, sour cream, sliced jalapeños, avocado slices, lime wedges

Instructions

  1. Prep your ingredients: finely chop the onion and mince the garlic. Shred cheese and chop any fresh toppings like cilantro or tomatoes.
  2. Toast the taco shells: heat skillet over medium heat with a small drizzle of olive oil. Add taco shells in batches, turning every 30 seconds until golden and crispy on all sides. Set aside on paper towels to drain excess oil.
  3. Cook the beef: in the same skillet, add 1 tablespoon olive oil and heat over medium-high. Add chopped onions and sauté until soft and translucent, about 3 minutes. Add minced garlic and cook for 30 seconds until fragrant.
  4. Increase heat slightly, add ground beef. Break up with spatula and cook until browned and no longer pink, about 5-6 minutes. Drain excess fat if needed.
  5. Add seasoning and simmer: sprinkle homemade taco seasoning over beef. Pour in 1/4 cup water and stir well. Reduce heat to medium-low and simmer for 4-5 minutes until sauce thickens and coats beef.
  6. Assemble tacos: spoon seasoned beef into toasted shells, sprinkle with shredded cheddar cheese while beef is hot so it melts. Add fresh cilantro and choice of toppings like diced tomatoes, sour cream, or avocado slices.
  7. Serve immediately: enjoy fresh while shells are still crispy. Offer lime wedges on the side for a zesty finish.

Notes

Toast taco shells just before assembling to keep them crispy. Drain excess fat from beef to avoid soggy tacos. Homemade taco seasoning is fresher and customizable. Serve toppings on the side if shells get soggy too fast. For gluten-free, use corn tortillas. For dairy-free, skip cheese or use plant-based alternatives.

Nutrition

Keywords: quick beef tacos, crispy tacos, easy dinner, ground beef recipe, taco seasoning, weeknight meal

Find it online: https://sunnysavory.com/quick-crispy-beef-tacos-recipe-25-minutes-easy-homemade-dinner/