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Crispy Beef Tacos with Cheesy Crisps and Creamy Jalapeno Recipe

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★★★★

3.9 from 77 reviews

These Crispy Beef Tacos are a flavorful and satisfying Mexican-inspired dish featuring seasoned ground beef cooked with aromatic spices and sautéed onions, folded inside warm flour tortillas with melted colby jack cheese. Pan-fried until golden and crispy, the tacos develop a delightful cheese crust for added texture. Finished with creamy jalapeno sauce, fresh cilantro, and lime wedges, these tacos are perfect for a quick and tasty meal that serves 8.

Ingredients

Scale

Beef Filling

  • 1 pound ground beef (80/20 recommended)
  • 1 medium white or yellow onion (finely diced)
  • 4 cloves garlic (minced)
  • 2 tbsp tomato paste
  • 1/2 cup beef broth
  • 1 teaspoon Adobo seasoning
  • 1 teaspoon cumin powder
  • 1/2 packet Sazón Goya seasoning (with achiote/annatto for color)
  • 1 teaspoon chili powder
  • Cracked pepper to taste
  • Hot sauce (such as Valentina for finishing)

Tacos

  • 8 flour tortillas (taco-sized)
  • 2 cups shredded colby jack cheese (or Mexican blend)
  • 1/4 cup neutral oil (like canola or vegetable oil, for frying)

Toppings

  • Chuy’s Creamy Jalapeno sauce
  • Extra hot sauce (optional)
  • Cilantro (chopped)
  • Lime wedges

Instructions

  1. Prepare the Seasoned Ground Beef: In a large skillet over medium-high heat, brown the ground beef, breaking it up as it cooks. Once mostly browned, drain off any excess grease to prevent greasiness in the filling.
  2. Season the Beef: Reduce the heat to medium. Add the Adobo seasoning, cumin powder, Sazón Goya seasoning, chili powder, and cracked pepper. Stir well to evenly coat the beef with the spices, infusing it with rich, complex flavors.
  3. Add Aromatics: Add the finely diced onion and minced garlic to the skillet. Sauté the mixture for 5 to 7 minutes until the onions soften and become translucent, enhancing the savoriness of the filling.
  4. Finish the Filling: Stir in the tomato paste and beef broth. Continue cooking until most of the liquid evaporates and the mixture thickens to a rich, savory texture. Optionally, stir in a few dashes of hot sauce for an extra kick, then remove from heat.
  5. Assemble the Tacos: Lay a tortilla flat and spoon a few spoonfuls of the beef filling onto one half. Generously top with shredded colby jack cheese. Fold the tortilla over the filling and gently press the edges to seal the taco. Repeat for all tortillas.
  6. Heat the Oil: In a clean large skillet, heat the neutral oil over medium-low heat. Use enough oil to lightly coat the bottom of the pan, which helps achieve a crispy, golden finish.
  7. Fry the Tacos: Place 2 to 3 assembled tacos in the hot oil. Cook each side for 2 to 3 minutes until the tortillas turn golden brown and crispy.
  8. Create the Cheese Crust: As the tacos fry, any cheese that leaks out melts onto the skillet, forming a crispy cheese crust. Use a spatula to gently press the edges of the tacos into this cheese skirt, enhancing flavor and texture.
  9. Drain Excess Oil: Once both sides are golden and crispy, remove the tacos and place them on a plate lined with paper towels to drain excess oil and maintain crispiness.
  10. Finish with Toppings: Open the tacos slightly and drizzle generously with creamy jalapeno sauce and additional hot sauce if desired. Garnish with freshly chopped cilantro and serve immediately with lime wedges for an added burst of freshness.

Notes

  • For best results, use 80/20 ground beef to ensure enough fat for flavor without excessive grease.
  • Do not overfill the tortillas when assembling to make folding and frying easier.
  • If preferred, substitute corn tortillas instead of flour tortillas but handle carefully as they are more delicate during frying.
  • Adjust the amount of hot sauce in the filling and toppings to suit your heat preference.
  • To make the tacos gluten-free, use gluten-free tortillas.
  • Drain excess grease from the cooked beef to avoid greasy tacos.
  • Serve immediately after frying for maximum crispness—tacos can lose texture if left to sit too long.

Keywords: crispy beef tacos, ground beef tacos, fried tacos, Mexican tacos, cheesy tacos, easy taco recipe

Find it online: https://foodarohub.com/crispy-beef-tacos-with-cheesy-crisps-and-creamy-jalapeno-recipe/