These Crispy Ground Beef Tacos are everything a taco night should be—golden-fried tortillas, seasoned beef filling, and all the fixings like lettuce, cheese, sour cream, and taco sauce.
This recipe makes 40 handheld tacos, perfect for feeding a crowd or creating the ultimate party platter!
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
Perfectly crispy, golden taco shells
Simple but flavorful seasoned beef
Loaded with your favorite classic toppings
Feeds a crowd—makes 40 tacos!
Great for meal prep or taco bar setups
Ingredient Highlights
For the Beef
Ground beef – Juicy and perfect for absorbing seasoning
Onion – Cooked with the beef for flavor and texture
Salt & pepper – Simple, classic seasoning
For the Tortillas
Vegetable oil – For pan-frying the tortillas until crisp
6″ flour tortillas – The perfect size for handheld tacos
For the Toppings
Shredded lettuce & cheddar cheese – Classic crunch and melt
Cherry or diced tomatoes – Adds freshness
Diced onion – Optional but great for texture and bite
Sour cream – Creamy and cooling
Ortega mild taco sauce – A family favorite that’s sweet and tangy
Hot sauce – For spice lovers
Pro Tips Before You Start
Fry tortillas one at a time for best crispness
Use forks to gently hold tortillas closed while frying
Prep toppings while the beef cooks to save time
Ortega taco sauce adds a nostalgic flavor—don’t skip it!
Make ahead and reheat the beef if prepping for a party
How to Make Crispy Ground Beef Tacos
Step 1: Cook the Beef
In a large skillet over medium-high heat, brown the ground beef, breaking it up into small crumbles.
Halfway through cooking, add diced onion, salt, and pepper.
Continue cooking until the beef is no longer pink.
Step 2: Fry the Tortillas
In a cast iron or heavy skillet, heat vegetable oil over medium-high heat.
Once hot, fry one tortilla at a time for about 30 seconds on one side.
Fold it gently in half using two forks, flipping until both sides are golden.
Remove and drain on paper towels. Repeat until all tortillas are crisp.
Step 3: Prep the Toppings
While the beef or tortillas are cooking, shred the lettuce and cheese, dice the onion and tomatoes, and set everything into bowls for easy assembly.
Step 4: Assemble the Tacos
Add 1 to 1½ tablespoons of cooked beef into each crispy taco shell.
Then pile on your favorite toppings—lettuce, cheese, tomatoes, onions, taco sauce, hot sauce, and a dollop of sour cream.
What to Serve It With
Mexican rice or cilantro lime rice
Refried beans or black beans
Guacamole and tortilla chips
Fresh margaritas or horchata
Variations & Substitutions
Use ground turkey or chicken instead of beef
Add taco seasoning mix to the beef for more spice
Swap sour cream for Greek yogurt
Add refried beans or rice to the taco filling
Storage & Leftovers
Store cooked beef in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days
Reheat beef in a skillet or microwave
Keep tortillas and toppings separate until ready to assemble
Fried taco shells are best eaten fresh, but can be reheated in the oven
FAQs
Can I use corn tortillas instead of flour?
Yes! Corn tortillas can be fried the same way and offer a slightly different texture and flavor.
How do I keep the tortillas from puffing up when frying?
Gently press down on air bubbles with your forks to keep them folded and flat.
Can I make these tacos ahead of time?
You can prep the beef and toppings ahead, but assemble just before serving to keep the shells crisp.
What’s the best taco sauce to use?
We love Ortega mild taco sauce—it’s sweet and tangy. Feel free to use your favorite!
Do I need to season the beef more?
Salt, pepper, and onion provide a classic flavor, but you can add garlic powder, cumin, or taco seasoning if desired.
How do I store leftover taco shells?
Let them cool completely, then store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days.
Re-crisp in a hot skillet or oven.
Can I freeze the beef?
Yes! Freeze the cooked beef in a sealed container for up to 2 months.
Thaw and reheat before serving.
Final Thoughts
These Crispy Ground Beef Tacos bring back all the best memories of family taco nights—crispy, savory, and loaded with fresh toppings.
Whether you’re cooking for a party or meal prepping for the week, these golden tacos are always a hit.
Crispy Ground Beef Tacos
Ingredients
Beef
- 2.5 lbs ground beef
- 1 small onion diced
- ½ tsp salt
- ½ tsp pepper
Tortillas
- 2 cups vegetable oil
- 40 6 ″ flour tortillas
Toppings
- 3 cups shredded lettuce
- 3 cups shredded cheddar cheese
- 2 cups diced tomatoes or halved cherry tomatoes
- 1 small onion diced
- 1 container sour cream
- 1 bottle Ortega mild taco sauce
- 1 bottle hot sauce
Instructions
- Cook beef in a large skillet over medium-high heat, breaking into crumbles.
- Midway through, add onion, salt, and pepper. Cook until no pink remains.
- In a 10” skillet, heat oil over medium-high heat.
- Fry tortillas one by one for 30 seconds on one side.
- Use forks to fold and flip until lightly golden. Drain on paper towels.
- See full steps with tips & photos → https://wimpysdiner.net/crispy-ground-beef-tacos/
Notes
- You can use corn tortillas if preferred, but flour tortillas crisp up beautifully in this method.
- For a lighter version, bake the tortillas instead of frying.
- Add taco seasoning to the beef for extra flavor.
- Prep the toppings ahead for quick assembly during parties.
