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Crunchy Ground Beef Tacos on Jennifer Cooks

Classic Crunchy Ground Beef Tacos

Try the ultimate crispy ground beef tacos recipe! Perfect for Taco Tuesday, these homemade crunchy taco shells are filled with seasoned ground meat and all of your favorite toppings. A Tex-Mex feast for the whole family!
5 from 1 vote
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Course: Main Dish
Cuisine: Tex-Mex
Keyword: quick & easy, Weeknight Dinner
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 30 minutes
Total Time: 45 minutes
Servings: 4
Calories: 925kcal
Author: Jennifer Locklin
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Ingredients

For the ground beef filling:

For the tacos:

Instructions

Prepare the filling:

  • In a large skillet, heat the oil over medium-low heat. Add the diced onion and jalapeño, and cook, stirring occasionally, until softened, about 5 minutes. Add the minced garlic and cook for an additional 30 seconds.
  • Add the ground beef, chili powder, cumin, dried oregano, salt, pepper, and drained Rotel tomatoes to the skillet. Stir until well combined, then reduce the heat to low. Simmer, stirring occasionally, until the meat is browned, about 15 minutes. Stir in the lime juice and cilantro, taste, and adjust the seasonings if needed. Remove from heat.

Fry the taco shells:

  • Set a wire rack over a rimmed baking sheet lined with parchment paper for easy cleanup.
  • In a heavy skillet, heat 2 inches of oil to 350°F.
  • Add one tortilla to the skillet and cook until it starts to blister but is still soft, about 10 to 15 seconds. Using tongs, turn the tortilla over and immediately fold it in half to form a taco shell.
  • Once the tortilla holds its shape, continue cooking until it is crisp and golden all over, about 15 to 30 seconds longer. Transfer to the wire rack and keep warm in the oven while you repeat with the remaining tortillas.

Assemble the tacos:

  • Fill each taco shell with the ground beef mixture, shredded lettuce, diced tomatoes, shredded cheddar cheese, diced avocados, and sliced olives. Serve with salsa and sour cream on the side, if desired.

Notes

* You can make the taco shells ahead of time, but for the best texture, serve them crisp and warm by reheating in the oven at 375°F for 10 minutes before serving.
* The ground beef filling can be made up to 2 days in advance. After cooking, let it cool and store in an airtight container in the refrigerator. Reheat before serving.

Nutrition

Serving: 3tacos | Calories: 925kcal | Carbohydrates: 54g | Protein: 41g | Fat: 63g | Saturated Fat: 23g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 7g | Monounsaturated Fat: 26g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 137mg | Sodium: 1211mg | Potassium: 1336mg | Fiber: 15g | Sugar: 5g | Vitamin A: 2814IU | Vitamin C: 25mg | Calcium: 546mg | Iron: 6mg

*Nutrition information is automatically calculated based on ingredient data and should be considered an estimate. When multiple ingredient options are provided, the first listed is used for calculation. Optional ingredients and garnishes are not included in the nutrition analysis.