These delicious Fried Tacos are stuffed with a seasoned ground beef filling, lots of cheese and then pan fried til golden brown and crispy. Made with 4 ingredients, they're an easy-to-make lunch and dinner time favorite. Make them in less than 30 minutes or use leftover taco meat and they'll be done in 5.
Fried tacos are a really simple lunch and dinner recipe that kids of all ages seem to love. This recipe makes a big batch, about 15 tacos. They are freezer-friendly and can be quickly defrosted. This is also a great recipe to make when you have leftover taco meat.
Fried tacos are one of my go-to recipes when my kids are going through an extra picky stage. They're just as delicious and loved as a basic cheese quesadilla, bean and cheese quesadilla or mini pizza. Serve them with Mexican-style slow cooker pinto beans for an extra hearty meal.
Table Of Contents
Ingredients You Need For Fried Tacos
Simple ingredients are needed to make this delicious recipe:
- Ground beef
- Taco seasoning: use this easy homemade taco seasoning.
- Cheddar cheese: or Mexican/taco style cheese.
- Corn tortillas: flour tortillas are okay too.
While my kids love fried tacos served plain and sliced into little triangles, salsa, guacamole, and sour cream are great for dipping. This pressure cooker tomato salsa is my favorite!
Kristina's Time Saving Tip
Make it really quick and easy by using leftover ground beef, Mexican shredded beef, shredded enchilada chicken, or shredded chicken taco meat! This only takes a few minutes- only the time it will take you to stuff and fry the tacos.
More Taco Filling Ideas
My littles like their tacos with just beef and cheese. But you could also add to your taco filling:
- Fresh cilantro
- Diced tomatoes
- Seasoned diced chicken
- Black beans
- Corn
How To Make Fried Tacos
- Prepare the taco filling. Heat a large skillet over medium high heat. Add the ground beef and cook until browned, mixing frequently. When the beef has browned, drain the extra grease. Add the taco seasoning and 1 cup of water to the pan with the beef. Stir well. Bring to a boil, then turn the heat to low and simmer for 8 minutes. Remove from the heat.
- Shred the cheddar cheese and heat a clean frying pan or griddle over high heat. Coat the bottom with a thin layer of oil. I use this stovetop Lodge griddle. It can fit 4 tacos at once, so I can cook them all quicker with it.
- Prepare the corn tortillas for frying. Working in batches, warm 2 or 3 tortillas in the microwave for 20 seconds. Turn the griddle to medium heat and place the open tortillas on it. On one side of each tortilla layer with 1 tablespoon of cheese, then 2-3 tablespoons of beef filling, followed by 1 more tablespoon of cheese. If using more fillings, add them with the beef.Pan fry for 1 minute before gently folding the tortilla over to close the taco. Cook for 2 minutes, then flip and cook 2-3 more minutes or until golden brown. Remove fried tacos from the skillet to a paper towel lined plate. Cover loosely with foil to keep warm while preparing the remaining tacos.
Serve with your choice of dip and sides, if any.
How To Store and Reheat Fried Tacos
Store in the fridge in an airtight container for up to 5 days or in the freezer for up to 6 months. Reheat in the microwave or on the stovetop.
Can You Freeze Fried Tacos?
Yes! Fried tacos are freezer-friendly. Put in a freezer safe storage bag or wrap tightly in plastic wrap followed by foil. Freeze for up to 6 months. They can be defrosted overnight in the fridge or reheated from frozen using a toaster, air fryer, microwave or oven.
Are Fried Tacos Healthy?
Whether fried tacos are healthy depends on your definition of healthy. They are better for you than deep fried tacos, as they use much less oil. I always use extra virgin olive oil to pan fry them, so this makes them a bit healthier than if using vegetable oil. But this recipe contains only a few ingredients which are not overly processed so I would not consider them to be unhealthy. Additionally, they are high in protein.
What Sides Go With Fried Tacos?
Mexican rice and chips and salsa or guacamole are the perfect sides to accompany these.
Recipe
Fried Tacos
Equipment
- skillet
- frying pan or griddle
Ingredients
- 1 lb ground beef
- 3 tablespoon taco seasoning
- 15 small corn tortillas
- 2 cups cheddar cheese shredded
Instructions
- Prepare the taco filling. Heat a large skillet over medium high heat. Add the ground beef and cook until browned, mixing frequently. When the beef has browned, drain the extra grease. Add the taco seasoning and 1 cup of water to the pan with the beef. Stir well. Bring to a boil, then turn the heat to low and simmer for 8 minutes. Remove from the heat.
- Shred the cheddar cheese and heat a clean frying pan or griddle over high heat. Coat the bottom with a thin layer of oil.
- Prepare the corn tortillas for frying. Working in batches, warm 2 or 3 tortillas in the microwave for 20 seconds. Turn the griddle to medium heat and place the open tortillas on it. On one half of each tortilla layer with 1 tablespoon of cheese, then 2-3 tablespoons of beef filling, followed by 1 more tablespoon of cheese. If using more fillings, add them with the beef.
- Pan fry for 1 minute before gently folding the tortilla over to close the taco. Cook for 2 minutes, then flip and cook 2-3 more minutes or until golden brown. Remove fried tacos from the skillet to a paper towel lined plate. Cover loosely with foil to keep warm while preparing the remaining tacos.
Nutrition
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