Description
These crispy Fried Tacos feature a savory ground beef filling seasoned with Rotel tomatoes and taco spices, layered with melted Mexican cheese and then fried to golden perfection. A delightful twist on traditional tacos, they offer a crunchy exterior and a deliciously cheesy, flavorful inside—perfect for parties or a satisfying meal.
Ingredients
Filling
- 1 lb lean ground beef
- 1 cup diced yellow onions
- 10 oz Rotel diced tomatoes and green chilies
- 1 oz taco seasoning
Assembly
- 12 x 6 inch flour tortillas
- 2 cups shredded Mexican cheese blend
- Canola oil (for frying, about 1 inch in skillet)
- Toothpicks (2 per taco, to secure)
Instructions
- Cook the beef and onions: Dump the ground beef into a large sauté pan over medium-high heat. Add the diced onions to the pan with the ground beef and crumble the meat as it cooks until it is fully browned.
- Drain grease: Once the ground beef is fully cooked, carefully drain the grease from the pan to reduce excess fat.
- Season the beef mixture: Reduce the heat to medium, add the Rotel diced tomatoes with green chilies and taco seasoning to the beef mixture. Stir thoroughly to evenly coat the beef, and cook until no liquid remains at the bottom of the pan.
- Prepare the tortillas: Remove the pan from the heat. Lay the tortillas flat on a clean surface. Evenly divide 1 cup of shredded cheese, sprinkling it on one half of each tortilla.
- Assemble the tacos: Spoon the seasoned beef mixture over the cheese on each tortilla, then sprinkle the remaining shredded cheese on top of the meat. Fold each tortilla in half to form a taco and secure with two toothpicks to hold the shape.
- Heat the oil: Pour canola oil into a large skillet to a depth of about 1 inch and heat over medium-high until it reaches 370°F (190°C).
- Fry the tacos: Using tongs, carefully place the folded tacos into the hot oil. Cook each side until golden brown, about 2–3 minutes per side, flipping gently to ensure even crisping.
- Drain excess oil: Remove the fried tacos from the skillet and transfer them to a paper towel-lined plate to absorb any excess oil.
- Serve: Allow the tacos to cool slightly before serving. Enjoy warm as a crispy, cheesy treat!
Notes
- Make sure the oil temperature is appropriate before frying to avoid greasy tacos.
- Use toothpicks carefully to avoid them catching fire during frying.
- Can substitute cheese with a vegan cheese for a vegetarian adaptation (though meat would need replacing).
- Drain grease thoroughly to make the filling less oily and healthier.
- Serve with salsa, guacamole, or sour cream for added flavor.
