Tacos are a beloved staple in Tex-Mex cuisine, often making an appearance on taco nights and easy weeknight dinners. The crispy taco, with its crunchy taco shell and flavorful fillings, brings a delightful combination of textures and tastes to the table. This recipe includes seasoned ground beef, grilled chicken, and vegetarian taco fillings, complemented by a vibrant avocado salsa. Follow along to create a taco experience that captures the essence of Mexican street food.

Ingredients

For the Crispy Taco Shells

• 12 corn tortillas
• 2 cups vegetable oil, for frying
• Optional: Sprinkle of salt for added flavor after frying

For the Seasoned Ground Beef

• 1 pound ground beef
• 1 packet spicy taco seasoning
• 1/4 cup water
• Salt and pepper, to taste
• Optional: 1/2 cup diced onions for extra flavor

For Grilled Chicken Tacos

• 1 pound chicken breast, thinly sliced
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1 teaspoon cumin
• 1 teaspoon paprika
• Salt and pepper, to taste
• Optional: Juice of 1 lime for marinating

For Vegetarian Taco Fillings

• 1 can black beans, drained and rinsed
• 1 cup corn kernels, fresh or frozen
• 1 teaspoon chili powder
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1 tablespoon lime juice
• Optional: 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika for depth

For Avocado Salsa

• 2 ripe avocados, diced
• 1/2 cup diced tomatoes
• 1/4 cup red onion, finely chopped
• 1 tablespoon lime juice
• Salt and pepper, to taste
• Optional: 1 tablespoon chopped cilantro for garnish

Taco Toppings Ideas

• Fresh cilantro, chopped
• Shredded cheese
• Sour cream
• Homemade taco sauce
• Optional: Sliced jalapeños for heat
• Optional: Diced green onions for a mild onion flavor

Steps / Instructions

1. Prepare the Crispy Taco Shells: Heat vegetable oil in a deep skillet over medium heat. Fry each corn tortilla for about 1-2 minutes on each side until golden brown and crispy. Use tongs to fold the tortillas in half while frying. Drain on paper towels. Set aside. To maintain crispiness, sprinkle lightly with salt immediately after frying.
2. Cook the Seasoned Ground Beef: In a large skillet, brown the ground beef over medium-high heat. Drain excess fat. Add spicy taco seasoning and water. Simmer for 5 minutes, stirring occasionally, until thoroughly mixed. Season with salt and pepper. For added flavor, stir in diced onions and cook until translucent before adding the seasoning.
3. Grill the Chicken: In another skillet, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add chicken slices, cumin, and paprika. Cook for about 8-10 minutes until the chicken is cooked through and slightly charred. Season with salt and pepper. If desired, marinate the chicken in lime juice, cumin, and paprika for 30 minutes before cooking for enhanced flavor.
4. Prepare Vegetarian Fillings: In a saucepan, combine black beans, corn, chili powder, and garlic powder. Heat over medium heat for about 5 minutes. Stir in lime juice and season with salt and pepper. For a smokier taste, add smoked paprika to the mix.
5. Make the Avocado Salsa: In a bowl, combine diced avocados, tomatoes, and red onion. Add lime juice and mix gently. Season with salt and pepper. Garnish with chopped cilantro for added freshness.
6. Assemble the Tacos: Fill each crispy taco shell with your choice of seasoned ground beef, grilled chicken, or vegetarian fillings. Top with avocado salsa and your favorite taco toppings. Ensure a balanced filling to prevent shells from breaking.

Tips & Tricks

• Storage Tips: Keep leftover taco shells in an airtight container to maintain their crunch. Reheat the fillings separately in the microwave or stovetop for the best texture. Avoid refrigerating the assembled crispy taco to prevent sogginess.
• Make-Ahead Options: Prepare the meat or vegetarian fillings a day in advance and store them in the refrigerator. Reheat before serving. Consider prepping the avocado salsa just before serving to ensure freshness.
• Common Mistakes to Avoid: Do not overfill the taco shells to prevent them from breaking. Always taste your fillings before serving to adjust seasoning as needed. When frying shells, maintain oil temperature to avoid soggy or burnt shells.
• Pro Tip: For extra crispy taco shells, double fry them by allowing them to cool slightly before frying a second time until desired crispiness is achieved.

Variations

• Vegan Option: Replace chicken and beef with sautéed mushrooms and bell peppers. Use a vegan-friendly taco seasoning. Consider adding avocado slices for creaminess.
• Gluten-Free Option: Ensure corn tortillas are certified gluten-free. Check labels on store-bought seasonings for hidden gluten ingredients.
• Flavor Variations: Try adding pineapple chunks for a sweet twist or jalapeños for extra heat. Experiment with different cheeses like cotija for a traditional touch.
• Spice It Up: Consider using chipotle powder instead of chili powder for a smoky heat in your vegetarian filling.

Serving Suggestions

• Pair these crispy tacos with Grilled Skirt Steak with Lemon Herb Couscous Salad for a hearty meal. The contrasting textures complement the crispy taco shells beautifully.
• Serve with a side of Slow Cooker Onion Butter Potatoes for a delicious accompaniment. The buttery potatoes offer a creamy counterpart to the crispy tacos.
• Garnish with fresh cilantro and lime wedges for added zest and color. A squeeze of lime just before eating heightens the flavors of the taco fillings.
• Consider serving with a refreshing margarita or a cold Mexican beer to complete the dining experience.

FAQ

• Can I use store-bought taco shells? Yes, store-bought shells are a quick alternative, but homemade shells provide a fresher taste. They also allow you to control the level of crispiness and salt.
• How do I prevent taco shells from getting soggy? Assemble tacos just before serving and ensure your fillings are not too wet. Keeping ingredients like salsa on the side can help maintain the shell’s crispiness until the last bite.
• What other toppings work well for crispy tacos? Consider adding pickled onions, jalapeños, or a dollop of guacamole for additional flavor. Crumbled queso fresco or a squeeze of tangy lime crema can also enhance the taste.
• Can the tacos be made mild instead of spicy? Absolutely, adjust the seasoning mix by using mild taco seasoning and omitting any optional spicy toppings like jalapeños.

Print

Crispy Taco

Recipe by Laila

★ ★ ★ ★ ★ 5 from 1 vote

Course: Dinner Cuisine: Tex-Mex Difficulty: Easy

🍽️

Servings

− 12 +

⏱️

Prep Time

30 min

🍳

Cook Time

30 min

🔥

Calories

—

Tacos are a beloved staple in Tex-Mex cuisine, often making an appearance on taco nights and easy weeknight dinners. The crispy taco, with its crunchy taco shell and flavorful fillings, brings a delightful combination of textures and tastes to the table. This recipe includes seasoned ground beef, grilled chicken, and vegetarian taco fillings, complemented by a vibrant avocado salsa.

Cook Mode Keep the screen of your device on

Start cooking

Ingredients

US Metric

• 12 corn tortillas
• 2 cups vegetable oil, for frying
• Optional: Sprinkle of salt for added flavor after frying
• 1 pound ground beef
• 1 packet spicy taco seasoning
• 1/4 cup water
• Salt and pepper, to taste
• Optional: 1/2 cup diced onions for extra flavor
• 1 pound chicken breast, thinly sliced
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1 teaspoon cumin
• 1 teaspoon paprika
• Salt and pepper, to taste
• Optional: Juice of 1 lime for marinating
• 1 can black beans, drained and rinsed
• 1 cup corn kernels, fresh or frozen
• 1 teaspoon chili powder
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1 tablespoon lime juice
• Optional: 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika for depth
• 2 ripe avocados, diced
• 1/2 cup diced tomatoes
• 1/4 cup red onion, finely chopped
• 1 tablespoon lime juice
• Salt and pepper, to taste
• Optional: 1 tablespoon chopped cilantro for garnish
• Fresh cilantro, chopped
• Shredded cheese
• Sour cream
• Homemade taco sauce
• Optional: Sliced jalapeños for heat
• Optional: Diced green onions for a mild onion flavor

Directions

1.

Prepare the Crispy Taco Shells: Heat vegetable oil in a deep skillet over medium heat. Fry each corn tortilla for about 1-2 minutes on each side until golden brown and crispy. Use tongs to fold the tortillas in half while frying. Drain on paper towels. Set aside. To maintain crispiness, sprinkle lightly with salt immediately after frying.

2.

Cook the Seasoned Ground Beef: In a large skillet, brown the ground beef over medium-high heat. Drain excess fat. Add spicy taco seasoning and water. Simmer for 5 minutes, stirring occasionally, until thoroughly mixed. Season with salt and pepper. For added flavor, stir in diced onions and cook until translucent before adding the seasoning.

3.

Grill the Chicken: In another skillet, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add chicken slices, cumin, and paprika. Cook for about 8-10 minutes until the chicken is cooked through and slightly charred. Season with salt and pepper. If desired, marinate the chicken in lime juice, cumin, and paprika for 30 minutes before cooking for enhanced flavor.

4.

Prepare Vegetarian Fillings: In a saucepan, combine black beans, corn, chili powder, and garlic powder. Heat over medium heat for about 5 minutes. Stir in lime juice and season with salt and pepper. For a smokier taste, add smoked paprika to the mix.

5.

Make the Avocado Salsa: In a bowl, combine diced avocados, tomatoes, and red onion. Add lime juice and mix gently. Season with salt and pepper. Garnish with chopped cilantro for added freshness.

6.

Assemble the Tacos: Fill each crispy taco shell with your choice of seasoned ground beef, grilled chicken, or vegetarian fillings. Top with avocado salsa and your favorite taco toppings. Ensure a balanced filling to prevent shells from breaking.