Pan Fried Beef Tacos | A Fried Taco Recipe | Mantitlement (2024)

Dan

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These Pan Fried Beef Tacos are so crispy on the outside, they’re totally addicting! This taco recipe is going to add a whole lot of fun to taco night!

If you love tacos as much as we do, try our Homemade Beef Taco Recipe with a “crunchy” shell…as our son calls them…or for a low carb taco recipe you can make our famous Naked Sheet Pan Tacos!

Pan Fried Beef Tacos | A Fried Taco Recipe | Mantitlement (1)

Fried Taco Recipe

Yep, we’re going to make fried tacos.

Trying something fun and different on taco night is always a good thing.

Id a fried taco just a quesadilla? It did seem like a quesadilla cut in half, but the most delicious taco quesadilla ever.

We actually make quesadillas a lot at home, it’s one of the boys favorite dinners. These Chicken Enchilada Quesadillas or Sausage and Peppers Quesadillas, or these Meatball Pizza Quesadillas…we love them all.

Pan Fried Beef Tacos | A Fried Taco Recipe | Mantitlement (2)

So these pan fried tacos are basically a tasty beef taco with a super crispy shell. I guess sort of like a chalupa?

But the best part about these fried tacos, besides the way they taste is that they don’t fall apart when you eat them! That is a taco recipe WIN if you ask me.

How Do You Make Fried Tacos?

These tacos are so easy to make, I promise you’re going to be making them all the time. Just start out by making the beef filling, which has beef, of course, but also diced tomatoes and green chiles.

Pan Fried Beef Tacos | A Fried Taco Recipe | Mantitlement (3)

Get the filling into a bowl and carefully wipe out the skillet with a few paper towels – this is the same pan you’ll be using to make your tacos.

Lay a tortilla down in the pan and add some of the beef filling to one half of the tortilla, then top that with cheese. Lots of cheese…

Flip the empty side of the tortilla over to cover the filling half and press down with a plate or a spatula. Cook for a few minutes until the bottom is crispy then flip the fried taco over to get the other side nice and crispy too.

Can I Use Different Meat For The Taco Meat?

Definitely! Ground turkey or pork will work, even shredded chicken! Leftover chicken or a rotisserie chicken cut up would be awesome in this taco filling.

So although making tacos is super easy, it’s not the hard part. Am I Right?

The hard part about tacos is getting ALL the toppings in little bowls or plates on the table. Because if you’re eating tacos at my house, there’s going to be a lot of topping options.

Which is what makes these pan fried tacos even better – there’s no toppings to set out because all the flavor is on the inside! We also love serving this taco recipe with guacamole, salsa and sour cream on the side for dipping.

Pan Fried Beef Tacos | A Fried Taco Recipe | Mantitlement (4)

Serve these fried tacos to your friends and family on taco night and see how much they love them!

Head over to Food Fanatic where you can get this recipe and tons of mouth-watering meals!

Looking For More Fun Taco Recipes?

  • Slow Cooker Turkey Mole Tacos
  • Taco Pie
  • Turkey Taco Meatloaf
  • Taco Egg Rolls

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    Pan Fried Beef Tacos | A Fried Taco Recipe | Mantitlement (5)

    Pan Fried Beef Tacos

    5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star No reviews
    • Author: Dan
    • Prep Time: 5 minutes
    • Cook Time: 15 minutes
    • Total Time: 20 minutes
    • Yield: 12 1x

    Print Recipe

    This fun taco recipe makes taco night a breeze! No bowls of toppings to set out, all the flavor is right inside!

    Scale

    Ingredients

    • 1 tablespoon olive oil
    • 1 1/2 pounds ground beef
    • 1 (10 ounce can) Diced tomatoes and green chiles, drained
    • 1 (4.5 ounce can) green chiles
    • 1 1/2 teaspoons kosher salt
    • 1/2 teaspoon cumin
    • 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
    • 6 (8 inch) flour or whole wheat tortillas
    • 3 cups shredded Mexican blend cheese

    Instructions

    1. Heat the oil in a large skillet over medium heat.
    2. Add the beef, breaking up with a spoon into crumbles until completely cooked through. Drain the grease and return to the skillet.
    3. Next add the diced tomatoes, green chiles, salt, cumin and garlic powder. Stir and cook for 2-3 minutes to warm the filling through, then transfer to a bowl.
    4. Carefully wipe out the skillet with paper towels and spray with cooking spray.
    5. Place a tortilla in the skillet and top one half of the tortilla with about 3/4 cup of the filling and 1/2 cup of cheese.
    6. Fold the tortilla over to cover the meat half (like an omelette), press down with a spatula or a plate and cook for 2 minutes until the bottom is crispy.
    7. Flip the taco over to crisp up the other side, another 2 minutes, then remove from the skillet and repeat with the remaining tortillas.

    Recipe Notes

    This recipe will serve 12 for appetizers and 6 for dinner

    • Category: Appetizers
    • Method: Stove Top
    • Cuisine: American

    You Might Also Like:

    • Korean Beef Tacos

    • Naked Sheet Pan Tacos

    • Corned Beef and Cabbage Fried Rice

    21K Shares

    Pan Fried Beef Tacos | A Fried Taco Recipe | Mantitlement (2024)

    FAQs

    How do you keep tacos closed when frying? ›

    The Taco Clip is the only tool I found to clamp them closed during frying. Here's how I did it. I softened the tortilla in oil, then cooled them on a plate Spooned the filling on, then clamped it closed. I immersed them in oil until golden brown, then drained them on paper.

    How to fry corn tortillas for tacos in a pan? ›

    In a large skillet over medium-high heat, add about ½ inch vegetable oil and heat to 350 degrees. Add one tortilla to the skillet and cook until it is blistering but still soft, 10 to 15 seconds.

    What is the healthiest oil to fry tacos? ›

    Heart-healthy oils like safflower oil and rice bran oil are perfect because they can withstand frying temperatures of almost 500° F. You can also look to peanut oil and sunflower oil if you're frying at 450° F, or canola oil and vegetable oil to keep temperatures around 400° F.

    How to make fried taco shells at home? ›

    Fry one tortilla at a time in hot oil. Cook for about 15 seconds. Flip over and fold in half, holding in place with tongs until crispy, about 15 seconds. Drain on paper towels.

    How hot should oil be to fry taco shells? ›

    Heat the tortillas before frying. You can do this by microwaving them for a few seconds or heating them over an open flame. Fry the tortillas in oil that is heated to a high temperature. A temperature of around 350-375 degrees Fahrenheit is ideal.

    What is the best oil for tacos? ›

    For deep-frying, I prefer to use peanut oil because it has a higher smoke point. Canola oil and vegetable oil are good oils to use as well. 5. Fabulous Fillings — These taco filling recipes do not use a lot of ingredients, therefore cooking is quick.

    When making taco meat do you drain the grease? ›

    Draining the grease from ground beef will make a dish healthier and is usually recommended. Brown the meat first to extract the fat. Then, you can spoon the grease out of the pan or use a colander to drain the grease. It is important you do not discard the hot grease down a drain as it can cause damage to the drain.

    Do you drain meat when making tacos? ›

    Cook and stir ground beef in the hot skillet until browned and crumbly, 7 to 10 minutes. Drain and discard any excess grease. Pour water and seasoning mix over beef; stir to combine.

    How do you keep fried taco shells crispy? ›

    Give them a second hotter fry for a short time. Usually helps to keep fried foods crispy for longer. You can also do this as part of your reheating method before you serve them.

    Can you fry tacos in olive oil? ›

    What is the best oil for frying taco shells? I use light olive oil, but canola oil, vegetable oil, or peanut oil will work, too.

    How do you keep corn tortillas from falling apart when frying? ›

    Heat the oil to ~350F. Place a tortilla in the hot oil for about 30 to 40 seconds then turn over for another 30 to 40 seconds. Place the tortilla on a paper towel to remove excess oil. The tortilla will then be much more flexible.

    Why do my corn tortillas break when frying? ›

    Proper temperature also matters in another way, at least if you're frying the tortillas. If your oil is too hot, the outside will cook more rapidly than the inside, creating a hard exterior that will inevitably rupture and crack. Dry tortillas crack and break. Hydrated ones don't.

    Do you use vegetable oil to fry fry tacos? ›

    Stir in the taco seasoning and a bit of water. Heat the Oil: Heat a large, deep skillet with about 2 inches of vegetable oil. The oil should be 375 degrees. Warm Tortillas: Corn tortillas are quite delicate and break very easily when folded.

    What oil is best used for deep frying? ›

    For deep frying, you should use an oil with a high smoke point, such as peanut oil, vegetable oil, or canola oil.

    Is olive oil good for frying tacos? ›

    What is the best oil for frying taco shells? I use light olive oil, but canola oil, vegetable oil, or peanut oil will work, too.

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