The Best Fried Tacos
User Reviews
4.3
-
Prep Time
10 mins
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Cook Time
30 mins
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Total Time
40 mins
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Servings
20 tacos
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Calories
190 kcal
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Course
Main Course
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Cuisine
Mexican
The Best Fried Tacos
Description
This recipe starts by browning ground beef and mixing in taco seasoning for flavor. Corn tortillas are softened in the microwave under a damp paper towel to make them pliable for folding. A spoonful of the seasoned beef and shredded cheddar cheese is placed in the center of each tortilla, which is then folded in half. Using tongs, the taco is held closed as it is immersedin hot cooking oil heated to 375°F. Once the folded tortillas hold their shape, they are released to fry on each side until golden and crispy.
The frying process crisps the tortilla shell while melting the cheese inside and keeping the seasoned meat warm. The result is a taco with a crunchy exterior and flavorful filling. These can be served with typical taco toppings or sauces according to preference.
Using any preferred taco filling or toppings is possible with this method. To resemble Jack in the Box style tacos, American cheese slices may replace shredded cheddar. Fried tacos are best eaten freshly cooked to retain crispness.
Ingredients
- 1 pound ground beef
- 1 packet taco seasoning
- 20 corn tortillas
- 1 cup cheddar cheese shredded
- neutral cooking oil for frying, generic cooking oil
- Taco toppings as desired
Instructions
- In a medium skillet, brown the beef crumbling it as it cooks.
- Stir in the taco seasoning along with 2 tablespoons of water. Stir to coat the meat in the seasoning. Remove from heat.
- Heat 2 inches of oil in a large, deep skillet over medium high heat to 375 degrees.
- Place the tortillas on a microwave safe plate and top with a damp paper towel. Warm the tortillas in the microwave for about 30 seconds or until soft and pliable.
- Use a dinner spoon to scoop a small amount of meat right down the center of one tortilla. Fold the tortilla in half and grab it with kitchen tongs.
- Place the folded taco in the hot oil, continuing to hold it closed, and cook until the taco will hold it's own shape, about 20 seconds.
- Let go of the taco and continue filling the pan with tacos, being careful not to overcrowd the pan. Fry tacos about 2 minutes per side, or until as crispy as you'd like. They will crisp up more as they cool.
- When the taco is ready to come out of the oil, fold up a thick wad of paper towels in your hand. Pick the taco up with the tacos and gently tilt to allow grease to drain out, place in the wad of paper towels, and squeeze lightly to remove more grease. Make sure you have enough paper towels in your hand so that the grease does not soak through and burn your hand.
- Place the taco in a paper towel lined pie plate and repeat with remaining tacos.
- When the tacos have cooled enough to handle them, stuff each one with a bit of the shredded cheese.
- Serve with your favorite taco toppings.
Notes
- Any taco filling like ground chicken, shredded chicken, or carnitas can be used.
- Warm tortillas before folding to prevent them from cracking during frying.
- Toppings such as shredded iceberg lettuce and taco sauce complement the crunchy fried tacos.
- Substitute shredded cheddar with American cheese slices for a Jack in the Box taco style.
Nutrition Information
Show DetailsNutrition Facts
Serving: 20tacos
Amount Per Serving
Calories 190 kcal
% Daily Value*
| Serving | 4tacos | |
| Calories | 190kcal | 10% |
| Carbohydrates | 13g | 4% |
| Protein | 7g | 14% |
| Fat | 13g | 20% |
| Saturated Fat | 3g | 15% |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 2g | 12% |
| Monounsaturated Fat | 6g | 30% |
| Trans Fat | 1g | 50% |
| Cholesterol | 22mg | 7% |
| Sodium | 203mg | 8% |
| Potassium | 115mg | 2% |
| Fiber | 2g | 8% |
| Sugar | 1g | 2% |
| Vitamin A | 221IU | 4% |
| Vitamin C | 1mg | 1% |
| Calcium | 66mg | 7% |
| Iron | 1mg | 6% |
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.
User Reviews
Overall Rating
4.3
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