These Crispy Beef Tacos are what weeknight dinner dreams are made of. Seasoned ground beef, melty cheddar cheese, and golden crispy tortillas. Add your favourite toppings, such as pickled onions, sour cream, and pico de gallo, for a perfect taco night at home.
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Crispy Beef Tacos are a hit year-round, but they really shine during casual gatherings, Taco Tuesday nights, and summer BBQs. They’re also a fun, crowd-pleasing option for game days, Cinco de Mayo, or even a laid-back family dinner during the holidays when you need a break from the usual heavy meals.
Check out my Smash Burger Tacos, Baja Fish Tacos and Salsa Pot Roast - if you have leftover salsa, you need to try this.
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Ingredients and Substitutions
Ground beef → Use ground turkey, chicken, or plant-based ground for a lighter or vegetarian option.
Red onion → Swap with yellow onion, white onion, or shallots.
Garlic cloves → Use ½ teaspoon garlic powder per clove or pre-minced garlic.
Taco seasoning (2 packets) → Substitute with homemade taco seasoning.
Frozen corn → Use canned corn (drained) or omit if not available.
Flour tortillas → Use corn tortillas for a gluten-free option or low-carb wraps if desired.
Grated cheddar cheese → Swap with Monterey Jack, mozzarella, or a dairy-free shredded cheese alternative.
Pickled red onion → Use sliced raw red onion, shallots, or quick-pickled jalapeños.
Sour cream → Substitute with Greek yogurt or a dairy-free sour cream. Mexican crema would be perfect here if you can find it.
Pico de gallo → Use store-bought salsa, chopped tomatoes with lime juice, or a mango salsa for a twist.
Cilantro → Replace with green onion or skip if you’re team “no cilantro”.
See recipe card for quantities.
How to make (enter recipe)
- Step 1: brown the beef, add onion and garlic.
- Step 2: add the taco seasoning.
- Step 3: add water.
- Step 4: arrange the tacos on the flour tortillas.
- Step 5: brush the tacos with oil and bake until crispy and the cheese is melted.
- Step 6: Assemble and serve!
Equipment
- Frying pan
- Baking tray for baking the tacos
How to store and reheat
Store leftover tacos in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. To reheat, place them on a baking sheet and warm in a 375°F oven for 8-10 minutes until crispy. Avoid the microwave, it’ll make them soggy!
Top tips for success
- Brush with oil – Lightly brushing both sides of the tortilla with oil before baking gives you that golden, restaurant-style crisp.
- Don’t overfill – Too much filling makes them hard to fold and keeps them from getting crispy.
- Flip halfway – Bake on one side, then flip for even crispiness on both sides.
Crispy Beef Tacos - FAQs
Yes! You can prep the beef filling up to 3 days in advance and store it in the fridge. Assemble and bake the tacos just before serving for maximum crispiness.
Brush tortillas with oil, fold them over the filling, and bake at 425°F, flipping halfway through. This method gives you golden, crispy tacos without deep frying.
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Crispy Beef Tacos
Ingredients
Equipment
Method
- In a skillet over medium heat, sauté red onion for 2–3 minutes until softened. Add garlic and cook another minute. Add ground beef and cook until browned. Stir in taco seasoning, corn (if using), and a splash of water. Simmer for 3–4 minutes until well combined. Optional, add corn.
- Lay tortillas on a lined baking sheet. On one half of each tortilla, sprinkle cheese and spoon over the beef mixture. Fold the tortillas over into half moons.
- Preheat oven to 425°F (220°C). Lightly brush both sides of each folded taco with oil for extra crispiness. Bake for 6–8 minutes, flipping halfway through, until golden and crisp.
- Serve hot and crispy with your favorite toppings like pickled red onion, sour cream, pico de gallo, and cilantro.
Notes
- Brush with oil – Lightly brushing both sides of the tortilla with oil before baking gives you that golden, restaurant-style crisp.
- Don’t overfill – Too much filling makes them hard to fold and keeps them from getting crispy.
- Flip halfway – Bake on one side, then flip for even crispiness on both sides.
Tried this recipe?
Let us know how it was!Food safety
- Do not use the same utensils on cooked food, that previously touched raw meat
- Wash hands after touching raw meat
- Don't leave food sitting out at room temperature for extended periods
- Never leave cooking food unattended
- Use oils with high smoking point to avoid harmful compounds
- Always have good ventilation when using a gas stove
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