How to Make Crispy Fried Tacos at Home

Fried tacos are a favorite food for many people around the world. These tasty treats are simple to make and can be customized to your liking. Whether you’re a novice cook or a seasoned pro, learning how to make fried tacos is a great way to impress your friends and family. In this article, we will be sharing a simple recipe for making fried tacos using everyday ingredients that can be found in your local grocery store.

The best thing about fried tacos is that you can fill them with anything you want. You don’t need to follow a strict recipe to make them, and you can experiment with a variety of fillings to create a unique flavor. Some popular fillings include ground beef, chicken, veggies, beans, and cheese. The key to making the perfect fried tacos is to have a crispy shell that holds your fillings together. With a little bit of patience and precision, you can achieve crispy, golden tacos that are bursting with flavor!

Ingredients for Fried Tacos

If you want to make delicious fried tacos, you’ll need to start with the right ingredients. Here’s what you’ll need:

Tortillas

You can use either flour or corn tortillas for fried tacos. Flour tortillas tend to be softer and more pliable, which makes them ideal for frying. Corn tortillas can be used as well, but they tend to be more fragile. If you do use corn tortillas, you’ll want to make sure to double them up when you fry them to prevent them from falling apart.

Meat

The type of meat you use for your fried tacos is entirely up to you. Beef, chicken, and pork are all popular choices. To prepare the meat, simply cook it until it’s fully browned and seasoned to your liking.

Oil

You’ll need a healthy amount of oil to fry your tacos. Vegetable, canola, or peanut oil all work well. You’ll want to make sure the oil is heated to the right temperature before adding your tacos, otherwise, they won’t cook evenly.

Spices and seasonings

To give your fried tacos flavor, you can use a variety of spices and seasonings. Cumin, chili powder, garlic powder, and onion powder are all good options. You can also add salt and pepper to taste.

Cheese

Adding cheese to your fried tacos is optional, but it can make them even more delicious. Shredded cheddar, Monterey Jack, or queso fresco are all good options.

Lettuce and tomatoes

Adding lettuce and tomatoes to your fried tacos can give them a freshness and a little crunch. Diced tomatoes and shredded lettuce work well.

Sour cream and salsa

Sour cream and salsa are staples when it comes to taco toppings. You can use store-bought or make your own.

Cilantro

Adding chopped cilantro to your tacos can give them a little extra flavor and color. However, if you’re not a fan of cilantro, feel free to leave it out.

Lime wedges

Squeezing lime juice over your fried tacos can add a refreshing citrus flavor. Plus, it can help cut through the richness of the fried tortilla and meat.

Avocado

Adding slices of avocado or guacamole to your tacos can add creaminess and healthy fats to your meal. Plus, it’s a great way to use up ripe avocados that are ready to eat.

Ingredients Needed for Making Fried Tacos

Before we start frying the tacos, let’s gather all the necessary ingredients. This will make the process go much smoother.

1. Taco Shells

You can use store-bought taco shells or make your own homemade ones. If you’re opting for homemade taco shells, you’ll need masa, water, and a tortilla press. You can find masa in the International aisle of most grocery stores.

2. Meat Filling

The most popular meat filling in traditional Mexican tacos is ground beef. However, you can also use shredded chicken or pork, or even ground turkey if you prefer a leaner option.

3. Seasonings and Spices

The best spices to use for taco filling include chili powder, cumin, garlic powder, salt, and pepper. Adjust the flavor to your liking.

4. Oil for Frying

Vegetable or canola oil works best for frying tacos. These oils have a high smoke point which makes them great for deep-frying.

5. Toppings

Customize your tacos with your favorite toppings. Some popular options include shredded cheese, sour cream, lettuce, tomatoes, guacamole, and salsa.

6. Cooking Utensils

You’ll need a frying pan, spatula, tongs, and a plate lined with paper towels to soak up excess oil.

7. Optional Ingredients

For added flavor, you can include chopped onions, corn, black beans, or jalapeño peppers in your filling.

8. Beer

Although it’s not a requirement, enjoying a cold beer while you cook and eat your tacos can enhance the experience.

9. Hot Sauce

If you like your tacos spicy, don’t forget to have your favorite hot sauce on hand.

10. Napkins

Fried tacos can be messy, so make sure you have plenty of napkins on hand to clean up any spills or drips.

Ingredients needed for your fried tacos

Making fried tacos requires some ingredients. Here is a list of ingredients that you will need:

Preparing the beef filling

First, heat the vegetable oil in a pan over medium heat. Add chopped onion and garlic, stir until it becomes translucent. Add ground beef and taco seasoning packet and stir well until the beef is cooked through, approximately 10 minutes. Then, add 1/4 cup of water and let it cook until the liquid is absorbed and the beef is moist and tender.

Prepare the tortillas

Take your tortillas and, using tongs, gently dip them into the heated oil, then quickly remove them. This is to soften them up for a better fold, after which you will fry them. While still hot, add the filling, cheese, lettuce, and tomatoes onto them, then fold them.

Frying the tacos

Take your prepared tacos and gently place them in the heated vegetable oil. Fry each side for about 1-2 minutes or until golden brown, using a pair of tongs to flip them to the other side. Once they are crispy, remove them from the oil and place them on a plate covered with a paper towel to drain off any excess oil.

Serving your fried tacos

Now that your tacos are done, it is time to serve them. You can either serve them plain or with salsa, guacamole or sour cream on top. Pair them with a cold drink or a salad, and enjoy delicious homemade fried tacos!

Thanks for droppin’ by, y’all!

Whew, that was one delicious ride! Y’all just learned how to make one of the most scrumptious fried tacos out there. But don’t you fret, we’ll cook up more awesome recipes for y’all, so make sure to visit again later. In the meantime, don’t forget to practice and perfect your fried tacos – share ‘em with your friends and family and spread the yum! Thanks for reading, y’all!