These delicious fried tacos are stuffed with a seasoned ground beef filling, lots of cheese and then pan fried til golden brown and crispy. They are an easy-to-make lunch and dinner time favorite!
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Fried tacos are a really simple lunch and dinner recipe that kids of all ages seem to love. This recipe makes a big batch, about 15 tacos. They are freezer-friendly and can be quickly defrosted. This is also a great recipe to make when you have leftover taco meat.
Fried tacos are one of my go-to recipes when my kids are going through an extra picky stage. They're just as delicious and loved as a basic cheese quesadilla, bean and cheese quesadilla or mini pizza.
Ingredients Needed
Simple ingredients are needed to make this delicious recipe:
- Ground beef
- Taco seasoning: use this easy homemade taco seasoning.
- Cheddar cheese: or Mexican/taco style cheese.
- Corn tortillas: flour tortillas are okay too.
While my kids love fried tacos served plain and sliced into little triangles, salsa, guacamole, and sour cream are great for dipping. This pressure cooker tomato salsa is my favorite!
More Taco Filling Ideas
My littles like their tacos with just beef and cheese. But you could also add to your taco filling:
- Fresh cilantro
- Diced tomatoes
- Seasoned diced chicken
- Black beans
- Corn
How To Make Fried Tacos
STEP 1: Prepare the taco filling. Heat a large skillet over medium high heat. Add the ground beef and cook until browned, mixing frequently. When the beef has browned, drain the extra grease. Add the taco seasoning and 1 cup of water to the pan with the beef. Stir well. Bring to a boil, then turn the heat to low and simmer for 8 minutes. Remove from the heat.
STEP 2: Shred the cheddar cheese and heat a clean frying pan or griddle over high heat. Coat the bottom with a thin layer of oil. I use this stovetop Lodge griddle. It can fit 4 tacos at once, so I can cook them all quicker with it.
STEP 3: Prepare the corn tortillas for frying. Working in batches, warm 2 or 3 tortillas in the microwave for 20 seconds. Turn the griddle to medium heat and place the open tortillas on it. On one side of each tortilla layer with 1 tablespoon of cheese, then 2-3 tablespoons of beef filling, followed by 1 more tablespoon of cheese. If using more fillings, add them with the beef.
Pan fry for 1 minute before gently folding the tortilla over to close the taco. Cook for 2 minutes, then flip and cook 2-3 more minutes or until golden brown. Remove fried tacos from the skillet to a paper towel lined plate. Cover loosely with foil to keep warm while preparing the remaining tacos.
Serve with your choice of dip and sides, if any.
How To Store
Store in the fridge in an airtight container for up to 5 days or in the freezer for up to 6 months.
Recipe FAQs
Whether fried tacos are healthy depends on your definition of "healthy". They are better for you than deep fried tacos, as they use much less oil. I always use extra virgin olive oil to pan fry them, so this makes them a bit healthier than if using vegetable oil. But this recipe contains only a few ingredients which are not overly processed so I would not consider them to be unhealthy. Additionally, they are high in protein.
Mexican rice and chips and salsa or guacamole are the perfect sides to accompany these.
Yes! Fried tacos are freezer-friendly. Put in a freezer safe storage bag or wrap tightly in plastic wrap followed by foil. Freeze for up to 6 months. They can be defrosted overnight in the fridge or reheated from frozen using a toaster, air fryer, microwave or oven.
Recipe
Fried Tacos
Equipment
- skillet
- frying pan or griddle
- spatula
Ingredients
- 1 lb ground beef
- 3 tablespoon taco seasoning
- 15 small corn tortillas
- 2 cups cheddar cheese, shredded
Instructions
- Prepare the taco filling. Heat a large skillet over medium high heat. Add the ground beef and cook until browned, mixing frequently. When the beef has browned, drain the extra grease. Add the taco seasoning and 1 cup of water to the pan with the beef. Stir well. Bring to a boil, then turn the heat to low and simmer for 8 minutes. Remove from the heat.
- Shred the cheddar cheese and heat a clean frying pan or griddle over high heat. Coat the bottom with a thin layer of oil.
- Prepare the corn tortillas for frying. Working in batches, warm 2 or 3 tortillas in the microwave for 20 seconds. Turn the griddle to medium heat and place the open tortillas on it. On one half of each tortilla layer with 1 tablespoon of cheese, then 2-3 tablespoons of beef filling, followed by 1 more tablespoon of cheese. If using more fillings, add them with the beef.
- Pan fry for 1 minute before gently folding the tortilla over to close the taco. Cook for 2 minutes, then flip and cook 2-3 more minutes or until golden brown. Remove fried tacos from the skillet to a paper towel lined plate. Cover loosely with foil to keep warm while preparing the remaining tacos.
Nancy says
This recipe is such an easy one that is perfect for busy weekdays. Now that summer has started the kids are going to want it often.
Elizabeth says
This recipe makes me want to fry tacos so much! I’ve never tried that before but after this recipe I can see how easy it is.
Nora says
Made the fried tacos for my daughter. She loved it! Thanks for the wonderful idea! 🙂
Marcellina says
This is so good! My family goes crazy when I make these! So simple and delicious!
Cathleen says
Wow, these fried tacos are perfect! I love them, so I am definitely going to be making it over and over 🙂
Kristina says
This is a very easy recipe that has just the right ingredients for my picky eaters. Even with just beef and cheese, I could eat a whole batch!
Shannon says
I had some Carolina pulled pork leftover and used ColbyJack cheese . Holy Wow! Tangy cheesey fried goodness!! Thank you!
Megs says
So easy and sooooo tasty! My favourite way to make tacos. Thanks for sharing.
Marie-Pierre Breton says
I'm starving for some good tacos! The kids will love this recipe, plus ultra simple for mama to make! Love it!
Mindy says
A quick and yummy way to make a simple taco! I sometimes switch it up with ground turkey for a healthier spin!
Pam says
OMG! These are so good! They are the only tacos my family will eat now. Sort of a cross between a taco and a quesadilla, perfect!
Claire says
These sound SO good! A friend made these recently but I didn't get the recipe, so I'm super excited I came across your post! Can't wait to give these a try.
Katie Crenshaw says
These are addicting. The tacos are so delicious. They were a simple meal that the whole family loved.
Dennis says
My made these tacos for dinner and my family loved them!
Ramona says
My mouth is watering from looking at the pictures for this recipe, these tacos look amazing! I am definitely going to be making these this week, thank you for sharing this recipe!
Rebecca Gottberg says
Made mine with leftover shredded pork and green chilies. They were so easy and amazing. Freezing some for later.