These Crispy Beef Tacos are seriously satisfying, with saucy taco-seasoned beef, melty cheese, and a creamy cilantro-lime dipping sauce.
Author’s Notes
The Tacos That Took Over My House For Months!
As I was working ahead to prepare for spending the summer in London, this was one of the first recipes I finished and had ready to go live. I wrapped up testing around April, and even though it hadn’t made it onto the site yet, I had already made it more times than I could count.
The day I filmed the recipe, my oldest had a bunch of friends over. They inhaled every last taco and immediately declared them their new favorite. After that, I made these crispy beef tacos at least half a dozen more times so the original group could have them again and so any friends who missed out could try them too.
So yes, adults love them, but the fact that a house full of teenage boys kept asking for another batch probably tells you everything you need to know, haha!
Ingredients In Crispy Beef Tacos
| Ingredient | Let’s Chat About It |
|---|---|
| Ground beef & taco seasoning | Use 93/7 beef so the filling stays flavorful without becoming greasy. |
| Picante sauce & chili beans | Add the beans undrained, then simmer until the filling is thick and not runny. |
| Flour tortillas | Use small, fajita-size tortillas and warm them briefly if they feel stiff. |
| Sharp Cheddar cheese | Shred it fresh for the smoothest melt. |
| Cilantro-lime sauce ingredients | The crispy beef tacos are satisfying on their own, but the sauce really brings everything together. |
the cook’s Notes
What To Serve With These Tacos
Turn these crispy beef tacos into a complete meal:
- Cilantro Lime Rice: Always a good choice with tacos!
- Mexican Street Corn Salad: Creamy, tangy, and so good on the side.
- Refried Beans: straightforward, filling, and a total classic.
- Guacamole & Chips: reliable for snacking while the tacos cook.
- Black Bean Corn Salad: Fresh and a little lighter next to the crispy tacos.
Quick Tip
Besides the cilantro-lime sauce, here are some other great toppings for these crispy beef tacos: shredded lettuce, diced tomatoes, sliced avocado, guacamole, pico de gallo, pickled red onions, sliced jalapeños, crumbled Cotija cheese, sour cream, and a squeeze of fresh lime.
Storage
These crispy beef tacos are best enjoyed fresh, right after frying, while the tortillas are hot and crispy.
If you’d like to prep ahead, store the beef filling and cilantro-lime sauce separately in airtight containers in the fridge for up to 4 days. Assemble and fry the tacos just before serving for the best texture.
More satisfying Dinner Recipes
Dinner
Chicken Burrito Bowls
Lunch
Italian Sausage Sandwich
Beef
Ground Beef Quesadillas
Dinner
One Skillet Sweet Potato Burrito Bowls
