Fried beef tacos are a favorite Mexican recipe made with a combination of tender steak and ground beef that is cooked in a flavorful enchilada sauce. The corn tortillas are stuffed with the meat mixture and Colby jack cheese, and fried to crispy perfection.
I love Mexican foods of all kinds, but tacos have a special place in my heart. Growing up, we stopped at a local taco shop that made authentic Mexican tacos all the time. Then, when I moved out on my own, I found a new place to get my tacos – again, always authentic. Now that I live in Texas, it’s easy to find authentic Mexican tacos. They’re sold all over the place! What I really love, though, is making my own homemade tacos, and these fried beef tacos are always first on my list. They’re so delicious and so easy, and they’re full of authentic Mexican ingredients and flavors.
Fried Beef Tacos
These delicious tacos start with a mix of seasoned ground beef and cubed New York Strip steak. I combine the meats with enchilada sauce for a beefy, saucy filling, then, I heat the tortillas and fill them with the beef mixture and a healthy dose of cheese. Finally, I fry them on both sides until they’re deliciously crispy. It’s an easy recipe that I can make any time, and the entire process only takes about 30 minutes. You can’t beat that!
Why You’ll Love This Fried Beef Taco Recipe
- The combination of steak, ground beef, and enchilada sauce creates a rich and savory taco filling, and the Colby jack cheese adds a creamy, cheesy flavor that compliments the meat perfectly.
- The crispy fried tortillas along with the beef mixture and cheese, provide a delicious meal the whole family will enjoy.
- These fried beef tacos are delicious dipped in your favorite sauce, such as traditional taco sauce, tomatillo salsa, guacamole, sour cream, and red or green salsa.
Fried Beef Taco Ingredients
It only takes a few simple ingredients to make these delicious tacos, and you probably have most of the ingredients in your kitchen right now. Anything you don’t have can be found quickly and easily in one trip to your local grocery store!
- Steak (New York Strip)
- Lean ground beef
- Onion
- Chili powder
- Garlic salt
- Paprika
- Slap Ya Mama seasoning
- Black pepper
- Ground cumin
- Red pepper flakes
- Red enchilada sauce
- Colby jack cheese (or your favorite cheese)
- Corn tortillas
- Vegetable oil, for frying
How to Make Fried Beef Tacos
Making these tacos is a snap. It only takes a few minutes and a few simple steps. You’ll be in and out of the kitchen in no time with a big plate of delicious, authentic Mexican tacos!
Step 1: Cook the Beef
Cook the steak, ground beef, and onions in a large skillet over medium-high heat until the beef is no longer pink, and the onions are tender. Drain and return to the pan. Stir all the seasonings into the mixture and cook for another 3 minutes. Finally, pour in the enchilada sauce, stir, and cook over medium heat until heated through.
Step 2: Fill the Tortillas
Heat each tortilla before filling. Then, add a layer of cheese in the center followed by the ground beef mixture. Repeat until all tortillas are filled.
Step 3: Fry
Fry the tortillas in oil in a large frying pan over medium-high heat until crispy and golden brown on both sides. Transfer them to a plate lined with paper towels, continuing until all the tacos are fried. Enjoy!
Recipe Tips
- It’s important to drain your beef mixture after cooking it so you don’t get a greasy filling.
- Fry your tacos in batches so you don’t crowd the pan and reduce the heat.
- Heat the tortillas before filling them. Heating them will make them more pliable, so they’re easier to fold over.
Variations
- You can use ground beef, ground turkey, or chorizo for the filling.
- Use flour tortillas if you prefer.
- Your favorite shredded cheese will work in this recipe.
- For even more heat and flavor, try adding diced jalapenos to the mix.
What to Serve with Fried Beef Tacos
Serve all of your favorite Mexican side dishes with these beef tacos. They’re a staple in Mexican cuisine, so they pair well with just about any Mexican dish. Some great ideas include:
- Black beans and rice
- Mexican rice
- Spanish rice
- Chips and salsa
- Chips and guac
- Nachos
Recipe FAQ
Fried beef tacos are a classic Mexican dish made with a seasoned meat filling, cheese, and corn tortillas which are fried until golden and crispy.
Absolutely. Just pop them in the air fryer for about 5 minutes at 300 degrees until heated through.
Soft corn tortillas are the best for fried tacos because they get the crispiest when fried.
Fried tacos taste delicious with the same kinds of toppings you’d put on any other taco. Serve them with:
Lettuce
Tomato
Cheese
Avocado
Salsa
Taco sauce
Sour cream
Any of your favorite toppings
Fried tacos freeze well and will last for up to 3 months when stored properly.
How to Store and Reheat Leftover Fried Beef Tacos
Refrigerate these tacos in an airtight container for up to 3 days. For longer storage, wrap the tacos individually in plastic wrap, then freeze them for up to 3 months in an airtight, freezer-safe container.
To reheat the tacos, cook them in the air fryer at 300 degrees for about 5 minutes or until heated through.
Try These Delicious Fried Beef Tacos Today
These delicious fried beef tacos are loaded with flavor, not work. They’re quicksand easy, and everyone always loves them. Give this recipe a try, and I know it will be your new go-to whenever you make tacos. You’ll have to keep making them because your friends and family won’t leave you alone!
More Delicious Taco Recipes You’ll Enjoy
These Southwest Chicken Tacos are loaded with tender chicken, a delicious cream cheese, green chile mixture, olives, cheese and more, stuffed into flour tortillas and fried to crispy perfection.
Fried Beef Tacos
Ingredients
- 1 pound New York Strip steak, cut into small bite-size pieces
- 1 pounds ground beef
- 1 medium onion, diced
- 1 teaspoons chili powder
- 1 teaspoon garlic salt
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- 1 teaspoon Slap Ya Mama seasoning
- 1 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 teaspoon ground cumin
- ½ teaspoon red pepper flakes
- 10 ounce can red enchilada sauce
- 2 cups Colby jack cheese, or your favorite cheese
- 14 corn tortillas, might need more
- 1 cup vegetable oil, for frying
Instructions
- In a large skillet over medium-high heat, cook steak, ground beef and onions until beef is no longer pink and onions are tender. Drain and return to the pan.
- Add all the seasonings to the meat mixture. Stir to combine. Cook for an additional 3 minutes.
- Pour enchilada sauce into the mixture, stir to combine and cook over medium heat until heated through.
- In a frying pan, over medium high heat, heat oil.
- In a large frying pan, over medium high heat, heat each tortilla before filling.
- Place heated tortilla on a plate, add a layer of cheese in the center, followed by the beef mixture,
- Place carefully into the hot oil and cook on both sides until the tortillas are crispy.
- Remove and place each taco on a plate lined with paper towels.
- Continue cooking until all the meat mixture is used.
- Top with additional cheese, if desired.
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