I want you to take a tasty adventure with an easy dish that will elevate your overall taste – try the fried tacos recipe.
In this blog post, we will discuss the complete preparation process of fried tacos. Later, we will also look at variations, pro tips to level up the taste, storage and freezing tips and much more.
What are Fried Tacos?
Fried tacos also known as ‘crunchy tacos’ or ‘tacos dorados’ are delicious variations of the classic taco. They originated in Mexican Cuisine and are popular for their crunchy texture, which can be achieved through frying.
To prepare the fried tacos, begin with small tortillas usually corn but sometimes flour. You can use ingredients such as seasoned meats, beans and cheese as a filling. Then, shape the tortillas into tacos and fry them in oil until turn golden brown and crispy.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Crispy Perfection: Crunchy golden shells make each bite enjoyable. The crispy shell makes the taco more satisfying.
- Versatile Filling Options: It is a flexible recipe. You can use cheese or classic beef, you can also go for seafood or for a vegetarian option. It also provides you the flexibility to match your dietary preferences.
- Quick and Easy: Despite the frying process, this recipe is simple and doesn’t require any special ingredients or skills. You can prepare a batch of fried tacos with some simple steps and normal ingredients.
- Flavour Explosion: The delicious filling and crunchy shell provide a burst of flavour. Whether you prefer savoury, spicy or packed with fresh veggies, this recipe helps you prepare tacos full of flavours.
Tips
- Using Fresh Tortillas: A bit warmed and fresh tortillas are easier to fold and less likely to tear while frying. If your tortillas are too stiff, you can warm them on a dry skillet to make them flexible.
- Avoid Overfilling: Avoid overfilling the tortillas. Putting too much filling can cause problems when sealing. A little spoonful of filling is enough.
- Seal the edges well: Ensure that the edges are well sealed to avoid spilling out the filling while frying. You can use a little bit of water to seal them.
- Fry in Batches: Avoid overcrowding the pan. You can cook the tacos in separate batches to allow the oil to stay hot and the tacos to cook evenly.
- Garnish and Serve: You can top the tacos with diced tomatoes, shredded lettuce, salsa, cilantro and a little lime juice. Ensure to serve it immediately for the best texture.
Variations
- Beef Taquitos: You can try shredded or seasoned beef with spices such as chilli powder and cumin. You can top it with diced tomatoes, shredded lettuce and a little sour cream.
- Chicken Taquitos: You can also try shredded chicken mixed with spices such as onion powder, onion, and paprika. Add salsa and guacamole for more flavour.
- Vegetarian Taquitos: You can mix in vegetables such as onion, bell peppers, mushrooms and cheese. They go well with avocado or pico de Gallo.
- Breakfast Taquitos: Use scrambled eggs with bacon or chorizo and cheese. They are great for a filling breakfast and you can top it with salsa or hot sauce.
- Fish Taquitos: Lightly battered and fried fish such as cod or tilapia with a crunchy coating. You can serve it with a drizzle of creamy lime sauce and cabbage slaw.
Serving Suggestions
- Guacamole: You can serve creamy avocado dip with cilantro, lime juice and onions. It has a smooth and rich texture which works well with tacos.
- Mexican Street Corn Salad: You can try roasted corn mixed with chilli powder, mayonnaise, lime juice and cotija cheese.
- Cabbage Slaw: You can try cabbage slaw containing shredded cabbage and carrots mixed with creamy dressing. It provides a crunchy and fresh texture.
- Pico de Gallo: A fresh salsa with cilantro, diced tomatoes, onions and lime juice. It provides a bright and zesty flavour.
- Mexican Rice: You can try Mexican rice cooked with spices and tomatoes. It is a little bit spicy and savoury side dish.
Storing and freezing
- Let the fried tacos cool completely to avoid the sogginess.
- Be sure to wrap each taco in aluminium foil or plastic wrap to maintain its freshness.
- Place the wrapped tacos in a freezer-safe container or bag.
- Label the container or the bag with the content and date to keep track of the freshness.
Conclusion
In conclusion, fried tacos provide a fun way to add crunch and flavour to your meal. With their crunchy golden shells and a lot of fillings, you can customize it based on your choice. Whether you’re interested in cheese and classic beef or want to try new ingredients such as roasted vegetables or spicy fish, the fried taco recipe provides a great starting point.
So, get ready, gather your ingredients and enjoy making the homemade fried tacos. Whether you are making it for yourself or for a group, these tacos are enough to please your taste buds.
Read More:- Taco Bell Spicy Ranch Recipe
Fried Tacos Recipe
Ingredients
- For the Tacos:
- 8 small corn or flour tortillas
- 1 lb 450g ground beef
- 1 small onion finely chopped
- 2 cloves garlic minced
- 1 tsp ground cumin
- 1 tsp chili powder
- 1/2 tsp paprika
- 1/2 tsp salt or to taste
- 1/4 tsp black pepper
- 1/2 cup shredded cheese cheddar, Monterey Jack, or your choice
- 1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro optional
- For Frying:
- Vegetable oil enough for frying, about 2 cups
- For Serving:
- Shredded lettuce
- Diced tomatoes
- Sour cream
- Salsa or pico de gallo
- Sliced jalapeños optional
Instructions
- In a pan, cook the minced garlic and chopped onion over medium flame until they turn soft, it may take around 2-3 minutes.
- Add the ground beef and cook until brown, break it up using a spoon as it cooks.
- Mix in the chili powder, cumin, paprika, salt and pepper and cook for 2 more minutes to let the flavors blend together.
- You can also mix in the chopped cilantro and shredded cheese, then remove it from the heat.
- In a dry skillet, heat the tortillas for few seconds each side until pliable and soft. Put some filling in the middle of the tortillas.
- Fold each tortilla in half, then press down gently to seal. You can also use a toothpick to close them.
- In a large pan, heat the vegetable oil over medium-high flame. Use enough oil to submerge at least half of the tacos.
- Once the oil is hot in the pan, put the folded tacos in it. Ensure to fry the tacos in batches, prevent overcrowding. Cook them for around 2-3 minutes per side, until crispy and golden brown.
- Use tongs or slotted spoon to take out the tacos and then put them on a paper towel to remove excess oil.
- It’s time to serve the tacos with your favourite toppings such as diced tomatoes, shredded lettuce, salsa, sour cream and chopped jalapenos.
