Taco Fries
Taco Fries
Ingredients
For the Crispy Tortilla Strips
- 12 corn tortillas, cut into 1/2-inch wide strips
- 4 cups vegetable oil, for frying
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
For the Seasoned Ground Meat
- 1 pound ground beef, 80/20 lean
- 1/2 cup yellow onion, diced
- 2 tablespoons taco seasoning, or 1 standard packet
- 1/2 cup diced tomatoes, from a can, undrained
- 1/2 cup water
For Assembly and Toppings
- 1 cup cheese sauce, warm
- 1 1/2 cups shredded lettuce
- 1/2 cup guacamole
- 1/2 cup pico de gallo
- 1/2 cup sour cream
Instructions
- 1
Prepare the tortilla strips: Stack the corn tortillas and cut them into 1/2-inch wide strips, resembling french fries. Set aside.
⏱️ 5 min
- 2
Cook the ground meat: In a large skillet over medium-high heat, brown the ground beef, breaking it apart with a spoon. Cook until no pink remains, about 5-7 minutes. Drain any excess grease.
⏱️ 7 min
- 3
Add onions and seasoning: Add the diced yellow onion to the cooked ground beef. Continue to cook, stirring occasionally, until the onions are softened, about 3-5 minutes. Stir in the taco seasoning until well combined.
⏱️ 5 min
- 4
Simmer the meat mixture: Add the diced tomatoes (undrained) and water to the seasoned meat mixture. Bring to a simmer, then reduce heat to low and let it cook for 5-7 minutes, allowing the flavors to meld and the sauce to thicken slightly.
⏱️ 7 min
- 5
Fry the tortilla strips: While the meat simmers, heat the vegetable oil in a large deep pot or Dutch oven over medium-high heat to 350°F (175°C). Carefully add a handful of tortilla strips to the hot oil, ensuring not to overcrowd the pot. Fry until golden brown and crispy, about 2-3 minutes. Use a slotted spoon to transfer the fried strips to a paper towel-lined plate to drain. Immediately sprinkle with salt. Repeat with remaining tortilla strips.
⏱️ 15 min•🌡️ 350
- 6
Assemble the Taco Fries: Arrange the crispy fried tortilla strips on a large serving platter or individual plates. Drizzle generously with warm cheese sauce.
⏱️ 3 min
- 7
Top with meat and garnishes: Spoon the prepared seasoned ground meat mixture over the cheese-covered tortilla strips. Garnish with shredded lettuce, a dollop of guacamole, fresh pico de gallo, and a generous serving of sour cream. Serve immediately.
⏱️ 3 min
Kitchen Tools
Nutrition Facts (per serving)
Taco Fries
For the Crispy Tortilla Strips
- 12 corn tortillas, cut into 1/2-inch wide strips
- 4 cups vegetable oil, for frying
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
For the Seasoned Ground Meat
- 1 pound ground beef, 80/20 lean
- 1/2 cup yellow onion, diced
- 2 tablespoons taco seasoning, or 1 standard packet
- 1/2 cup diced tomatoes, from a can, undrained
- 1/2 cup water
For Assembly and Toppings
- 1 cup cheese sauce, warm
- 1 1/2 cups shredded lettuce
- 1/2 cup guacamole
- 1/2 cup pico de gallo
- 1/2 cup sour cream
Instructions
- 1
Prepare the tortilla strips: Stack the corn tortillas and cut them into 1/2-inch wide strips, resembling french fries. Set aside.
⏱️ 5 min - 2
Cook the ground meat: In a large skillet over medium-high heat, brown the ground beef, breaking it apart with a spoon. Cook until no pink remains, about 5-7 minutes. Drain any excess grease.
⏱️ 7 min - 3
Add onions and seasoning: Add the diced yellow onion to the cooked ground beef. Continue to cook, stirring occasionally, until the onions are softened, about 3-5 minutes. Stir in the taco seasoning until well combined.
⏱️ 5 min - 4
Simmer the meat mixture: Add the diced tomatoes (undrained) and water to the seasoned meat mixture. Bring to a simmer, then reduce heat to low and let it cook for 5-7 minutes, allowing the flavors to meld and the sauce to thicken slightly.
⏱️ 7 min - 5
Fry the tortilla strips: While the meat simmers, heat the vegetable oil in a large deep pot or Dutch oven over medium-high heat to 350°F (175°C). Carefully add a handful of tortilla strips to the hot oil, ensuring not to overcrowd the pot. Fry until golden brown and crispy, about 2-3 minutes. Use a slotted spoon to transfer the fried strips to a paper towel-lined plate to drain. Immediately sprinkle with salt. Repeat with remaining tortilla strips.
⏱️ 15 min•🌡️ 350 - 6
Assemble the Taco Fries: Arrange the crispy fried tortilla strips on a large serving platter or individual plates. Drizzle generously with warm cheese sauce.
⏱️ 3 min - 7
Top with meat and garnishes: Spoon the prepared seasoned ground meat mixture over the cheese-covered tortilla strips. Garnish with shredded lettuce, a dollop of guacamole, fresh pico de gallo, and a generous serving of sour cream. Serve immediately.
⏱️ 3 min