Crispy Cheesy Ground Beef Tacos
Crispy Cheesy Ground Beef Tacos
Ingredients
For the Ground Beef Filling
- 1 white onion, chopped
- 1 pound ground beef, 80/20 lean
- 2 tablespoons red chili paste, or sriracha
- 2 tablespoons taco seasoning
- 1/4 cup water
For the Tacos
- 8 flour tortillas, 6-inch
- 2 cups shredded Monterey Jack cheese
- 2 tablespoons vegetable oil, or as needed
For the Cilantro Lime Sauce
- 1/2 cup sour cream
- 1/4 cup mayonnaise
- 1/4 cup fresh cilantro, chopped
- 2 tablespoons lime juice, freshly squeezed
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/8 teaspoon black pepper
For Serving
- 4 lime wedges
Instructions
- 1
Prepare the Cilantro Lime Sauce: In a small bowl, combine sour cream, mayonnaise, chopped cilantro, lime juice, garlic powder, salt, and black pepper. Whisk until smooth. Cover and refrigerate until ready to serve.
⏱️ 5 min
- 2
Cook the Ground Beef Filling: Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the chopped white onion and sauté until softened, about 3-4 minutes. Add the ground beef to the skillet, breaking it up with a wooden spoon. Cook until browned, about 6-8 minutes.
⏱️ 10 min
- 3
Season the Beef: Drain any excess fat from the skillet. Stir in the red chili paste, taco seasoning, and water. Bring to a simmer and cook for 2-3 minutes, allowing the flavors to meld and the sauce to thicken slightly. Remove from heat.
⏱️ 5 min
- 4
Assemble the Tacos: Lay a flour tortilla flat. Sprinkle about 1/4 cup of shredded Monterey Jack cheese over one half of the tortilla. Spoon about 1/4 cup of the ground beef filling on top of the cheese. Add another sprinkle of shredded cheese over the beef. Fold the tortilla in half to create a crescent shape. Repeat with the remaining tortillas and filling.
⏱️ 10 min
- 5
Cook the Tacos: Heat 1 tablespoon of vegetable oil in a large non-stick skillet over medium heat. Place 2-3 assembled tacos in the skillet, ensuring not to overcrowd. Cook for 2-3 minutes per side, pressing down gently with a spatula, until golden brown and crispy, and the cheese is melted and slightly caramelized around the edges. Add more oil as needed for subsequent batches.
⏱️ 10 min
- 6
Serve: Transfer the crispy tacos to a plate. Serve immediately with lime wedges and the prepared cilantro lime sauce for dipping or drizzling.
⏱️ 5 min
Kitchen Tools
Nutrition Facts (per serving)
Crispy Cheesy Ground Beef Tacos
Ingredients
For the Ground Beef Filling
- 1 white onion, chopped
- 1 pound ground beef, 80/20 lean
- 2 tablespoons red chili paste, or sriracha
- 2 tablespoons taco seasoning
- 1/4 cup water
For the Tacos
- 8 flour tortillas, 6-inch
- 2 cups shredded Monterey Jack cheese
- 2 tablespoons vegetable oil, or as needed
For the Cilantro Lime Sauce
- 1/2 cup sour cream
- 1/4 cup mayonnaise
- 1/4 cup fresh cilantro, chopped
- 2 tablespoons lime juice, freshly squeezed
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/8 teaspoon black pepper
For Serving
- 4 lime wedges
Instructions
- 1
Prepare the Cilantro Lime Sauce: In a small bowl, combine sour cream, mayonnaise, chopped cilantro, lime juice, garlic powder, salt, and black pepper. Whisk until smooth. Cover and refrigerate until ready to serve.
⏱️ 5 min - 2
Cook the Ground Beef Filling: Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the chopped white onion and sauté until softened, about 3-4 minutes. Add the ground beef to the skillet, breaking it up with a wooden spoon. Cook until browned, about 6-8 minutes.
⏱️ 10 min - 3
Season the Beef: Drain any excess fat from the skillet. Stir in the red chili paste, taco seasoning, and water. Bring to a simmer and cook for 2-3 minutes, allowing the flavors to meld and the sauce to thicken slightly. Remove from heat.
⏱️ 5 min - 4
Assemble the Tacos: Lay a flour tortilla flat. Sprinkle about 1/4 cup of shredded Monterey Jack cheese over one half of the tortilla. Spoon about 1/4 cup of the ground beef filling on top of the cheese. Add another sprinkle of shredded cheese over the beef. Fold the tortilla in half to create a crescent shape. Repeat with the remaining tortillas and filling.
⏱️ 10 min - 5
Cook the Tacos: Heat 1 tablespoon of vegetable oil in a large non-stick skillet over medium heat. Place 2-3 assembled tacos in the skillet, ensuring not to overcrowd. Cook for 2-3 minutes per side, pressing down gently with a spatula, until golden brown and crispy, and the cheese is melted and slightly caramelized around the edges. Add more oil as needed for subsequent batches.
⏱️ 10 min - 6
Serve: Transfer the crispy tacos to a plate. Serve immediately with lime wedges and the prepared cilantro lime sauce for dipping or drizzling.
⏱️ 5 min