Crispy Beef Tacos

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Crispy Beef Tacos are filled with seasoned ground beef and loads of gooey cheese stuffed inside crispy flour tortillas that can be drizzled with an (optional) cilantro lime sauce!

A Fun Flavorful Twist On Tacos!

These Crispy Beef Tacos are so stinking good! They’re one of those meals that instantly wins everyone over. Golden, crunchy on the outside and cheesy on the inside. These Beef Tacos are easy enough for weeknights yet different enough to feel a little special, especially when served with that creamy cilantro lime sauce. Once you try them this way, regular tacos just don’t hit the same!

A small stack of Crispy Beef Tacos with a bowl of crema.

Perfect for Taco Tuesday! We really enjoyed these, thank you!
– Shep

Frequently Asked Questions:

Do I have to use the cilantro lime sauce?

Nope! You don’t necessarily need the crema. The crema sauce really adds a ridiculous amount of flavor that I love. If you want a store-bought option, many stores carry some version of it. I know Costco (not a paid affiliate link) has a good option to try out.

What to serve with Crispy Beef Tacos?

These beef tacos are great with some Refried Beans, Mexican Rice, and would be great with my Taco Rice (with or wihtout the meat). You also can’t go wrong with some chips and Queso, chips and guac, or chips and salsa.

Can I add other things to the tacos?

If you want, you can peel these open after cooking and add in additional toppings like lettuce, tomato, etc.

Can I bake these instead of frying them?

Yes, you can pop these in the oven at 400°F and bake for 6-10 minutes or until golden brown. Make sure you add oil to the baking sheet. They won’t turn out exactly the same but it will work.

Can I make these ahead of time?

Yes, you can definitely prep everything, then heat your skillet with oil and cook the tacos before serving.

How do I store leftovers?

You can keep the leftovers in the fridge for up to three days. They will get a little soggy, but you can reheat them in the oven, or even the air fryer. Place a piece of parchment paper between the tacos to prevent them from sticking together.

Ingredients Needed: (See Recipe Card Below For The Full Recipe)

cilantro – Try to find the freshest you can find. If you do not like cilantro, you can always replace it with fresh parsley.
ground beef– I try to go with lean ground beef. But, I know beef can be pricey, so if you need to opt for a fattier option, just drain any excess fat.
sour cream – the sour cream is your base for the sauce; you can use full-fat or low-fat. You can also replace the sour cream with two avocados or even mayonnaise.
lime – make sure you use fresh and not store-bought. The store bought lime juice can be really strongly acidic and you don’t get a good lime flavor so use fresh squeezed here.
ground cumin – cumin can really overpower other flavors so I don’t use a lot here. If you are sensitive to the flavor, start with a little and add more to taste.
yellow onion – if you don’t like onion, just leave it out.
garlic – if you don’t have fresh garlic on hand, you can always use jarred garlic.
salsa – you can use any brand of salsa you like. If you have some Homemade Salsa, that’s always an option too. I really like Herdez salsa but I many times I just go with what was on sale.
taco seasoning – I used a low sodium taco seasoning here. Use what you prefer or go with a Homemade Taco Seasoning is a good option too.
tomato paste – it adds a bit of richness to the tacos and gives them more depth.
flour tortillas – you can use corn tortillas, but we really prefer the flour tortillas as they fry easier and crisp up really well. I used about a 6-inch round tortilla (the package says small fajita size.)
mozzarella and provolone cheese mix – you can use any cheese that you like. These are our favorites for this recipe as they work so well together with the beef. I think queso Oaxaca or an asadero cheese would work wonderful as well.

Cilantro, sour cream, lime, garlic, cumin, salt, lean ground beef, yellow onion, tomato paste, salsa, water, taco seasoning, flour tortillas, shredded mozzarella and provolone cheese, and oil.

How To Make Crispy Beef Tacos:

To make the cilantro lime sauce, add all the ingredients to a blender. Pulse until fully emulsified for a smooth sauce. Cover and refrigerate until ready to serve.

To a skillet, add the ground beef and onion. Over medium heat, cook and crumble until fully cooked and the onion is soft. Drain any excess grease and place back into the skillet.

Ground beef and onion cooking in a skillet and tomato paste and garlic being added to a beef mixture.

To the skillet, you add the tomato paste and minced garlic. Stir for 1 minute. Then add in the salsa, water, and taco seasoning. Stir for 2 to 3 minutes. Set aside.

Taco seasoning and salsa being added to a beef mixture and the mixture cooking in a skillet.

To a separate heated skillet or griddle over medium heat, add a Tablespoon of oil at a time as you cook up the tacos. To one of the tortillas, add ⅓ cup of the beef and a heaping ¼ cup of shredded cheese. Place the taco shell onto the skillet or griddle. Cook for 3-4 minutes until golden brown. Fold the shell to create the taco and cook until cheese has melted. Transfer to a serving dish. Continue with the rest of the tacos (adding more oil as you go.)