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Crispy Beef Tacos

Super simple crispy shell beef tacos, aka Taco Bell copycat tacos!
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 15 minutes
Total Time 30 minutes
Servings 6 -8 Tacos

Ingredients

  • 1 Tablespoon Olive Oil
  • 1 1/2 Pound Lean Ground Beef
  • 1 Tablespoon Chili Powder
  • 1 Teaspoon Sea Salt
  • 1/2 Teaspoon Freshly Ground Black Pepper
  • 1/2 Teaspoon Dried Oregano
  • 1 Teaspoon Ground Cumin
  • 1/4 Teaspoon Garlic Powder
  • 1/2 Teaspoon Onion Powder
  • 1/4 Teaspoon Crushed Red Pepper Flakes
  • 6-8 Corn Tortillas
  • Canola Oil for Frying
  • 1 1/2 Cups Shredded Romaine Lettuce
  • 3/4 Cup Freshly grated Sharp Cheddar Cheese
  • 1 Roma Tomato seeded and Diced

Instructions

  1. NOTE! If you don't want to fry and make your own crispy taco shells, just buy them. Total time saver and no judgements!
  2. Heat olive oil in a large skillet for 1 minute over high heat. Once shimmering, add the beef and all the seasonings. Use a wooden spoon to break apart the meat and combine all the spices. Cook until golden brown, about 10-12 minutes. Leave on low while you prepare the toppings and heat/fry the shells.
  3. Add about 1 inch of canola oil to a small skillet. Heat over medium/high for about 5 minutes.
  4. Drop one tortilla in at a time. Use metal tongs to gently hold one half of the tortilla and fold it over the other half, but not submerged in the hot oil. Hold the half for one minute. Then drop it into the oil, on top of the fried half. Use your tongs to flip it and hold that already fried half up over the hot oil just like you did before while the other half of the tortilla fries for one minute.
  5. Once fried, transfer to a paper towel to drain. Continue until all shells are fried.
  6. Top each shell with ground beef, cheese, lettuce, and tomatoes. Eat right away.
  7. Shells do heat well in the microwave the next day for 40 seconds on high.