While there is no official way to determine which region makes the most authentic version of a given dish, one thing that we can all agree on is that Mexican cuisine has been around longer than any other ethnic group’s food.
In fact, many people believe that Mexico was home to the original inhabitants of North America.
It is also believed that Mesoamerica (a term referring to ancient civilizations living between Central and South America) was where corn first originated which later spread throughout the world.
Today, Mexicans proudly display their national pride by celebrating different aspects of their culture through holidays such as Cinco de Mayo and Day of the Dead.
They celebrate these days by eating traditional dishes like burritos and enchiladas.
But what about those foods that have become so popular abroad but only recently made an appearance stateside? One of them is the taco.
Tacos are typically served as handheld snacks or appetizers.
Although they are usually filled with meat, cheese, beans, rice, vegetables, or salsa, they’re often accompanied by lettuce, tomatoes, onions, cilantro, and sour cream.
We’ve rounded up a few great recipes for tacos below.
If you want more information on cooking with tacos at home, check out our article on the best taco seasonings.
What Type Of Oil Should Be Used When Frying Tacos?
When deep frying anything, it’s always important to use quality oils.
You don’t want your tacos coming out soggy, bland, or greasy.
To ensure that your fried tacos come out perfectly cooked, try these tips:
Use refined vegetable oil, peanut oil, or canola oil instead of regular safflower oil.
These types of oils will provide better flavor and won’t burn easily.
If you still prefer to use safflower oil, heat it slightly before adding it to the pan to help prevent burning.
Make sure to use enough oil.
You’ll need about 1/2 cup for each batch of tacos.
Stir frequently while frying to avoid sticking.
Check the temperature of your oil regularly during the process.
It should reach 375 degrees Fahrenheit.
The higher the temperature, the faster the food cooks.
Once your oil reaches its target temp, adjust the burner accordingly.
What Ingredients Do You Need To Make Fried Tacos?
The main ingredient needed to make fried tacos is flour.
When preparing the batter, add 2 cups of wheat flour along with 3 tablespoons baking powder, 1 teaspoon salt, and 2 teaspoons ground black pepper.
Next, whisk together until well combined.
Then, slowly pour in 4 cups of water and stir constantly.
To cook the tacos, preheat the oven to 400 degrees Farenheit.
Line two cookie sheets with parchment paper or foil.
Dip each taco into the batter mixture and place onto the prepared sheet.
Repeat until you run out of batter.
Bake the tacos for 10 minutes or until golden brown.
What Type Of Seasoning Should Be Used In The Taco Filling?
Once you’ve coated the tacos in batter, let them sit in the refrigerator for 20 minutes to dry.
This step helps prevent moisture from getting trapped inside the tacos.
After removing them from the fridge, gently shake off any excess batter and then set aside.
Next, prepare the taco filling by mixing together 6 ounces of lean ground beef, 1 tablespoon chili powder, 2 garlic cloves minced, 1/4 cup diced onion, 1/3 cup chopped carrot, 1/3 cup diced green bell pepper, 1/3 cup diced red bell pepper, 1/3 cup diced yellow bell pepper, 1/3 cup canned kidney beans, 1/3 cup shredded Monterey Jack cheese, 1/3 cup shredded sharp Cheddar cheese, 1/3 cup grated Parmesan cheese, 1/3 cup crumbled Cotija cheese, 1 tablespoon fresh lime juice, and 1/4 teaspoon kosher salt.
Seasoning the meat with spices helps retain the juices and gives the tacos extra flavor.
After stirring everything together, spoon the mixture into the center of the taco shell.
Top with additional shredded cheeses, if desired.
Bake the tacos for 15 minutes at 350 degrees Farenheit.
Remove from the oven and serve immediately.
How Long Should The Tacos Be Fried For?
Cook time varies depending on the size of the taco shells.
For small shells like mini tacos, bake them for 5 to 7 minutes.
Medium sized tacos require 8 to 9 minutes.
Larger taco shells may take 12 to 14 minutes.
Make sure not to overbake the shells because they lose their crunchiness when cooked too long.
What Type Of Shell Should Be Used For Fried Tacos?
There are several options available when purchasing taco shells.
Some of the most common include corn tortillas, flour tortillas, soft taco shells, and hard taco shells.
All of these come in varying sizes and shapes.
Corn tortillas and flour tortillas tend to be thinner than other varieties, whereas hard taco shells are thicker and sturdier.
There is also the option of buying readymade taco shells online.
Is It Possible To Fry Tacos Without Using Oil?
Yes, it is possible to fry tacos without using oil.
However, since it’s impossible to completely eliminate oil from the equation, it’s recommended that you follow these steps when doing so:
Precook the meat ahead of time by draining and discarding any fat content.
Prepare the taco filling beforehand.
Heat a large skillet over medium high heat and coat with nonstick spray.
Add the taco filling and reduce the heat to low.
Cook for approximately 10 minutes or until warmed through.
Remove the tacos from the stovetop and allow them to cool down before serving.
What type of cheese goes best with fried tacos?
Cheese is a staple topping for tacos.
For example, you could pair grilled chicken with queso fresco or scrambled eggs with mild cotija cheese.
Some of the most popular taco toppings include:
Salsa verde (green sauce) for sourness
Shredded lettuce
Diced avocado
Chopped tomato
Crispy chorizo sausage
Fresh jalapeño peppers
Lime wedges
Queso fresco cheese (fresh white cheese)
Oaxaca cheese
Pico de gallo (mixture of finely diced tomatoes, onions, and cilantro)
Guacamole
Jicama sticks
Black olives
Pickled cabbage
Onion rings
Chihuahua cheese
Fried plantains
Chopped romaine lettuce leaves
Other toppings that work well with tacos include chopped radishes, pickled carrots, cucumber slices, sliced avocados, guajillo hot sauces, chipotle peppers, cayenne pepper, roasted poblanos, and cumin
What Type Of Toppings Go Best With Fried Tacos?
A variety of toppings can be added to your tacos.
You might enjoy putting something spicy on top, such as salsa verde, habanero peppers, serrano peppers, crushed red pepper flakes, or sriracha.
Or perhaps you’d like to put something sweet on top, such as mango salsa, pineapple salsa, strawberry salsa, blueberry salsa, peach salsa, or apple salsa.
Also consider adding items that would complement the taco filling, such as shredded lettuce, diced tomatoes, avocado, or even bacon bits.
What Are Some Tips For Making Perfect Fried Tacos?
Before starting to prepare the tacos, make sure to thoroughly clean the kitchen area.
Wash the countertops, microwave, stovetop, and utensils with soap and warm water.
Rinse the pans that you plan to use with boiling water to remove any residue left behind after previous uses.
Finally, wipe down the surface with a damp cloth to get rid of any remaining dirt.
Another tip to remember is to never leave the stove unattended while heating the oil.
In order to keep the oil from overheating, turn on the exhaust fan once the oil begins to bubble.
Finally, make sure to prepare the taco filling ahead of time.
This allows the taco shells to absorb the flavors properly.
Do you ever buy readymade taco shells?
Many grocery stores sell readymade taco shells.
But if you are looking for freshly baked ones, you can always find them in the frozen section of your local market.
Just look for brands like El Rey Tacos or La Torta Factory.
Do you know of any special ways to eat fried tacos?
If you love tacos, you likely already know that you can eat them just about anywhere.
They can be eaten solo or paired with sides such as nachos, chips, or refried beans.
And you can mix things up with different fillings like seafood, pork, chicken, steak, veggies, etc.
Have you tried making homemade fried taco dough yet?
Equipment
- Frying Pan
Ingredients
- 1 lb ground beef
- 3 tablespoon taco seasoning
- 15 small corn tortillas
- 2 cups cheddar cheese shredded
Instructions
- Assemble the taco filling. Melt butter in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Cook, stirring frequently, until the ground beef is browned. Drain the excess grease after the beef has browned. To the pan with the beef, add the taco seasoning and 1 cup of water. Stir thoroughly. Bring to a boil, then reduce to a low heat and continue to cook for 8 minutes. Take the pan off the heat.
- Heat a clean frying pan or griddle over high heat and shred the cheddar cheese. Apply a thin layer of oil to the bottom.
- Make the corn tortillas ready for frying. Warm 2 or 3 tortillas in the microwave for 20 seconds in batches. Place the open tortillas on the griddle over medium heat. 1 tablespoon of cheese on one half of each tortilla, followed by 2-3 tablespoons of beef filling, followed by 1 more tablespoon of cheese. If using additional fillings, combine them with the beef.
- After 1 minute, gently fold the tortilla over to close the taco. Cook for 2 minutes before flipping and cooking for another 2-3 minutes, or until golden brown. Transfer the fried tacos to a plate lined with paper towels. Cover loosely with foil to keep warm while you prepare the rest of the tacos.
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Nutrition
My blog is all about creating delicious meals with ingredients that are easy to find in your local grocery store. I’m passionate about making yummy meals that I can share with my friends and family.