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Crispy Beef Tacos Hard Shell Recipe Easy Bold Flavor Guide

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A quick and easy recipe for crispy hard shell tacos filled with bold, juicy seasoned ground beef. Perfect for family dinners and gatherings with a satisfying crunch and nostalgic comfort.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 pound (450g) ground beef (80/20 preferred)
  • 1 small onion, finely chopped
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 tablespoon chili powder
  • 1 teaspoon ground cumin
  • 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
  • 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper (optional)
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
  • 1/2 cup (120ml) beef broth or water
  • 12 hard taco shells (store-bought or homemade corn shells)
  • Optional: cooking oil for frying shells
  • Optional toppings: shredded lettuce, diced tomatoes, grated cheddar or Mexican blend cheese, sour cream or Greek yogurt, fresh cilantro leaves, fresh lime wedges

Instructions

  1. Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add ground beef and cook until it starts to brown, breaking it up with a spoon, about 5 minutes.
  2. Add finely chopped onion and minced garlic to the skillet. Cook for 3-4 minutes until onions soften and become translucent.
  3. Sprinkle chili powder, cumin, smoked paprika, cayenne pepper (if using), salt, and black pepper over the beef mixture. Stir well to coat evenly.
  4. Pour in beef broth or water and stir. Let simmer for about 5 minutes, stirring occasionally until liquid reduces and beef absorbs the flavors.
  5. Prepare taco shells: warm store-bought shells in a 350°F (175°C) oven for about 5 minutes or fry shells in hot oil (350°F/175°C) for 30 seconds per side, then drain on paper towels.
  6. Spoon beef filling into each hard taco shell. Top with shredded lettuce, diced tomatoes, cheese, sour cream, cilantro, and a squeeze of fresh lime as desired.
  7. Serve immediately to maintain crispiness.

Notes

Brown the beef properly for deeper flavor and avoid soggy shells by serving tacos immediately after assembly. Warm shells in the oven rather than microwave for best crispiness. Adjust chili powder and cayenne pepper to control heat. Use beef broth sparingly to keep beef juicy but not wet.

Nutrition

Keywords: crispy beef tacos, hard shell tacos, easy taco recipe, ground beef tacos, quick dinner, Mexican food, taco night

Find it online: https://sofiaspice.com/crispy-beef-tacos-hard-shell-recipe-easy-bold-flavor-guide/