Beef Tacos Hard Shells (Print Version)

Crispy hard shells filled with savory beef and vibrant fresh toppings for a flavorful meal.

# What You'll Need:

→ Beef Filling

01 - 1 pound ground beef (80/20 fat content)
02 - 1 small onion, finely chopped
03 - 2 cloves garlic, minced
04 - 2 tablespoons tomato paste
05 - 2 teaspoons chili powder
06 - 1 teaspoon ground cumin
07 - 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
08 - 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
09 - 1/2 teaspoon salt
10 - 1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
11 - 1/4 cup water
12 - 1 tablespoon vegetable oil

→ Taco Shells

13 - 8 hard taco shells

→ Toppings

14 - 1 cup shredded iceberg lettuce
15 - 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
16 - 1 large tomato, diced
17 - 1/2 cup sour cream
18 - 1/2 cup salsa
19 - 1/4 cup fresh cilantro, chopped
20 - 1 ripe avocado, sliced or diced
21 - 1 small red onion, finely diced
22 - Jalapeño slices (optional)
23 - Lime wedges, for serving

# Step-by-Step Guide:

01 - Heat vegetable oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add chopped onion and cook until softened, about 2 to 3 minutes.
02 - Incorporate minced garlic and cook for 30 seconds, stirring frequently to release aroma.
03 - Raise heat to medium-high and add ground beef. Break apart with a spoon and cook until browned, 5 to 7 minutes. Drain excess fat if needed.
04 - Mix in tomato paste, chili powder, ground cumin, smoked paprika, dried oregano, salt, and black pepper. Cook for 1 minute until fragrant.
05 - Pour in water, reduce heat to low, and simmer for 3 to 4 minutes until slightly thickened. Adjust seasoning to taste.
06 - Preheat oven to 350°F. Arrange hard taco shells on a baking sheet and heat for 3 to 5 minutes until crisp.
07 - Fill each shell with a generous portion of beef mixture. Top with shredded lettuce, cheese, diced tomato, and desired additional toppings.
08 - Present immediately with lime wedges and extra salsa on the side.

# Expert Suggestions:

01 -
  • Everyone gets to customize their taco exactly how they like it, so theres no arguing over pickiness.
  • The beef stays juicy and flavorful without any fancy ingredients or long marinating times.
  • Crispy shells add that satisfying crunch that makes tacos feel like a treat, not just dinner.
  • Leftovers reheat beautifully, and the filling tastes even better the next day.
02 -
  • Warming the shells in the oven makes them crispy and less likely to crack when you fill them.
  • Dont skip draining the beef if theres a lot of fat, or your tacos will get soggy and messy.
  • Taste the beef before you take it off the heat, because every batch of spices hits a little differently.
03 -
  • Toast your spices in the dry skillet for 30 seconds before adding the beef if you want even deeper flavor.
  • Use a fork to gently fluff the shredded lettuce right before serving so it looks fresh and not packed down.
  • If your shells crack, stand them upright in a muffin tin while you fill them to keep everything stable.

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