Crispy Ground Beef Tacos

Sometimes there's nothing better than a crispy beef taco. As someone who is scared of deep frying, making homemade crispy taco shells is surprisingly easy and low-maintenance. These are filled with a mixture of seasoned ground beef, grated cheese, and guacamole but can easily be customized with whatever toppings you like best. It's a great meal to cook with others (someone frying tortillas, someone dicing toppings, someone cooking the meat) but comes together quickly either way. It's a bit of a treat, but you'll still feel way better after eating your own version rather than a greasy meal from a taco stand or Taco Bell.


Crispy Ground Beef Tacos:

• Heat 1/2 tbsp. olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat.
• Add in 1/2 lb. lean ground beef and season with salt.
• Add in 2 minced garlic cloves and cook, breaking up the meat, until brown and fat has rendered, about 4-6 minutes.
• Add in 1 tbsp. tomato paste and stir into the meat.
• Add in 1 tbsp. chile powder, 1 tbsp. paprika, 1/2 tbsp. cumin, and 1/4 tsp. cayenne pepper.
• Stir to combine, then deglaze the pan with 1/4 c. low-sodium chicken broth.*
• Scrape any brown bits from the bottom of the pan, and cook until most of the liquid evaporates.
• Meanwhile, hit 1" of canola oil in a deep skillet until very hot but not smoking.
• Use tongs to submerge a corn tortilla into the oil, turn once, then fold over one side and fry until tortilla shells are crisp, about 3-4 minutes.**
• Repeat creating 3 more tortilla shells.
• To assemble the tacos, spoon some of the ground beef into tacos and top with desired toppings: grated cheese, salsa, lettuce, tomato, guacamole, etc.

Serves two-three

*Or low-sodium beef broth.
**Tortillas should bubble immediately when submerged in the oil.