Craving a delicious and satisfying meal that’s both familiar and exciting? Look no further than these incredible **Beef and Potato Tacos**. This recipe offers a delightful twist on traditional tacos, combining seasoned ground beef with crispy, golden-brown potatoes, all nestled in warm tortillas with your favorite toppings. It’s a hearty and flavorful dish that promises to become an instant family favorite, perfect for any night of the week when you need a comforting yet easy meal solution.
Why These Beef and Potato Tacos Are a Must-Try
These Beef and Potato Tacos aren’t just another dinner idea; they’re a culinary revelation that brings comfort and convenience to your table. Here’s why they deserve a top spot in your recipe rotation:
- Family-Friendly and Picky-Eater Approved: Tacos are universally loved, and adding the comforting familiarity of potatoes makes this dish an absolute hit with even the pickiest eaters. You can customize the toppings to suit everyone’s preferences, ensuring smiles all around.
- Budget-Conscious and Hearty: Incorporating potatoes is a brilliant way to extend your ground beef, making it go further and feed more people without compromising on flavor or satisfaction. This helps keep your meal budget low while still delivering a robust and filling dinner.
- Quick and Easy Weeknight Meal: Designed for busy schedules, this recipe can be prepared and served in just about 30 minutes. It’s an ideal choice when you want a delicious homemade meal but don’t have hours to spend in the kitchen.
- Irresistible Flavor and Texture Combination: The savory, well-seasoned ground beef perfectly complements the crispy, golden potatoes, creating a delightful textural contrast that elevates the humble taco to a new level. Every bite is packed with comforting flavors.
- Versatile and Customizable: Whether you prefer a mild flavor or a spicy kick, or you like a variety of fresh toppings, these tacos are incredibly adaptable. Easily adjust seasonings and add-ins to match your family’s taste.
If you’re seeking a simple yet incredibly flavorful way to feed your family a dinner they’ll adore, without sacrificing your entire evening, these beef and potato tacos are undoubtedly the perfect solution.
Essential Ingredients for Beef and Potato Tacos
Creating these sensational tacos requires a few staple ingredients that, when combined, deliver an explosion of taste. This section provides an overview of what you’ll need, with detailed notes on each component to help you achieve the best results. You’ll find the full measurements and step-by-step instructions in the printable recipe card at the bottom of the page.
Ingredient Notes for Perfect Tacos
- Olive Oil: Used for both frying the potatoes and sautéing the onions and beef. Its robust flavor adds a nice touch, but if you’re out, feel free to substitute with other neutral-flavored oils like vegetable oil, canola oil, or even avocado oil.
- Onion: A fundamental flavor builder for the ground beef mixture. White or yellow onions are ideal for cooking, as they sweeten and soften beautifully when sautéed, adding depth to the savory filling. Chop them finely for even distribution.
- Ground Beef: The star protein of this taco recipe. While I often opt for ground chuck for its balance of flavor and fat, you can use your preferred ground beef (80/20, 85/15, or even leaner cuts). Remember to drain excess fat after cooking to prevent greasy tacos and allow the seasoning to adhere better.
- Taco Seasoning: This essential blend provides that signature Tex-Mex flavor. Use your favorite store-bought brand for convenience, or create a homemade taco seasoning for a customized flavor profile with less sodium and no artificial ingredients.
- Salsa: Adds moisture, tang, and an extra layer of flavor to the beef mixture. Any type of salsa will work – from a chunky tomato salsa to a smooth purée. For a milder flavor, opt for a mild or medium salsa. If you love heat, a spicy salsa will certainly kick things up a notch.
- Russet Potatoes: Crucial for their texture. Russet potatoes are highly starchy, which helps them achieve that desired crispy exterior when fried while remaining fluffy inside. They hold their shape well during cooking, making them the best choice for this recipe. Avoid waxy potatoes like red or new potatoes, which tend to become too soft or mushy when fried.
- Oil for Frying: Beyond the olive oil for sautéing, you’ll need a sufficient amount of a high smoke point oil to fry the potatoes until they are perfectly golden and crisp. Vegetable oil or canola oil are excellent choices for deep frying.
- Tortillas: The vessel for your delicious filling! You can use corn or flour tortillas, depending on your family’s preference. Corn tortillas offer a more authentic Mexican flavor and slight chewiness, while flour tortillas are softer and more pliable. Warm them thoroughly before serving for the best experience.
Recommended Equipment for Making Beef and Potato Tacos
You won’t need an extensive array of kitchen gadgets to whip up these fantastic beef and potato tacos. A few basic tools are all it takes to get this delicious meal on the table.
- Large Skillet: Essential for browning the ground beef and frying the potatoes. A non-stick skillet or a well-seasoned cast-iron skillet will make the cooking process much smoother, ensuring even browning and easy cleanup. Having two skillets can speed up the process, allowing you to cook potatoes and beef simultaneously.
Beyond a good skillet, a sturdy spatula for breaking up the beef and turning the tacos, and a slotted spoon or spider for removing fried potatoes are also helpful. Don’t forget to check out my Amazon storefront for some of my favorite kitchen products and culinary essentials that make cooking a joy!
Step-by-Step Instructions for Beef and Potato Tacos
Making these beef and potato tacos is straightforward and rewarding. Follow these detailed instructions to create a meal that will impress everyone. Remember, the full, detailed recipe card is available below for easy printing and reference.
- Prepare the Potatoes: Begin by frying the cubed Russet potatoes in a large skillet with enough oil to cover them, over medium-high heat. Cook until they are beautifully golden brown and crispy on all sides. Once cooked, remove them from the skillet using a slotted spoon, placing them on a plate lined with paper towels or parchment paper to drain any excess oil. Season generously with salt immediately after frying.
- Cook the Beef Filling: In a separate large skillet (or the same one after quickly wiping it clean), heat half of the olive oil over medium heat. Add the chopped onion and sauté until it becomes translucent and fragrant, typically 3-5 minutes. Then, add the ground beef to the skillet, breaking it up with a spatula as it cooks. Continue cooking until the beef is no longer pink and is fully browned. At this point, carefully drain any excess grease from the skillet to ensure a leaner, less oily filling.
- Season and Combine: Once the beef is browned and drained, stir in the taco seasoning, ensuring the meat is thoroughly coated. Pour the salsa over the seasoned beef and mix well. Allow the mixture to simmer for about 2 minutes, letting the flavors meld together. Finally, gently fold in the crispy fried potatoes with the beef mixture. Turn off the heat.
- Assemble and Fry the Tacos: In a clean hot skillet with a little remaining oil, place two tortillas. Position them so that about half of each tortilla lies flat on the bottom of the skillet, and the other half leans against the side. Spoon approximately 2 tablespoons of shredded cheese onto the flat half of each tortilla. On top of the cheese, spread about ¼ cup of the beef and potato mixture. Carefully fold the leaning half of the tortilla over the filling to create a taco shape.
- Crisp the Tacos: Fry the assembled tacos for 1-2 minutes on one side until the tortilla is golden and crispy, and the cheese is melted and slightly gooey. Gently flip the tacos over to the other side and fry for another 2 minutes, ensuring both sides are perfectly crisp.
- Serve Hot: Immediately remove the hot, crispy tacos from the skillet and serve them. Garnish with your favorite fresh toppings such as shredded lettuce, diced red onions, avocado slices, a dollop of sour cream, and any other taco fixings you love. Enjoy this delightful meal fresh!
Amira’s Expert Tips for the Best Beef and Potato Tacos
To ensure your beef and potato tacos are nothing short of perfect, consider these expert tips for maximizing flavor and texture:
- Choose the Right Potatoes: Russet potatoes are indeed the champions for frying due to their high starch content, which yields a wonderfully crispy exterior and a fluffy interior. While Yukon Gold potatoes can be a decent alternative, I strongly advise against using red potatoes or other waxy varieties. Their higher water content leads to a mushy texture rather than the desired crispness when fried.
- Uniform Potato Slicing: Precision in cutting your potatoes is key. Slice them into even-sized cubes (about ½-inch to ¾-inch) to ensure they cook uniformly. Irregularly cut potatoes will result in some pieces being undercooked and others overcooked, compromising the overall texture of your tacos.
- Pat Potatoes Dry for Crispiness: Before introducing your potatoes to the hot oil, it’s crucial to pat them thoroughly dry with paper towels. Excess moisture on the surface of the potatoes will steam rather than fry, preventing them from achieving that irresistible crispy exterior. Dry potatoes brown better and faster.
- Don’t Overcrowd the Skillet: When frying potatoes, work in batches if necessary. Overcrowding the skillet will lower the oil temperature and cause the potatoes to steam instead of fry, resulting in a less crispy texture. Give them space to get golden and crisp.
- Drain Excess Beef Fat: After browning the ground beef, always drain any excess fat. This prevents your taco filling from becoming overly greasy and allows the taco seasoning and salsa to adhere more effectively to the meat, enhancing the flavor.
- Warm Your Tortillas: Cold tortillas can be stiff and prone to breaking. Lightly warm your tortillas before assembling the tacos. You can do this in a dry skillet over medium heat for 15-30 seconds per side, in the microwave wrapped in a damp paper towel, or in the oven wrapped in foil. Warm tortillas are more pliable and delicious.
- Season Liberally: Don’t be shy with seasoning the potatoes after frying and the beef mixture. A good pinch of salt on the hot potatoes immediately after they come out of the oil makes a huge difference. Taste the beef mixture and adjust the taco seasoning and salsa to your preference.
Storage and Reheating Tips for Beef and Potato Tacos
These beef and potato tacos are best enjoyed fresh, but knowing how to properly store and reheat leftovers can extend your enjoyment and minimize waste.
Refrigerate: Any leftover taco meat and potato mixture should be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator. It will remain fresh and delicious for 3-4 days. This makes it an excellent candidate for meal prep during the week.
Freezing: You can certainly freeze the cooked ground beef taco filling on its own. It holds up very well in the freezer for up to 2-3 months in an airtight freezer-safe container. However, I generally do not recommend freezing the cooked potatoes already mixed in. The texture of the potatoes will become mushy and mealy once thawed and reheated, losing their desirable crispness. If you plan to freeze, it’s best to freeze the beef mixture separately and add freshly fried potatoes upon reheating.
Reheating:
- Reheating Taco Meat: To reheat your leftover taco meat filling (without potatoes), simply place it in a pan over medium heat on the stovetop, stirring occasionally, until it’s heated through. For a quicker option, you can also microwave it in a microwave-safe dish, stirring every minute or so, until hot.
- Reheating Tacos (Assembled): If you have assembled tacos with potatoes, reheating them can be tricky to maintain crispness. Your best bet is to reheat them in a dry skillet over medium heat for a few minutes per side, or in an air fryer at 350°F (175°C) for 5-7 minutes, until crispy and hot. This helps to revive the tortilla and some of the potato crispness.
- Reheating Separated Components: For the best quality, reheat the beef mixture in a skillet or microwave, and if you froze the beef without potatoes, fry a fresh batch of potatoes. Combine just before serving.
Make Ahead for Convenience
One of the many advantages of this beef and potato taco recipe is how well the taco filling holds up – in fact, some might argue it tastes even better the next day as the flavors have more time to deepen and meld. This makes it a fantastic candidate for meal prepping ahead of time.
Feel free to prepare the ground beef and potato mixture up to 24 hours in advance. Store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator, and then simply reheat it when you’re ready to assemble and enjoy your tacos. This significantly cuts down on prep time on busy weeknights.
Just a note on the potatoes: while the overall flavor improves, the potatoes will naturally lose some of their initial crispy texture once mixed with the beef and stored. If retaining maximum crispness is a top priority for you, consider preparing the beef mixture ahead of time and frying the potatoes fresh just before serving. Alternatively, if you’ve mixed them, you can try to reheat the entire mixture in the oven or an air fryer to help crisp up the potatoes again, rather than just using a microwave.
Delicious Ways to Serve Your Beef and Potato Tacos
These beef and potato tacos are undeniably a delicious and satisfying meal all on their own. However, pairing them with the right side dishes can elevate your dining experience to a full-blown feast. Here are some fantastic accompaniments:
- Flavorful Rice: We love to pair these tacos with a classic side like this Rice Cooker Mexican Rice. It’s simple to make and adds a complementary texture and flavor that rounds out the meal beautifully.
- Fresh Guacamole: You simply can’t have Mexican-inspired food without a dollop of fresh guacamole! This No Tomato Guacamole is a fantastic option, offering creamy richness and a bright, zesty counterpoint to the savory tacos.
- Creamy Refried Beans: A staple in Mexican cuisine, refried beans add a comforting, creamy element that contrasts wonderfully with the crispy tacos.
- Mexican Street Corn (Elote): Grilled corn on the cob slathered in a creamy, tangy, and spicy sauce with cheese is an unforgettable side dish that complements any taco night.
- Simple Green Salad: For a lighter touch, a crisp green salad with a zesty lime vinaigrette can offer a refreshing contrast to the hearty tacos.
- Chips and Salsa/Queso: Start your meal with a basket of tortilla chips alongside extra salsa or a warm bowl of queso dip for an ultimate appetizer.
Exciting Variations to Customize Your Tacos
One of the best things about tacos is their incredible versatility. Feel free to get creative and customize your beef and potato tacos with these exciting variations to suit your taste and dietary preferences:
- Meat Alternatives: Not a fan of ground beef, or looking for a lighter option? Easily swap it out for ground turkey or ground chicken. Just remember that leaner meats may require a little extra oil to prevent sticking and may cook faster. Season them similarly with taco seasoning for a delicious poultry-based taco.
- Spice It Up: If your family loves spicy food, there are many ways to add a fiery kick. Incorporate a pinch (or more!) of red pepper flakes or extra cayenne pepper into your taco meat mixture. You can also add finely diced jalapeños or serrano peppers along with the onions, or drizzle with your favorite hot sauce before serving.
- Add Beans for Extra Heartiness: Boost the fiber and protein content by adding beans to your meat mixture. Black beans or refried beans both work exceptionally well. Drain and rinse canned black beans before stirring them into the cooked beef mixture. For refried beans, simply mix them in until thoroughly combined and heated through.
- Endless Topping Possibilities: The toppings are where you can truly make these tacos your own! Beyond the classics, consider these delicious additions:
- Freshness: Pico de Gallo (fresh tomato salsa), chopped fresh cilantro, diced avocado or guacamole, thinly sliced radishes, or a squeeze of fresh lime juice.
- Creaminess: Sour cream, Mexican crema, a drizzle of creamy avocado sauce, or crumbled cotija cheese.
- Crunch: Shredded lettuce or cabbage, pickled red onions, or even a sprinkle of toasted pumpkin seeds.
- Cheesy Goodness: Experiment with different types of cheese! While shredded cheddar or a Mexican blend are standard, Monterey Jack, pepper jack for a little heat, or even a mild queso fresco can add different dimensions of flavor.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About Beef and Potato Tacos
Potatoes are added to tacos for several reasons. Historically, they have been used as a “beef extender” to help lower food costs and make a meal more economical, especially in larger families. Beyond the budget aspect, potatoes also add a satisfying heartiness and a wonderful textural contrast – especially when fried until crispy – making the tacos more filling and texturally exciting than traditional versions.
For the best flavor distribution and adherence, it’s recommended to add the taco seasoning *after* you have fully cooked and drained the ground beef. Cooking the beef first allows any excess fat to render and be removed, ensuring the seasoning can properly coat the meat without becoming diluted or washed away by grease.
Yes, it is highly recommended to drain the excess grease from the cooked ground beef before adding taco seasoning and salsa. Failing to do so can result in greasy tacos, which can be unappetizing and diminish the overall flavor and texture. A quick drain ensures a cleaner, more flavorful filling.
Both corn and flour tortillas work wonderfully for beef and potato tacos. Corn tortillas offer a more traditional, slightly earthy flavor and a chewy texture, while flour tortillas are softer and more pliable, making them easier to fold. The best choice ultimately comes down to personal preference. Whichever you choose, be sure to warm them before filling for maximum flavor and flexibility.
While the recipe calls for pan-frying the assembled tacos to achieve a crispy exterior, you can certainly bake them for a slightly different texture and often a less hands-on approach. To bake, preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Fill your tortillas and fold them, then place them seam-side down on a baking sheet. You can lightly brush the tortillas with a little oil for extra crispness. Bake for 15-20 minutes, or until golden brown and heated through.
Related Taco and Mexican-Inspired Recipes
If you’re a fan of these beef and potato tacos and looking to expand your Mexican-inspired culinary repertoire, here are some other fantastic recipes you might enjoy:
- Baja Shrimp Tacos: For your next Taco Tuesday, try these crispy, slightly spicy, and incredibly easy-to-make shrimp tacos. They’re a refreshing alternative to traditional meat tacos.
- Taco Bake Recipe: This comforting casserole features buttery crescent rolls filled with all your favorite taco flavors. It’s an excellent, crowd-pleasing addition to your weekly meal plan.
- Air Fryer Shrimp Tacos: A healthier twist on classic fried shrimp tacos, these are crispy, flavorful, and perfect for a quick and effortless weeknight dinner.
- Flank Steak Tacos: Prepare an unforgettable dinner with these bold and flavorful flank steak tacos. The zesty citrus marinade, featuring fresh lime and orange juice, tenderizes the meat and infuses it with a uniquely delicious taste.
- Chicken Fajita Wraps: These wraps are perfect for a weeknight dinner or a fun get-together. Enjoy perfectly seasoned, tender chicken and colorful peppers all wrapped up for a satisfying and easy meal.
More Ground Beef Recipes You’ll Love
Ground beef is a versatile ingredient that forms the base of countless delicious and comforting meals. If you love the hearty nature of ground beef, here are a couple more recipes to add to your rotation:
- Ground Beef and Mashed Potatoes: A classic comfort food combination that truly satisfies. Whether you make it from scratch or use leftover mashed potatoes, it’s a quick and easy weeknight dinner your family will appreciate.
- Taco Stuffed Peppers: Looking for a creative way to enjoy taco flavors without the tortillas? These taco stuffed peppers are a fantastic twist on a classic, offering all the savory goodness in a healthy and satisfying package.
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Beef and Potato Tacos Recipe
Print Recipe
Pin Recipe
Main Course
Mexican / American
Halal
10
20
10
Servings
403
kcal
Amira
Ingredients
- 3 Tablespoons olive oil divided
- 1 onion chopped
- 2 pounds ground beef
- 2 packets of Taco seasoning
- ⅓ cup salsa
- 1 pound russet potatoes cut into cubes
- Oil for frying
- 10 tortillas
Topping:
- Pico de Gallo
- Guacamole
- Sour cream
- Shredded lettuce
- Shredded cheese
Instructions
- Fry the cubed potatoes in a large skillet with oil over medium-high heat until golden brown and crisp. Remove to a plate lined with paper towels or parchment paper and season with salt.
- Heat half of the olive oil in a separate large skillet over medium heat. Sauté the chopped onion until it becomes translucent, about 3-5 minutes.
- Add the ground beef to the skillet with the onion and cook until no longer pink, breaking it up with a spatula. Drain any excess fat if necessary.
- Season the cooked ground beef with taco seasoning and pour the salsa over the mixture. Mix thoroughly to combine all ingredients.
- Allow the beef and salsa mixture to cook for another 2 minutes, letting the flavors meld. Then, turn off the heat.
- Gently fold the fried potatoes into the seasoned ground beef mixture.
Assemble and Fry Tacos:
- In a separate large skillet, heat the remaining olive oil over medium heat.
- Place two tortillas in the skillet, positioning them so that half of each tortilla rests on the bottom and the other half leans against the side of the skillet.
- Spoon about 2 tablespoons of shredded cheese onto the flat half of each tortilla. Top the cheese with ¼ cup of the beef and potato mixture, spreading it evenly over half the tortilla. Carefully fold the other half of the tortilla over the filling to create a taco.
- Fry the taco for 1-2 minutes until the bottom is golden and crispy. Turn it over to the other side and fry for another 2 minutes until that side is also golden and crispy, and the cheese is melted.
- Serve immediately, topped with fresh shredded lettuce, diced red onions, avocado slices, sour cream, and any other favorite taco fixings.
Notes
- Please check the nutrition disclaimer policy for important information regarding nutritional values.
Nutrition
Carbohydrates: 25g |
Protein: 19g |
Fat: 25g |
Saturated Fat: 8g |
Polyunsaturated Fat: 2g |
Monounsaturated Fat: 12g |
Trans Fat: 1g |
Cholesterol: 64mg |
Sodium: 358mg |
Potassium: 510mg |
Fiber: 2g |
Sugar: 2g |
Vitamin A: 62IU |
Vitamin C: 4mg |
Calcium: 71mg |
Iron: 3mg