Beef Tacos Hard Shells (Printable)
Crispy hard shells with seasoned beef and vibrant fresh toppings for a delicious meal.
# What You'll Need:
→ Beef Filling
01 - 1 pound ground beef (80/20 lean-to-fat ratio)
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 - ½ teaspoon dried oregano
09 - ½ teaspoon salt
10 - ¼ teaspoon black pepper
11 - ¼ cup water
12 - 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
→ 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 - ½ cup sour cream
18 - ½ cup salsa
19 - ¼ 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
# Directions:
01 - Heat vegetable oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the chopped onion and cook until softened, approximately 2 to 3 minutes.
02 - Incorporate minced garlic and cook for 30 seconds, stirring frequently to prevent burning.
03 - Increase heat to medium-high and add ground beef. Break it apart with a spoon and cook until browned, about 5 to 7 minutes. Drain excess fat if needed.
04 - Stir in tomato paste, chili powder, ground cumin, smoked paprika, dried oregano, salt, and black pepper. Cook for 1 minute until aromatic.
05 - Pour in water, reduce heat to low, and simmer gently for 3 to 4 minutes until sauce thickens slightly. Adjust seasoning to taste.
06 - While beef simmers, 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 taco shell with a generous portion of beef mixture. Add lettuce, cheddar, tomato, and preferred toppings accordingly.
08 - Serve immediately with lime wedges and additional salsa on the side.
# Expert Advice:
01 -
- It comes together in 35 minutes flat, which means less stress and more time actually enjoying your meal.
- The seasoning blend is perfectly balanced—smoky, warm, and just the right amount of spice without being overwhelming.
- Hard shells stay crispy even when loaded with toppings, unlike soft ones that get floppy.
- Everyone builds their own, so picky eaters and adventurous ones can all be happy at the same table.
02 -
- Draining excess fat from the beef keeps your tacos from being greasy and lets the seasoning shine instead of getting lost in oil.
- Warming the shells in the oven matters more than you'd think—they stay crispy longer and taste fresher than room-temperature ones.
- The water amount is intentional; too much makes the filling soupy, and too little makes it dry and paste-like.
03 -
- An 80/20 ground beef blend has just enough fat to stay juicy—it's the sweet spot between lean and greasy.
- Toast your spices briefly in the hot oil before adding liquid; it unlocks their full flavor and prevents them from tasting dusty or raw.