Crispy Tacos (Tacos Dorados)

Name: Crispy Tacos (Tacos Dorados)
Yield: Serves 4
Cuisine: Latin America & Caribbean, Mexican
Ingredients: 1 tablespoon, water; 1/4 teaspoon, baking soda; 12 ounces 90 percent lean, ground beef; 7 tablespoons, vegetable oil; 1 , onion, chopped fine; 1 1/2 tablespoons, chili powder; 1 1/2 tablespoons, paprika; 1 1/2 teaspoons, ground cumin; 1 1/2 teaspoons, garlic powder; , Salt; 2 tablespoons, tomato paste; 2 ounces, cheddar cheese, shredded (1/2 cup), plus extra for serving; 12 (6-inch), corn tortillas; Shredded, iceberg lettuce; Chopped, tomato; , Sour cream; , pickled jalapeño slices; , Hot sauce

156 comments

Appears in Cook's Illustrated July/August 2018, America's Test Kitchen TV

Main Courses

Latin America & Caribbean

Mexican

Meat

Beef

The hard-shell taco has been an American staple for more than half a century. The original, ultracrispy version is on a whole other level.

SERVES4

TIME1¾ hours

has video

WHY THIS RECIPE WORKS

Commercial taco kits are convenient, but the seasoning packets taste dusty and flat and the shells are short on flavor and prone to cracking. Frying your own shells results in great taste and texture, but the process is tedious and messy. I...

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