Chipotle Ground Beef Tacos

 

For the taco seasoning:

2 tablespoons chili powder

2 tablespoons ground cumin

1 tablespoon smoked paprika

1 tablespoon garlic powder

1 tablespoon onion powder

1 teaspoon ground coriander

2 teaspoons cornstarch

1 1/2 teaspoons kosher salt

 

For the tacos:

3/4 cup vegetable oil

8 to 12 soft corn tortillas

1 large red onion, medium dice

4 garlic cloves, minced

2 chipotles in adobo, minced

1 tablespoon adobo sauce

2 pounds ground beef

3/4 cup water

 

Toppings:

Shredded lettuce

Diced yellow onion

Chopped cilantro

Diced tomato

Lime wedges, for squeezing

Shredded Monterey Jack or crumbled Cotija cheese

Hot sauce

 

Make the taco seasoning by combining the spices, cornstarch, and salt. Mix well to make sure the cornstarch is fully incorporated and there are no lumps.

Fry the taco shells: Heat your oven to 250°. Line a baking sheet with a double layer of paper towels and place it in the warm oven. Heat the oil in a cast-iron skillet until it registers 350°F on a deep-frying thermometer. Fry 1 tortilla at a time, using tongs so you don’t get burned: Carefully lay a tortilla in the hot oil—try not to submerge it. Fry flat for about 15 seconds, then use your tongs to fold it in half. Fry an additional 30 seconds, flip over, and fry for a final 30 seconds.

At this point the tortilla should be browned lightly in spots but still flexible. Remove it from the oil and drain on your towel-lined baking sheet (try to stand the shells up on the rounded edges if you can—it doesn’t always work).

Return the baking sheet to the oven to keep the shells warm. Continue until all the shells are fried. When finished, pour off most of the frying oil, but leave about 1 tablespoon behind in the skillet.

Set the skillet back over medium heat. Add the onion and garlic. Cook until softened, about 4 minutes.

Add the ground beef and chipotle with the adobo sauce to the skillet. Break up the meat with a spatula or wooden spoon and cook until browned, about 5 minutes.

Add the taco seasoning and stir it into the beef until combined.

Add the water and cook, uncovered, for a few minutes until the mixture is bubbling and has thickened. Let the mixture simmer on low until ready to eat.