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Tacos Dorados de Picadillo- Ground Beef & Potato Crunchy Tacos

This recipe for picadillo con papas (ground beef and potatoes) was a staple dish prepared by mom quite often. It is versatile and can be used in a variety of ways. A tasty filling for tacos dorados, enchiladas, burritos and especially mom’s awesome chiles rellenos! The tacos de picadillo have all the flavors of home and that comfort food we so much enjoy.
Course Main Course
Cuisine Mexican
Prep Time 35 minutes
Cook Time 50 minutes
Servings 6 Servings

Ingredients

  • 1 medium Russet potato 240 grams washed and diced fine, I leave the skin on
  • 3 tbsps. avocado oil
  • 1 pound ground chuck or sirloin 80% lean
  • 3/4 teaspoon salt
  • 3/4 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 3/4 teaspoon pepper
  • 3/4 teaspoon cumin
  • 1/2 teaspoon oregano
  • 1 cup white onion 200 grams diced
  • 3 cloves of garlic 16 grams minced
  • 2 large Roma tomatoes 288 grams roughly chopped
  • 1 serrano chile 12 gr, roughly chopped
  • 1/4 c water
  • 12 corn tortillas 336 gr
  • 1 ¼ c vegetable oil for frying

Instructions

  • Preheat 3 tbsps. of avocado oil in a nonstick pan to medium heat for a few minutes. Add the diced potatoes and cook until browned and crispy in most spots. Cover potatoes while they cook. The steam created helps them cook a little faster from the inside. Transfer potatoes to a plate lined with paper towels to drain, set aside.
  • While potatoes cook, in a separate skillet, at medium/high heat, add the ground beef. Season beef with salt, pepper, garlic powder, cumin, crushed oregano. Cook for 8 to 10 minutes until nicely browned.
  • Add the garlic and onion, continue cooking for 3-4 minutes. Add tomatoes, serrano peppers and 1/4 cup of water to the blender. Blend on high until smooth. Pour tomato mixture into picadillo. Let it come to a boil. Fold in the potatoes and stir well to combine. Taste for seasonings and continue cooking at a low simmer until sauce thickens and reduces, 10 minutes. Remove from heat. Let it cool completely.
  • After about 25 minutes, cook and warm the corn tortillas on a preheated griddle set to medium high heat. In a separate skillet, preheat the vegetable oil at medium heat. Transfer warm tortillas to a warmer or cover in a kitchen towel. While the tortillas are warm and pliable fill each one with 3 tbsps. of picadillo. Fold over like a taco and transfer to a plate. Repeat until all the tortillas are filled.
  • Carefully add some of the filled tortillas to the hot oil. Fry, turn as needed, until both sides are crispy. Transfer the tacos, standing up, to a bowl lined with paper towels. Open tacos and garnish with shredded lettuce, crumbled queso fresco or shredded chihuahua cheese, fresh pico de gallo and your favorite cooked salsa.

Notes

Tips & Variations: The key to a successful taco dorado is to make sure the filling is cool and thick. If there is too much sauce or broth, it will leak out during frying. Omit using toothpicks by filling the tortillas while they are warm. Gently stack them layered. As they cool, they will hold their shape.
Substitute the ground beef with turkey or chicken for a leaner version. Diced zucchini is a great addition to picadillo.
Freshly prepared corn tortillas that are still soft work best!