These vegan Tacos dorados are the ultimate Mexican comfort food. They are golden crispy, flavorful, satisfying, and authentically Mexican.
Tacos Dorados
I grew up eating tacos dorados as a little Mexican kid and I won’t ever stop making these. I typically avoid making recipes with lots of oil but sometimes you just have to treat yourself! However, I did add an oil-free version in the air fryer that was pretty darn yummy as well. Make this recipe for when you’re craving some really authentic tacos but want them CRISPY.
These vegan tacos dorados are perfect for any celebration such as Cinco de Mayo, Mexican Independence Day, Christmas and holiday celebrations, birthday parties, football season, and any regular day honestly. The recipe is pretty easy to follow but can take up to an hour if it’s your first time.
Ingredients and tips:
- Corn tortillas: I recommend using corn tortillas on the softer side. I used the good ole Guerrero tortillas 🙂 Make sure to heat them up before adding the filling and folding them because they WILL break.
- Impossible ground beef: This is the closest vegan ground beef option that seems to impress any meat eater. You can also use your choice of vegan ground beef or cooked lentils, beans, or simply just potatoes. I grew up eating the potato version of these tacos and they are just as amazing.
- Potatoes: I love how adding diced potatoes gives extra volume and texture to the vegan ground beef filling. I like using Yukon gold potatoes but choose your favorite type.
- Oil: Avoid using olive oil or oils that have a low-smoking point. For frying, choose an oil with a high smoking point such as avocado, and sunflower, safflower, or canola oil.
- Toppings: Authentic Mexican toppings include: Lettuce, tomato, vegan sour cream, salsa, guacamole, and vegan queso fresco.
Tacos Dorados
- Total Time: 35 minutes
- Yield: 15 1x
- Diet: Vegan
Description
These vegan Tacos dorados are the ultimate Mexican comfort food. They are golden crispy, flavorful, satisfying, and authentically Mexican.
Ingredients
- 16 corn tortillas
- 1 lb impossible ground beef (see above for alternatives)
- 2 medium potatoes, diced (1-inch pieces)
- ½ onion, diced
- 1 tomato, diced
- ¼ –½ cup avocado oil
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon cayenne powder (optional)
- Salt and pepper to taste
Toppings:
- Lettuce
- Tomato
- Vegan Sour Cream
- Salsa
- Guacamole
- Vegan queso fresco
Instructions
- Turn a large pan on medium heat and add oil. Once hot, add onions and tomato. Cook for 2-3 minutes before adding impossible meat or alternative.
- Let the impossible meat cook for about 3 minutes until it begins turning brown and easier to break down. Use the spatula to begin breaking it down a bit and add diced potatoes and cover the pan with a lid. Add all the spices and cook for 6-7 minutes on low heat.
- Meanwhile, prep toppings such as lettuce, tomato, guacamole, etc.
- Take the lid off the pan and use the spatula to continue breaking the impossible beef down into small pieces. Check potatoes for doneness and turn the pan off when the impossible beef is fully brown and the potatoes are cooked.
- Next, grab your corn tortillas and place them in a plastic bag or wrap them in a hand towel. Place them in the microwave for about 2-3 minutes to heat them up. This prevents them from breaking when making the tacos.
- Once the tortillas are warm, take the first one and add bout 2 tablespoons of the potato-beef filling. Fold it in half to close it and set it aside. Repeat this step until all of the tacos have been formed.
- Next, heat a large pan on medium heat with about ½ cup of oil. Once the oil is hot, use tongs to place a taco into the oil. If it sizzles, the oil is ready. Add about 3-4 tacos per frying session depending on how big your pan is.
- Fry each taco for 1-2 minutes on each side until golden brown and crispy. Make sure to have a large platter with paper towels ready to place your tacos after frying them.
- Alternatively, you can air fry these tacos at 375 F for 5 minutes on each side. Close your taco using a toothpick because they WILL open in the air fryer. Brush lightly with oil if you want it extra golden/crispy.
- Once tacos are crispy and ready to eat, add your choice of toppings and enjoy!
- Prep Time: 15
- Cook Time: 20
- Category: Mexican
- Method: Frying
- Cuisine: Mexican
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 taco
When are we supposed to add the spices? 😩
Add the spices right after adding the potatoes to the pan with the meat. Sorry let me edit to make it more clear!