Crispy, Cheesy, Beefy Tostadas
Let’s make tostadas great again! This one hits all the food groups: crispy, cheesy, meaty, messy, and soul-satisfying. Easy enough for a weeknight. Impressive enough for company. Messy enough to make you question your need for napkins.
Yield: approximately 4 - 6 servings
Prep Time: about 30 minutes
Cook Time: about 30 minutes
Ingredients
For the Tostada Shells:
8–10 corn tortillas
Canola oil, for frying
For the Ground Beef:
1½ pounds ground beef
½ cup diced white onion
2 tbsp fresh chopped garlic
8–10 oz tomato sauce
½–1 cup chicken broth
Cooking oil or beef fat
2 tsp salt
1 tsp black pepper
2 tsp garlic powder
2 tsp onion powder
2 tsp cumin
2 tsp Mexican oregano
For the Pico de Gallo:
4–6 Roma tomatoes, depending on size
½ white onion, diced, rinsed under cold water
¼ bunch fresh cilantro, chopped
1 jalapeño or serrano pepper, finely diced, optional for heat
Juice of 1 lime
Salt & pepper to taste
Garnishes, Use Based on Preference:
1-2 cups Shredded lettuce
4-5 Sliced radishes, depending on size
¼–½ cup additional shredded cheese
Sliced jalapeños, fresh or pickled
Chopped fresh cilantro
Lime wedges
Refried Beans***
Directions
Fry the Tortillas: Heat canola oil in a pan for 5 minutes on medium-high. Drop in a wooden toothpick. If it bubbles, you’re golden.
Fry tortillas 1–2 minutes per side until golden and crispy. Drain on a paper towel–lined plate.
Cook the Ground Beef: In a hot pan, add oil or beef fat and drop in 1½ lbs of ground beef. Don’t touch it for 5–7 minutes—let it sear and form a golden crust. Flip and break it apart, then add diced onion and 2 tbsp chopped garlic. Once fragrant and softened, stir in tomato sauce, seasonings, and chicken broth. Simmer 5–10 minutes until the sauce reduces and clings to the meat.
Make Pico de gallo: Dice Roma tomatoes, white onion, and bunch cilantro. Rinse the onion under cold water to mellow the bite. Add 1 chopped jalapeño or serrano if you want it spicy. Mix with juice of 1 lime, salt, and pepper.
Assemble the Tostadas: Take your crispy tortilla. Smear on a layer of refried beans***. Add a handful of freshly shredded cheese, don’t skimp! Top with a generous spoonful of beef mixture. Add another light sprinkle of cheese for good measure. Pile on the lettuce, pico, radishes, jalapeños, and cilantro. Finish with a squeeze of fresh lime.
Grab it with your hands. Get messy. Smile. You did that!
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