Ground Beef Tostadas
These delicious Ground Beef Tostadas are a fiesta on a plate, perfect for casual gatherings or a satisfying weeknight dinner. With a crispy tortilla base layered with spicy ground beef, creamy refried beans, and fresh toppings, each bite is a delightful blend of flavors and textures.
The homemade crema adds a rich, tangy finish that elevates this dish even further. Quick to prepare and utterly customizable, these tostadas are sure to become a family favorite!
Why You’ll Love This Recipe:
Flavorful and Spicy: The combination of spices used in the ground beef, including chili powder, cumin, and optional red pepper flakes, creates a robust, spicy flavor that is both satisfying and exciting to the palate. This well-seasoned beef provides a deliciously savory base for the tostadas.
Crispy and Crunchy Texture: Baking the corn tortillas with olive oil until they are golden brown and crispy adds a delightful crunch to each bite. This satisfying texture contrasts beautifully with the creamy and rich toppings, making the tostadas a textural delight.
Customizable Toppings: The recipe offers a variety of fresh toppings such as lettuce, tomatoes, avocado, and queso fresco, allowing for personalization according to individual preferences. This versatility means each tostada can be tailored to suit different tastes or dietary needs.
Rich and Creamy Crema: The homemade crema, with its tangy lime juice and smooth consistency, provides a cooling counterbalance to the spicy ground beef. This creamy drizzle ties all the flavors together, enhancing the overall taste experience.
Simple and Satisfying Meal: These tostadas are easy to assemble and perfect for a quick family meal or casual gathering with friends. The combination of flavors and textures makes them a crowd-pleaser, offering both a sense of indulgence and comfort.
Key Ingredients:
Ground Beef: Lean ground beef serves as the hearty foundation of the dish, absorbing the spices and providing a savory, protein-rich base for the tostadas.
Spices: A blend of chili powder, cumin, garlic powder, and optional red pepper flakes infuses the beef with bold, spicy flavors, adding depth and excitement to each bite.
Corn Tortillas: These form the crispy base of the tostadas. Baking them with olive oil and a pinch of salt ensures they are golden and crunchy, providing a satisfying texture.
Homemade Crema: A mixture of sour cream, heavy cream, lime juice, and salt creates a rich, tangy crema that adds a cooling contrast to the spicy beef, enhancing the overall flavor profile.
Fresh Toppings: Shredded lettuce, diced tomatoes, avocado slices, and crumbled queso fresco offer freshness, creaminess, and a touch of saltiness, balancing the dish and adding vibrant color.
Ground Beef Tostadas
Ingredients:
SPICY GROUND BEEF
1 pound ground beef (lean)
olive oil
1/2 white onion (diced)
2 Tablespoons chili powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon cumin
1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
1/2 cup water
red pepper flakes (optional )
TOTSTADA
olive oil
8–10 corn tortillas
salt
CREMA
1/2 cup sour cream
1/2 cup heavy cream
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 Tablespoon lime juice
TOPPINGS
16 ounces refried beans
1 cup lettuce (shredded)
1 tomato (diced)
1/4 red onion (diced)
1 avocado (peeled, pitted and sliced)
1 cup queso fresco cheese (shredded)
Instructions:
CREMA:
Begin with crema. Ideally you make this a few hours to a day prior. Whisk together 1/2 cup sour cream, 1/2 cup heavy cream, 1/2 teaspoon salt and 1 Tablespoon lime juice. Cover and place in fridge to store before serving.
TOASTADAS
Heat oven to 400 degrees.
Spread out the corn tortillas on a large baking sheet and drizzle with olive oil and a pinch of salt. Rub the olive oil all over the tortillas on each side.
Bake in 4 minute increments flipping between each. Bake until the tortillas are crispy and a golden brown color. This should take 2 flips or 12 minutes.
Let cool.
SPICY GROUND BEEF:
Heat a nonstick skillet on the stove top on a medium-high heat. Drizzle the pan with olive and drop in the diced white onion. Let cook 1 minute and then add the ground beef. Break up the ground beef into equal pieces until browned.
Drain the meat if needed. If using a really lean meat, you may not need to. Put the meat back in the pan and add 1/2 cup water and the seasonings. Red pepper flakes are optional if you just want a little extra kick. Bring to a simmer, lower heat and cover for 15 minutes. Stir a few times to ensure the meat isn’t sticking.
GROUND BEEF TOSTADAS:
Heat up the refried beans as the meat finishes cooking and assemble your tostadas.
Start with a layer of refried beans on the crispy corn tortilla, add some spicy ground beef, top with shredded lettuce, diced red onion, diced tomato, and sliced avocado. Sprinkle with queso fresco and then drizzle with the crema to finish.
Enjoy !!
Notes:
Spicy Ground Beef Seasoning: Adjust the amount of chili powder and red pepper flakes according to your spice preference. Start with less if you prefer a milder flavor and add more gradually.
Ground Beef Cooking Tips: Ensure the ground beef is well browned and broken into small pieces to evenly distribute the seasoning. Stirring occasionally while simmering helps prevent sticking and ensures the meat is tender.
Crema Preparation: Making the crema ahead allows flavors to meld. Whisk thoroughly to ensure a smooth consistency. Adjust lime juice and salt to taste.
Baking Tortillas: Monitor the tortillas closely while baking to achieve a crispy texture without burning. Flip them halfway through baking to ensure even cooking.
Refried Beans: Heat the refried beans before assembling tostadas to make spreading easier and ensure they blend well with other ingredients.
Assembly Tips: Layer the tostadas starting with a base of refried beans, followed by the spicy ground beef and toppings. This ensures each bite has a balanced mix of flavors and textures.
Topping Variations: Customize with additional toppings like sliced jalapeños, cilantro, or a squeeze of fresh lime juice for added freshness.
Queso Fresco: Use freshly shredded queso fresco for optimal flavor and texture. You can substitute with other cheeses like shredded cheddar or Monterey Jack if preferred.
Serving: Serve immediately after assembling to retain the crispiness of the tortillas. If preparing ahead, assemble just before serving to maintain freshness.
Leftovers: Store leftover components separately (tortillas, ground beef, toppings) to maintain crispness. Reheat components individually and assemble fresh when ready to enjoy again.
Nutrition Information:
YIELDS: 6 | SERVING SIZE: 1
Amount Per Serving: CALORIES: 550 | TOTAL FAT: 30g | CARBOHYDRATES: 40g | PROTEIN: 23g
Frequently Asked Questions:
Can I use a different type of meat instead of ground beef?
Yes, you can use ground chicken, turkey, or even vegetarian meat substitutes as alternatives to ground beef in this recipe. Adjust the cooking time and seasoning accordingly.
Can I make the crema ahead of time?
Yes, it’s recommended to make the crema a few hours to a day prior to allow the flavors to meld together. Simply whisk the ingredients together, cover, and refrigerate until ready to serve.
Can I make the tostadas gluten-free?
Yes, you can make the tostadas gluten-free by using gluten-free corn tortillas. Ensure that all other ingredients, including the seasonings and toppings, are also gluten-free.
Can I customize the toppings?
Absolutely! Feel free to customize the toppings to your liking.
You can add or omit ingredients such as diced red onion, diced tomato, shredded lettuce, avocado slices, or queso fresco cheese based on your preferences.
How can I make the dish spicier?
If you prefer a spicier flavor, you can increase the amount of chili powder or add additional red pepper flakes to the spicy ground beef mixture.
Adjust the spice level according to your taste, but be cautious not to make it too spicy for your liking.
How can I make the tostadas crispy?
To achieve crispy tostadas, ensure you bake the corn tortillas in a preheated oven at 400 degrees Fahrenheit.
Make sure to spread olive oil on both sides of the tortillas and bake them until they turn golden brown and crispy, flipping them once during the cooking process.
Are there any vegetarian or vegan substitutions for this recipe?
Yes, you can make vegetarian or vegan versions of the Ground Beef Tostadas. Substitute the ground beef with plant-based alternatives like crumbled tofu, tempeh, or textured vegetable protein (TVP).
Use vegan sour cream and omit or replace the heavy cream with a non-dairy alternative in the crema. Ensure the refried beans and toppings are also suitable for your dietary preferences.