These homemade beef chalupas deliver everything you crave from a fast-food favorite, but with a fresher, heartier finish. Crisp, golden shells cradle seasoned ground beef, shredded lettuce, juicy tomatoes, cheddar cheese, and cool sour cream for a combination of textures and flavors in every bite.
The secret is the shell: instead of simply using a regular taco shell, flour tortillas are fried until puffed, crisp, and sturdy enough to hold a generous layer of toppings. The seasoned beef brings savory taco-shop flavor, while fresh lettuce and tomato add brightness and crunch.
Serve these chalupas immediately while the shells are still warm and crisp. Set out the toppings separately for an easy build-your-own dinner that is especially satisfying for taco night.
Servings and Timing
Servings: 6–8 chalupas
Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 25 minutes
Total Time: 45 minutes
Ingredients
For the Beef Filling
- 1 lb ground beef
- ½ small onion, finely diced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tablespoon chili powder
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- 1 teaspoon ground cumin
- ½ teaspoon onion powder
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- ¼ cup water
- 1 tablespoon tomato paste
For the Chalupa Shells
- 8 small flour tortillas
- Vegetable oil, for frying
For the Toppings
- 2 cups shredded lettuce
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- 1 large tomato, diced
- ½ cup sour cream
- ¼ cup finely diced white onion
- ¼ cup chopped fresh cilantro
