Texas Puffy Tacos Recipe

Dive into the heart of Tex-Mex cuisine with the iconic Texas puffy taco from Salty Cocina – a unique and delicious twist on the traditional taco that has become a beloved staple in the Lone Star State. These delightful tacos feature a light and airy shell, achieved by deep-frying fresh masa dough until it puffs up into a crispy, golden pocket. Filled with savory meats, fresh vegetables, and zesty toppings, Texas puffy tacos offer a perfect blend of textures and flavors that make them a standout dish. 

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What are you waiting for? Try these filling and delectable puffy tacos today! Watch the video below for the step by step instructions.

Ingredients:

For the Masa:

• 3 cups corn flour
• 1 cup all-purpose flour
• 1 tsp baking powder
• 1 tsp salt
• 3 cups of warm water
• vegetable oil, for frying

For the Filling:

• 4 – 5 lb ground beef
• 1 large potato, diced
• 1 red bell pepper, diced
• 1 green bell pepper, diced
• 1/2 medium onion, diced
• 2 – 3 garlic cloves
• 4 – 5 chile guajillos
• 4 – 5 chiles de Arbol (optional)
• 1 cup of water
• 1 tsp cumin
• 1 tbsp all-season spice

Toppings:

• lettuce, tomatoes, onion, cilantro
• sour cream
• salsa

Directions:

Step 1

To start, prep the vegetables and set them aside. Next, add the chiles to a pot of water and place it on the stovetop on high heat. Once boiling, remove them and set them aside. Let them soak in hot water for 15 minutes. Once the peppers cooled down, transfer them to a blender along with 1 cup of water, then blend until the chili sauce is nice and smooth.

Step 2

Now, place a large pan over medium-high heat, add the ground beef, and cook until brown. Next, remove the excess fat, then add the onion and garlic. Mix and saute until fragrant. After this, add the diced green and red bell peppers and the potato. Mix until well combined. Season with 1 tsp cumin and 1 tbsp all-season spice, then add the chili sauce. Mix well, then turn down the heat to low. Cover the pan and let it simmer for 15 minutes.

Step 3

In a large mixing bowl, add 3 cups of corn flour, 1 cup of all-purpose flour, 1 tsp salt, 1 tsp baking powder, and 3 cups of warm water (add the water gradually while mixing). Now, heat some vegetable oil in a pot over medium-high heat. Take a good amount of masa, roll it into a ball, then press flatly using a tortilla presser. Carefully drop it into the oil and fry it for a few seconds. Once it bubbles up, press it down the middle using a spatula and hold this position until it holds the shape of a taco. Once the sides are nice and brown, remove it from the oil and place it on a paper towel-lined plate.

Step 4

Once you have your puffy taco shells, add a few good spoonfuls of the filling to each of the tacos, then add the toppings. Serve immediately. Enjoy!

Texas Puffy Tacos Recipe