How to Make Homemade Soft Shell Tacos in Simple Steps
There’s nothing quite like sinking your teeth into a warm, freshly made soft shell taco. Soft shell tacos are easy to make, customizable, and perfect for a fun family dinner or casual gathering with friends. The best part? You can make them from scratch right at home! In this guide, I’ll walk you through how to create soft shell tacos, step by step, using simple, easy-to-follow instructions.
Let’s get started!
What You’ll Need: Ingredients
Soft shell tacos are made up of two main components: the taco shells and the fillings. Here’s what you’ll need:
For the Taco Shells:
- 2 cups of all-purpose flour (or masa harina for a traditional corn tortilla)
- ½ teaspoon of salt
- ¾ cup of warm water
- 3 tablespoons of vegetable oil or melted butter
For the Taco Fillings:
You can add whatever you love to your tacos! Here’s a classic setup:
– 1 pound of ground beef, chicken, or plant-based alternative
– 1 packet of taco seasoning (store-bought or homemade)
– Shredded lettuce
– Diced tomatoes
– Shredded cheese (cheddar or Mexican blend works great)
– Sour cream
– Salsa or hot sauce
– Avocado or guacamole
Feel free to customize your fillings with beans, corn, peppers, onions, or anything else you enjoy.
Step 1: Make the Soft Shells (Tortillas)
Soft taco shells are the base of this delicious meal. Don’t worry—making them is easier than it seems!
-
Mix the Dough
In a large bowl, combine the flour and salt. Gradually add the warm water and oil while mixing with a spoon or your hands until a dough forms. It should feel smooth and not too sticky. If it’s too dry, add a little more water; if it’s too sticky, sprinkle in a bit more flour. -
Roll the Dough into Balls
Divide the dough into 8 equal pieces and roll each one into a ball. Cover the balls with a clean towel and let them rest for 15-20 minutes. This allows the gluten in the dough to relax, making the shells easier to roll out. -
Flatten the Dough
Take one dough ball and roll it out on a lightly floured surface until it’s thin and round, about 6-8 inches wide. Don’t worry if it’s not a perfect circle—it’ll still taste amazing! -
Cook the Tortillas
Heat a dry skillet or frying pan over medium heat. Place one rolled-out tortilla onto the hot pan and cook for 30-45 seconds, or until bubbles start to form and the underside has golden-brown spots. Flip and cook for another 30-45 seconds. Repeat with the remaining dough balls.
And that’s it! Your soft shell taco shells are ready to go. Stack them and keep them covered with a clean towel to stay warm.
Step 2: Prepare the Taco Meat
The filling is where all the flavor happens! For this recipe, we’ll use ground beef as an example, but you can substitute it with chicken, turkey, or vegetarian options like black beans, tofu, or lentils.
-
Cook the Meat
Heat a skillet over medium-high heat and add the ground beef. Break it apart with a wooden spoon as it cooks. Cook until browned and no longer pink; this usually takes about 5-7 minutes. Drain any excess grease. -
Add Taco Seasoning
Stir in the taco seasoning and about ¼ cup of water. (Follow the instructions on the seasoning packet if it’s store-bought.) Let the mixture simmer for 3-5 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the flavors meld together. Taste and adjust seasoning if necessary.
If you’re making vegetarian tacos, simmer beans (like black beans or pinto beans) with taco seasoning for added flavor.
Step 3: Prep Your Toppings
While your taco meat is cooking, prep the toppings. Wash and shred the lettuce, dice the tomatoes, shred the cheese, and scoop out some sour cream and salsa. If you’re making guacamole, mash up an avocado and mix it with lime juice, salt, and a little garlic powder for extra flavor.
Step 4: Assemble Your Tacos
Now comes the fun part—putting it all together!
- Grab a soft shell tortilla and lay it flat on your plate.
- Add a spoonful of the cooked meat as your base.
- Pile on the toppings. Start with lettuce and tomato, then add cheese, sour cream, and guacamole. Finish it off with a drizzle of salsa or hot sauce.
- Fold the tortilla in half to create your taco—or roll it up if you prefer it burrito-style.
Step 5: Enjoy!
That’s it! Your homemade soft shell tacos are ready to eat. Serve them warm and pair with a side of tortilla chips, rice, or beans for a complete meal. These tacos are super versatile, so mix and match ingredients to suit your taste.
Tips for Success
- Make-ahead hack: You can make the taco shells ahead of time and store them in an airtight container. Just reheat them in a skillet before serving.
- Extra flavor: Add fresh cilantro, lime wedges, or pickled onions as toppings for a little gourmet flair.
- Leftovers: Store leftover meat and shells separately in the fridge. They’ll taste just as good the next day!
Making soft shell tacos at home is simple, fun, and delicious. Once you try it, you’ll realize it’s just as easy (and tastier!) than ordering takeout. Gather your family or friends and dive into this flavorful, customizable meal. Happy taco-making! 🌮
