On a recent episode of The Drew Barrymore Show, actress Kate Hudson shared how to make her go-to ground beef taco recipe. And she's not the only one in her family that loves them; Kurt Russell is also a big fan. "These are the go-to tacos in our house. They’re my dad’s favorite. He actually had this dream to open a car wash, and my tacos would be the only thing that you could get there," Kate shared. With raves like that, I knew I needed to give the recipe a try for myself.
How to Make Kate Hudson's Taco Recipe
This taco recipe is incredibly easy and similar to Tacos Dorados. Here's a quick look at how to make it.
- Start by sautéing a whole onion in avocado or vegetable oil before adding 2 lbs. of ground beef. Cook until the ground beef is browned and add your favorite taco seasoning.
- Next, Kate recommends adding a "soaking amount" of vegetable or avocado oil to a pan and heating it until hot. We filled the pan until there was just over an inch or two of oil Add a tortilla to the oil and cook until it begins to bubble.
- Now here's the step that sets this taco recipe apart from the rest. Add a spoonful of the cooked meat mixture to the center of the tortilla in the oil and use tongs to fold it over.
- Continue to cook it in the oil until it browns. Remove from the pan and drain on a wire rack.
- To serve, open the tacos and stuff with your favorite garnishes. Kate includes toppings like fresh cilantro, pico de gallo, guacamole, cheese, lettuce, sour cream, and lime juice.
What Makes This Taco Recipe Special?
As Drew Barrymore put it best after tasting the finished tacos, "It’s the best texture." The flavor is very similar to other beef tacos I've had and made at home, but the crisp-yet-chewy texture sets this recipe apart from the rest. It's the perfect mashup of a soft and hard shell that keeps you coming back for bite after bite. And don't skimp on the toppings.
Tips for Making Homemade Tacos
Here are a few things to keep in mind when trying Kate's recipe for yourself.
- The oil-fried technique will work with either corn or flour tortillas. Simply choose your favorite.
- When trying this recipe, we drained the fat after browning the beef and before adding the taco seasoning. This helps keep the finished dish from being too greasy.
- Keep an eye on the tacos as they are frying. If you let them go too long, they become too rigid and are hard to open and fill with toppings. We pulled ours when they were golden brown with a few blisters on the outside.
- These tacos are best served warm, almost right from the pan. If you're cooking a lot, keep them warm in the oven as you fry in batches.
The Verdict on Kate Hudson's Tacos
I've already made this recipe at home for my family, and it was a huge hit. The simple step of frying the tortillas with the filling inside makes all the difference. If you're looking for a new recipe to try for a quick weeknight dinner or party with friends, I highly recommend these tacos.