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Homemade Chalupa Recipe

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★★★★★

4.5 from 713 reviews

This Homemade Chalupa Recipe creates crispy, golden-fried chalupa shells filled with seasoned ground beef, sharp cheddar cheese, fresh lettuce, diced tomatoes, and topped with sour cream and taco sauce. The dough is simple to prepare and fried to perfection in a skillet for authentic Tex-Mex flavor, making it a perfect meal for taco night or any casual gathering.

Ingredients

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Chalupa Dough

  • 2 ¼ cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 tablespoon baking powder
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • 1 ounce shortening
  • 1 cup milk
  • Canola oil, for frying

Filling

  • 1 pound ground beef, cooked and seasoned with taco seasoning
  • Sharp cheddar cheese, shredded (to taste)
  • Lettuce, shredded (to taste)
  • Diced tomatoes (to taste)
  • Sour cream (to taste)
  • Taco sauce (optional, to taste)

Instructions

  1. Heat the oil: Pour enough canola oil into a heavy-duty shallow skillet, such as a cast-iron skillet, to allow frying. Heat the oil over medium heat until hot but not smoking, about 350°F (175°C).
  2. Prepare the dough: In a large mixing bowl, combine the all-purpose flour, baking powder, salt, and shortening. Use a fork to mix until the shortening is evenly distributed. Slowly pour in the milk and stir with a wooden spoon until a dough ball forms.
  3. Roll out the dough: Flour a clean surface and turn the dough onto it. Roll the dough into a smooth loaf about 8 inches long. Divide the dough in half, then cut each half into fourths, resulting in 8 pieces. Roll each piece into a ball, then roll each ball out into a 4-5 inch diameter circle.
  4. Fry the chalupa shells: Using tongs, carefully place half of a dough circle into the hot oil, allowing it to begin frying. Then, add the other half of the dough circle, flipping as needed so both halves fry together, which creates a slight dip for the chalupa filling. Fry each side for about 2 minutes or until golden brown and crispy. Remove the fried shells and place them on a cooling rack lined with paper towels to drain excess oil.
  5. Assemble the chalupas: Fill each fried chalupa shell with cooked, seasoned ground beef, shredded sharp cheddar cheese, shredded lettuce, diced tomatoes, and a dollop of sour cream. Drizzle with taco sauce if desired. Serve immediately for the best texture and flavor.

Notes

  • Use a cast-iron or heavy-duty skillet for even frying and temperature control.
  • Make sure the oil is hot enough before frying to get crispy chalupa shells without absorbing too much oil.
  • You can substitute shortening with lard or butter if preferred for a richer flavor.
  • Season the ground beef with your favorite taco seasoning for enhanced taste.
  • Customize toppings as desired, including adding jalapeños, onions, or guacamole.
  • For a lighter version, reduce the oil amount and fry at a slightly lower temperature, making sure to keep stirring to avoid sogginess.

Keywords: chalupa recipe, homemade chalupa, fried chalupa, Mexican fried bread, ground beef chalupa, Tex-Mex recipe, easy chalupa, skillet chalupa

Find it online: https://ricoloranz.com/homemade-chalupa-recipe/