Description
Make authentic homemade Mexican Chalupas with this easy recipe! Featuring a crispy-yet-soft chalupa shell, these are perfect for filling with ground beef, shredded chicken, cheese, lettuce, tomatoes, and sour cream. Whether for Taco Tuesday or a fun family dinner, these chalupas are simple, delicious, and made with everyday ingredients.
Ingredients
Scale
For the Chalupa Shells:
- 2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 tbsp baking powder
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1 oz shortening
- 1 cup milk
- Canola oil, for frying
For the Toppings:
- 1 lb ground beef, cooked (or shredded chicken)
- 1 cup sharp cheddar cheese, shredded
- 1 lettuce, chopped
- 1 tomato, diced
- 1 sour cream
- Taco sauce, for drizzling
Instructions
1. Make the Chalupa Dough:
- In a large bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, and salt.
- Cut in the shortening until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs.
- Gradually add milk, stirring until a soft dough forms.
- Knead on a lightly floured surface for 2-3 minutes, until smooth.
- Divide into 8 equal pieces and roll each into a small oval (6-inch diameter).
2. Fry the Chalupa Shells:
- Heat canola oil in a deep skillet over medium-high heat.
- Fry each dough oval for 1-2 minutes per side, flipping when golden brown.
- While frying, use tongs to gently fold the shell slightly in half to create the signature chalupa shape.
- Drain on a paper towel-lined plate.
3. Assemble the Chalupas:
- Fill each chalupa shell with cooked ground beef or shredded chicken.
- Top with cheddar cheese, lettuce, diced tomatoes, sour cream, and taco sauce.
- Serve immediately and enjoy!
Notes
- For a crispier shell, let the dough rest for 15 minutes before rolling.
- Swap ground beef for shredded chicken, pork, or beans for variety.
- Make it spicy by adding jalapeños or hot sauce to your toppings.
