Crispy Cheese Carne Asada Tacos
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Published Nov 06, 2025
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If you love tacos and crispy melted cheese, you’re in for a treat. These Crispy Cheese Carne Asada Tacos are everything you crave in one bite — juicy seasoned beef, melted Oaxaca cheese cooked until golden and crunchy, and warm corn tortillas that hold it all together. Every bite has that irresistible combination of tender carne asada and crispy, cheesy edges that will have you making these on repeat. Best of all, they’re made right on your stovetop — no grill required — so you can enjoy them any time of year.
What are Crispy Cheese Carne Asada Tacos?
These tacos are made by cooking shredded cheese directly on a hot comal until it melts and turns golden brown. Then, a tortilla is pressed on top so the cheese adheres and crisps up beautifully. Once flipped, the tortilla has a perfectly crunchy cheese crust ready to be filled with flavorful diced beef or carne asada. Think of it like a queso-crusted taco that’s simple to make and totally addictive.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Cheesy and crispy: The Oaxaca cheese turns into a golden, crunchy layer that adds so much flavor.
- Quick and easy: Ready in about 20 minutes with minimal prep.
- Customizable: Works with beef taco meat, cubed carne asada, or even chicken or veggies.
- Restaurant quality at home: These tacos taste like something you’d find at a taquería.
- Great year-round: No grill needed — just your comal or skillet for that perfect sear and crispy cheese.
Ingredients & Substitutions
- Beef taco meat: Finely diced or use cubed carne asada.
- Seasonings: Salt, pepper, garlic powder, and onion powder for simple flavor or sprinkle beef with homemade taco seasoning.
- Oaxaca cheese: Melts beautifully and crisps up perfectly; substitute with Monterey Jack or mozzarella if needed.
- Corn tortillas: For the most authentic flavor, though flour tortillas also work.
The complete list of ingredients, quantities, and instructions can be found in the printable recipe card below.
How to Make Crispy Cheese Carne Asada Tacos
Step 1: Season the beef. Combine the diced beef with salt, pepper, garlic powder, and onion powder. Stir to coat evenly.
Step 2: Cook the beef. Heat a skillet over medium-high heat. Add the seasoned meat and cook until browned and cooked through, about 10 minutes.
Step 3: Melt and crisp the cheese. On a hot comal, sprinkle a small handful of shredded Oaxaca cheese in the shape of a tortilla. Let it melt and cook until golden and slightly crispy.
Step 4: Add the tortilla. Press a corn tortilla on top of the melted cheese. Once the cheese sticks, flip it so the tortilla is face-down and the cheese crisps up on the outside.
Step 5: Assemble and enjoy. Fill each crispy cheese tortilla with the cooked carne asada and your favorite toppings like salsa, cilantro, and onions.
Serving Suggestions
Serve these crispy cheese carne asada tacos with grilled cebollitas (Mexican green onions) and top with classic chunky guacamole and my favorite Chile de Árbol Salsa for the ultimate taco night combo. The mild sweetness of the cebollitas pairs beautifully with the spicy kick from the salsa.
Add a side of refried beans and wash it all down with an ice-cold chelada for the perfect finish.
Expert Tips & Tricks
- Use a non-stick comal or cast-iron pan to get the perfect cheesy crust.
- Don’t rush the cheese. Let it brown slightly before pressing on the tortilla so it becomes crispy, not gooey.
Storage & Reheating
For best results, store all components separately. Keep any leftover cooked beef in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. The cheese-crusted tortillas are best made fresh — once assembled, the tacos lose their crispness, so avoid storing them pre-made.
When ready to enjoy leftovers, reheat the beef and make fresh crispy cheese tortillas on the comal for that same cheesy, golden crunch.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes! Diced or cubed carne asada works perfectly for this recipe.
Oaxaca cheese gives the best melt and crisp, but Monterey Jack or mozzarella also work well.
Absolutely. The cheese crust sticks beautifully to flour tortillas too.
Fresh cilantro, diced onion, salsa, and a squeeze of lime keep things classic and flavorful.
More Taco Recipes
If you tried these Crispy Cheese Carne Asada Tacos or any other recipe on my blog, please leave a 🌟 star rating and let me know how it went in the comments below!
Summarize & Save This Content On
Crispy Cheese Carne Asada Tacos
Ingredients
- 1 1/2 pounds beef taco meat, finely diced (or cubed carne asada)
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/4 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 to 1½ cups shredded Oaxaca cheese, (or Monterey Jack or mozzarella)
- 8 corn tortillas
Instructions
- Sprinkle diced beef with salt, pepper, garlic powder, and onion powder. Stir until the meat is evenly coated with the seasonings.
- Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the seasoned beef and cook for about 10 minutes, turning occasionally, until browned and cooked through.
- Heat a comal or nonstick skillet over medium heat. Sprinkle about ¼ cup of shredded Oaxaca cheese directly onto the surface in the shape of a tortilla. Let the cheese melt and cook until golden and crispy around the edges.
- Place a tortilla on top of the melted cheese. Once the cheese adheres to the tortilla, gently flip it so the tortilla side is down and the cheese crisps up beautifully on the outside.
- Fill each cheesy tortilla with the cooked beef and your favorite toppings like guacamole, salsa, cilantro, and onions.
- Serve warm with grilled cebollitas, Chile de Árbol Salsa, and an ice-cold chelada for a truly irresistible meal.
Video
Notes
- Cheese options: Oaxaca cheese works best for that stretchy, melty texture, but Monterey Jack or mozzarella are great substitutes.
- Make it spicier: Add a pinch of chili powder or smoked paprika to the beef while cooking.
- Serving ideas: Pair with refried beans, guacamole, and your favorite salsa for a full meal.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Best of all these tacos are made right on your stovetop — no grill required — so you can enjoy them any time of year.