Beef Tostadas Refried Beans (Print)
Crispy tostadas topped with savory beef, creamy beans, fresh vegetables, and tangy flavorful accents.
# What You Need:
→ Beef
01 - 1 pound ground beef
02 - 1 tablespoon olive oil
03 - 1 small onion, finely chopped
04 - 2 cloves garlic, minced
05 - 1 tablespoon chili powder
06 - 1 teaspoon ground cumin
07 - 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
08 - 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
09 - 1/2 teaspoon salt
10 - 1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
11 - 1/4 cup tomato sauce
→ Refried Beans
12 - 1 can (15 ounces) refried beans, vegetarian or traditional
13 - 2 tablespoons water, as needed
→ Tostadas & Toppings
14 - 8 tostada shells, gluten-free if desired
15 - 1 cup shredded lettuce
16 - 1 cup diced cherry tomatoes
17 - 1/2 cup thinly sliced red onion
18 - 1 cup shredded cheddar or Mexican blend cheese
19 - 1/2 cup sour cream
20 - 1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro
21 - 1 avocado, sliced
22 - Lime wedges, for serving
# How To Make It:
01 - Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the chopped onion and cook for 2 to 3 minutes until translucent. Stir in minced garlic and cook for 30 seconds until fragrant.
02 - Add ground beef to the skillet and break it apart with a spoon. Cook for 6 to 8 minutes until browned. Drain excess fat if necessary.
03 - Mix in chili powder, ground cumin, smoked paprika, dried oregano, salt, and black pepper. Cook for 1 minute to toast the spices and enhance flavor.
04 - Add tomato sauce to the beef mixture and reduce heat to low. Simmer for 3 to 4 minutes, stirring occasionally, until thickened. Remove from heat.
05 - In a separate saucepan, warm the refried beans over low heat. Slowly stir in water as needed to achieve a smooth, spreadable consistency. Keep warm until ready to assemble.
06 - Spread a layer of warm refried beans onto each tostada shell. Top with the seasoned beef, followed by shredded lettuce, diced tomatoes, sliced red onion, shredded cheese, avocado slices, and chopped cilantro.
07 - Drizzle sour cream over the assembled tostadas. Serve with lime wedges on the side for squeezing.
# Expert Advice:
01 -
- It's a hands-on meal where everyone builds their own plate, which somehow makes people happier.
- The whole thing comes together in under an hour, start to finish.
- Toppings are flexible—swap ingredients based on what's in your fridge and what you're craving.
02 -
- Don't assemble everything on a plate before people are ready to eat, or your tostadas will go soft—let everyone build their own right before eating.
- The beans should be warm but not boiling when you spread them, or they'll make the tostada shells soggy.
- A squeeze of lime over everything is non-negotiable—it's what makes the flavors snap into focus.
03 -
- Brown your beef in a dry skillet first before adding oil—it helps everything get more color and flavor.
- Don't skip the spice toasting step; it only takes a minute and completely changes the depth of flavor.
- Set out all your toppings before you start cooking so assembly is smooth and fast.