Beef Tostadas Refried Beans (Print Version)

Crispy corn tostadas layered with seasoned ground beef, refried beans, fresh toppings, and a sprinkle of cheese.

# What You Need:

→ Proteins

01 - 14 oz ground beef (85% lean)

→ Beans

02 - 14 oz can refried beans (vegetarian or traditional)

→ Tostada Base

03 - 8 corn tostada shells

→ Vegetables & Toppings

04 - 1 cup shredded lettuce
05 - 1 medium tomato, diced
06 - 1 small red onion, finely chopped
07 - 1 avocado, sliced or diced
08 - 1 jalapeño, thinly sliced (optional)

→ Cheese & Sauces

09 - 1 cup shredded cheddar or Mexican blend cheese
10 - 1/2 cup sour cream
11 - Salsa or hot sauce, to taste

→ Spices

12 - 1 tbsp olive oil
13 - 2 cloves garlic, minced
14 - 1 tsp ground cumin
15 - 1 tsp chili powder
16 - 1/2 tsp smoked paprika
17 - 1/2 tsp salt
18 - 1/4 tsp freshly ground black pepper

→ Garnishes

19 - Fresh cilantro, chopped
20 - Lime wedges

# How-To Steps:

01 - Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the ground beef and cook, breaking it up with a spoon, until browned (about 5–7 minutes). Drain excess fat if needed.
02 - Add garlic, cumin, chili powder, smoked paprika, salt, and black pepper to the beef. Stir and cook for another 2 minutes until fragrant. Remove from heat and set aside.
03 - In a small saucepan, warm the refried beans over low heat, stirring occasionally until smooth and heated through.
04 - Preheat the oven to 350°F. Place tostada shells on a baking sheet and heat for 3–5 minutes, just until crisp and warm.
05 - Spread a generous spoonful of refried beans onto each tostada shell. Top with seasoned ground beef, lettuce, tomato, onion, avocado, jalapeño (if using), and shredded cheese.
06 - Drizzle with sour cream and salsa or hot sauce. Sprinkle with fresh cilantro. Serve immediately with lime wedges on the side.

# Expert Tips:

01 -
  • The contrast between warm beans, seasoned beef, and cool fresh toppings creates that perfect textural symphony
  • Everything comes together in under 45 minutes but tastes like you spent all day cooking
  • You can customize every single layer based on what your fridge holds
02 -
  • Drain excess fat from the beef before adding spices, or the tostadas will become soggy within minutes
  • The beans need to be warm and spreadable, not cold and stiff, or they'll slide right off the shells
  • Add fresh toppings like lettuce and avocado just before serving, or they'll wilt and lose their crunch
03 -
  • Warm your tortillas in the oven rather than the microwave for that restaurant-style crispness
  • Season your beef generously, the spices need to carry through all those fresh toppings

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