Easy Ground Beef Tostadas

We love creating fun and social dinners that the whole family will enjoy. Like our chicken kofta recipe, kids love eating skewers, wraps or (as with this recipe) crispy shells! Plus, they can assemble their own and add whatever flavours they prefer, making it a win-win for everyone!

Why You’ll Love This Beef Tostadas Recipe

• Quick & easy family dinner: Ready in just 30 minutes, making it perfect for busy weeknights.
• Meal prep - The perfect dinner for meal prep the mince can be prepared ahead of time and stored in the fridge until ready to assemble! See our meal prep, storage and reheating section below.
• Great for Sharing: Serve these ground beef tostadas as a fun family dinner or an easy party appetizer. Arrange the tostadas on a large platter, top them with the cabbage slaw and mince, and let everyone add their favorite toppings. It’s a casual, hands-on meal that will have everyone coming back for seconds.
• Healthy & Balanced: Packed with protein, fiber, and fresh veggies for a well-rounded dinner.

What Are Tostadas

Tostadas are a popular Mexican dish consisting of crispy, flat corn tortillas topped with a variety of flavorful ingredients. Think of them as open-faced tacos with a crunch! They’re incredibly versatile—you can top them with meats, beans, seafood, or vegetables, making them perfect for a range of preferences.

Our recipe features seasoned ground beef, a tangy cabbage slaw, and fresh garnishes to bring everything together.

Ingredients & substitutions

To make these easy beef tostadas you will need:

For the beef tostadas:

• 500g ground beef mince - we prefer to use prime lean beef mince.
• 10 Crisp tostadas shells - pre-made store bought ones save time, we use the Tío Pablo brand.
• 50ml cooking oil – use your go-to non flavoured cooking oil.
• 1 medium onion, finely diced
• 4 cloves of garlic, finely chopped
• 1 teaspoon ground cumin 
• 1 teaspoon ground coriander 
• 1 teaspoon smoked paprika 
• 1 teaspoon dried oregano 
• 1 teaspoon mild chili powder - adjust to taste
• 1 tablespoon smoked chipotle peppers - we love the smoky spice flavour of these peppers, adjust to your preference.
• ½ punnet cherry tomatoes, cut in half – Substitute with any fresh tomatoes that are available to you.
• 1 cup water
• Salt and pepper - season to taste

Toppings:

• ½ red cabbage, thinly sliced – sub with white cabbage depending on availability
• ½ lemon, juice only
• 1 avocado, sliced.
• Sour cream – Add as much as you desire!

Optional garnishes:

• Fresh coriander leaves - washed, picked.
• Red chili, sliced – For a little extra heat.
• Spring onions, sliced 

See the recipe card below for quantities.

Instructions

Step 1: Cook the Beef Filling

• Heat a large pan over medium-high heat.
• Add oil, followed by the diced onion and chopped garlic. Sauté for 2 minutes until softened.
• Stir in all the dry spices (cumin, coriander, paprika, oregano, chilli powder) and cook for another minute to release their flavours.

• Add the ground beef mince, breaking it apart with a spatula. Cook for 8-10 minutes until browned.
• Once browned, stir in the cherry tomatoes, smoked chipotle peppers, and water.
• Bring to a simmer and let it cook for 15 minutes until the flavors meld together.
• Season with salt and pepper to taste.

Step 2: Prepare the Cabbage Slaw

• In a bowl, add the thinly sliced red cabbage.
• Then squeeze over the lemon juice, season with a pinch of salt, and toss in some chopped coriander.
• Mix well and set aside until required.

Step 3: Assemble the Tostadas

• Lay the tostadas out on a large serving platter.
• Add a small handful of the cabbage slaw to each tostada then spoon over some of the ground beef mix.
• Top with sliced avocado, sour cream, red chili, spring onion, and fresh coriander.
• Serve immediately and enjoy!

Variations

• Protein Options: Swap ground beef for chicken, turkey, seafood or plant-based mince for a vegetarian option. Try our clam and avocado tostadas recipe.
• Toppings: Add shredded cheese, hot sauce, guacamole, or salsa for extra flavor.
• Spice Level: Adjust the chilli and spice level to make it as mild or spicy as you like.

Serving suggestions

These tostadas are satisfying on their own, but you can pair them with:

• Refried beans -  A creamy, classic side dish.
• Mexican rice - Perfect for soaking up extra juices.
• Salad - for a light option serve with a simple fresh green salad
• Drink pairing - A crisp margarita or agua fresca would both work perfectly with this Mexican dish.

Tips from the chef

• Prep ahead: The venison mince can be cooked ahead of time and reheated when ready to serve, making this recipe great for meal prep or entertaining.
• Custom toppings: Feel free to get creative! Add black beans, cheese, a squeeze of lime, or your favourite salsa to make the tostadas your own.
• Choose quality tostadas: A good-quality tostada shell makes all the difference. We love using Tío Pablo tostadas for their authentic flavour and perfect crunch.
• Don’t skip the slaw: The lemony cabbage slaw adds a fresh contrast to the rich beef.

Storage, reheating & meal Prep

• Meal prep

Beef tostadas are best eaten fresh, but you can prep ahead to save time:

• Cook the beef filling up to 3 days ahead and store it in an airtight container in the fridge.
• Make the cabbage slaw in advance and store in the fridge till required.
• Assemble just before serving to keep the tostadas crisp.

• Storing leftovers

Store leftovers separately in sealed containers in the fridge.  Mince leftovers (that have not previously been reheated) can be stored in the fridge in an air tight container for up to 3 days.  

• To reheat 

You can use a microwave or stovetop to reheat the mince and heat until piping hot.  Add a little water, if needed, to prevent the beef from drying out while reheating.

These easy ground beef tostadas are a guaranteed crowd-pleaser and so easy to whip up! Whether you're looking for a quick weeknight family dinner or something fun for taco night, these tasty tostadas bring bold flavours, a satisfying crunch, and fresh toppings with every bite.

So, grab your tostadas and dig in—dinner is served!