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You are here: Home » Recipes » Vegetarian

Tacos Dorados de Papa

Published: Feb 1, 2016 · Updated: Aug 14, 2019 by Mely Martínez

JUMP TO RECIPE

Tacos de papa (crispy potato tacos), also known in Spanish as “Taquitos Dorados de Papa”, are among the most popular vegetarian dishes that young and old love. You don’t need many ingredients to make them; they can even be prepared ahead of time. They’re usually eaten for dinner and are a very popular meal during the lent time when some families restrain from eating meat.

Tacos de papa on a serving platter topped with shredded cabbage and tomatoes.

Crispy Potato Tacos with Pico de Gallo Salsa - Tacos Dorados de Papa

This easy potato taco recipe brings back fond memories of my mom and grandma making “taquitos de papa,” either folded or rolled tortillas filled with the creaminess of the potatoes. I couldn’t wait for the tacos to cool down just a little to take the first bite. On top of being delicious, they are quick and very affordable. 

In addition to being the best crispy tacos in Mexico, they are very popular around Lent season. Right after Mardi grass and Ash Wednesday has passed. During the following Fridays and until Easter Sunday, people eat fish, seafood, legumes, and vegetable dishes. Cooks get creative preparing meatless dishes, and these crispy potato tacos (as well as potato patties) are some of the many dishes we enjoy in the lent season.

Frequently Asked Questions about Crispy Tacos Dorados.

Before I share my recipe, here are a few questions I would like to answer about tacos de papa.

What are potato tacos?

Also known are “Tacos dorados de papa” which are crispy tacos that are rolled or folded corn tortillas filled with mashed potatoes. Traditionally the filling is just mashed and seasoned potatoes, but nowadays, you find recipes with cheese, sour cream, and other ingredients. 

After the tortillas are filled and folded or rolled, the tacos are fried and topped with shredded cabbage, salsa, queso fresco, and other trimmings. 

Where do tacos de papa come from?

Sometimes the best meals are created with inexpensive and easily accessible ingredients like potato tacos. This dish originated in Mexico and is among the most popular taco all over the country. These crispy tacos de papa are found in humble kitchens where potatoes are more affordable than other proteins. They also can be found at taquerias, restaurants, and fancy vegan restaurants. 

On top of being famous and delicious, potatoes provide a lot of nutrients like potassium, vitamin C, vitamin B6, and iron.

Can I make this recipe in advance? What about leftovers?

Yes, you can easily make this tacos de papa recipe ahead of time. You have a few options; you can cook the mashed potatoes and save them for another time. The second option is to fold, fill, and store them in your refrigerator to fry later. Lastly, if you fry them and store them for another day.  Let them cool off on a rack with a paper towel under them. Then, store them in an airtight container and place them in your refrigerator for up to 3 to 4 days.  

To reheat your tacos de papa, place them in your oven at 350 degrees for about 10 minutes or until hot. If you are in a hurry and decide to use your microwave for about 2 minutes. 

Two tacos de papa on a taco holder.

How to make Tacos Dorados de Papa

Ingredients for Tacos de papa:

JUMP TO FULL INSTRUCTIONS

  • Medium size red potatoes (or any kind of potatoes)
  • Salt and pepper to taste
  • Vegetable oil, more if needed to fry the tacos
  • Corn tortillas

For de salsa:

  • White onion diced
  • Tomato chopped and seeded
  • Cilantro finely chopped
  • Serrano peppers diced
  • Lime juice
  • Salt to taste

Garnishes for tacos de papa:

  • Cabbage finely shredded
  • Cotija cheese or crumbled Queso Fresco**

Optional toppings:

  • Avocado optional
  • Mexican cream
  • Red salsa
Ingredients like corn tortillas, salsa  and tomatoes display on a table.

DIRECTIONS:

Making the Potato Filling

  • Place whole potatoes in a large pot and cover with cold water. 

Note: DO NOT peel or cut the potatoes. We don’t want the potatoes to absorb too much water because then that water will be released in the form of bubbles during the frying process of the potato tacos, and the oil will splatter. 

  • Turn heat to medium-high and boil them until fork tender. Drain potatoes and move to a bowl. Wait until they’re cool enough to handle and discard their skins.  (Please check the ingredients list below)
Cooked potatoes in a bowl
  • Season potatoes with salt and pepper, and mash until you have a smooth paste. It won’t look exactly like a puree but more like a potato paste. Set aside.
  • Heat about ½ cup of oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Adding the rest of the oil as needed.
  • While waiting for the oil to heat, slightly warm the tortillas one by one on a hot griddle to make them more pliable. Cover them with a kitchen napkin.
Smashed potatoes in a bowl.

Crispy Potato Tacos | Tacos de Papa

  • Now, add 2 tablespoons of the mashed potatoes over half of each tortilla and fold. Secure the sides of the tortilla with two toothpicks. Sometimes, I don’t use the toothpicks, but that requires some skill of firmly pressing down the edges while frying; if this is your first time making them, and to be on the safe side, use the toothpicks.
Folded corn tortillas and secured with toothpicks
  • Place the folded taco into the frying pan with hot oil, and cook for about one and a half minutes per side until golden brown and crispy. Since you will work in batches, have a large plate ready and covered with paper towels to absorb the excess oil. Repeat the process until you finish cooking all the tacos.
Fry-folded taco de papa on a tray

Salsa for Potato Tacos:

  • Mix the salsa ingredients in a medium-sized bowl and season with salt. Set aside. You can have all the ingredients ready a day in advance and combine them before serving.

To serve your potato tacos, remove the toothpicks and garnish them with shredded cabbage (or lettuce), cotija cheese, and Pico de Gallo salsa. Avocado and cream are also great as toppings.

Two crispy tacos on a holder.

Provecho

Mely,

More Mexican Recipes To Enjoy

If you enjoyed this recipe for Potato Tacos, take a look at some of these other authentic Mexican recipes:

Huitlacoche Tacos  
How to Make Tacos al Pastor at Home
Shredded beef for tacos

For more recipes, follow Us on Facebook, Instagram, and Pinterest. in español Visit Us at Mexico en mi cocina 

📖 Recipe

Two crispy taquitos on a taco holder.

Crispy Potato Tacos | Tacos de papa

Mely Martínez
Crispy potato tacos, known in Spanish as “Taquitos Dorados de Papa”, is one of the most popular dishes that are loved by young and old.
4.89 from 27 votes
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 20 mins
Cook Time 40 mins
Total Time 1 hr
Course Main Course, Tacos
Cuisine Mexican
Servings 6
Calories 305 kcal

Ingredients
  

  • 3 Medium size red potatoes About 18 oz.*
  • Salt and pepper to taste
  • ¼ cup Vegetable oil, more if needed to fry the tacos
  • 12 Corn tortillas

TOOLS:

    FOR THE SALSA:

    • ½ cup white onion diced
    • 1 cup tomato chopped and seeded
    • ½ cup cilantro finely chopped
    • 2 Serrano peppers diced
    • 1 tablespoon lime juice
    • Salt to taste

    GARNISHES:

    • 2 cups Cabbage finely shredded
    • ⅓ cup Cotija cheese or crumbled Queso Fresco**
    • Optional toppings:
    • · 1 Avocado optional
    • · ½ cup of Mexican cream
    • · Red salsa

    CHECK THE RECIPE VIDEO

      Instructions
       

      Making the Potato Filling

      • Place whole potatoes in a large pot and cover with cold water. 
      • Note: DO NOT peel or cut the potatoes. We don’t want the potatoes to absorb too much water because then that water will be released in the form of bubbles during the frying process of the potato tacos, and the oil will splatter. 
      • Turn heat to medium-high and boil them until fork tender. Drain potatoes and move to a bowl. Wait until they’re cool enough to handle and discard their skins.  
      • Season potatoes with salt and pepper, and mash until you have a smooth paste. It won’t look exactly like a puree but more like a potato paste. Set aside.
      • Heat about ½ cup of oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Adding the rest of the oil as needed.
      • While waiting for the oil to heat, slightly warm the tortillas one by one on a hot griddle to make them more pliable. Cover them with a kitchen napkin.

      Crispy Potato Tacos

      • Now, add 2 tablespoons of the mashed potatoes over half of each tortilla and fold. Secure the sides of the tortilla with two toothpicks. Sometimes, I don’t use the toothpicks, but that requires some skill of firmly pressing down the edges while frying; if this is your first time making them, and to be on the safe side, use the toothpicks.
      • Place the folded taco into the frying pan with hot oil, and cook for about one and a half minutes per side until golden brown and crispy. Since you will work in batches, have a large plate ready and covered with paper towels to absorb the excess oil. Repeat the process until you finish cooking all the tacos.

      To make the salsa for your potato tacos

      • Mix the salsa ingredients in a medium-sized bowl and season with salt. Set aside. You can have all the ingredients ready a day in advance and combine them before serving.
      • To serve your potato tacos, remove the toothpicks and garnish them with shredded cabbage (or lettuce), cotija cheese, and Pico de Gallo salsa. Avocado and cream are also added as toppings.
      • Provecho

      Video

      Notes

      · You can use any other type of potato for this recipe, like Russet potatoes, 
      · If you don’t find Mexican Cotija cheese or Queso Fresco, substitute with parmesan or dried feta cheese.
      · Mexican crema(sour cream) and fresh avocado slices are other great toppings for this tacos dorados.
      ·  This recipe usually doesn’t have any other seasoning added to the potatoes; just a little bit of salt and pepper is enough to enjoy the full flavors of the potatoes.
       
       
       

      Nutrition

      Serving: 2TacosCalories: 305kcalCarbohydrates: 44gProtein: 6gFat: 12gSaturated Fat: 8gCholesterol: 7mgSodium: 142mgPotassium: 712mgFiber: 6gSugar: 4gVitamin A: 375IUVitamin C: 24.1mgCalcium: 109mgIron: 1.7mg
      Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!

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      1. Barbara

        October 03, 2022 at 11:39 am

        5 stars
        A long time ago, my husband and I lived in Guadalajara for 3 years,and have fond memories of eating these tacos in a local "garage", cooked by the people whose garage it was. Que delicioso!

        Reply
      2. Mom24

        July 29, 2020 at 9:14 am

        Making these tomorrow and I have a question. In your recipe you say to close tacos while you fry them with toothpicks, which results in a pretty tightly closed shell that would be difficult to stuff toppings into. Yet your pictures show a wide open taco shell. Can you stuff these and then fry them open? How would you do that? Thank you!

        Reply
        • Mely Martínez

          July 29, 2020 at 10:57 am

          Hello Mom24,
          You can skip the toothpicks if you want.

          Reply
      3. Ingebjørg Monstad

        July 07, 2020 at 1:35 am

        5 stars
        Some of the best tacos I have ever eaten.

        Reply
      « Older Comments

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      About me

      Hi, I'm Mely Martinez, a former Mexican school teacher, home cook, and food blogger. I moved to the United States about ten years ago, after living in Mexico my whole life. Now I love to share home-style recipes for authentic Mexican food.
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