How to Make Tacos de Papa (BEST Crispy Potato Tacos)

Tacos de papa, also known as potato tacos, are a popular Mexican dish made with crispy tortillas that are filled with mashed potatoes and topped with fresh garnishes and spicy salsa. These delicious and filling crispy tacos de papa dorados explode with flavor and are sure to become one of your new favorite meatless Mexican dishes.  

WHAT ARE TACOS DORADOS DE PAPA? 

Tacos de papas dorados are a popular vegetarian Mexican dish, especially during lent. Made by filling corn tortillas with flavorful mashed potatoes, and then frying them, they’re great topped with fresh garnishes and salsa. I learned this easy tacos de papa recipe from my aunt Stella, who often makes it on Friday’s during lent.

crispy potato tacos
tacos de papa

WHY I LOVE THIS RECIPE

  • Transform leftover mashed potatoes: If you have leftover mashed potatoes from Thanksgiving or any other meal, transform them into these tacos de papa!
  • Budget-friendly: Tacos de papa are often considered a “poor man’s food” due to their simple and inexpensive ingredients. The main ingredients are potatoes and corn tortillas!
  • Delicious vegetarian option: For those who prefer a meatless meal, tacos dorados de papa offer a tasty alternative full of Mexican flavor.
  • Versatile: Tacos can be customized to suit everyone’s taste buds, with a variety of toppings and salsas to choose from.
tacos de papa crispy potato tacos

INGREDIENTS YOU’LL NEED

For the tacos

  • Russet potatoes: Any potatoes work for this recipe, but when making mashed potatoes, I like the consistency of Russet.
  • Unsalted butter: If you use salted butter, be sure to reduce the salt in this recipe.
  • Milk and heavy cream: Milk and cream give these mashed potatoes the perfect texture.
  • Salt & pepper: I prefer to use Diamond Kosher Salt, so be sure to taste as you go and add a little at a time to avoid over-salting, especially if using a different type of salt. 
  • Corn tortillas: Either yellow or white corn tortillas work in this recipe.
ingredients for tacos de papa

Garnishes

  • Fresh garnishes: Shredded lettuce, tomatoes, and cheese (I use cheddar, but cotija cheese or queso fresco also work) add lovely flavor and texture to this recipe.
  • Salsa: A spicy salsa is also key, while Mexican crema our sour cream are optional garnishes.
garnishes for potato tacos

RECOMMENDED BY LOLA FOR THIS RECIPE

CAST-IRON SKILLET

best pan for frying totopos

STEP-BY-STEP INSTRUCTIONS

1. Prepare potatoes

  • Boil peeled potatoes in water until fork tender, drain, and then strain.
tacos de papa

2. Season and mash potatoes

  • This step can be done up to two days in advance and the mixture can be refrigerated until ready to assemble and fry tacos de papa.
  • Be sure to taste for salt! Mixture should be flavorful and slightly salty.
crispy potato tacos
mashed potatoes for potato tacos

3. Warm and fill tortillas

  • Warm corn tortillas, add potato filling, and fold in half before frying.
tacos de papa dorados

4. Fry tacos

  • Once oil is hot, fry until golden and crispy on both sides. This process should take about 2-3 minutes for each taco.
Mexican lent recipes

5. Drain

  • Once tacos are golden and crispy on both sides, remove from pan and drain excess oil on a paper towel-lined plate or platter. 
how to make mexican potato tacos

6. Serve and enjoy

  • Garnish with fresh toppings, serve, and enjoy.
garnishes for tacos
tacos de papas doradas

TIPS, TRICKS, AND VARIATIONS

  • If you don’t have Russet potatoes, use whatever potatoes you have on hand. Just keep in mind that cook times may vary by potato. Russet potatoes usually take longer to cook than other smaller varieties. 
  • If you don’t have heavy cream, just use additional milk and if you don’t have milk, use additional heavy cream. 
  • Sweet potatoes can also be used in place of Russet potatoes as they have similar texture and can be used in most potato recipes. Keep in mind that they have a much sweeter flavor.
  • Substitute lettuce with arugula, cilantro, shredded cabbage, or other fresh greens. My uncle also liked chopped onions on his tacos.
  • Add spice to your potatoes by blending a chopped chipotle pepper in adobo sauce or roasted poblano pepper with milk before adding it to potatoes. Alternatively, add a couple teaspoons of garlic powder for an additional layer of flavor.
  • Warm tortillas on a comal or in a clean kitchen towel in the microwave before frying to prevent them from breaking.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Are tacos de papa vegetarian?

Yes, crispy potato tacos are typically vegetarian, as they are made with mashed potatoes as the filling.

What toppings are typically served with tacos de papa?

Tacos de papa can be served with a variety of toppings, such as salsa, guacamole, Mexican crema, sour cream, cheese, lettuce, and tomato.

Are tacos de papa gluten-free?

Yes, the filling for tacos de papa is typically gluten-free and so are corn tortillas.

Can I freeze tacos de papa?

I don’t recommend freezing tacos de papa, as the texture of the mashed potatoes may become watery after thawing.

WHAT PAIRS WELL WITH TACOS DE PAPA?

Tacos always pair well with my favorite beans, rice, salsa, and refreshing Mexican drinks. Here are a few other ideas: 

LOOKING FOR MORE INSPIRATION?

How to Make Tacos de Papa (BEST Potato Tacos Recipe)

TACOS DE PAPA (BEST POTATO TACOS RECIPE)

by Lola Dweck
Tacos de papa, also known as potato tacos, are made with crispy tortillas that are filled with mashed potatoes and topped with fresh garnishes.
5 from 6 votes
Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 25 minutes
Fry Time 15 minutes
Course Main Course
Cuisine Mexican
Servings 16 tacos

Ingredients
  

INGREDIENTS

  • 4 Russet potatoes a little under 2 pounds, peeled and rinsed
  • 1 quart water or enough to cover potatoes
  • 4 tablespoons butter unsalted
  • ½ cup heavy cream
  • ½ cup milk
  • 1 tablespoon Diamond Crystal Kosher Salt plus more, or to taste
  • 1 teaspoon black pepper or to taste
  • ½ cup oil more if necessary; I prefer safflower oil for frying
  • 16 corn tortillas

INGREDIENTS FOR GARNISHES

Instructions
 

  • Prepare potatoes. Bring water to a boil over medium-high heat. Add potatoes and cook for 15-25 minutes or until soft enough to pierce all the way through with a fork. Do not overcook. Potatoes shouldn't fall apart when pierced.
    Strain out water.
  • Season and mash potatoes. Over low heat, mash and mix potatoes with butter, milk, cream, salt, and pepper. Set aside. Taste for salt and adjust if necessary. Mixture should be flavorful and slightly salty.
    PROT TIP: It may look like you’ve added too much liquid to your potatoes at first, but keep mashing and the heavy cream, milk, and butter will be absorbed into the potatoes.
  • Fry tacos. Next, prepare a frying pan with oil over medium-high heat. In the meantime, warm tortillas 4 at a time, over a comal (flat griddle) or wrap them in a clean dish towel, and heat in the microwave for approximately 30-45 seconds or until they become soft and malleable.
    Working in batches, add potato mixture to tortillas, fold in half, and carefully place tacos into the hot oil in the frying pan. Oil should be very hot and tortilla should sizzle when it touches the oil. You may need to hold the top side of the taco down with tongs for a a few seconds so that it does not unfold. In about 1 to 2 minutes, check underside of taco. If golden brown, turn and fry the other side until golden brown.
    Drain excess oil. Once the taco is cooked well on both sides, remove from heat and place on a plate with a paper towel to drain. Continue process until all tacos have been fried.
  • Serve and enjoy. Garnish with lettuce or other leafy greens, tomato, and your favorite salsa or hot sauce.
    PRO TIP: Only garnish tacos that will be eaten immediately so that leftovers can be stored and reheated (see full recipe card below for reheating instructions). 

A Note from Lola

TIPS AND TRICK

  • Prevent potatoes from turning brown by soaking them in cold water immediately after peeling them. Keep them in water until ready to use.  
  • To save time, potato mixture can be prepared a day (up to two days) in advance. Reheat them before frying to make potatoes easier to work with.
  • To reheat tacos, reheat in oven or air fryer for 10-15 minutes at 300 degrees.
  • Variations – This same recipe can be used for potato taquitos; just roll and fry, then enjoy with fresh garnishes and salsa!

Nutrition

Serving: 2g
LOVE THIS RECIPE?Leave a comment below or tag me on social media @lolascoina

Lola’s Cocina is a small business that earns various revenue streams. This includes sponsored posts and affiliate commissions from linked products, which I use and love, at no extra cost to readers. This income helps sustains the site. 

Recipe originally published: June 8, 2014 // Photography + Styling: Cacey McReavy // Process shots by Lola


Lola Wiarco Dweck

Lola is a Mexican-American recipe developer, writer, and cooking instructor who loves sharing her culture with the world. Growing up in California and spending summers in Mexico, Lola celebrates her family’s Mexican recipes and vibrant culture through Lola’s Cocina.

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18 Comments

  1. My friend Antonia Woo (Her married name) who migrated from a little town outside of Guadalajara, uses finely shredded cabbage on her meat tacos, and they are delicious! Cabbage might work just as well with the tacos de papa. Since I will be in Boston this coming Friday, I will have to wait to make them until I come back. It’s the perfect Lenten meal since we abstain from meats on Friday during lent. I love your blog!

  2. 5 stars
    Made these for a GF and vegan friend opting out of the butter and cream and they were so jazzed. She loved the crispy corn tortilla and crunchy lettuce.

  3. 5 stars
    Tacos de papa are always a lifesaver when I don’t know what else to make for dinner and everyone in my family loves them!

  4. 5 stars
    Perfection all wrapped up into a taco. Love that these are made with corn tortillas and not those pre-made shells from the store!