Tostadas
Corn tortillas, refried pinto beans and ground beef come together in this Mexican beef — 65 minutes, 6 steps, and the kind of result worth repeating. You'll find the full ingredient list (with a scaler to change the servings), 6 steps of method, substitutions, and ideas for what to serve alongside.
You'll mainly reach for frying pan / skillet and saucepan. At medium difficulty across 6 steps, it's manageable with a little attention.
What you'll need
Shopping list (7)
Pantry staples (you likely have these)
Diet: contains meat, based on every ingredient listed below.
Contains: Dairy
Allergen labels are informational and may not cover cross-contact; verify every package and consult a qualified professional for medical dietary needs. Diet labels are derived from the ingredient list on this page — how we verify diet and allergen labels.
Food-safety and allergen information is general, not medical advice. Follow current guidance from your local food-safety authority, verify product labels, and seek qualified advice for allergies or health conditions.
How to make it
- Heat the oil in a wide skillet over medium-high and fry each tortilla flat for 30 to 60 seconds per side until rigid and golden, then drain on paper towels and lightly salt.
- In the same pan with a little of the oil, soften the finely chopped onion for 3 to 4 minutes, add the minced garlic, cumin and chili powder and cook for 30 seconds until fragrant.
- Add the ground beef, break it up well and cook for 8 to 10 minutes until fully browned with no pink remaining and any juices have evaporated, then season with salt and pepper.
- Warm the refried beans in a small saucepan with a splash of water until spreadable and smooth.
- Spread a generous layer of warm beans over each crisp tortilla, then top with the seasoned beef.
- Finish each tostada with shredded lettuce, diced tomato, a drizzle of sour cream and a scatter of crumbled cheese, and serve immediately while the shells are still crisp.
You'll use: Frying pan / skillet · Saucepan · Pan
Ingredient substitutions
- Sour Cream
- plain Greek yogurt · crème fraîche
What to serve with Tostadas
- Chicken Enchilada Casserole Chicken
- Cajun spiced fish tacos Seafood
- Crock Pot Chicken Baked Tacos Chicken
- Chickpea Fajitas Vegetarian
Tips & common questions
How long does Tostadas take to make?
About 65 minutes from start to finish — an estimate based on the 6 steps and 13 ingredients. Times vary with your kitchen and how much prep you do ahead.
What can I use instead of sour cream?
Try plain Greek yogurt. See the substitutions section above for more swaps.
Can I scale this recipe up or down?
Yes — use the servings control above the ingredients and every quantity rescales automatically (fractions included). Cooking times stay roughly the same; very large batches may need a little longer.
How should I store leftovers?
Cool leftovers quickly, refrigerate in an airtight container, and eat within 3 days. Reheat until piping hot throughout.
Related recipes
Original recipe — developed in-house by Consomee. How we source, test & correct recipes.
Tostadas is an original Mexican recipe developed in-house by Consomee. Photo: Tostadas Sencillas.jpg by Dahyana Yasada R. R., CC BY-SA 4.0 via Wikimedia Commons. We add the serving scaler, ingredient tools, timing and structure on top — how we source recipes.