Description
These Ground Beef Tacos are a quick and flavorful Mexican-inspired dish featuring seasoned lean ground beef simmered in a blend of spices and tomato sauce, served in warm tortillas with a variety of fresh toppings. Perfect for a fast and satisfying weeknight meal.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients
- 1 lb lean ground beef
- 1 small onion, finely chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 tsp chili powder
- 1 tsp ground cumin
- 1 tsp smoked paprika
- 1/2 tsp oregano
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/4 tsp black pepper
- 1/4 cup tomato sauce
- 1/4 cup water
- 8 small taco-sized tortillas (corn or flour)
Toppings
- Shredded lettuce
- Diced tomatoes
- Shredded cheese
- Sour cream
- Sliced avocado
- Chopped cilantro
- Lime wedges
Instructions
- Cook the Beef and Onion: Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the lean ground beef and finely chopped onion, cooking for about 5–6 minutes until the beef is browned and the onion is soft. Drain any excess grease to keep the dish lean.
- Add Garlic: Stir in the minced garlic and cook for 1 minute until fragrant, enhancing the aroma and flavor of the beef mixture.
- Season the Beef: Sprinkle in the chili powder, ground cumin, smoked paprika, oregano, salt, and black pepper. Mix thoroughly to evenly coat the beef with the spices.
- Add Tomato Sauce and Water: Pour in the tomato sauce and water, stirring to combine all ingredients well. Reduce the heat to medium-low to allow flavors to meld.
- Simmer the Mixture: Let the beef mixture simmer gently for 5–7 minutes until it thickens and becomes richly flavorful.
- Warm the Tortillas: While the beef simmers, warm the tortillas in a skillet or microwave until soft and pliable, making them perfect for folding or rolling.
- Assemble the Tacos: Spoon the flavorful beef mixture onto each tortilla, then add your preferred toppings such as shredded lettuce, diced tomatoes, cheese, sour cream, avocado slices, and chopped cilantro.
- Serve: Serve the tacos immediately with lime wedges on the side for an added fresh zest that brightens the dish.
Notes
- Use lean ground beef to reduce fat content while maintaining flavor.
- Adjust spice levels by adding more or less chili powder according to taste preference.
- Warm tortillas properly to prevent them from breaking when folding.
- Fresh toppings add texture and freshness—feel free to customize based on availability.
- Leftover beef mixture can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
