Description
Quick and flavorful beef tacos perfect for busy weeknights, casual gatherings, or a taco bar.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 lb (454 g) ground beef, 85% lean
- 1 medium yellow onion, finely chopped (about 1 cup)
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 tablespoons tomato paste or 1/2 cup crushed tomatoes
- 2 tablespoons vegetable oil or olive oil (if needed)
- 2 tablespoons taco seasoning (store-bought or homemade)
- 8 small corn tortillas (2 per person)
- 1 cup shredded lettuce
- 1 cup shredded cheddar or Monterey Jack cheese
- 1/2 cup salsa or pico de gallo
- 1 lime, cut into wedges
- Fresh cilantro, chopped, for garnish
- Salt and black pepper to taste
Instructions
- Chop the onion, mince the garlic, shred the cheese, and set out toppings. Warm tortillas in a dry skillet or wrapped in foil in a low oven.
- Place a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add oil if using lean beef; otherwise, you can brown beef in its own fat.
- Add ground beef and break into pieces with a spatula. Let it sear without stirring for 1–2 minutes to develop browning, then continue to cook and crumble until no pink remains (about 5–7 minutes).
- Push beef to the side, add a touch more oil if the pan is dry, then add onions and sauté for 3–4 minutes until translucent. Stir in garlic for 30 seconds until fragrant.
- Stir in tomato paste (or crushed tomatoes) and taco seasoning. Add 1/4 cup water, scrape up brown bits, and simmer for 2–3 minutes until saucy and slightly thickened. Taste and adjust salt and pepper.
- Warm tortillas, divide beef equally (about 1/2 cup per taco), top with shredded lettuce, cheese, salsa, cilantro, and a squeeze of lime.
- Serve with hot sauce, avocado slices, or pickled jalapeños on the side.
Notes
Beef choice: 80–85% lean is best. Allow meat to brown without constant stirring for better flavor. Don’t overcrowd the pan to avoid steaming meat.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 12 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Skillet Cooking
- Cuisine: Mexican
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 2 tacos per person
- Calories: 430
- Sugar: 3g
- Sodium: 700mg
- Fat: 24g
- Saturated Fat: 10g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 24g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 29g
- Cholesterol: 70mg