
Beef Tacos
Classic ground beef tacos seasoned with a bold homemade spice blend, topped with fresh pico de gallo, shredded cheese, and crisp lettuce. A reliable, family-friendly weeknight dinner that comes together in under 30 minutes.
4 servings · Prep 10 min · Cook 15 min · Total 25 min
Mexican · Dinner · Lunch · Main Course
Ingredients
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1 lb lean ground beef 80/20 or 85/15 blend
1 medium yellow onion finely diced
3 cloves garlic minced
2 tbsp tomato paste
0.5 cup beef broth low sodium
1.5 tsp chili powder
1 tsp smoked paprika
1 tsp ground cumin
0.5 tsp garlic powder
0.5 tsp kosher salt plus more
0.25 tsp black pepper freshly ground
8 whole small flour or corn tortillas warmed
corn tortillas
1 cup shredded Mexican cheese blend
1 cup shredded romaine or iceberg lettuce
iceberg lettuce
2 medium roma tomatoes diced
0.5 cup sour cream
1 whole lime cut into wedges
0.25 cup fresh cilantro roughly chopped
Equipment
Stovetop
Microwave
Skillet
Paper Towel
Wooden Spoon
Spatula
Knife
Pan
Measuring Spoons
Cutting Board
Instructions
- Heat a large #[Skillet] over ^[medium-high heat]. Add the @[Lean Ground Beef] and cook, breaking it apart with a #[Wooden Spoon], for ~[5–6 minutes] until browned and no longer pink. Drain off any excess fat, leaving about ~[1 teaspoon] in the pan.
- Reduce heat to ^[medium]. Add the diced @[Yellow Onion] to the #[Skillet] and cook for ~[3 minutes] until softened. Stir in the @[Garlic] and cook for ~[30 seconds] until fragrant.
- Add the @[Tomato Paste], @[Chili Powder], @[Paprika], @[Cumin], @[Garlic Powder], @[Salt], and @[Black Pepper]. Stir to coat the @[Lean Ground Beef] evenly. Pour in the @[Beef Broth] and stir to combine. Simmer for ~[3–4 minutes], stirring occasionally, until the liquid reduces and the mixture is saucy but not soupy. Taste and adjust seasoning.
- While the @[Lean Ground Beef] simmers, warm the @[Flour Tortillas] one at a time in a dry #[Skillet] over ^[medium heat] for about ~[30 seconds] per side, or wrap them in a damp paper towel and microwave for ~[30–45 seconds] until pliable.
- Spoon the seasoned @[Lean Ground Beef] into each warm @[Flour Tortilla]. Top with shredded @[Mexican Cheese Blend], @[Romaine Lettuce], diced @[Tomato], and a dollop of @[Sour Cream] if using. Finish with fresh @[Cilantro] and a squeeze of ![lime juice]. Serve immediately.