Crispy Beef Tacos with Salsa & Creamy Taco Sauce
Crispy Beef Tacos with Salsa & Creamy Taco Sauce
Ingredients
For the Taco Seasoning
- 1 tablespoon red chili powder
- 2 tablespoons garlic powder
- 1 tablespoon onion powder
- 1 tablespoon smoked red paprika powder
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1 teaspoon black pepper powder
- 1 tablespoon ground cumin
- 1 tablespoon salt
For the Beef Filling
- 2 pounds ground beef, 80% lean, 20% fat
- 1 tablespoon taco seasoning, or to taste
- 1 onion, diced
- salt, to taste
- 1 tablespoon clarified butter or oil
- 2 tablespoons tomato paste
- 1/2 cup warm water
- 1 tablespoon minced garlic
For the Salsa
- 1 onion, finely chopped
- 2 tomatoes, diced
- 1 tablespoon freshly chopped cilantro
- 2 tablespoons lime juice
- salt, to taste
- 1 teaspoon black pepper
For the Creamy Taco Sauce
- 1/3 cup sour cream
- 1/3 cup mayonnaise
- 1/3 cup buttermilk or water
- 1 lime, juice of
- 1 tablespoon taco seasoning, or to taste
- 1 tablespoon dried parsley
For Assembly
- 12 mini flour tortillas
- oil, for lightly frying tortillas
- 1 cup mozzarella cheese, shredded
Instructions
- 1
Prepare the taco seasoning: In a small bowl, combine red chili powder, garlic powder, onion powder, smoked red paprika powder, dried oregano, black pepper powder, ground cumin, and salt. Mix well to combine all spices.
⏱️ 2 min
- 2
Cook the beef filling: Heat clarified butter or oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the diced onion and sauté for 1 minute until fragrant and slightly softened.
⏱️ 3 min
- 3
Add the ground beef to the skillet. Cook, breaking it apart with a spatula, until it changes color and is fully browned, about 5-7 minutes. Drain any excess fat if necessary.
⏱️ 7 min
- 4
Stir in the minced garlic, 1 tablespoon of the prepared taco seasoning (or more to taste), and tomato paste. Mix thoroughly and sauté for 2-3 minutes to allow the flavors to meld.
⏱️ 3 min
- 5
Pour in the warm water and bring the mixture to a simmer. Cook for 8-10 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the beef is fully cooked and the liquid has mostly evaporated, leaving a rich, flavorful filling. Taste and adjust salt if needed.
⏱️ 10 min
- 6
Make the salsa: In a medium bowl, combine the finely chopped onion, diced tomatoes, freshly chopped cilantro, lime juice, salt to taste, and black pepper. Stir gently to combine and set aside.
⏱️ 6 min
- 7
Prepare the creamy taco sauce: In another small bowl, whisk together sour cream, mayonnaise, buttermilk (or water), the juice of one lime, 1 tablespoon of taco seasoning (or more to taste), and dried parsley until creamy and smooth.
⏱️ 3 min
- 8
Assemble the crispy tacos: Heat a small amount of oil in a clean skillet or frying pan over medium heat.
⏱️ 2 min
- 9
Place one mini flour tortilla in the hot pan. Immediately sprinkle a generous layer of shredded mozzarella cheese over the entire surface of the tortilla. As the cheese begins to melt and the tortilla starts to crisp, spoon a portion of the cooked beef filling onto one half of the tortilla. Using a spatula, fold the empty half of the tortilla over the beef and cheese to create a crescent shape. Press down gently and cook until both sides are golden brown and crispy, and the cheese is fully melted and gooey. Repeat with the remaining tortillas, cheese, and beef filling.
⏱️ 25 min
- 10
Serve the crispy beef tacos warm with the fresh salsa and creamy taco sauce on the side.
⏱️ 1 min
Kitchen Tools
Nutrition Facts (per serving)
Crispy Beef Tacos with Salsa & Creamy Taco Sauce
Ingredients
For the Taco Seasoning
- 1 tablespoon red chili powder
- 2 tablespoons garlic powder
- 1 tablespoon onion powder
- 1 tablespoon smoked red paprika powder
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1 teaspoon black pepper powder
- 1 tablespoon ground cumin
- 1 tablespoon salt
For the Beef Filling
- 2 pounds ground beef, 80% lean, 20% fat
- 1 tablespoon taco seasoning, or to taste
- 1 onion, diced
- salt, to taste
- 1 tablespoon clarified butter or oil
- 2 tablespoons tomato paste
- 1/2 cup warm water
- 1 tablespoon minced garlic
For the Salsa
- 1 onion, finely chopped
- 2 tomatoes, diced
- 1 tablespoon freshly chopped cilantro
- 2 tablespoons lime juice
- salt, to taste
- 1 teaspoon black pepper
For the Creamy Taco Sauce
- 1/3 cup sour cream
- 1/3 cup mayonnaise
- 1/3 cup buttermilk or water
- 1 lime, juice of
- 1 tablespoon taco seasoning, or to taste
- 1 tablespoon dried parsley
For Assembly
- 12 mini flour tortillas
- oil, for lightly frying tortillas
- 1 cup mozzarella cheese, shredded
Instructions
- 1
Prepare the taco seasoning: In a small bowl, combine red chili powder, garlic powder, onion powder, smoked red paprika powder, dried oregano, black pepper powder, ground cumin, and salt. Mix well to combine all spices.
⏱️ 2 min - 2
Cook the beef filling: Heat clarified butter or oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the diced onion and sauté for 1 minute until fragrant and slightly softened.
⏱️ 3 min - 3
Add the ground beef to the skillet. Cook, breaking it apart with a spatula, until it changes color and is fully browned, about 5-7 minutes. Drain any excess fat if necessary.
⏱️ 7 min - 4
Stir in the minced garlic, 1 tablespoon of the prepared taco seasoning (or more to taste), and tomato paste. Mix thoroughly and sauté for 2-3 minutes to allow the flavors to meld.
⏱️ 3 min - 5
Pour in the warm water and bring the mixture to a simmer. Cook for 8-10 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the beef is fully cooked and the liquid has mostly evaporated, leaving a rich, flavorful filling. Taste and adjust salt if needed.
⏱️ 10 min - 6
Make the salsa: In a medium bowl, combine the finely chopped onion, diced tomatoes, freshly chopped cilantro, lime juice, salt to taste, and black pepper. Stir gently to combine and set aside.
⏱️ 6 min - 7
Prepare the creamy taco sauce: In another small bowl, whisk together sour cream, mayonnaise, buttermilk (or water), the juice of one lime, 1 tablespoon of taco seasoning (or more to taste), and dried parsley until creamy and smooth.
⏱️ 3 min - 8
Assemble the crispy tacos: Heat a small amount of oil in a clean skillet or frying pan over medium heat.
⏱️ 2 min - 9
Place one mini flour tortilla in the hot pan. Immediately sprinkle a generous layer of shredded mozzarella cheese over the entire surface of the tortilla. As the cheese begins to melt and the tortilla starts to crisp, spoon a portion of the cooked beef filling onto one half of the tortilla. Using a spatula, fold the empty half of the tortilla over the beef and cheese to create a crescent shape. Press down gently and cook until both sides are golden brown and crispy, and the cheese is fully melted and gooey. Repeat with the remaining tortillas, cheese, and beef filling.
⏱️ 25 min - 10
Serve the crispy beef tacos warm with the fresh salsa and creamy taco sauce on the side.
⏱️ 1 min