Spicy Ground Beef Tacos
Spicy Ground Beef Tacos
Ingredients
For the Spicy Ground Beef
- 1 1/4 pounds ground beef, 80/20 lean
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1/2 yellow onion, small, diced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tablespoon chili powder
- 1 teaspoon ground cumin
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper, or to taste
- 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper, freshly ground
- 2 tablespoons tomato paste
- 1/2 cup beef broth
- 1 tablespoon lime juice, freshly squeezed
For the Taco Assembly
- 8 corn tortillas, small (6-inch), or flour tortillas
For the Toppings
- 1 1/2 cups iceberg lettuce, shredded
- 1 cup Roma tomatoes, diced
- 1 cup cheddar cheese, shredded
- 1/2 cup sour cream
- 1/2 cup salsa, your favorite
- 1 jalapeño, thinly sliced, optional
- 1/4 cup fresh cilantro, chopped, optional
Instructions
- 1
Prepare all your ingredients: dice the onion, mince the garlic, shred the lettuce, dice the tomatoes, and have your spices measured out. This will make the cooking process smooth.
⏱️ 5 min
- 2
Heat the olive oil in a large skillet or cast-iron pan over medium-high heat. Add the ground beef and cook, breaking it apart with a spoon, until fully browned and no pink remains, about 6-7 minutes. Drain any excess fat from the skillet.
⏱️ 7 min
- 3
Reduce the heat to medium. Add the diced onion to the skillet and cook until softened, about 3 minutes. Stir in the minced garlic, chili powder, ground cumin, smoked paprika, cayenne pepper, kosher salt, and black pepper. Cook for 1 minute more, stirring constantly, until fragrant.
⏱️ 4 min
- 4
Stir in the tomato paste and cook for 1 minute. Pour in the beef broth and lime juice. Bring to a simmer, then reduce heat to low and let it cook for 5-7 minutes, allowing the sauce to thicken slightly and the flavors to meld. Taste and adjust seasoning if needed.
⏱️ 7 min
- 5
While the beef simmers, warm the tortillas. You can do this by wrapping them in a damp paper towel and microwaving for 30-60 seconds, or by heating them individually in a dry skillet over medium heat for about 15-20 seconds per side until pliable.
⏱️ 3 min
- 6
Assemble your tacos: Spoon the spicy ground beef mixture into the warm tortillas. Top with shredded lettuce, diced tomatoes, shredded cheese, a dollop of sour cream or salsa, and optional sliced jalapeños and fresh cilantro. Serve immediately.
⏱️ 5 min
Kitchen Tools
Nutrition Facts (per serving)
Spicy Ground Beef Tacos
Ingredients
For the Spicy Ground Beef
- 1 1/4 pounds ground beef, 80/20 lean
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1/2 yellow onion, small, diced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tablespoon chili powder
- 1 teaspoon ground cumin
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper, or to taste
- 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper, freshly ground
- 2 tablespoons tomato paste
- 1/2 cup beef broth
- 1 tablespoon lime juice, freshly squeezed
For the Taco Assembly
- 8 corn tortillas, small (6-inch), or flour tortillas
For the Toppings
- 1 1/2 cups iceberg lettuce, shredded
- 1 cup Roma tomatoes, diced
- 1 cup cheddar cheese, shredded
- 1/2 cup sour cream
- 1/2 cup salsa, your favorite
- 1 jalapeño, thinly sliced, optional
- 1/4 cup fresh cilantro, chopped, optional
Instructions
- 1
Prepare all your ingredients: dice the onion, mince the garlic, shred the lettuce, dice the tomatoes, and have your spices measured out. This will make the cooking process smooth.
⏱️ 5 min - 2
Heat the olive oil in a large skillet or cast-iron pan over medium-high heat. Add the ground beef and cook, breaking it apart with a spoon, until fully browned and no pink remains, about 6-7 minutes. Drain any excess fat from the skillet.
⏱️ 7 min - 3
Reduce the heat to medium. Add the diced onion to the skillet and cook until softened, about 3 minutes. Stir in the minced garlic, chili powder, ground cumin, smoked paprika, cayenne pepper, kosher salt, and black pepper. Cook for 1 minute more, stirring constantly, until fragrant.
⏱️ 4 min - 4
Stir in the tomato paste and cook for 1 minute. Pour in the beef broth and lime juice. Bring to a simmer, then reduce heat to low and let it cook for 5-7 minutes, allowing the sauce to thicken slightly and the flavors to meld. Taste and adjust seasoning if needed.
⏱️ 7 min - 5
While the beef simmers, warm the tortillas. You can do this by wrapping them in a damp paper towel and microwaving for 30-60 seconds, or by heating them individually in a dry skillet over medium heat for about 15-20 seconds per side until pliable.
⏱️ 3 min - 6
Assemble your tacos: Spoon the spicy ground beef mixture into the warm tortillas. Top with shredded lettuce, diced tomatoes, shredded cheese, a dollop of sour cream or salsa, and optional sliced jalapeños and fresh cilantro. Serve immediately.
⏱️ 5 min