Description
These spiced beef tacos are bold, juicy, and packed with warm spices. Made with perfectly seasoned ground beef and your favorite classic toppings, they’re quick enough for weeknights and fun enough for taco night gatherings.
Ingredients
Spiced Beef
- 1 lb ground beef (80/20 preferred)
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1 small onion, finely diced
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 tsp chili powder
- 1 tsp ground cumin
- 1 tsp smoked paprika
- ½ tsp ground coriander
- ½ tsp salt (adjust to taste)
- ¼ tsp black pepper
- ¼ tsp cayenne pepper (optional)
- ¼ cup beef broth or water
For Serving
- 8–10 taco shells or small tortillas
- Shredded lettuce
- Diced tomatoes
- Shredded cheese (cheddar or Mexican blend)
- Sour cream or Greek yogurt
- Fresh cilantro
- Lime wedges
Instructions
- Heat Oil and Cook Onions: Heat the olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Add the finely diced onion and cook for 3 to 4 minutes until softened and translucent.
- Add Garlic: Stir in the minced garlic and cook for about 30 seconds until fragrant but not browned.
- Brown the Beef: Add the ground beef to the skillet, breaking it up with a spoon as it cooks. Continue cooking until the beef is fully browned and no longer pink. If there is excess fat, drain it carefully.
- Season the Beef: Stir in the chili powder, ground cumin, smoked paprika, ground coriander, salt, black pepper, and cayenne pepper (if using). Mix well to coat the beef evenly with the spices.
- Add Liquid and Simmer: Pour in the beef broth or water and reduce the heat to a simmer. Let it cook for 3 to 5 minutes until the beef is juicy and well coated with the flavorful spice mixture.
- Warm Tortillas: While the beef simmers, warm your taco shells or small tortillas according to package instructions or by heating them briefly in a dry skillet.
- Assemble Tacos: Fill each taco shell with the spiced beef and top with your choice of shredded lettuce, diced tomatoes, shredded cheese, sour cream or Greek yogurt, and fresh cilantro. Serve with lime wedges on the side for squeezing over the tacos before eating.
Notes
- Adjust the spice level to your preference by increasing or reducing the cayenne pepper.
- Add a splash of fresh lime juice to the beef mixture for added brightness and acidity.
- These tacos pair well with corn salsa, pickled onions, or slices of avocado for variation.
- Leftover spiced beef can be repurposed into burritos, taco bowls, or even quesadillas.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Mexican-Inspired
