Beef Taco Night Flavorful (Printable)
Seasoned beef paired with fresh toppings and warm tortillas creates a festive and flavorful meal.
# Ingredient List:
→ Beef Filling
01 - 1 lb ground beef
02 - 1 small onion, finely chopped
03 - 2 cloves garlic, minced
04 - 1 tbsp chili powder
05 - 1 tsp ground cumin
06 - 1/2 tsp smoked paprika
07 - 1/2 tsp dried oregano
08 - 1/4 tsp cayenne pepper (optional)
09 - 1/2 tsp salt
10 - 1/4 tsp black pepper
11 - 1/2 cup tomato sauce
12 - 1/4 cup water
13 - 1 tbsp vegetable oil
→ Tacos & Toppings
14 - 8 small corn or flour tortillas
15 - 1 cup shredded lettuce
16 - 1 cup diced tomatoes
17 - 1 cup shredded cheddar or Monterey Jack cheese
18 - 1/2 cup sour cream
19 - 1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro
20 - 1/4 cup sliced jalapeños (optional)
21 - Lime wedges, for serving
# How to Make:
01 - Heat vegetable oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add finely chopped onion and sauté for 2 to 3 minutes until softened.
02 - Incorporate minced garlic and cook for 30 seconds until fragrant.
03 - Add ground beef, breaking it apart with a spoon, and cook for 5 to 7 minutes until browned and fully cooked.
04 - Drain excess fat if necessary. Stir in chili powder, ground cumin, smoked paprika, dried oregano, cayenne pepper if using, salt, and black pepper. Cook for 1 minute to toast spices.
05 - Add tomato sauce and water, combine thoroughly. Simmer for 3 to 5 minutes until slightly thickened. Adjust seasoning as needed.
06 - Heat tortillas in a dry skillet or microwave until soft and pliable.
07 - Fill each tortilla with beef mixture, then top with shredded lettuce, diced tomatoes, shredded cheese, sour cream, chopped cilantro, and sliced jalapeños as desired.
08 - Serve immediately with lime wedges on the side.
# Expert Tips:
01 -
- The beef gets impossibly flavorful in just 15 minutes, tasting like you've been simmering it for hours.
- Everyone customizes their own taco, which means less work for you and more joy at the table.
- It's the kind of meal that works for weeknight dinners or impromptu gatherings when friends text asking what's for dinner.
02 -
- If you skip toasting the spices, you'll taste the difference immediately—they'll taste flat and dusty instead of warm and rounded.
- Draining excess fat after browning the beef keeps the finished tacos from tasting heavy, not because you're being virtuous, but because the meat flavor actually comes through better.
03 -
- Have all your toppings prepped and chilled before you start cooking—this is the difference between a relaxed dinner and a stressed one.
- If your tortillas are at all stiff or cold, they'll tear; warming them in a dry skillet for just 15 seconds per side changes everything.