Beef Tacos Recipe

Easy Beef Tacos

These delicious beef tacos are perfect for a quick and easy weeknight meal. You can customize them with your favorite toppings, making them a crowd-pleaser.

Ingredients:

• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1 pound ground beef (85% lean or higher)
• 1 onion, finely chopped
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 2 teaspoons chili powder
• 1 teaspoon ground cumin
• 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika (optional)
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
• 1/4 cup water or low-sodium beef broth
• 1 (14.5-ounce) can diced tomatoes, undrained (fire roasted preferred)
• Taco shells or tortillas (corn or flour)
• For serving:
  • Shredded cheese (Monterey Jack, cheddar, or pepper Jack)
  • Chopped lettuce
  • Diced tomato
  • Sliced avocado
  • Sour cream
  • Salsa or hot sauce

Cooking Guide:

1. Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the ground beef and cook, breaking it up with a spoon, until browned. Drain any excess fat.
2. Add the onion and garlic to the skillet and cook until softened, about 5 minutes.
3. Stir in the chili powder, cumin, paprika (if using), salt, and pepper. Cook for 1 minute, toasting the spices.
4. Pour in the water or broth and diced tomatoes. Bring to a simmer and cook for 5 minutes, or until slightly thickened.
5. Warm your taco shells or tortillas according to package instructions. You can warm them in a dry skillet over low heat, in the oven, or in the microwave.
6. Assemble your tacos! Place a spoonful of the beef mixture in each taco shell. Top with your favorite toppings, such as shredded cheese, chopped lettuce, diced tomato, sliced avocado, sour cream, salsa, or hot sauce.

Tips:

• For a spicier taco, add a pinch of cayenne pepper to the spice mix.
• You can use ground turkey or chicken instead of ground beef.
• If you don’t have diced tomatoes, you can use a can of tomato sauce instead.
• Leftover taco meat can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat it gently in a skillet over low heat.
• For a fun twist, try serving your tacos on lettuce leaves instead of tortillas for a low-carb option.
• Get creative with your toppings! There are endless possibilities.