Beef Tacos with Soft Tortillas (Printable Version)
Juicy seasoned beef in warm soft tortillas with fresh toppings. Ready in 40 minutes.
# What You'll Need:
→ Beef Filling
01 - 1 lb ground beef
02 - 1 small onion, finely chopped
03 - 2 cloves garlic, minced
04 - 1 tablespoon olive oil
05 - 2 teaspoons chili powder
06 - 1 teaspoon ground cumin
07 - 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
08 - 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
09 - 1/2 teaspoon salt
10 - 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
11 - 1/3 cup tomato sauce or passata
12 - 2 tablespoons water
→ Soft Tortillas
13 - 8 small flour tortillas, 6-inch diameter, warmed
→ Toppings
14 - 1 cup shredded lettuce
15 - 3/4 cup grated cheddar or Monterey Jack cheese
16 - 1 medium tomato, diced
17 - 1 small red onion, finely diced
18 - 1/4 cup sour cream
19 - 1 avocado, sliced or diced
20 - Fresh cilantro leaves
21 - Lime wedges
# How to Make It:
01 - Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the chopped onion and sauté for 2-3 minutes until softened.
02 - Add the garlic and cook for 30 seconds more until fragrant.
03 - Add the ground beef to the skillet, breaking it up with a spoon. Cook for 5-7 minutes until browned and cooked through. Drain excess fat if needed.
04 - Stir in chili powder, cumin, smoked paprika, oregano, salt, and black pepper. Mix well to coat the beef evenly.
05 - Add tomato sauce and water. Simmer for 4-5 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the mixture thickens and flavors meld. Adjust seasoning to taste.
06 - Warm the flour tortillas in a dry skillet or microwave until pliable.
07 - Spoon the beef filling evenly onto the center of each tortilla. Top with your choice of lettuce, cheese, tomato, red onion, sour cream, avocado, and cilantro.
08 - Serve immediately with lime wedges for squeezing.
# Expert Tips:
01 -
- The spice blend hits that perfect balance of smoky and savory without being overwhelming.
- Everything comes together in under forty minutes, making it perfect for hectic weeknights.
02 -
- Draining the grease after browning the beef prevents the tortillas from becoming soggy.
- Letting the filling rest for a minute off the heat helps the sauce thicken up further.
03 -
- Toast the tortillas lightly in the pan for a hint of char.
- Double up the tortillas if you are loading them with heavy ingredients.