Beef Tacos Soft Tortillas Salsa (Print Version)
Spiced beef in warm tortillas served with fresh, zesty salsa and optional toppings.
# What You'll Need:
→ Beef Filling
01 - 1.1 lb ground beef
02 - 1 tbsp olive oil
03 - 1 small onion, finely chopped
04 - 2 garlic cloves, minced
05 - 1 tsp ground cumin
06 - 1 tsp smoked paprika
07 - 1/2 tsp chili powder
08 - 1/2 tsp dried oregano
09 - 1/2 tsp salt
10 - 1/4 tsp black pepper
11 - 2 tbsp tomato paste
12 - 1/4 cup water
→ Salsa
13 - 2 medium tomatoes, diced
14 - 1/2 small red onion, finely chopped
15 - 1 small jalapeño, seeded and finely chopped
16 - 1/4 cup fresh cilantro, chopped
17 - Juice of 1 lime
18 - 1/2 tsp salt
→ Soft Tortillas
19 - 8 small flour tortillas (6 inches diameter)
→ Optional Toppings
20 - 1/2 cup shredded lettuce
21 - 1/2 cup grated cheddar cheese
22 - 1/2 cup sour cream
23 - Lime wedges
# Directions:
01 - Combine diced tomatoes, red onion, jalapeño, cilantro, lime juice, and salt in a bowl. Mix thoroughly and set aside to allow flavors to meld.
02 - Heat olive oil over medium heat in a large skillet. Add chopped onion and sauté for 2 to 3 minutes until softened. Stir in minced garlic and cook for 30 seconds.
03 - Add ground beef to the skillet, breaking up the meat with a spatula. Cook until fully browned, about 5 to 6 minutes. Drain excess fat if necessary.
04 - Incorporate cumin, smoked paprika, chili powder, oregano, salt, and black pepper. Stir in tomato paste and water, then simmer for 3 to 4 minutes until thickened. Adjust seasoning as needed.
05 - Heat tortillas in a dry skillet over medium heat for 10 to 20 seconds per side, or wrap in foil and warm in a 350°F oven for 5 minutes.
06 - Distribute beef mixture onto tortillas, top with prepared salsa and optional toppings. Serve immediately with lime wedges.
# Expert Tips:
01 -
- The beef cooks in 15 minutes but tastes like you've been simmering it all day, with cumin and smoked paprika doing most of the heavy lifting.
- Soft flour tortillas and bright salsa mean you're eating something fresh and vibrant without the cleanup nightmare of fancy cooking.
- It scales from a quiet weeknight dinner for two to a casual gathering where everyone assembles their own perfect bite.
02 -
- Drain the beef fat but don't drain it completely; a little of that rendered fat is what keeps the meat tender and flavorful, not dry and sad.
- The salsa needs to sit for at least a few minutes so the flavors marry and the tomato juice becomes part of the dressing—if you eat it right away, it tastes sharp and separated.
- Warm your tortillas just before serving; a cold or room-temperature tortilla will break and fall apart, and it changes the whole eating experience from soft and inviting to disappointing.
03 -
- Brown the beef over medium heat instead of cranking the heat to high; it gives you better control and deeper browning instead of grey, tough meat.
- Taste the beef filling before you assemble so you can adjust the seasoning while there's still time—it's hard to fix it once everything is wrapped.