Spicy beef tacos cheese (Printable)
Ground beef seasoned with chili and cumin, topped with cheddar and fresh garnishes in warm tortillas.
# What You'll Need:
→ Meat
01 - 1 lb ground beef (80/20)
→ Vegetables & Aromatics
02 - 1 small onion, finely chopped
03 - 2 garlic cloves, minced
04 - 1 jalapeño, seeded and diced (optional)
→ Spices
05 - 2 tsp chili powder
06 - 1 tsp smoked paprika
07 - 1 tsp ground cumin
08 - ½ tsp dried oregano
09 - ½ tsp ground coriander
10 - ½ tsp salt
11 - ¼ tsp black pepper
12 - ¼ tsp cayenne pepper (optional)
→ Other
13 - 8 small corn or flour tortillas
14 - 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
15 - 2 tbsp tomato paste
16 - ⅓ cup water
17 - 2 tbsp vegetable oil
→ Toppings (optional)
18 - Shredded lettuce
19 - Diced tomatoes
20 - Sliced red onion
21 - Fresh cilantro leaves
22 - Sour cream
23 - Lime wedges
# How To Make:
01 - Heat vegetable oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add chopped onion and jalapeño; sauté for 2 to 3 minutes until softened.
02 - Stir in minced garlic and cook for 30 seconds until fragrant.
03 - Add ground beef and cook, breaking it up with a spoon, until browned and cooked through, about 5 to 7 minutes. Drain excess fat if necessary.
04 - Mix in chili powder, smoked paprika, cumin, oregano, coriander, salt, black pepper, and cayenne pepper; cook for 1 minute to toast the spices.
05 - Incorporate tomato paste and water. Simmer for 2 to 3 minutes until slightly thickened. Adjust seasoning to taste.
06 - Heat tortillas in a dry skillet or microwave until pliable.
07 - Fill each tortilla with the beef mixture. Top with shredded cheddar cheese and desired toppings.
08 - Serve tacos immediately with lime wedges on the side.
# Expert Tips:
01 -
- Everything comes together in one skillet, so cleanup is fast and you can focus on the fun part: building your tacos exactly how you like them.
- The spice blend toasts right into the meat, creating layers of smoky, earthy flavor that cling to every bite without overpowering the toppings.
02 -
- Don't skip toasting the spices in the pan for that full minute because it transforms them from dusty powder into something fragrant and alive.
- Draining the fat after browning the beef keeps the sauce from getting greasy and lets the flavors stay clean and punchy.
03 -
- Use a cast iron skillet if you have one because it holds heat evenly and helps the beef develop a better crust without steaming.
- Squeeze lime juice over the finished tacos, not just on the side, because that bright acid cuts through the richness and makes every flavor pop.