Spicy Beef Tacos Flavorful (Printable)
A vibrant dish with seasoned ground beef, fresh toppings, and spicy notes for taco night.
# What You'll Need:
→ Beef Filling
01 - 1.1 lbs ground beef
02 - 1 small onion, finely chopped
03 - 2 cloves garlic, minced
04 - 1 jalapeño, finely diced, seeds removed
05 - 2 tablespoons tomato paste
06 - 2 teaspoons chili powder
07 - 1 teaspoon ground cumin
08 - 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
09 - 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
10 - 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper, adjust to taste
11 - 1/2 teaspoon salt
12 - 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
13 - 1/2 cup beef stock or water
14 - 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
→ Tacos & Toppings
15 - 8 small corn or flour tortillas
16 - 1 cup shredded lettuce
17 - 1 cup diced cherry tomatoes
18 - 3/4 cup shredded cheddar or Monterey Jack cheese
19 - 1/4 cup sour cream
20 - 1 ripe avocado, sliced
21 - Fresh cilantro leaves for garnish
22 - Lime wedges for serving
# How To Make:
01 - Heat vegetable oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add onion and jalapeño, sauté for 2 minutes until softened.
02 - Add minced garlic to the skillet and cook for 30 seconds, stirring continuously.
03 - Add ground beef, breaking it apart with a spoon, and cook for 5 to 6 minutes until no pink remains.
04 - Stir in tomato paste, chili powder, cumin, smoked paprika, oregano, cayenne pepper, salt, and black pepper. Cook for 1 minute to release flavors.
05 - Pour in beef stock or water, stir well, and simmer for 4 to 5 minutes, stirring occasionally until the mixture thickens. Remove from heat.
06 - Heat tortillas in a dry skillet or microwave until pliable and warm.
07 - Fill each tortilla with the beef mixture and top with shredded lettuce, diced tomatoes, cheese, sour cream, avocado slices, and cilantro leaves.
08 - Serve tacos immediately accompanied by lime wedges.
# Expert Tips:
01 -
- The whole thing comes together in under 40 minutes, no advance prep stress.
- That spicy, savory beef filling tastes like you've been simmering it for hours but your stovetop knows better.
- It's endlessly customizable—load them however you want and nobody will judge.
02 -
- Don't skip the moment of letting tomato paste caramelize before adding spices—it's the difference between flat-tasting and deeply complex.
- Taste the filling before you finish cooking and adjust the cayenne and salt to your own heat preference; every palate is different and store-bought spice blends vary wildly.
- If your filling becomes too thick, thin it with a splash more stock; if it's too loose, let it simmer a bit longer—there's no shame in adjusting as you cook.
03 -
- Brown your beef in a hot enough skillet that it actually sizzles when it hits the pan—this creates those tiny flavorful crispy bits that make the filling taste restaurant-quality.
- Don't neglect the sour cream dollop; it's not just a topping but an essential cooling and richness component that balances the heat and spice perfectly.