Description
Deliciously seasoned beef tucked into warm tortillas, these Old School Beef Tacos are a nostalgic treat packed with flavor and perfect for any weeknight meal.
Ingredients
Scale
- 500 g (1 lb) ground beef (80/20)
- 1 medium onion, finely diced
- 2 garlic cloves, minced
- 2 tsp (6 g) chili powder
- 1 tsp (2 g) smoked paprika
- 1 tsp (2 g) ground cumin
- 1/2 tsp (1 g) dried oregano
- 1 tsp (6 g) kosher salt (adjust based on salt type)
- 1/2 tsp (1 g) black pepper
- 2 tbsp (30 g) tomato paste
- 120 ml (1/2 cup) beef stock or water
- 8 small tortillas (corn or flour)
- White onion, diced (for topping)
- Cilantro, chopped (for topping)
- Limes, cut into wedges (for topping)
- Cotija or cheddar cheese (for topping)
Instructions
- Prep the aromatics and toppings by peeling and dicing onion, mincing garlic, chopping cilantro, and cutting limes into wedges.
- Heat vegetable oil in a skillet over medium-high heat until shimmering, then add ground beef and break into pieces; cook for 2 minutes without stirring.
- Add diced onion and sauté for 3–4 minutes until soft, then add minced garlic and cook for an additional 30–45 seconds.
- Stir in chili powder, smoked paprika, cumin, oregano, salt, and pepper; cook spices for 30 seconds, then add tomato paste and cook for 1 minute.
- Pour in beef stock or water and bring to a simmer; cook for 2–3 minutes until the mixture thickens slightly.
- Warm tortillas in a skillet or microwave, then assemble tacos with filling and toppings.
Notes
For a spicier version, add chopped jalapeños. Cook the filling ahead and store in the fridge for up to 3 days.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Mexican
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 2 tacos
- Calories: 540
- Sugar: 4 g
- Sodium: 760 mg
- Fat: 30 g
- Saturated Fat: 11 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 0 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 36 g
- Fiber: 4 g
- Protein: 32 g
- Cholesterol: 95 mg