Description
Mexican street tacos packed with zesty beef and melted cheese create a flavor explosion that transports diners straight to authentic taco stands. Crisp tortillas, spiced meat, and fresh garnishes make this simple recipe a crowd-pleasing favorite you’ll want to savor again and again.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 lb / 454 g ground beef
- 1 cup shredded Mexican cheese blend or cheddar cheese
- 8 small corn tortillas
- 1 tbsp / 15 mL taco seasoning (store-bought or homemade)
- 1 small onion, finely chopped
- 3 garlic cloves, minced
- ¼ cup / 60 mL tomato sauce or salsa
- 1 tbsp / 15 mL olive oil
- ½ tsp smoked paprika
- Diced tomatoes
- Diced onions
- Shredded lettuce
- Chopped cilantro
- Sliced jalapenos
- Sour cream or Mexican crema
- Lime wedges
- Salt and black pepper, to taste
Instructions
- Meat Preparation: Sizzle ground beef and onions in a skillet over medium heat, continuously breaking down meat until uniformly browned.
- Flavor Infusion: Drain excess fat, then introduce garlic, taco seasoning, paprika, and tomato sauce. Simmer gently for 15 minutes, allowing flavors to harmonize.
- Seasoning Adjustment: Refine taste with salt and pepper to enhance the overall flavor complexity.
- Tortilla Transformation: Heat skillet with olive oil, creating a crisp surface for assembling tacos. Layer tortilla and sprinkle cheese on one half.
- Taco Assembly: Spoon seasoned beef over melting cheese, folding tortilla into a half-moon shape and pressing to seal edges.
- Crispy Griddling: Cook each taco for 2 minutes per side, achieving a golden-brown exterior with perfectly melted cheese.
- Serving Finale: Plate tacos immediately, adorning with fresh lime wedges, chopped cilantro, or preferred garnishes for a zesty, vibrant presentation.
Notes
- Control Meat Moisture: Drain excess fat thoroughly after browning to prevent soggy tacos and ensure a crisp, flavorful texture.
- Cheese Melting Technique: Sprinkle cheese directly on tortilla before adding meat to create a protective barrier that prevents tortilla from getting soggy and ensures perfect cheese melting.
- Tortilla Selection Matters: Use small corn tortillas for authentic street-style tacos; they crisp better and provide more authentic flavor compared to larger flour tortillas.
- Low and Slow Seasoning: Simmer beef mixture on low heat for 15 minutes to allow spices to fully develop and integrate, creating deeper and more complex flavor profile.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner, Snacks
- Method: Sautéing
- Cuisine: Mexican
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 5
- Calories: 380
- Sugar: 2 g
- Sodium: 600 mg
- Fat: 22 g
- Saturated Fat: 9 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
- Trans Fat: 1 g
- Carbohydrates: 27 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 20 g
- Cholesterol: 75 mg