Spicy Beef Tacos Bold Flavor (Printable Format)

Bold, flavorful beef filled tacos with fresh toppings and a hint of heat for a quick meal.

# What You Need:

→ Beef Filling

01 - 1.1 lb ground beef
02 - 1 small onion, finely chopped
03 - 2 cloves garlic, minced
04 - 1 tablespoon olive oil
05 - 2 tablespoons tomato paste
06 - 1½ teaspoons chili powder
07 - 1 teaspoon ground cumin
08 - ½ teaspoon smoked paprika
09 - ¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper (adjust to taste)
10 - ½ teaspoon dried oregano
11 - ½ teaspoon salt
12 - ¼ teaspoon ground black pepper
13 - ⅓ cup plus 1 tablespoon beef broth or water

→ Tacos & Toppings

14 - 8 small corn or flour tortillas
15 - 1 cup shredded lettuce
16 - 1 cup diced tomatoes
17 - ½ cup shredded cheddar or Monterey Jack cheese
18 - ¼ cup sliced jalapeños (fresh or pickled)
19 - ¼ cup chopped cilantro
20 - ½ cup sour cream (optional)
21 - Lime wedges, for serving

# How-To Steps:

01 - Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add chopped onion and cook for 2 to 3 minutes until softened.
02 - Incorporate minced garlic into the skillet and cook for 30 seconds until fragrant.
03 - Add ground beef, breaking it apart with a spoon, and cook until browned, approximately 5 to 6 minutes.
04 - Stir in tomato paste, chili powder, cumin, smoked paprika, cayenne, oregano, salt, and black pepper until fully combined.
05 - Pour in beef broth or water, reduce heat to medium-low, and simmer for 4 to 5 minutes, stirring occasionally until sauce thickens.
06 - Heat tortillas in a dry skillet or microwave until soft and pliable.
07 - Fill each tortilla with beef mixture and top with shredded lettuce, diced tomatoes, cheese, jalapeños, cilantro, and sour cream if desired.
08 - Present tacos immediately with lime wedges alongside.

# Expert Suggestions:

01 -
  • This flavorful blend of spices feels like a secret handshake between friends who love a little heat on their plate
  • It comes together quickly, making it a go-to for busy weeknights that need a tasty punch
02 -
  • Don’t rush browning the beef – that crust forms the foundation of deep flavor
  • Adjust the cayenne pepper gradually to find your perfect heat level without overwhelming the dish
03 -
  • For maximum flavor, toast your spices briefly before adding to the beef
  • The secret to the perfect filling texture is stirring gently while simmering to prevent drying out

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