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Spicy Beef Tacos

A flavorful and easy recipe for spicy beef tacos that combines juicy beef with a blend of spices and fresh toppings, all in under 30 minutes.
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Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 15 minutes
Total Time 25 minutes
Servings: 4 tacos
Course: Dinner, Main Course
Cuisine: Mexican
Calories: 350
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

For the Beef and Spices
  • 1 lb Ground beef Use 80/20 for best flavor and juiciness
  • 1 tbsp Olive oil For cooking the onions
  • 1 medium Onion, finely chopped
  • 2 cloves Garlic, minced Stir constantly to prevent burning
  • 2 tbsp Chili powder
  • 1 tbsp Ground cumin
  • 1 tbsp Smoked paprika
  • 1/4 tsp Cayenne pepper Adjust based on your spice tolerance
  • to taste pinch Salt and black pepper
For the Taco Shells and Toppings
  • 8 pieces Small corn tortillas Warm for better flexibility
  • 2 cups Shredded lettuce
  • 1 cup Diced tomatoes
  • 1 cup Shredded cheese Your choice of cheese
  • 1 cup Sour cream
  • 1/2 cup Fresh cilantro, chopped
  • 2 pieces Lime wedges For serving
Optional Add-Ons
  • 1 medium Avocado slices or guacamole Highly recommended
  • 2 pieces Sliced jalapeños
  • 1 can Black beans
  • to taste tbsp Hot sauce
  • odds and ends Sliced radishes for crunch

Method
 

Preparation
  1. Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Once it shimmers, toss in the chopped onion. Cook until soft and slightly golden, about 4 minutes.
  2. Add the minced garlic and stir constantly for about a minute to avoid burning.
Cooking the Beef
  1. Push the onion and garlic to one side. Add the ground beef and increase heat to medium-high. Brown the beef, breaking it apart.
  2. Add chili powder, cumin, smoked paprika, cayenne, salt, and pepper. Stir until evenly coated.
  3. Cook for another 5-7 minutes until deep brown. Remove from heat and let rest for 2 minutes.
Tortilla Prep
  1. Warm tortillas in a dry skillet over low heat for about 20 seconds per side or in the microwave wrapped in a damp paper towel.
Assembling Tacos
  1. Lay a warm tortilla flat and spoon a generous portion of spiced beef. Top with shredded lettuce, diced tomatoes, and cheese.
  2. Add a dollop of sour cream and cilantro, and finish with a squeeze of lime juice. Serve immediately.

Notes

Go easy on the cayenne if cooking for spice-sensitive individuals. You can add hot sauce later but can't un-spice a taco once it's too hot. Let the beef mixture rest before serving to settle flavors.