Beef Tacos with Soft Flour Tortillas (Print Version)
Seasoned ground beef in warm flour tortillas topped with fresh lettuce, tomatoes, cheese, sour cream, and cilantro.
# What You'll Need:
→ Beef Seasoning
01 - 1 pound ground beef (80/20 or 85/15 blend)
02 - 1 small onion, finely chopped
03 - 2 cloves garlic, minced
04 - 1 tablespoon olive oil
05 - 2 teaspoons chili powder
06 - 1 teaspoon ground cumin
07 - 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
08 - 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
09 - 1/2 teaspoon salt
10 - 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
11 - 1/4 cup beef or chicken broth
12 - 1 tablespoon tomato paste
→ Tortillas and Toppings
13 - 8 small soft flour tortillas, 6-inch diameter
14 - 1 cup shredded lettuce
15 - 1 cup diced tomatoes
16 - 3/4 cup shredded cheddar or Monterey Jack cheese
17 - 1/2 cup sour cream
18 - 1/4 cup fresh cilantro, chopped
19 - 1 jalapeño pepper, thinly sliced (optional)
20 - 1 lime, cut into wedges
# How-To Steps:
01 - Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add chopped onion and sauté for 2 to 3 minutes until softened and translucent.
02 - Add minced garlic to the skillet and cook for 30 seconds until fragrant.
03 - Add ground beef to the skillet, breaking it up with a spoon. Cook for 6 to 7 minutes until completely browned. Drain excess fat if necessary.
04 - Stir in chili powder, ground cumin, smoked paprika, oregano, salt, and black pepper. Cook for 1 minute to toast the spices.
05 - Add tomato paste and broth to the beef mixture. Stir well and simmer for 3 to 4 minutes until slightly thickened. Taste and adjust seasoning as needed. Remove from heat.
06 - Heat flour tortillas in a dry skillet over medium heat or microwave until soft and pliable, approximately 30 seconds per side.
07 - Spoon seasoned beef mixture onto each warm tortilla. Top with shredded lettuce, diced tomatoes, cheese, sour cream, fresh cilantro, sliced jalapeños if desired, and a squeeze of fresh lime juice.
08 - Transfer assembled tacos to serving plates and serve immediately while tortillas remain warm.
# Expert Tips:
01 -
- The beef simmers just long enough to create this incredible sauce that never makes the tortillas soggy like store-bought taco seasoning packets do.
- Everything comes together in about 40 minutes, making this my go-to recipe when friends drop by unexpectedly and I need to feed a crowd without fuss.
02 -
- Never skip draining excess fat after browning the beef, or youll end up with greasy tacos that soak through the tortillas too quickly.
- Adding the tomato paste before the broth and letting it cook for just a few seconds intensifies the flavor and removes that tinny taste some canned products have.
03 -
- Sprinkle a tiny bit of water on flour tortillas before microwaving them covered with a damp paper towel, creating steam that makes them incredibly soft without becoming soggy.
- Toss your diced tomatoes with a pinch of salt 10 minutes before serving to draw out excess moisture and intensify their flavor, preventing watery tacos.