Beef Tacos with Cheese (Printable)
Seasoned ground beef in warm tortillas with cheese, sour cream, and fresh garnishes for a tasty meal.
# What You Need:
→ Beef Filling
01 - 1 lb ground beef (80/20 or lean)
02 - 1 small onion, finely chopped
03 - 2 cloves garlic, minced
04 - 1 tbsp tomato paste
05 - 1 tsp ground cumin
06 - 1 tsp chili powder
07 - 1/2 tsp smoked paprika
08 - 1/2 tsp dried oregano
09 - 1/2 tsp salt
10 - 1/4 tsp black pepper
11 - 1/4 cup beef broth or water
12 - 1 tbsp olive oil
→ Tacos & Toppings
13 - 8 small flour or corn tortillas (6-inch)
14 - 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese or Mexican blend
15 - 1 cup sour cream
16 - 1 cup shredded lettuce
17 - 1 medium tomato, diced
18 - 1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro (optional)
19 - 1 lime, cut into wedges
# Directions:
01 - Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add finely chopped onion and sauté for 2 to 3 minutes until softened.
02 - Add minced garlic to the skillet and cook for 30 seconds until fragrant.
03 - Add ground beef to the skillet. Cook while breaking it up with a spoon until browned and fully cooked, about 5 to 7 minutes.
04 - Stir in tomato paste, ground cumin, chili powder, smoked paprika, dried oregano, salt, and black pepper. Cook for 1 minute to release flavors.
05 - Pour in beef broth or water, reduce heat, and simmer for 3 to 4 minutes until sauce thickens slightly. Remove from heat.
06 - Heat tortillas in a dry skillet or microwave until pliable and warm.
07 - Spoon beef filling into each warm tortilla. Top with shredded cheese, lettuce, diced tomato, a dollop of sour cream, and cilantro if desired. Serve with lime wedges.
# Expert Tips:
01 -
- Ready in thirty minutes flat, perfect for those nights when hunger hits hard and time is short.
- Everyone customizes their own taco, so nobody's disappointed and the kitchen stays drama-free.
- That moment when the sour cream melts into the warm meat is pure, uncomplicated comfort.
02 -
- Don't skip warming the tortillas—cold, stiff tortillas completely change how the taco feels and tastes.
- If your beef filling looks too dry, you added too much spice powder; if it's too wet, let it simmer another minute or two until it's neither soup nor paste.
03 -
- Toast your spices in the oil before adding the beef; this prevents them from tasting flat and dusty.
- Don't rush the simmering step—those extra few minutes let the beef absorb the flavors and become genuinely delicious instead of just seasoned.