Beef Tacos with Salsa Guacamole (Printable)
Seasoned beef in warm tortillas paired with fresh salsa and creamy guacamole for a vibrant, flavorful dish.
# What You'll Need:
→ Beef Filling
01 - 1 pound ground beef
02 - 1 tablespoon olive oil
03 - 1 small onion, finely chopped
04 - 2 cloves garlic, minced
05 - 1 teaspoon ground cumin
06 - 1 teaspoon chili powder
07 - 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
08 - 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
09 - 1/2 teaspoon salt
10 - 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
11 - 1/3 cup beef broth or water
→ Fresh Salsa
12 - 2 medium ripe tomatoes, diced
13 - 1/4 cup red onion, finely chopped
14 - 1 small jalapeño, seeded and minced
15 - 2 tablespoons fresh cilantro, chopped
16 - Juice of 1 lime
17 - Salt and pepper to taste
→ Guacamole
18 - 2 ripe avocados
19 - 1 tablespoon lime juice
20 - 2 tablespoons fresh cilantro, chopped
21 - 1 small tomato, seeded and diced
22 - 1/4 cup red onion, finely chopped
23 - Salt to taste
→ Assembly
24 - 8 small corn or flour tortillas
25 - 1/2 cup shredded lettuce
26 - 1/2 cup shredded cheddar or Mexican cheese blend
27 - Lime wedges for serving
# Directions:
01 - Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add onion and cook until soft, about 3 minutes. Add garlic and ground beef, breaking up meat with a spoon. Cook until browned, about 5 to 6 minutes. Stir in cumin, chili powder, smoked paprika, oregano, salt, and black pepper. Pour in beef broth or water and simmer for 3 to 4 minutes, letting flavors blend and liquid reduce slightly. Remove from heat.
02 - Combine tomatoes, red onion, jalapeño, cilantro, and lime juice in a bowl. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Set aside to allow flavors to meld.
03 - In a bowl, mash avocados with lime juice until creamy but slightly chunky. Stir in cilantro, tomato, red onion, and salt. Mix gently to combine.
04 - Heat tortillas in a dry skillet for 30 seconds per side, or wrap in foil and warm in a low oven until heated through.
05 - Spoon beef filling onto each warm tortilla. Top with shredded lettuce, fresh salsa, guacamole, and cheese if desired. Serve immediately with lime wedges.
# Expert Advice:
01 -
- Everything comes together in under 40 minutes but tastes like it simmered all day
- The homemade salsa and guacamole completely transform ordinary ground beef into something extraordinary
- Leftovers actually taste better the next day, if you somehow manage to have any
02 -
- Warm tortillas make or break this recipe, cold ones will crack and fall apart
- Letting the beef rest in the pan for a few minutes off the heat helps the flavors settle
- The salsa needs at least 15 minutes to really come together, make it first
03 -
- Mix the beef seasoning in a small bowl before adding to the pan so you don't accidentally dump too much of any one spice
- Buy avocados a few days ahead and let them ripen on the counter, rock hard ones never mash properly