Snack Taco Recipe
Seasoned beef, crisp shredded lettuce, fresh house-grated cheddar cheese in a crunchy corn shell or warm flour tortilla.
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Ingredients
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Beef Filling
Taco Assembly
Method
Beef Filling
Cook aromatics
Heat a large skillet over medium heat and add 1 tablespoon vegetable oil. Add the diced onion and cook, stirring, until softened and translucent, about 3–4 minutes. Add the minced garlic and cook 30 seconds until fragrant.
Brown beef
Increase heat to medium-high and add the ground beef to the skillet. Break it into small pieces with a spatula and cook, stirring occasionally, until no pink remains and edges start to brown, about 5–7 minutes.
Season and simmer
Drain any excess fat if desired, leaving about a teaspoon for flavor. Reduce heat to medium, then stir in chili powder, ground cumin, smoked paprika, dried oregano, kosher salt, and black pepper. Cook 1 minute to bloom the spices. Stir in 1 tablespoon tomato paste, then add 1/4 cup broth (or water) and scrape up any browned bits. Simmer gently 3–4 minutes until mixture is slightly thickened. Taste and adjust salt or spice. Stir in 1 teaspoon fresh lime juice if using. Remove from heat and keep warm.
Taco Assembly
Prepare shells or tortillas
If using corn taco shells, warm them in a 350°F (175°C) oven for 3–5 minutes to crisp and warm through. If using flour tortillas, wrap in a damp clean towel and microwave for 20–30 seconds or warm in a dry skillet for 20–30 seconds per side until pliable.
Grate cheese and shred lettuce
House-grate the cheddar if necessary (a coarse or medium grater yields the best texture). Rinse and very finely shred or thinly slice the iceberg lettuce; pat dry to keep it crisp.
Assemble tacos
Fill each shell or tortilla with about 2 tablespoons (roughly 1.5–2 oz) of the seasoned beef (divide the cooked beef evenly across 8 tacos). Top with approximately 2 tablespoons shredded lettuce and 2 tablespoons grated cheddar per taco. Add cilantro leaves and a few drops of hot sauce or a spoonful of salsa if desired.
Serve
Serve immediately while shells are crisp or tortillas are warm so lettuce stays crisp and cheese softens slightly from the hot beef. Offer lime wedges and extra hot sauce on the side.