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Beef Taco Recipe

Name: My Brother's Soul Food Heavens Beef Taco Recipe
Cook time: 30 min
Total time: 30 min
Yield: 4 servings
Cuisine: Mexican
Ingredients: 1 lb ground beef (80/20); 0.5 cup yellow onion, finely diced; 2 tsp garlic, minced; 1 tbs vegetable oil; 2 tsp chili powder; 1 tsp ground cumin; 0.5 tsp dried oregano; 0.5 tsp smoked paprika; 1 tsp salt; 0.5 tsp black pepper; 1 tbs tomato paste; 0.5 cup beef or chicken broth; 1 tbsp lime juice (fresh); 8 pieces small corn or flour tortillas; 1 cup shredded romaine or iceberg lettuce; 1 cup shredded cheddar or Mexican blend cheese; 0.5 cup diced tomato; 0.25 cup thinly sliced red onion; 2 tbsp fresh cilantro, chopped; 2 tbsp pickled jalapeños (optional); 0.25 cup sour cream or crema; 2 tbs hot sauce or salsa; 2 pieces lime wedges

Inspired by My Brother's Soul Food Heaven

Time30m

Serves4

Make Beef Taco Recipe in just 30m. Get the full recipe with step-by-step instructions at pekinthechef.com.

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Ingredients

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Taco Beef

1 lb ground beef (80/20)

1/2 cup yellow onion, finely diced

2 tsp Garlic, minced

1 tbs Tuscany sunflower oil

2 tsp Chili powder

1 tsp Ground cumin

1/2 tsp Dried oregano

1/2 tsp Smoked paprika

1 tsp Celtic sea salt

1/2 tsp black pepper

1 tbs tomato paste

1/2 cup beef or chicken broth

1 tbsp lime juice (fresh)

Tacos & Toppings

8 pieces small corn or flour tortillas

1 cup shredded romaine or iceberg lettuce

1 cup shredded cheddar or Mexican blend cheese

1/2 cup diced tomato

1/4 cup thinly sliced red onion

2 tbsp Fresh cilantro, chopped

2 tbsp pickled jalapeños (optional)

1/4 cup sour cream or crema

2 tbs hot sauce or salsa

2 pieces Lime wedges

Method

Taco Beef

Prep aromatics

Finely dice 1/2 cup yellow onion and mince 2 tsp garlic. Measure spices (chili powder, cumin, oregano, smoked paprika, salt, pepper) and set aside.

Cook onion

Heat 1 tablespoon vegetable oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat until shimmering.

Sauté aromatics

Add diced onion to the skillet and cook, stirring occasionally, until softened and translucent, about 3-4 minutes. Add the minced garlic and cook 30-45 seconds until fragrant.

Brown beef

Add 1 lb ground beef to the skillet, breaking it up with a spatula. Cook over medium-high heat until no pink remains and beef begins to brown, about 6-8 minutes. Drain excess fat if there is more than 1 tablespoon; leave a little for flavor.

Spice and tomato paste

Sprinkle the measured spices (2 tsp chili powder, 1 tsp cumin, 1/2 tsp oregano, 1/2 tsp smoked paprika, 1 tsp salt, 1/2 tsp black pepper) over the browned beef. Add 1 tablespoon tomato paste. Stir thoroughly to coat the beef and toast the spices for about 1 minute.

Simmer

Pour in 1/2 cup beef or chicken broth, scrape up any browned bits from the pan, and reduce heat to medium-low. Simmer gently until the mixture thickens and the flavors meld, about 5 minutes.

Finish

Stir in 1 tablespoon fresh lime juice, taste and adjust seasoning (add more salt or chili powder if desired). Keep warm while preparing tortillas and toppings.

Tacos & Assembly

Warm tortillas

Warm 8 small corn or flour tortillas: either heat directly over a gas flame for a few seconds per side until slightly charred, or warm in a hot, dry skillet for 20-30 seconds per side, or wrap in a damp cloth and microwave for 30-45 seconds. Keep wrapped to stay pliable.

Prepare toppings

Arrange shredded lettuce, shredded cheese, diced tomato, sliced red onion, chopped cilantro, pickled jalapeños (if using), sour cream, and hot sauce/salsa in small bowls for easy assembly.

Assemble tacos

Place a warmed tortilla on a plate. Spoon about 2 to 3 tablespoons of the seasoned beef into the center of each tortilla (approximately 1/8 of the beef per taco). Top with shredded lettuce (about 1 tbsp), cheese (about 2 tbsp), diced tomato (1 tbsp), a few slices of red onion, and cilantro. Add pickled jalapeños and a drizzle of sour cream and hot sauce to taste.

Serve

Serve tacos immediately with lime wedges on the side for squeezing over the tacos. Provide extra hot sauce or salsa as desired.