Description
A quick and authentic Latin beef taco recipe with smoky, seasoned ground beef in warm tortillas. The tomato-based sauce adds richness, while fresh toppings like lettuce and tomatoes balance the flavors. Ready in under an hour.
Ingredients
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 pound lean ground beef
2 teaspoons chili powder
2 teaspoons ground cumin
½ teaspoon dried oregano or 1 teaspoon fresh oregano
½ teaspoon garlic powder
2 tablespoons tomato paste
2 tablespoons water
2 to 3 soft flour tortillas
1 cup shredded lettuce
1 cup diced tomatoes
1 cup grated cheddar cheese or other mild cheese
¼ cup thinly sliced red onions
Instructions
Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium high heat
Add ground beef and cook for 5–7 minutes until browned
Drain excess fat to avoid sogginess
Return beef to the skillet and stir in chili powder, cumin, oregano, garlic powder, salt, and pepper
Add tomato paste and water, simmer for 3–5 minutes until sauce thickens
Warm tortillas in a dry skillet for 10 seconds per side
Fill each tortilla with beef mixture, lettuce, tomatoes, cheese, and red onions
Customize with toppings like pickled jalapeños, avocado, or lime crema
Notes
Use nonstick cookware to prevent spices from burning; clean cast-iron thoroughly as an alternative
Adjust seasoning gradually by tasting before simmering; add extra chili powder for depth
Substitute vegetable oil for a milder flavor
Replace ground beef with ground turkey for lower fat
Tortillas should be warmed separately to maintain pliability and absorb beef oils
- Prep Time: 15
- Cook Time: 45
- Category: Main Dishes
- Method: Stir-frying
- Cuisine: Latin
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 2 tacos
- Calories: 480
- Sugar: 4g
- Sodium: 450mg
- Fat: 22g
- Saturated Fat: 10g
- Carbohydrates: 40g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 30g
- Cholesterol: 75mg