Description
These Ground Beef Street Tacos are packed with bold, authentic Mexican flavors and come together quickly, making them an ideal choice for an easy and satisfying taco night or casual fiesta. With perfectly seasoned ground beef and fresh toppings like salsa verde, diced onions, cilantro, and cotija cheese, these tacos offer a delicious and traditional street-food experience in just 25 minutes.
Ingredients
For the Beef:
- 1 pound ground beef
- 2 cloves garlic, minced (or 2 teaspoons pre-minced garlic)
- 1 tablespoon chili powder
- 1 teaspoon ground cumin
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- ½ teaspoon oregano
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- ¼ cup water
- 2 limes, divided
For Assembly:
- 12 corn tortillas, street taco size
- ¼ cup salsa verde
- 1 white onion, finely diced
- 1 cup cotija cheese, optional
- ½ cup fresh cilantro, chopped
Instructions
- Cook Ground Beef: In a large skillet over medium-high heat, add the ground beef and cook, breaking it apart with a spoon, until it begins to brown, about 5-6 minutes.
- Add Seasonings: Add the minced garlic, chili powder, cumin, paprika, oregano, salt, and black pepper to the beef. Stir well to coat the meat evenly.
- Simmer Beef: Pour in the water and reduce the heat to low. Let the mixture simmer for about 5 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the liquid has mostly evaporated and the beef is fully cooked.
- Add Lime Juice: Squeeze half of a lime over the beef mixture and reserve the other lime, cut into wedges, for serving.
- Warm Tortillas: While the beef is finishing, warm the corn tortillas in a dry skillet over medium heat for 30 seconds per side, or until soft and pliable.
- Assemble Tacos: Divide the seasoned ground beef among the tortillas. Top each taco with salsa verde, diced onion, chopped cilantro, and cotija cheese if using.
- Serve: Serve the tacos immediately with lime wedges on the side for squeezing over just before eating. Enjoy!
Notes
- If you prefer a milder taco, reduce the chili powder to 1 teaspoon.
- Cotija cheese is optional but adds a nice salty flavor; it can be substituted with queso fresco or omitted for a dairy-free option.
- For extra heat, add diced jalapeños or a dash of hot sauce when assembling the tacos.
- Use fresh corn tortillas for the best authentic flavor; warm them just before serving to keep them soft.
- Leftover seasoned beef can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Mexican
