Beef Tacos Homemade Salsa (Print Version)
Juicy beef tucked into warm tortillas, topped with zesty salsa and creamy guacamole for a fresh meal.
# What You'll Need:
→ For the Beef
01 - 1.1 lb ground beef
02 - 1 tbsp olive oil
03 - 1 small onion, finely chopped
04 - 2 cloves garlic, minced
05 - 1 tsp ground cumin
06 - 1 tsp smoked paprika
07 - 1/2 tsp chili powder
08 - 1/2 tsp ground coriander
09 - 1/2 tsp dried oregano
10 - 1/2 tsp salt
11 - 1/4 tsp black pepper
12 - 2 tbsp tomato paste
13 - 1/3 cup plus 1 tbsp beef broth or water
→ For the Homemade Salsa
14 - 3 medium ripe tomatoes, finely diced
15 - 1/2 small red onion, finely chopped
16 - 1 small jalapeño, seeded and minced
17 - 2 tbsp fresh cilantro, chopped
18 - Juice of 1 lime
19 - 1/2 tsp salt
20 - Freshly ground black pepper, to taste
→ For the Guacamole
21 - 2 ripe avocados
22 - 1 small tomato, finely diced
23 - 1/4 small red onion, finely chopped
24 - 2 tbsp fresh cilantro, chopped
25 - Juice of 1 lime
26 - Salt and pepper, to taste
→ For Serving
27 - 8 small corn or flour tortillas, warmed
28 - Shredded lettuce
29 - Grated cheese (optional)
30 - Lime wedges
# How to Make It:
01 - Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add onion and cook 2–3 minutes until softened. Add garlic and cook 30 seconds more. Add ground beef, breaking it up with a spoon, and cook until browned, about 5–7 minutes. Stir in cumin, smoked paprika, chili powder, coriander, oregano, salt, and pepper. Add tomato paste and mix well. Pour in beef broth or water, reduce heat, and simmer for 5 minutes until slightly thickened.
02 - In a bowl, combine tomatoes, red onion, jalapeño, cilantro, lime juice, salt, and pepper. Mix well and set aside to allow flavors to meld.
03 - In another bowl, mash avocados with a fork until mostly smooth. Stir in tomato, red onion, cilantro, lime juice, salt, and pepper. Mix gently to combine.
04 - Heat tortillas in a dry skillet over medium heat for 20–30 seconds per side or wrap in foil and warm in a 350°F oven for 10 minutes.
05 - Fill each tortilla with a generous spoonful of seasoned beef. Top with shredded lettuce, salsa, guacamole, and grated cheese if desired. Serve immediately with lime wedges.
# Expert Advice:
01 -
- The homemade salsa and guacamole make such a difference that storebought versions will taste disappointingly flat afterward
- Everything comes together in under an hour but tastes like you spent all day cooking
- Perfect for feeding a crowd because everyone can customize their own tacos
02 -
- Warm your tortillas properly because cold tortillas will crack and fall apart as soon as you try to fill them
- The beef mixture needs those 5 minutes of simmering to transform from spiced meat into a cohesive taco filling
- Mash your avocados just before assembling because the lime juice only delays browning for so long
03 -
- Toast your cumin and coriander in a dry pan for 2 minutes before adding them to unlock their essential oils
- Add a tablespoon of the salsa juices into the beef mixture for an extra layer of flavor