Spicy Beef Tacos with Salsa Verde (Printable View)
Seasoned ground beef in warm tortillas with zesty homemade salsa verde, fresh toppings, and bold Mexican flavors. Easy 40-minute meal.
# Ingredient List:
→ Spicy Beef
01 - 1.1 lb ground beef
02 - 1 tbsp olive oil
03 - 1 medium onion, finely chopped
04 - 2 garlic cloves, minced
05 - 1 jalapeño, finely diced with seeds removed
06 - 1.5 tsp ground cumin
07 - 1 tsp smoked paprika
08 - 1 tsp chili powder
09 - 0.5 tsp dried oregano
10 - 0.5 tsp salt
11 - 0.25 tsp black pepper
12 - 2 tbsp tomato paste
13 - 0.25 cup beef broth or water
→ Salsa Verde
14 - 6 tomatillos, husked and rinsed
15 - 1 small white onion, quartered
16 - 2 garlic cloves
17 - 1 to 2 jalapeños, stemmed with seeds removed
18 - 0.5 cup fresh cilantro leaves
19 - 1 tbsp fresh lime juice
20 - 0.5 tsp salt
→ Assembly
21 - 8 small corn or flour tortillas, warmed
22 - 1 small red onion, thinly sliced
23 - 1 avocado, sliced
24 - Fresh cilantro leaves for garnish
25 - Lime wedges for serving
# How to Make It:
01 - Preheat broiler. Place tomatillos, onion, garlic, and jalapeños on a baking sheet. Broil for 5 to 7 minutes, turning once, until blistered and slightly charred. Transfer roasted vegetables to a blender. Add cilantro, lime juice, and salt. Blend until smooth and set aside.
02 - Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add onion and cook for 3 minutes until softened. Stir in garlic and jalapeño and cook for 1 minute. Add ground beef, breaking it up with a spoon, and cook until browned, about 5 to 6 minutes. Sprinkle in cumin, smoked paprika, chili powder, oregano, salt, and pepper. Stir to coat meat. Add tomato paste and beef broth and simmer for 3 to 4 minutes until slightly thickened. Remove from heat.
03 - Spoon spicy beef mixture onto warm tortillas. Top each taco with salsa verde, sliced red onion, avocado, and cilantro. Serve with lime wedges on the side.
# Expert Suggestions:
01 -
- The contrast between the rich, seasoned beef and that bright, tangy salsa verde creates this perfect balance that will make your taste buds dance with every bite.
- You can prepare most components ahead of time, making this perfect for those chaotic weeknights when youre juggling homework help and work emails simultaneously.
02 -
- Dont rush browning the beef - those extra two minutes of patient cooking create flavorful caramelization that elevates the entire dish.
- Salsa verde actually tastes better after sitting overnight in the refrigerator, as the flavors meld together in ways that fresh-made salsa just cant match.
03 -
- Toast your spices in the dry pan for 30 seconds before adding oil and onions, releasing essential oils that deepen the flavor profile of the entire dish.
- A splash of the beef cooking liquid stirred into your salsa verde creates a seamless flavor bridge between the two main components.