Beef Tacos with Sour Cream (Printable)
Flavorful ground beef, creamy sour cream, and fresh toppings nestled in soft or crunchy shells. A quick, satisfying meal for any day.
# What You'll Need:
→ For the Beef Filling
01 - 1 pound ground beef (80/20 preferred)
02 - 1 small yellow onion, finely diced
03 - 2 cloves garlic, minced
04 - 2 tablespoons tomato paste
05 - 1 teaspoon ground cumin
06 - 1 teaspoon chili powder
07 - 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
08 - 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
09 - 1/2 teaspoon salt
10 - 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
11 - 1/4 cup water
→ For the Tacos
12 - 8 taco shells (soft flour tortillas or crunchy corn shells)
13 - 1 cup shredded lettuce
14 - 1 cup diced tomatoes
15 - 1/2 cup shredded cheddar or Mexican blend cheese
16 - 1/2 cup sour cream
17 - 1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro (optional)
18 - Lime wedges, for serving
# How to Make It:
01 - In a large skillet over medium heat, add the ground beef. Cook, breaking it apart with a spatula, until it is thoroughly browned and mostly cooked through, approximately 5 minutes.
02 - Incorporate the finely diced onion into the skillet and cook for an additional 2-3 minutes until softened. Stir in the minced garlic and cook for 30 seconds until fragrant.
03 - Add the tomato paste, ground cumin, chili powder, smoked paprika, dried oregano, salt, and black pepper to the skillet. Stir thoroughly to evenly coat the beef and onion mixture.
04 - Pour in the water and reduce the heat to low. Allow the mixture to simmer for 5 minutes, or until it has thickened slightly. Remove the skillet from the heat.
05 - Warm the taco shells according to the package instructions.
06 - Spoon the beef filling into each warmed taco shell. Top with shredded lettuce, diced tomatoes, shredded cheese, and a generous dollop of sour cream. Garnish with chopped fresh cilantro, if desired. Serve immediately with lime wedges.
# Expert Advice:
01 -
- This recipe is your secret weapon for those busy weeknights when you want something satisfyingly delicious on the table in under 30 minutes.
- It’s incredibly versatile, perfect for tailoring to everyone's preferences at the dinner table, making mealtime a breeze.
02 -
- Never underestimate the power of seasoning; taste your beef filling after simmering and adjust salt or spices as needed, it makes all the difference.
- If your beef filling seems a little too dry, a splash more water or even a touch of broth can bring it back to that perfect saucy consistency.
03 -
- To make weeknight cooking even faster, you can brown the beef and prepare the spice mixture a day or two in advance, storing it in the fridge until ready to simmer and assemble.
- When cooking the ground beef, ensure you drain any excess fat before adding the other ingredients; this keeps your filling from being greasy and allows the spices to adhere better.