Beef Tacos with Sour Cream (Printable)
Classic ground beef tacos with fresh toppings and a dollop of sour cream, perfect for a quick and satisfying meal.
# Ingredient List:
→ Beef Filling
01 - 1 lb ground beef (80/20 preferred)
02 - 1 small yellow onion, finely diced
03 - 2 cloves garlic, minced
04 - 2 tbsp tomato paste
05 - 1 tsp ground cumin
06 - 1 tsp chili powder
07 - 1/2 tsp smoked paprika
08 - 1/2 tsp dried oregano
09 - 1/2 tsp salt
10 - 1/4 tsp black pepper
11 - 1/4 cup water
→ 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
# Steps:
01 - In a large skillet over medium heat, add ground beef and cook, breaking it apart with a spatula, until browned and mostly cooked through (about 5 minutes).
02 - Add diced onion and cook for another 2-3 minutes until softened. Stir in the minced garlic and cook for 30 seconds until fragrant.
03 - Mix in tomato paste, cumin, chili powder, smoked paprika, oregano, salt, and black pepper. Stir well to coat the meat and onion mixture.
04 - Pour in water and reduce heat to low. Simmer for 5 minutes until the mixture thickens slightly. Remove from heat.
05 - Warm taco shells according to package instructions.
06 - Spoon beef mixture into each shell. Top with lettuce, tomatoes, cheese, and a generous dollop of sour cream. Garnish with cilantro if desired. Serve with lime wedges.
# Expert Advice:
01 -
- The beef filling simmers just long enough to develop deep flavor while still getting dinner on the table in 30 minutes flat.
- The contrast between the warm spiced beef and the cool, tangy sour cream creates that perfect bite that has friends asking for the recipe after just one taste.
02 -
- Letting the meat mixture sit for 5 minutes after cooking allows the flavors to settle and intensify, something I learned after always rushing to serve immediately.
- Warming both sides of soft tortillas for just 10 seconds per side prevents them from splitting when folded, saving countless taco casualties over the years.
03 -
- Store leftover components separately in the refrigerator - the beef filling in one container, prepped vegetables in another - for tacos that taste freshly made when reassembled the next day.
- Toast your spices in the dry pan for 30 seconds before adding the beef for a deeper, more complex flavor profile that elevates the entire dish.