sixtic Easy Homemade Tacos are bursting with flavor and ready in under 30 minutes! 🌮✨ Juicy, spiced ground beef (or your favorite protein) tucked into warm tortillas with all the fresh toppings.
Ingredients (makes 8 tacos, serves 4):
- For the Taco Filling:
- 1 lb (450g) ground beef (or ground turkey, chicken, or plant-based meat)
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1 small yellow onion, finely diced
- 2 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 tbsp chili powder
- 1 tsp ground cumin
- 1 tsp smoked paprika
- ½ tsp dried oregano
- ½ tsp salt
- ¼ tsp black pepper
- ¼ tsp red pepper flakes (optional, for heat)
- ½ cup (120ml) tomato sauce or crushed tomatoes
- ¼ cup (60ml) water or beef broth
- For the Tacos:
- 8 small soft corn or flour tortillas (or hard taco shells)
- 1 cup shredded cheddar or Mexican blend cheese
- 1 cup shredded lettuce
- 1 cup diced tomatoes
- ½ cup diced red onion
- ½ cup sour cream or Greek yogurt
- ¼ cup chopped fresh cilantro
- Lime wedges for serving
- Optional toppings: sliced jalapeños, avocado, guacamole, salsa, or hot sauce
Instructions:
- Cook the Filling:
- Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add onion and cook until softened, about 3 minutes.
- Add garlic and cook for 1 minute until fragrant.
- Add ground beef (or alternative) and cook, breaking it up with a spoon, until browned, about 5-7 minutes. Drain excess fat if needed.
- Stir in chili powder, cumin, smoked paprika, oregano, salt, black pepper, and red pepper flakes. Cook for 1 minute to toast spices.
- Add tomato sauce and water. Simmer on low for 5-7 minutes, stirring occasionally, until thickened. Adjust seasoning to taste.
- Prepare Tortillas:
- For soft tortillas, warm them in a dry skillet over medium heat for 20-30 seconds per side or wrap in foil and heat in a 350°F (175°C) oven for 5 minutes.
- For hard shells, follow package instructions (usually bake at 350°F for 5-7 minutes).
- Assemble Tacos:
- Spoon 2-3 tbsp of the meat filling into each tortilla or shell.
- Top with cheese, lettuce, tomatoes, red onion, sour cream, and cilantro. Add any optional toppings like avocado or salsa.
- Squeeze fresh lime juice over tacos for a zesty kick.
- Serve:
- Serve immediately with extra lime wedges and your favorite hot sauce on the side.
Tips:
- Make it quick: Use a store-bought taco seasoning packet instead of individual spices, but reduce salt to avoid oversalting.
- Vegetarian option: Swap meat for black beans, lentils, or crumbled tofu with the same seasonings.
- Prep ahead: Cook the filling up to 2 days in advance and refrigerate; reheat before serving.
- Store leftovers: Keep filling in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days or freeze for up to 3 months.
