Spicy Beef Tacos with Salsa Verde (Printable)
Tender beef seasoned with bold spices, served in warm tortillas with zesty homemade salsa verde.
# What You'll Need:
→ Spicy Beef
01 - 1.1 lb ground beef
02 - 1 tablespoon olive oil
03 - 1 medium onion, finely chopped
04 - 2 garlic cloves, minced
05 - 1 jalapeño, finely diced with seeds removed
06 - 1.5 teaspoons ground cumin
07 - 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
08 - 1 teaspoon chili powder
09 - 0.5 teaspoon dried oregano
10 - 0.5 teaspoon salt
11 - 0.25 teaspoon black pepper
12 - 2 tablespoons 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 tablespoon fresh lime juice
20 - 0.5 teaspoon 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. Set aside.
02 - Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add chopped onion and cook for 3 minutes until softened. Stir in minced garlic and diced jalapeño; cook for 1 minute. Add ground beef, breaking it up with a spoon. Cook until browned, approximately 5 to 6 minutes. Sprinkle in cumin, smoked paprika, chili powder, oregano, salt, and pepper. Stir to evenly coat meat. Add tomato paste and beef broth; 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 slices, and cilantro. Serve with lime wedges on the side.
# Expert Advice:
01 -
- The homemade salsa verde brings such brightness that guests always ask if I bought it from a specialty shop before sheepishly requesting the recipe.
- The beef mixture comes together in just minutes but tastes like it simmered all afternoon, making this your secret weapon for both planned dinner parties and unexpected guests.
02 -
- Never skip the resting time after mixing the salsa verde ingredients, as those five minutes allow the flavors to meld and develop complexity that makes all the difference.
- Adding the tablespoon of broth or water to the beef mixture prevents it from drying out while also helping the spices distribute evenly throughout the meat.
03 -
- When selecting tomatillos, look for ones that fill their husks completely and feel firm but not rock-hard, a trick an elderly woman taught me at the farmers market after watching me squeeze dozens uncertainly.
- If making ahead, store the beef and salsa separately and slightly underheat the beef, as it will continue cooking when you reheat it before serving.