Spicy Beef Tacos Salsa Verde (Print Version)
Seasoned beef pairs with tangy salsa verde and fresh toppings in warm tortillas for bold Mexican flavors.
# What You'll Need:
→ Beef Filling
01 - 1.1 lb ground beef
02 - 1 tbsp vegetable oil
03 - 1 small onion, finely chopped
04 - 2 cloves garlic, minced
05 - 1 jalapeño, finely chopped (seeds removed for less heat)
06 - 1 tsp ground cumin
07 - 1 tsp smoked paprika
08 - 0.5 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 - 10 oz tomatillos, husked and rinsed
15 - 1 small onion, quartered
16 - 1-2 jalapeños, stemmed (seeds removed for milder taste)
17 - 1 clove garlic
18 - 0.5 cup fresh cilantro
19 - 1 tbsp lime juice
20 - 0.5 tsp salt
→ To Serve
21 - 8 small corn tortillas (gluten-free) or flour tortillas
22 - 0.5 cup finely diced red onion
23 - 0.5 cup chopped fresh cilantro
24 - 1 lime, cut into wedges
25 - 0.75 cup crumbled queso fresco or feta (optional)
26 - Sliced radishes (optional)
# Steps:
01 - Preheat your broiler or oven grill. Place tomatillos, onion, jalapeños, and garlic on a foil-lined baking tray. Broil for 5-7 minutes, turning once, until vegetables are lightly charred. Transfer to a blender with cilantro, lime juice, and salt. Blend until smooth. Taste and adjust seasoning if needed. Set aside.
02 - Heat oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add onion and cook for 2-3 minutes until softened. Stir in garlic and jalapeño; cook 1 minute. Add ground beef, breaking it up with a spoon. Cook until browned, about 5-6 minutes. Stir in cumin, smoked paprika, chili powder, oregano, salt, and pepper. Mix in tomato paste and beef broth. Simmer for 3-4 minutes until slightly thickened.
03 - Heat tortillas in a dry skillet or directly over a gas flame for 20-30 seconds each side until warm and pliable.
04 - Spoon spicy beef filling onto each tortilla. Top generously with salsa verde. Garnish with diced red onion, cilantro, crumbled cheese, sliced radishes, and a squeeze of lime.
# Expert Tips:
01 -
- The homemade salsa verde transforms everything, bringing a bright tangy punch that jarred versions can never match
- Ground beef gets coated in spices that slowly bloom, creating depth without any fancy techniques
- Everything comes together in under an hour but tastes like it came from a taco truck
02 -
- Don't skip broiling the tomatillos, raw ones taste bitter and the char transforms them completely
- Let the beef mixture cool slightly before assembling or your tortillas will get soggy within seconds
- The salsa tastes even better after sitting for 30 minutes, so make it first if you can plan ahead
03 -
- If your salsa verde tastes too acidic, add a tiny pinch of sugar to balance it out without making it sweet
- Leftover beef filling works incredible in breakfast hashes or mixed into scrambled eggs the next morning