Soft Beef Tacos
When I was about 13 my mother said I could make dinner for our family. I made beef tacos with one of those store bought kits. I was so excited! I cooked the beef mixture, chopped the veggies, shredded the cheese, poured out the sauces and warmed the shells, all by myself! When it came time to eat, my Italian father had no idea how to eat a taco, he had never seen one before, haha, I love that memory. Today, I still eat tacos but I prefer the homemade variety with the healthier soft shell, you can even get away with using multigrain flatbreads.
Originally posted on November 22, 2014!
Inspired by everyone’s favourite store-bought taco kit; beef in a smoky, spicy sauce with crunchy onions wrapped in a warmed soft tortilla with cheese, tomatoes and all of your other favourite Tex-Mex toppings!
Other Recipes you may like:
Shrimp Tacos
Shrimp and Scallop Soft Tacos
Beef and Bean Soft Tacos
Soft Beef Tacos
- Total Time: 20 minutes
- Yield: 4-6 1x
Description
Inspired by everyone’s favourite store-bought taco kit; beef in a smoky, spicy sauce with crunchy onions wrapped in a warmed soft tortilla with cheese, tomatoes and all of your other favourite Tex-Mex toppings!
Ingredients
1 tbsp chili powder
1 tsp cumin
½ tsp salt, plus extra
¼ tsp pepper, plus extra
1 tbsp corn starch
1 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
453 g (1 pound) extra lean ground beef
1 Medium onion, chopped
3 Cloves garlic, crushed
1 Cup sodium reduced beef stock
A Pack of soft shell tacos (mine came in a pack of 10)
A medium tomato, chopped, for topping
Guacamole, for topping
Salsa, for topping
Shredded iceberg lettuce, for topping
Shredded part skim old cheddar, for topping
Instructions
Mix the chili powder, cumin, ½ tsp salt, ¼ tsp pepper and corn starch together and set aside.
Add the oil to a large frying pan and turn the heat to high, when it’s hot (it will ripple) add the beef and season with salt and pepper.
Break the beef up with a wooden spoon as it cooks.
When it is completely browned, strain off the excess fat (see notes) and then return the beef back to the pan and turn the heat to medium high.
Add the onion and season with salt and pepper.
Saute for 5-7 minutes, until the onions are soft and translucent.
Add the seasoning blend and the garlic to the pan; mix well.
Saute for about 30 seconds, mixing the entire time and make sure the garlic doesn’t burn.
Add the stock to the pan and scrape the bottom of the pan to release any of the flavours that may be trapped (degazing).
Bring the mixture to a boil and mix until the sauce has come together and has thickened.
Turn the heat off the pan.
Taste and adjust seasoning.
Serve immediately.
Serve with the soft taco shells with tomato, guacamole, salsa, shredded lettuce, and grated part skim old cheddar.
Notes
- Don’t pour the fat down the drain, pour the fat into a can or bottle.
- The toppings are suggestions, garnish and top with your personal favourites!
- If you like a little heat, add a little cayenne pepper to the taco seasoning mix; start with a ¼ tsp or to taste.
- If you’d like to you turkey or chicken in place of beef then use a 1/4 tsp of salt instead!
- Prep Time: 5 Minutes
- Cook Time: 15 Minutes
- Category: Main
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Tex-Mex
I haven’t had tacos in ages. These look super good! :]
Thanks! It’s such an easy recipe too!
I know your first meal you make for your family can be so exciting!
It really was!
Our family adores taco night 🙂