Beef Tacos Sour Cream Cheese (Printable)
Juicy seasoned ground beef in crispy shells, topped with cool sour cream, melty cheese, and fresh vegetables.
# What You'll Need:
→ Beef Filling
01 - 1 pound ground beef
02 - 1 small onion, finely chopped
03 - 2 cloves garlic, minced
04 - 1 tablespoon olive oil
05 - 1 tablespoon chili powder
06 - 1 teaspoon ground cumin
07 - 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
08 - 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
09 - 1/2 teaspoon salt
10 - 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
11 - 1/4 cup water
→ Tacos & Toppings
12 - 8 taco shells or small tortillas (hard or soft, as preferred)
13 - 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
14 - 1 cup sour cream
15 - 1 cup shredded lettuce
16 - 1 medium tomato, diced
17 - 1/4 cup sliced green onions
18 - 1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro (optional)
19 - 1 lime, cut into wedges
# How To Make It:
01 - In a large skillet, heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil over medium heat. Add the finely chopped onion and sauté for 2 minutes until softened.
02 - Stir in the minced garlic and cook for an additional 30 seconds.
03 - Add the ground beef to the skillet. Cook, breaking it up with a spoon, until it is browned and thoroughly cooked, which typically takes 5–6 minutes.
04 - Stir in the chili powder, ground cumin, smoked paprika, dried oregano, salt, and black pepper. Mix thoroughly to coat the beef.
05 - Pour in the water and simmer the mixture for 2–3 minutes, allowing most of the liquid to evaporate and the flavors to meld. Remove from heat.
06 - Warm the taco shells or tortillas according to their package instructions.
07 - To assemble, spoon the seasoned beef mixture into each warm taco shell. Top with shredded cheddar cheese, shredded lettuce, diced tomato, sliced green onions, and fresh cilantro (if desired). Finish with a dollop of sour cream. Serve immediately with lime wedges.
# Expert Suggestions:
01 -
- This recipe is incredibly forgiving and truly comes together faster than takeout, perfect for those 'what's for dinner' moments.
- It’s a guaranteed crowd-pleaser, allowing everyone at the table to build their perfect bite just the way they like it.
02 -
- Never overcrowd your skillet when browning the beef; it steams instead of sears, leading to less flavor.
- Always warm your taco shells or tortillas right before serving to ensure they're pliable or perfectly crisp, depending on your preference.
03 -
- For extra crispy taco shells, place them open-side down on a baking sheet and bake for a few minutes until golden and firm.
- A squeeze of fresh lime juice over your assembled taco right before the first bite will elevate all the flavors, don't skip it!