Beef Tacos Salsa Verde (Printable version)
Tender seasoned beef in warm tortillas, complemented by a vibrant green salsa with fresh herbs and lime.
# What You'll Need:
→ Beef Filling
01 - 1.1 lb ground beef
02 - 1 tablespoon olive oil
03 - 1 medium yellow onion, finely chopped
04 - 2 cloves garlic, minced
05 - 1 teaspoon ground cumin
06 - 1 teaspoon chili powder
07 - 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
08 - 1/2 teaspoon salt
09 - 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
→ Salsa Verde
10 - 5 medium tomatillos, husked and rinsed
11 - 1 small jalapeño, seeded
12 - 1/2 cup fresh cilantro leaves
13 - 1 small garlic clove
14 - 1/4 cup white onion, chopped
15 - 1 tablespoon lime juice
16 - 1/2 teaspoon salt
→ Assembly
17 - 8 small corn tortillas
18 - 1/2 cup red onion, finely diced
19 - 1/2 cup fresh cilantro, chopped
20 - 1 avocado, sliced
21 - Lime wedges, for serving
# Directions:
01 - Bring a saucepan of water to a boil. Add tomatillos and jalapeño, then simmer for 5 minutes until softened. Drain and transfer to a blender with cilantro, garlic, white onion, lime juice, and salt. Blend until smooth and chill until ready to use.
02 - Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Sauté yellow onion for 2 to 3 minutes until translucent, then add garlic and cook for 1 minute. Add ground beef and break it up with a spoon. Stir in cumin, chili powder, smoked paprika, salt, and pepper. Cook for 6 to 8 minutes until browned and thoroughly cooked.
03 - Heat corn tortillas in a dry skillet or over an open flame, about 30 seconds per side, until pliable and lightly charred.
04 - Distribute cooked beef evenly among the tortillas. Top with salsa verde, diced red onion, chopped cilantro, and avocado slices. Serve with lime wedges.
# Expert advice:
01 -
- The salsa verde is bright, fresh, and feels like a little secret you're sharing with everyone who takes a bite
- Ground beef cooked with warm spices that somehow taste better when you've done it yourself
- Everything comes together in under 40 minutes, which means weeknight dinners just got a whole lot more exciting
02 -
- Don't skip warming the tortillas. Cold tortillas are sad tortillas. Warm ones are pillowy and transform the whole experience
- Make your salsa verde ahead if you want. It actually tastes better the next day once the flavors have gotten to know each other
- The moment you add the avocado is the moment you need to serve. Avocado waits for no one
03 -
- Don't crowd the skillet when you're browning beef. If you need to, work in batches. You want a good sear, not steam
- Taste everything as you go. The difference between good and incredible is about a quarter teaspoon more salt, and you're the one who decides