Spiced Beef Tacos

Ingredients

• 500 g ground beef
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1 small onion, finely diced
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 tablespoon chili powder
• 1 teaspoon cumin
• ½ teaspoon smoked paprika
• ¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper
• Salt and pepper to taste
• 8 small flour or corn tortillas

Toppings

• Shredded lettuce
• Diced tomato
• Sour cream
• Grated cheddar cheese
• Fresh cilantro
• Lime wedges
• Hot sauce

Instructions

1. Cook the onion. Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Sauté onion for 3 minutes until softened. Add garlic and cook 30 seconds more.
2. Brown the beef. Add ground beef, breaking it up with a spoon. Cook until no longer pink, about 5–6 minutes.
3. Season. Add chili powder, cumin, paprika, cayenne, salt, and pepper. Stir well and cook 2 more minutes.
4. Warm the tortillas in a dry pan for 30 seconds per side or wrap in foil and heat in the oven at 180 °C for 5 minutes.
5. Assemble tacos with the beef and your choice of toppings. Squeeze lime juice over the top.

Tips

Substitutions & variations

• Turkey or chicken: Swap ground beef for ground turkey or chicken for a leaner option.
• Vegetarian: Use crumbled firm tofu or black beans instead of beef.
• Crispy shells: Use store-bought hard taco shells and bake at 180 °C for 3 minutes.