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Quick 20-Minute Beef Tacos Recipe with Easy Fresh Pico de Gallo

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A fast and flavorful beef taco recipe featuring juicy ground beef and fresh pico de gallo, perfect for busy weeknights or last-minute meals.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 lb (450g) ground beef (80/20 blend)
  • 1 medium yellow onion, finely chopped
  • 2 garlic cloves, minced
  • 1 tablespoon chili powder
  • 1 teaspoon cumin
  • 1 teaspoon paprika (smoked or sweet)
  • Salt, to taste
  • Black pepper, freshly ground, to taste
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 8–10 small corn or flour tortillas
  • For the pico de gallo:
  • 3 medium Roma tomatoes, diced
  • 1 small white onion, finely chopped
  • ¼ cup fresh cilantro, chopped
  • 1 small jalapeño, seeded and minced
  • Juice of 1 lime
  • Salt, to taste

Instructions

  1. Prepare the pico de gallo: In a mixing bowl, combine diced Roma tomatoes, finely chopped white onion, chopped cilantro, and minced jalapeño. Squeeze the juice of one lime over the mix and sprinkle with salt to taste. Stir gently and set aside to let the flavors meld while you cook the beef.
  2. Heat the skillet and sauté aromatics: Place your skillet over medium heat and add 1 tablespoon of olive oil. Once shimmering, add finely chopped yellow onion and sauté for 2-3 minutes until softened and translucent. Add minced garlic and cook for another 30 seconds until fragrant.
  3. Cook the ground beef: Add the ground beef to the skillet. Use your spatula to break it apart and stir frequently. Once it starts browning, sprinkle in chili powder, cumin, paprika, salt, and black pepper. Stir well to combine. Continue cooking until the beef is fully browned and cooked through with no pink remaining. Drain excess liquid if needed.
  4. Warm the tortillas: While the beef finishes, warm your tortillas on a dry skillet over medium heat, about 20-30 seconds per side until soft and pliable. Alternatively, wrap them in foil and heat in a warm oven at 350°F (175°C) for 5 minutes.
  5. Assemble and serve: Spoon the seasoned beef onto each warm tortilla and top generously with fresh pico de gallo. Add any extras you like such as shredded cheese, avocado slices, or a drizzle of sour cream.

Notes

Do not overcrowd the skillet to ensure proper browning of beef. Season gradually and taste as you go. Prepare pico de gallo just before serving for best freshness. Keep tortillas warm and soft by wrapping in a clean towel after warming. Let pico de gallo rest for 5 minutes to blend flavors. Medium heat works best to avoid burning spices or drying out beef.

Nutrition

Keywords: beef tacos, quick tacos, pico de gallo, easy dinner, weeknight meal, Mexican tacos, ground beef recipe

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