Welcome to a new twist on Taco Tuesday with our enticing Beef Taco recipe! Imagine sinking your teeth into tortillas filled with juicy, seasoned ground beef, topped with a vibrant cilantro slaw that's bursting with freshness. We've elevated the humble taco with a luscious avocado cream that adds a layer of creamy delight.
The first time I made these ground beef tacos, I was looking for a way to jazz up our usual Taco Tuesday routine.
I was pleasantly surprised by how the addition of a simple cilantro slaw transformed ordinary beef tacos into something truly extraordinary.
The slaw, with its fresh, zingy flavor, perfectly complements the rich, savory taste of the beef, creating a delightful balance in every bite.
Ingredients
For the Slaw:
- Cabbage: Sliced thin, this adds a satisfying crunch to your tacos. If you're not a cabbage fan, shredded lettuce or even some thinly sliced radish can work well too.
- Onion: Thinly sliced, onions provide a punch of flavor. Red onions or sweet yellow onions are best.
- Jalapeno: Seeded and diced, this is where the heat comes in. Feeling adventurous? Try a serrano pepper. Want less spice? A bell pepper will do the trick.
- Cilantro: This herb brings a fresh, bright flavor. Fresh parsley can be a good alternative if you're part of the population that finds cilantro soapy.
- Lime Juice: Adds a tangy zing! Lemon juice can be a good substitute if limes aren't available.
- Extra Virgin Olive Oil or Avocado Oil: For sautéing and dressing. Any mild-flavored oil will work here.
- Maple Syrup: This adds a hint of sweetness to balance the heat. Honey or agave syrup can be used instead.
- Cayenne Pepper: For that extra kick! If it's too hot for your liking, try paprika or just reduce the amount.
For the meat:
- Apple Cider Vinegar: Gives a slight tang to the meat. White vinegar or even lemon juice can be used in a pinch.
- Avocado Oil: Great for cooking the meat. Canola or sunflower oil can also be used.
- Minced Garlic: An essential flavor base. Garlic powder can be used if fresh isn't on hand.
- Smoked Paprika & Ground Cumin: These spices add depth to the beef. Experiment with different spices like chili powder, onion powder, or coriander if you'd like. Taco seasoning can also be used.
- Ground Beef : The star of the show! You could also use ground turkey, chicken, or even lentils for a vegetarian option.
For serving:
- Corn Tortillas: I love using organic ones. Flour tortillas , hard taco shells, or even lettuce wraps can be used for a different twist.
- Queso Fresco: Optional, but oh-so-good! Try shredded cheddar or Monterey Jack if you prefer.
- Avocado Cream: This adds a creamy, decadent finish. Sour cream or Greek yogurt can be a good alternative.
Step by Step
1: Let's start by preparing the taco slaw dressing. In a small bowl, add cilantro, lime juice, your favorite oil, maple syrup, and cayenne pepper. Sprinkle in salt and pepper to your heart's content. Now, whisk it all together until it's blended.
2: Next, create the slaw. In a big bowl, toss together cabbage, onion, and jalapeno. Drizzle over the dressing from the previous step.
3: In another small bowl, whisk together vinegar, avocado oil, paprika, and cumin. Add salt and pepper to your liking.
4: Brown your beef over medium-high heat, breaking it up with the back of a spoon. Drain off any excess grease. If you're using Beyond Meat Crumbles, simply follow the package instructions. Then, stir in the spice mixture and let it cook for about 3 to 5 minutes.
5: While the beef cooks, heat the tortillas in a dry skillet.
6: It is time to assemble your tacos. Place your beef, slaw, queso fresco, and avocado cream onto your tortillas. Feel free to add diced red pepper, tomatoes, and salsa if you like.
Tips and Tricks
- Spice it Up: Don't be shy about using spices in this ground beef tacos recipe. You'd be surprised how much flavor cumin, chili powder, garlic powder, and oregano add! Homemade taco seasoning is always a great option.
- Cheese Matters: Cheese is always going to be a great addition to your taco! I'm partial to a sharp cheddar or queso fresco.
- Warm Those Tortillas: Don't forget to warm up your tortillas before serving. It makes them softer, more pliable, and intensifies their flavor. You can also fry them in a bit of oil to make them crispy, like I've done in the photos.
- Leftover Magic: If you end up with leftover beef, don't fret! It's perfect for quesadillas, salads, or even a breakfast sandwich if you'd like.
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Beef Taco Recipe with Cilantro Slaw and Avocado Cream
Ingredients
Cilantro Slaw
- ½ cabbage sliced thin
- 1 onion sliced thin
- 1 jalapeno seeded and diced
- ¼ cup cilantro
- 2 tablespoons lime juice
- 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil or avocado oil
- 1 teaspoon maple syrup
- ¼ teaspoon cayenne papper
Meat
- 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
- 2 tablespoons avocado oil
- 1 teaspoon minced garlic
- 1 tablespoon smoked paprika
- 1 tablespoon ground cumin
- 1 pound ground beef or Beyond Meat Crumbles
For Serving
- 12 corn tortillas organic
- Queso Fresco optional
- Avocado Cream
Instructions
- Combine cilantro, lime juice, oil, maple syrup, and cayenne pepper in a small bowl. Add salt and pepper to taste. Whisk until combined.
- In a large bowl toss together cabbage, onion and jalapeno. Toss with dressing. (If you are making this ahead, plan to use green cabbage or the color can run.)
- In a small bowl, whisk together vinegar, avocado oil, paprika and cumin.
- Season to taste with salt and pepper.
- Brown beef over medium high heat, breaking up with the back of a spoon. Alternatively, heat Beyond Meat Crumbles according to package directions. Stir spice mixture in and cook for 3 to 5 minutes.
- Heat tortillas in a dry skillet.
- To serve, add beef to tortillas. Top with slaw, queso fresco and avocado cream.
Shannon Graham
This looks like a delicious meal!
Sabrina Fox
I'm always looking for new taco recipes! This looks super original and I can practically smell it through the screen. Absolutely mouth-watering!
Emily Fata, www.EmulatingEmily.com
This recipe looks like it's absolutely SWOON-WORTHY!! If it wasn't the ingredients list that had me drooling, the photos of the final product definitely didn't help! Haha 🙂
Dee Jackson
Ooooh this recipe looks so darn good. i am in love with the use of avocado in it. Amazing!
Deana Tucker
My first husband was Mexican so I developed a love of Mexican foods, especially tacos. I can't wait to try this recipe.
Patricia-Ann Que
im a huge fan of mexican dishes and avocado! this looks really yum!
Kelly Hutchinson
OK, I am so hungry for these Beef tacos right now! I have some fresh cilantro in the fridge, so I can easily make this for dinner. Yay!
LavandaMichelle
These tacos look so delicious. I will add this to my recipe journal! I can't wait to try them.
Acupofassamtea
Excellent presentation and I am sure to taste great too. I will switch it with chicken as I don't eat beef.
Rose
These look so good! I love the purple cabbage it makes it so fun and colorful. I can't wait to try this, it looks like something my kids would like.
Giba
My go to recipe is anything with rice but tacos are a close second. Can't wait to try these!
Wildish Jess
These seriously made my mouth water! They look so darn good!
fashionmommywm
These look like perfect food to enjoy when watching the football. love the look of that slaw.