Beef Tacos

May 28, 2009 · 66 comments

Beef Tacos with Salsa Verde

Given the breadth of cuisines I cover on this blog, I’ve often been asked if I ever eat “normal” food. This always takes me a little by surprise, because (with a few exceptions) most of the things I cook are very low effort.

These beef tacos are the kind of weeknight meal I’ll prepare when I come home after a long day of meetings only to find the fridge devoid of anything even remotely inspirational. The kind of day when I’m almost tempted by my phone and a takeout menu that someone surreptitiously slipped under the door. Thankfully, stand-bys like these beef tacos are at the ready to save me from an almost-certainly bad meal and subsequent heartburn.

Beef for tacos

There’s nothing fancy or even authentic about these tacos, but they’re a great quick meal that can be thrown together in as little as 10 minutes if you have a few basic pantry items prepared. Just make sure you stock some type of protein in the freezer, some onions, a spice mix, and a bag of masa harina (to make the tortillas). The rest are all condiments and embellishments that are nice to have, but aren’t necessary for this simple satisfying meal.

Beef Tacos

1/2 medium onion chopped
2 cloves garlic minced
1 lbs sliced or lean ground beef
2 Tbs chili powder
1 tsp kosher salt
1/2 tsp sugar

12 corn tortillas
1 recipe salsa verde
cilantro
lime wedges

Heat a pan until hot then add a splash of oil along with the onions and garlic. Fry until the onions are just turning translucent, then add the beef, chili powder, salt and sugar.

Stir fry until the beef is cooked and there’s no liquid left at the bottom of the pan.

Heat the tortillas and serve with the beef, salsa verde, cilantro and lime wedges.

  • http://tastewiththeeyes.blogspot.com/ Lori Lynn

    Gee I wish I had this available right now.
    Sugar is an interesting ingredient here, I will try it next time.

    I make tacos often too, no take out, except sometimes the rib joint 1/2 mile away, they are pretty good.
    LL

  • http://tastewiththeeyes.blogspot.com/ Lori Lynn

    Gee I wish I had this available right now.
    Sugar is an interesting ingredient here, I will try it next time.

    I make tacos often too, no take out, except sometimes the rib joint 1/2 mile away, they are pretty good.
    LL

  • http://culinarydisaster.com/wordpress Jeff

    Normal food?? I must be abnormal because I think everything you do is very normal. Must be people who think good food comes from a box.

    I have been looking for more quick meals since I find myself rushing home and rushing back out the door. Heck the local chinese place I think is starting to know my voice.

  • http://culinarydisaster.com/wordpress Jeff

    Normal food?? I must be abnormal because I think everything you do is very normal. Must be people who think good food comes from a box.

    I have been looking for more quick meals since I find myself rushing home and rushing back out the door. Heck the local chinese place I think is starting to know my voice.

  • Beth

    “Normal food?” It all looks normal (and quite fabulous!) to me. I love to cook like this, no recipes, just whatever I have on hand. Those are the best meals.

    Thanks for sharing!

  • Beth

    “Normal food?” It all looks normal (and quite fabulous!) to me. I love to cook like this, no recipes, just whatever I have on hand. Those are the best meals.

    Thanks for sharing!

  • http://www.practicallydone.com/ helen

    Hi Marc!

    I made these tonight, and they were delicious! Didn’t have chili powder around, so I threw in a few spoonfuls of chipotle in adobe sauce. Gave it a nice, smoky flavour.

  • http://www.practicallydone.com helen

    Hi Marc!

    I made these tonight, and they were delicious! Didn’t have chili powder around, so I threw in a few spoonfuls of chipotle in adobe sauce. Gave it a nice, smoky flavour.

  • http://allthingsnice.typepad.com/ Syrie

    Wow. Absolutely divine. The beef looks fantastic.

  • http://allthingsnice.typepad.com Syrie

    Wow. Absolutely divine. The beef looks fantastic.

  • Pingback: Menu Plan Sunday - June 7 to Jun 13 | Well Done Chef!

  • Pingback: Friday’s Fabulous Finds: Cinco de Mayo Recipes | The Flavorful Fork Personal Chef Service (Serving South Jersey, Philadelphia, and Delaware)

Previous post:

Next post: