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.
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.
Units
Ingredients
- ½ medium onion (chopped)
- 2 cloves garlic (minced)
- 450 grams lean ground beef
- 2 tablespoons chili powder
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- ½ teaspoon dark brown sugar
- 12 corn tortillas
- 1 batch salsa verde
- cilantro
- ½ lime (cut into wedges)
Instructions
- Heat a pan until hot, and 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.
Megan says
OH YES! Tacos! Gonna make this next time I have a taco night!
Eralda says
these look amazing! I am on a southwestern stage as of late and these might just be my dinner tonight. Thanks 🙂
Julia @ Mélanger says
Marc, love all your Mexican inspired posts. And I am glad you are a fellow ‘Anna’s’ fan. 🙂 I was actually just reading about homemade tortillas on another blog and was thinking back to the fabulous steamed tortillas that Anna’s serves up. I read once they purchase them from https://www.harbar.com/ ??? which is a local Massachusetts company. When you have a chance to post a recipe, I’ll definitely give them a try!
pigpigscorner says
Your pictures always make me drool!!
Julia @ Mélanger says
Marc, love all your Mexican inspired posts. And I am glad you are a fellow ‘Anna’s’ fan. 🙂 I was actually just reading about homemade tortillas on another blog and was thinking back to the fabulous steamed tortillas that Anna’s serves up. I read once they purchase them from https://www.harbar.com/ ??? which is a local Massachusetts company. When you have a chance to post a recipe, I’ll definitely give them a try!
Kevin (Closet Cooking) says
Tacos are nice and quick and always tasty!
Kevin (Closet Cooking) says
Tacos are nice and quick and always tasty!
Lori Lynn says
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
Lori Lynn says
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
Jeff says
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.
Jeff says
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 says
“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 says
“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!
helen says
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.
helen says
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.