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Easy Crowd-Pleasing Beef Tacos with Lime Crema

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Quick and easy beef tacos with a bright, tangy lime crema that come together in about 25 minutes. Perfect for hosting a crowd or a simple weeknight dinner, these tacos are made with simple ingredients and deliver bold, satisfying flavor.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 ½ pounds ground beef (80/20 blend)
  • 1 medium yellow onion, finely diced (about 1 cup)
  • 4 cloves garlic, minced
  • 2 tablespoons chili powder
  • 1 teaspoon ground cumin
  • 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
  • ½ teaspoon dried oregano (Mexican oregano preferred)
  • ½ teaspoon garlic powder
  • ½ teaspoon salt (plus more to taste)
  • ¼ teaspoon black pepper (freshly ground)
  • ½ cup low-sodium beef broth
  • 2 tablespoons tomato paste
  • 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
  • ½ cup sour cream (full-fat)
  • 2 tablespoons fresh lime juice (about 1 large lime)
  • 1 teaspoon lime zest
  • 1 small clove garlic, minced to a paste
  • ¼ teaspoon salt
  • 1 tablespoon chopped fresh cilantro (optional)
  • 12–16 small corn or flour tortillas
  • Toppings: shredded lettuce, diced tomatoes, shredded cheese (cheddar or cotija), sliced jalapeños, diced avocado, hot sauce, extra cilantro, lime wedges

Instructions

  1. Make the lime crema first. In a small bowl, combine the sour cream, fresh lime juice, lime zest, minced garlic, and salt. Stir until smooth. If using cilantro, fold it in now. Taste and adjust—you want it bright and tangy with just a hint of garlic. Cover and set aside in the fridge. This can be made up to two days ahead.
  2. Prep your ingredients. Dice the onion finely. Mince the garlic. Measure out your spices into a small bowl so you can add them all at once.
  3. Heat your skillet over medium-high heat. Add the vegetable oil and let it shimmer for about 30 seconds. You want it hot enough that a drop of water sizzles on contact, but not so hot that it’s smoking.
  4. Add the ground beef in an even layer. Don’t touch it for at least 3-4 minutes. Let it sear to develop a deep brown crust.
  5. After 4 minutes, use your wooden spoon to break the beef into crumbles. Cook for another 3-4 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the beef is browned all over and cooked through. If there’s excess fat (more than 2 tablespoons), carefully spoon some out, leaving about a tablespoon in the pan.
  6. Add the onion and cook for 2-3 minutes, stirring into the beef until it becomes translucent and picks up browned bits from the pan.
  7. Add the garlic and cook for 30 seconds, stirring constantly to prevent burning.
  8. Add the spices and tomato paste. Sprinkle the chili powder, cumin, smoked paprika, oregano, garlic powder, salt, and pepper over the beef. Add the tomato paste. Stir everything together and cook for 1 minute, letting the spices toast in the fat.
  9. Pour in the beef broth. Stir to combine, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom of the pan. Let it simmer for 2-3 minutes until the liquid reduces slightly and the beef is coated in a thick, glossy sauce.
  10. Taste and adjust seasoning as needed. Add more salt, a pinch of cayenne, or hot sauce if desired.
  11. Warm the tortillas. While the beef simmers, heat a dry skillet over medium-high heat. Warm each tortilla for about 30 seconds per side, until pliable and slightly charred. Stack them in a clean kitchen towel to keep warm. For a crowd, wrap a stack in foil and warm in a 350°F oven for 10 minutes.
  12. Assemble and serve. Set up a taco bar with warm tortillas, seasoned beef, lime crema, and all desired toppings. Let everyone build their own tacos.

Notes

For best results, brown the beef in batches if doubling the recipe to avoid steaming. Let the crema rest in the fridge for at least 15 minutes for flavors to meld. Toast spices in the hot fat for deeper flavor. Warm tortillas properly to prevent cracking. The beef can be made up to 2 days ahead and reheated with a splash of broth.

Nutrition

Keywords: beef tacos, easy tacos, crowd-pleasing tacos, lime crema, ground beef tacos, quick dinner, party food, taco bar

Find it online: https://dinadishes.com/easy-crowd-pleasing-beef-tacos-with-lime-crema-recipe/