Spicy Beef Tacos Salsa Verde (Printable)
Seasoned beef with bold spices, topped with bright salsa verde and fresh veggies in warm tortillas.
# What You'll Need:
→ Spicy Beef
01 - 1.1 pounds ground beef
02 - 1 tablespoon olive oil
03 - 1 small onion, finely chopped
04 - 2 garlic cloves, minced
05 - 1 jalapeño, finely chopped, seeds removed for less heat
06 - 1 tablespoon chili powder
07 - 1 teaspoon ground cumin
08 - 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
09 - ½ teaspoon ground coriander
10 - ½ teaspoon dried oregano
11 - 1 teaspoon salt
12 - ½ teaspoon black pepper
13 - 2 tablespoons tomato paste
14 - ¼ cup beef broth or water
→ Salsa Verde
15 - 7 ounces tomatillos, husked and rinsed
16 - 1 small bunch fresh cilantro
17 - 2 green onions, roughly chopped
18 - 1 garlic clove
19 - 1 lime, juiced
20 - 1 jalapeño, chopped
21 - ½ teaspoon salt
→ Assembly
22 - 8 small corn or flour tortillas, warmed
23 - 3.5 ounces shredded lettuce
24 - 3.5 ounces diced tomatoes
25 - 2 ounces crumbled queso fresco or feta
26 - Fresh cilantro leaves, for garnish
27 - Lime wedges, for serving
# How to Make It:
01 - Combine tomatillos, cilantro, green onions, garlic, lime juice, jalapeño, and salt in a blender or food processor. Blend until smooth, taste and adjust seasoning, then refrigerate until ready to use.
02 - Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add onion, garlic, and jalapeño; cook for 2–3 minutes until softened.
03 - Add ground beef, breaking it up with a spoon, and cook until browned, about 5–6 minutes.
04 - Stir in chili powder, cumin, smoked paprika, coriander, oregano, salt, and black pepper. Cook for 1 minute until fragrant.
05 - Add tomato paste and beef broth, mix well, and simmer for 4–5 minutes until thickened. Remove from heat.
06 - Spoon spicy beef onto each tortilla. Top with shredded lettuce, diced tomatoes, crumbled cheese, salsa verde, and fresh cilantro.
07 - Serve immediately with lime wedges on the side.
# Expert Advice:
01 -
- The beef develops this deep, smoky crust that makes you want to eat it straight from the pan with a spoon.
- Salsa verde keeps for days and somehow tastes even better when you are too tired to cook anything else.
02 -
- If your salsa verde tastes flat, it needs more salt or more lime, and you will not know which until you try both.
- Cold tortillas crack and betray you. Warm them in a dry skillet or directly over the flame if you are feeling brave.
03 -
- Double the spice blend and keep it in a jar. Future you will thank present you on a Tuesday night.
- If your salsa separates in the fridge, that is normal. Stir it back together and it will taste even better.