Chipotle-Spiced Ground Beef Tacos with Avocado Crema

By Lauren Mitchell, Test Kitchen Director · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · Published 2026-04-29 · Updated 2026-04-29

Ground beef seasoned with smoky chipotle and cumin spices, topped with a refreshing avocado crema and crisp shredded lettuce in soft flour tortillas. This mexican-inspired tacos & burritos ready in about 27 minutes pairs ground beef, olive oil, chipotle chili powder for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 320 calories and feeds 4, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.

Ingredients

• 1 lb, 85% lean ground beef
• 1 tbsp olive oil
• 1 tbsp chipotle chili powder
• 1 tsp ground cumin
• 1 tsp smoked paprika
• 1/2 tsp garlic powder
• 3/4 tsp salt
• 1/4 tsp black pepper
• 8 small flour tortillas
• 1 cup shredded iceberg lettuce
• 1 medium ripe avocado
• 1/4 cup plain Greek yogurt
• 2 tbsp, fresh lime juice
• 2 tbsp, chopped fresh cilantro
• 2 tbsp water

Instructions

1. Step 1: Heat 1 tbsp olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add 1 lb ground beef and cook, breaking up with a spatula, for 5 minutes until just browned.
2. Step 2: Add 1 tbsp chipotle chili powder, 1 tsp ground cumin, 1 tsp smoked paprika, 1/2 tsp garlic powder, 3/4 tsp salt, and 1/4 tsp black pepper. Stir well and cook for another 3-4 minutes until beef is fully cooked and spices are fragrant.
3. Step 3: Meanwhile, prepare avocado crema by blending 1 medium ripe avocado, 1/4 cup plain Greek yogurt, 2 tbsp fresh lime juice, 2 tbsp water, and 2 tbsp chopped fresh cilantro until smooth and creamy.
4. Step 4: Warm 8 small flour tortillas in a dry skillet over medium heat for about 20 seconds per side until soft and pliable.
5. Step 5: Build tacos by spreading 1 tbsp avocado crema on each tortilla, topping with 1/4 cup cooked spiced ground beef, and finishing with 2 tbsp shredded iceberg lettuce.
6. Step 6: Serve immediately with extra lime wedges if desired.