Cinnamon-Spiced Ground Beef Tacos with Avocado Crema

By , Test Kitchen Director · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · ·

Warm, savory ground beef seasoned with cinnamon and cumin, served in crisp lettuce cups with a creamy avocado sauce. This mexican-inspired whole30 ready in about 25 minutes pairs ground beef, cumin, cinnamon for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 350 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.

Prep: 15 min Cook: 10 min Serves 4 Mexican cuisine 350 cal/serving
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Ingredients

Instructions

  1. Step 1: Heat 1 tbsp avocado oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add 12 oz ground beef and cook for 5 minutes, breaking into small crumbles, then stir in 1 tsp cumin, 1/2 tsp cinnamon, 1/2 tsp garlic powder, 1/2 tsp onion powder, and 1/2 tsp salt. Cook for 2 more minutes until spices are fragrant.
  2. Step 2: Stir in 1 tbsp lime juice and cook for 1 minute more, then remove from heat and let cool slightly.
  3. Step 3: While beef cools, blend 1 peeled avocado, 2 tbsp chopped cilantro, 1 tsp lime zest, and 1/2 tsp salt in a food processor until smooth. Divide cooled beef between 8 lettuce leaves and top with 1-2 tbsp avocado crema.

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Frequently asked questions

How long does Cinnamon-Spiced Ground Beef Tacos with Avocado Crema take to make?

Total time is about 25 minutes (15 min prep + 10 min cook). Most home cooks find this fits comfortably into a weeknight; double the batch on Sunday for two dinners.

How do I store leftover Cinnamon-Spiced Ground Beef Tacos with Avocado Crema?

Cool to room temperature within 2 hours, then store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat covered in a 350°F oven for 10-12 minutes, or microwave at 70% power in 60-second bursts to keep ground beef from drying out.

Can I substitute ingredients in Cinnamon-Spiced Ground Beef Tacos with Avocado Crema?

Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.

How do I scale Cinnamon-Spiced Ground Beef Tacos with Avocado Crema for a different number of people?

The recipe is written for 4 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 4). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.

What goes well with Cinnamon-Spiced Ground Beef Tacos with Avocado Crema?

Mexican whole30 like this pair well with a simple grain (rice, couscous, or crusty bread), a quick salad with acid (lemon vinaigrette, pickled onions), and a pan sauce or yogurt-based dip. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" to get specific side suggestions.

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