Halal-Spiced Beef Tacos with Pickled Onions and Cilantro

By AislePrompt Test Kitchen · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · Published 2026-05-11 · Updated 2026-05-11

Tender ground beef seasoned with Middle Eastern spices wrapped in warm tortillas, topped with tangy pickled onions and fresh cilantro. This middle eastern-inspired tacos & burritos ready in about 35 minutes pairs ground beef, olive oil, ground cumin 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.

Ingredients

• 1 lb ground beef
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 1 tsp ground cumin
• 1 tsp ground coriander
• 1 tsp smoked paprika
• 1/2 tsp garlic powder
• 3/4 tsp salt
• 1/2 tsp black pepper
• 1 small, thinly sliced red onion
• 1/4 cup white vinegar
• 1 tbsp granulated sugar
• 1/4 cup water
• 8 small corn tortillas
• 1/2 cup, chopped fresh cilantro leaves
• 1/4 cup plain yogurt
• 1 tbsp lemon juice

Instructions

1. Step 1: In a small bowl, combine 1/4 cup white vinegar, 1 tbsp granulated sugar, and 1/4 cup water; stir until sugar dissolves. Add 1 small thinly sliced red onion and let sit at room temperature for 20 minutes until tangy and softened.
2. Step 2: Heat 2 tbsp olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat until shimmering. Add 1 lb ground beef and cook, breaking up with a spoon, for 5 minutes until no longer pink.
3. Step 3: Stir in 1 tsp ground cumin, 1 tsp ground coriander, 1 tsp smoked paprika, 1/2 tsp garlic powder, 3/4 tsp salt, and 1/2 tsp black pepper. Cook for another 3-4 minutes until spices are fragrant and beef is browned.
4. Step 4: Warm 8 small corn tortillas on a dry skillet over medium heat for 30 seconds each side until pliable.
5. Step 5: Assemble tacos by spooning the spiced beef into each tortilla, topping with pickled onions, 1/2 cup chopped fresh cilantro, and a drizzle of 1/4 cup plain yogurt mixed with 1 tbsp lemon juice for tangy creaminess.