Jones' Spicy Beef Tacos
Zesty handmade corn tortillas filled with a slow-simmered beef mixture spiced with smoky chili and cumin, topped with fresh vegetables and creamy avocado. This mexican-inspired mexican ready in about 45 minutes pairs ground beef, vegetable oil, medium, diced onion for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 350 calories and feeds 6, 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
- 1 tbsp vegetable oil
- 1 medium, diced onion
- 2 cloves, minced garlic
- 1 tbsp chili powder
- 1 tsp ground cumin
- 1/2 tsp smoked paprika
- 1/4 tsp cayenne pepper
- 1 can (15 oz) tomato sauce
- 1/2 cup water
- 12 corn tortillas
- 1 cup, shredded lettuce
- 1, diced tomato
- 1/2 cup, shredded cheddar cheese
- 1/4 cup sour cream
Instructions
- Step 1: Heat 1 tbsp vegetable oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add 1 diced medium onion and cook for 3 minutes until translucent and fragrant. Add 2 minced garlic cloves and cook for 1 minute until golden.
- Step 2: Add 1 lb ground beef, breaking it up with a spoon, and cook until browned, about 5 minutes. Drain excess fat.
- Step 3: Stir in 1 tbsp chili powder, 1 tsp ground cumin, 1/2 tsp smoked paprika, and 1/4 tsp cayenne pepper. Cook for 1 minute until spices are toasted and aromatic.
- Step 4: Add 1 can (15 oz) tomato sauce and 1/2 cup water. Simmer uncovered for 10 minutes until sauce thickens and coats the back of a spoon.
- Step 5: Warm 12 corn tortillas in a dry skillet for 30 seconds per side. Assemble tacos by placing 1/4 cup of beef mixture on each tortilla, then topping with 1/4 cup shredded lettuce, 1/4 cup diced tomato, 2 tbsp shredded cheddar, and 1 tbsp sour cream.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Jones' Spicy Beef Tacos take to make?
Total time is about 45 minutes (20 min prep + 25 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 Jones' Spicy Beef Tacos?
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 Jones' Spicy Beef Tacos?
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 Jones' Spicy Beef Tacos for a different number of people?
The recipe is written for 6 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 6). 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 Jones' Spicy Beef Tacos?
Mexican mexican 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.
What others are saying
- ★★★★☆
Solid recipe. Not groundbreaking but definitely making it again.
- ★★☆☆☆
Followed exactly and it was underwhelming. Maybe my expectations were too high.
