Mini Beef Meatball Tacos with Avocado Crema
Tender mini beef meatballs seasoned with Mexican spices nestled in soft corn tortillas topped with a smooth avocado crema, perfect for kids to enjoy. This mexican-inspired kid friendly ready in about 25 minutes pairs ground beef, breadcrumbs, grated onion for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 280 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
- 1/3 cup breadcrumbs
- 1/4 cup grated onion
- 2 cloves minced garlic
- 1 tsp ground cumin
- 1 tsp chili powder
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 12 small corn tortillas
- 1 medium ripe avocado
- 1/4 cup plain Greek yogurt
- 1 tbsp lime juice
- 2 tbsp, chopped cilantro leaves
Instructions
- Step 1: In a large bowl, combine 1 lb ground beef, 1/3 cup breadcrumbs, 1/4 cup grated onion, 2 minced garlic cloves, 1 tsp ground cumin, 1 tsp chili powder, 1 tsp salt, and 1/2 tsp black pepper. Mix gently until just combined.
- Step 2: Shape the mixture into 24 mini meatballs, about 1 inch each.
- Step 3: Heat 2 tbsp olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the meatballs and cook for 8-10 minutes, turning frequently, until browned on all sides and cooked through.
- Step 4: Meanwhile, prepare the avocado crema by mashing 1 medium ripe avocado with 1/4 cup plain Greek yogurt, 1 tbsp lime juice, and 2 tbsp chopped cilantro until smooth.
- Step 5: Warm 12 small corn tortillas in a dry skillet or microwave until pliable.
- Step 6: Assemble the tacos by placing 2 meatballs in each tortilla and topping with 1-2 tbsp avocado crema.
- Step 7: Serve immediately for a fun and flavorful kid-friendly taco meal.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Mini Beef Meatball 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 Mini Beef Meatball 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 Mini Beef Meatball 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 Mini Beef Meatball Tacos with Avocado Crema 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 Mini Beef Meatball Tacos with Avocado Crema?
Mexican kid friendly 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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