Spicy Roswell-Inspired Beef Tacos with Fresh Cilantro Slaw

By AislePrompt Test Kitchen · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · Published 2026-06-11 · Updated 2026-06-11

Boldly seasoned ground beef tacos inspired by New Mexico flavors, topped with a crisp cilantro and cabbage slaw for contrast. This mexican-inspired tacos & burritos ready in about 30 minutes pairs ground beef, olive oil, small, finely diced yellow onion 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 small, finely diced yellow onion
• 3, minced garlic cloves
• 1 tbsp chili powder
• 1 tsp ground cumin
• 1 tsp smoked paprika
• 1 tsp salt
• 1/2 tsp black pepper
• 8 small corn tortillas
• 2 cups shredded green cabbage
• 1/2 cup chopped fresh cilantro
• 2 tbsp lime juice
• 1 small, seeded and finely chopped jalapeño
• 1/4 cup, for topping (optional) sour cream

Instructions

1. Step 1: Heat 2 tbsp olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add 1 finely diced small yellow onion and sauté for 3-4 minutes until softened.
2. Step 2: Add 3 minced garlic cloves and cook for 30 seconds until fragrant. Add 1 lb ground beef, breaking it apart with a spoon, and cook for 6-7 minutes until browned.
3. Step 3: Stir in 1 tbsp chili powder, 1 tsp ground cumin, 1 tsp smoked paprika, 1 tsp salt, and 1/2 tsp black pepper. Cook for another 2 minutes until spices are well incorporated and beef is fully cooked.
4. Step 4: In a medium bowl, combine 2 cups shredded green cabbage, 1/2 cup chopped fresh cilantro, 2 tbsp lime juice, and 1 finely chopped jalapeño. Toss well and set aside.
5. Step 5: Warm 8 small corn tortillas in a dry skillet over medium heat for 30 seconds per side until pliable.
6. Step 6: Assemble tacos by spooning the spiced beef evenly onto each tortilla, topping with a generous amount of cilantro cabbage slaw, and optionally adding 1 tbsp sour cream per taco.