Spicy Tex-Mex Beef Tacos with Cilantro Lime Slaw

By Lauren Mitchell, Test Kitchen Director · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · Published 2026-08-06 · Updated 2026-08-06

Bold seasoned ground beef nestled in warm tortillas topped with a fresh, zesty cilantro lime slaw for a satisfying taco night. This mexican-inspired tacos & burritos ready in about 30 minutes pairs ground beef, olive oil, onion, finely chopped for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 400 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
• 1 tbsp olive oil
• 1 small onion, finely chopped
• 3 cloves garlic cloves, minced
• 2 tsp chili powder
• 1 tsp ground cumin
• 1 tsp smoked paprika
• 1 tsp salt
• 1/2 tsp black pepper
• 8 small corn tortillas
• 2 cups green cabbage, shredded
• 1/4 cup cilantro, chopped
• 2 tbsp lime juice
• 3 tbsp mayonnaise
• 1 tsp honey
• 1 small jalapeño, seeded and finely chopped
• 1/4 tsp salt

Instructions

1. Step 1: Heat 1 tbsp olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add 1 small finely chopped onion and sauté for 3 minutes until softened. Add 3 minced garlic cloves and cook for 30 seconds until fragrant.
2. Step 2: Add 1 lb ground beef, breaking it up with a spoon, and cook for 6-8 minutes until browned and cooked through.
3. Step 3: Stir in 2 tsp chili powder, 1 tsp ground cumin, 1 tsp smoked paprika, 1 tsp salt, and 1/2 tsp black pepper. Cook for another 2 minutes to let the spices bloom.
4. Step 4: In a medium bowl, combine 2 cups shredded green cabbage, 1/4 cup chopped cilantro, 2 tbsp lime juice, 3 tbsp mayonnaise, 1 tsp honey, 1 small finely chopped seeded jalapeño, and 1/4 tsp salt. Toss well to create the cilantro lime slaw.
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 the tortillas and topping with a generous amount of cilantro lime slaw. Serve immediately.