Street-Style Mexican Tacos with Cilantro-Lime Slaw
Soft corn tortillas filled with seasoned beef and topped with a crisp cilantro-lime slaw for a fresh street food experience. This mexican-inspired tacos & burritos ready in about 30 minutes pairs ground beef, olive oil, chili powder 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
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tbsp chili powder
- 1 tsp ground cumin
- 1/2 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 12 small corn tortillas
- 2 cups green cabbage, shredded
- 1/2 cup fresh cilantro, chopped
- 3 tbsp lime juice
- 1/4 cup mayonnaise
- 1 jalapeño, seeded and minced
- 1/4 cup red onion, finely diced
Instructions
- Step 1: Heat 2 tbsp olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add 1 lb ground beef and cook for 6-7 minutes, breaking up with a spoon until browned.
- Step 2: Stir in 1 tbsp chili powder, 1 tsp ground cumin, 1/2 tsp garlic powder, 1 tsp salt, and 1/2 tsp black pepper. Cook for 2 more minutes until fragrant and well combined.
- Step 3: In a medium bowl, mix 2 cups shredded green cabbage, 1/2 cup chopped fresh cilantro, 3 tbsp lime juice, 1/4 cup mayonnaise, 1 minced jalapeño (seeded), and 1/4 cup finely diced red onion. Toss until the slaw is evenly coated and vibrant.
- Step 4: Warm 12 small corn tortillas in a dry skillet over medium heat for 30 seconds per side until soft and pliable.
- Step 5: Assemble tacos by dividing the seasoned beef evenly among the tortillas and topping each with a generous spoonful of cilantro-lime slaw. Serve immediately.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Street-Style Mexican Tacos with Cilantro-Lime Slaw take to make?
Total time is about 30 minutes (15 min prep + 15 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 Street-Style Mexican Tacos with Cilantro-Lime Slaw?
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 Street-Style Mexican Tacos with Cilantro-Lime Slaw?
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 Street-Style Mexican Tacos with Cilantro-Lime Slaw 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 Street-Style Mexican Tacos with Cilantro-Lime Slaw?
Mexican tacos & burritos 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.
