Tex-Mex Beef Tacos with Chipotle Lime Slaw
Soft corn tortillas filled with seasoned ground beef and topped with a zesty chipotle lime slaw for a fresh, spicy crunch. This mexican-inspired tacos & burritos ready in about 30 minutes turns ground beef, olive oil, medium, finely diced onion into a satisfying snack for between meals, packed lunches, or game-day spreads — minimal active time and easy to scale up for a crowd. Each serving lands at about 380 calories and feeds 4, so it fits into lunchboxes, road trips, or an afternoon-energy gap without derailing the day. 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 medium, finely diced onion
- 3 cloves, minced garlic cloves
- 2 tsp chili powder
- 1 tsp ground cumin
- 1/2 tsp smoked paprika
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 8 small corn tortillas
- 2 cups shredded green cabbage
- 1 cup shredded red cabbage
- 1/4 cup mayonnaise
- 2 tbsp lime juice
- 1/2 tsp chipotle powder
- 1 tsp honey
- 2 tbsp chopped, for garnish cilantro
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Instructions
- Step 1: Heat 1 tbsp olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add 1 medium finely diced onion and sauté for 3-4 minutes until translucent. Add 3 minced garlic cloves and cook for 30 seconds until fragrant.
- Step 2: Add 1 lb ground beef to the skillet and cook, breaking it apart with a spatula, for 6-8 minutes until browned and no longer pink.
- Step 3: Stir in 2 tsp chili powder, 1 tsp ground cumin, 1/2 tsp smoked paprika, 1 tsp salt, and 1/2 tsp black pepper. Cook for another 2 minutes until the spices are well incorporated and fragrant.
- Step 4: In a medium bowl, whisk together 1/4 cup mayonnaise, 2 tbsp lime juice, 1/2 tsp chipotle powder, and 1 tsp honey. Add 2 cups shredded green cabbage and 1 cup shredded red cabbage, tossing until the slaw is evenly coated.
- Step 5: Warm 8 corn tortillas in a dry skillet over medium heat for about 30 seconds per side until pliable.
- Step 6: Assemble tacos by spooning the seasoned beef evenly onto the tortillas, topping with the chipotle lime slaw, and garnishing with 2 tbsp chopped cilantro before serving.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Tex-Mex Beef Tacos with Chipotle 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 Tex-Mex Beef Tacos with Chipotle Lime Slaw?
Store in an airtight container at room temperature for crisp items, or in the fridge for anything dairy- or produce-based, for up to 3–5 days. Re-crisp baked snacks in a 300°F oven for 5 minutes if they soften.
Can I substitute ingredients in Tex-Mex Beef Tacos with Chipotle 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 Tex-Mex Beef Tacos with Chipotle Lime Slaw for a different number of people?
The recipe is written for 4 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 4). 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 Tex-Mex Beef Tacos with Chipotle 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.
