Beef Tacos with Sour Cream (Printable Version)
Juicy beef in crispy shells topped with sour cream, cheese, and fresh veggies for a classic favorite.
# What You Need:
→ Beef Filling
01 - 1 lb ground beef
02 - 1 small onion, finely chopped
03 - 2 cloves garlic, minced
04 - 1 tbsp olive oil
05 - 1 tbsp chili powder
06 - 1 tsp ground cumin
07 - 1/2 tsp smoked paprika
08 - 1/2 tsp dried oregano
09 - 1/2 tsp salt
10 - 1/4 tsp black pepper
11 - 1/4 cup water
→ Tacos & Toppings
12 - 8 taco shells or small tortillas
13 - 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
14 - 1 cup sour cream
15 - 1 cup shredded lettuce
16 - 1 medium tomato, diced
17 - 1/4 cup sliced green onions
18 - 1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro
19 - 1 lime, cut into wedges
# How-To Steps:
01 - Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add chopped onion and sauté for 2 minutes until softened.
02 - Add the minced garlic and cook for 30 seconds, stirring constantly to prevent burning.
03 - Add ground beef to the skillet. Cook, breaking it up with a spoon, until browned and cooked through, about 5 to 6 minutes.
04 - Stir in chili powder, cumin, smoked paprika, oregano, salt, and pepper. Mix well to ensure the beef is evenly coated with spices.
05 - Pour in water and simmer for 2 to 3 minutes, until most liquid evaporates and flavors meld. Remove from heat.
06 - Warm taco shells or tortillas according to package instructions to ensure they are crisp and pliable.
07 - To assemble, spoon beef mixture into each shell. Top with shredded cheese, lettuce, tomato, green onions, cilantro, and a dollop of sour cream. Serve with lime wedges.
# Helpful Tips:
01 -
- Ready in 35 minutes, which means weeknight dinner without the stress.
- The beef gets seasoned and mellow as it simmers, tasting like it simmered for hours instead of minutes.
- Everyone builds their own, so picky eaters and adventurous ones sit down together.
02 -
- Don't skip sautéing the onion and garlic separately—they build the flavor foundation and taste completely different raw.
- The water at the end isn't optional; it lets the spices hydrate and cling to the beef instead of sitting on top tasting sharp.
03 -
- Make the beef filling ahead and reheat it gently—the flavors actually deepen and mellow overnight.
- A fresh squeeze of lime at the very end is the difference between good tacos and ones that make people ask for the recipe.