Beef Tacos Corn Salsa (Printable Version)
Juicy beef tucked into warm tortillas, topped with fresh, zesty corn salsa for a vibrant meal.
# 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 tsp ground cumin
06 - 1 tsp smoked paprika
07 - ½ tsp chili powder
08 - ½ tsp dried oregano
09 - 1 tsp salt
10 - ½ tsp black pepper
11 - 2 tbsp tomato paste
12 - ¼ cup water
→ Corn Salsa
13 - 1 cup corn kernels (fresh, canned, or thawed from frozen)
14 - 1 medium ripe tomato, diced
15 - ¼ red onion, finely diced
16 - ½ jalapeño, seeded and minced
17 - 2 tbsp fresh cilantro, chopped
18 - Juice of 1 lime
19 - ¼ tsp salt
→ Tacos & Toppings
20 - 8 small corn tortillas (or flour tortillas)
21 - ½ cup shredded lettuce
22 - ½ cup grated cheddar or Monterey Jack cheese
23 - ½ cup sour cream
24 - Lime wedges, for serving
# How-To:
01 - Combine corn, tomato, red onion, jalapeño, cilantro, lime juice, and salt in a bowl. Mix thoroughly and set aside to allow flavors to meld.
02 - Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Sauté onion until softened, approximately 2 minutes. Add garlic and cook for an additional 30 seconds.
03 - Add ground beef to the skillet. Cook, breaking up the meat with a spoon, until evenly browned, about 5 to 6 minutes. Drain excess fat if necessary.
04 - Sprinkle cumin, smoked paprika, chili powder, oregano, salt, and black pepper over the beef. Stir in tomato paste and water. Cook for 2 to 3 minutes until mixture thickens. Remove from heat.
05 - Heat tortillas in a dry skillet or microwave until soft and pliable.
06 - Fill each tortilla with beef mixture, then top with shredded lettuce, cheese, a spoonful of corn salsa, and a dollop of sour cream. Serve with lime wedges.
# Expert Tips:
01 -
- Everything comes together in one skillet, so cleanup is almost nothing.
- The corn salsa tastes bright and fresh without any fussy chopping or marinating.
- You can double the beef and freeze half for another night when youre too tired to think.
02 -
- Dont skip warming the tortillas or theyll crack when you fold them, which is how I learned that lesson the hard way.
- If the beef looks dry after you add the spices, add a splash more water and let it simmer until it loosens up.
03 -
- Taste the beef before you take it off the heat and adjust the salt or chili powder if it needs more punch.
- If youre making these for a crowd, set everything out in bowls and let people build their own tacos, it keeps things relaxed and everyone gets exactly what they want.