American Style Tacos (Print Version)

Crispy shells, savory beef, fresh veggies, cheese, and zesty salsa make a perfect easy meal.

# Ingredients List:

→ Meats

01 - 1 lb ground beef (80/20 fat content recommended)

→ Vegetables

02 - 1 cup shredded iceberg lettuce (approximately 60 g)
03 - 1 medium tomato, diced
04 - 1 small red onion, finely diced (optional)

→ Seasonings

05 - 1 tablespoon chili powder
06 - 1 teaspoon ground cumin
07 - 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
08 - 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
09 - 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
10 - 1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes (optional)
11 - 1/2 teaspoon salt
12 - 1/4 teaspoon black pepper

→ Other

13 - 8 crunchy taco shells
14 - 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese (approximately 100 g)
15 - 1/2 cup prepared salsa (120 ml)
16 - 1/4 cup water (60 ml)
17 - 2 tablespoons vegetable oil

# Directions:

01 - Heat vegetable oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add ground beef and cook, breaking it apart with a spatula, until browned and fully cooked, approximately 5 to 7 minutes. Drain excess fat as needed.
02 - Add chili powder, ground cumin, smoked paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, crushed red pepper flakes if desired, salt, and black pepper to the beef. Stir thoroughly to coat evenly.
03 - Pour in water and reduce heat to low. Simmer mixture for 2 to 3 minutes to combine flavors and allow liquid to reduce slightly. Remove from heat afterwards.
04 - Preheat oven to 350°F (180°C). Warm taco shells for 2 to 3 minutes, or follow package instructions until crisp.
05 - Fill each warmed taco shell with the seasoned beef, then top with shredded lettuce, diced tomato, optional onion, shredded cheddar cheese, and a spoonful of salsa.
06 - Present tacos at once to maintain crispness of shells and freshness of toppings.

# Expert Tips:

01 -
  • The beef seasoning hits that perfect balance of smoky and slightly sweet, mimicking the taco night flavors you grew up craving
  • Everything comes together in under 30 minutes, making it ideal for those evenings when you need dinner fast but still want something that feels special
  • These tacos are incredibly forgiving, so even if you overcook the beef slightly or forget to warm the shells, they still taste like a treat
02 -
  • Draining too much fat from the beef leaves the meat dry and the spices will not distribute evenly, so always keep a little fat in the pan
  • The water in the seasoning step is not optional, it creates the sauce that binds the spices to the beef and prevents the meat from tasting powdery
  • Overfilling taco shells is the fastest way to end up with broken shells and meat all over your plate, so fill them about two thirds full
03 -
  • Double the beef seasoning mixture and store half in a jar for next time, it stays fresh for months and speeds up weeknight dinner prep
  • If your shells arrive already broken, pulse them in a food processor and use the crumbs as a crispy topping for taco salad or casseroles
  • Set up your toppings assembly line on the table rather than the counter, it gets everyone involved and saves you from running back and forth
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