Beef Tacos Salsa Verde (Printable)
Tender beef nestled in tortillas with bright salsa verde, fresh veggies, and creamy garnishes for a vibrant dish.
# What You'll Need:
→ Beef Filling
01 - 1.1 lbs 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 - 1/2 tsp chili powder
08 - 1/2 tsp salt
09 - 1/4 tsp black pepper
10 - 1/4 cup beef or chicken broth
→ Salsa Verde
11 - 10 oz tomatillos, husked and rinsed
12 - 1 small jalapeño, seeded and chopped
13 - 1/2 small onion, roughly chopped
14 - 1 clove garlic
15 - 1/2 cup fresh cilantro, leaves and stems
16 - Juice of 1 lime
17 - 1/2 tsp salt
→ Toppings & Assembly
18 - 8 small corn or flour tortillas, gluten-free if needed
19 - 1 small red onion, thinly sliced
20 - 1 ripe avocado, sliced
21 - 1/2 cup crumbled queso fresco or feta
22 - 2 cups shredded lettuce
23 - Lime wedges, for serving
# How-to Steps:
01 - Simmer tomatillos in water for 5 minutes until softened, then drain. Blend tomatillos with jalapeño, onion, garlic, cilantro, lime juice, and salt until smooth. Refrigerate until needed.
02 - Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Sauté onion until translucent, about 3 minutes. Add garlic and cook for 30 seconds. Add ground beef and cook, breaking it up, until browned, 5 to 7 minutes. Drain excess fat if necessary.
03 - Stir in cumin, smoked paprika, chili powder, salt, and black pepper. Pour in broth and simmer until most liquid evaporates, about 2 to 3 minutes. Remove from heat.
04 - Heat tortillas in a dry skillet or directly over a flame for a few seconds on each side until warm and flexible.
05 - Place beef filling on each tortilla. Top with salsa verde, shredded lettuce, sliced red onion, avocado, and crumbled cheese.
06 - Serve immediately with lime wedges on the side.
# Expert Pointers:
01 -
- That moment when warm beef meets cool avocado and your mouth experiences pure comfort.
- Homemade salsa verde tastes so much brighter than anything bottled, and it transforms ordinary ground beef into something special.
- You can have it all on the table in under 45 minutes, making weeknight dinners feel less like a chore.
02 -
- Don't skip draining the tomatillos properly after simmering—excess water is the enemy of a salsa that actually tastes like something.
- Warm your tortillas separately, not on top of the beef, so they stay flexible and don't get soggy before you're ready to assemble.
- Taste your salsa before serving and adjust the lime and salt—it's the difference between good tacos and ones people remember.
03 -
- Toast your spices for 10 seconds in the warm pan before adding the broth—it deepens their flavor and makes the beef taste even more intentional.
- Don't be afraid to taste and adjust your salsa multiple times; the salt and lime balance is what transforms it from good to unforgettable.