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- 1 lb ground beef or chicken - 1 tablespoon olive oil - 1 small onion, finely chopped - 2 cloves garlic, minced - 1 tablespoon chili powder - 1 teaspoon cumin - 1 teaspoon paprika - Salt and pepper to taste - 8 small corn tortillas - 1 cup chopped fresh cilantro - 1 cup diced tomatoes - 1 avocado, sliced - 1 cup crumbled queso fresco or feta cheese - Lime wedges for serving For a great taco, you need quality ingredients. Start with ground beef or chicken. They are easy to cook and full of flavor. Olive oil helps sauté the onion and garlic. This adds depth to your meat. The spices, like chili powder and cumin, give your tacos that authentic taste. Don't forget salt and pepper to bring everything together. Next, the tortillas are key. Small corn tortillas are perfect for street-style tacos. They should be warm and soft. When you add toppings, fresh vegetables like cilantro and tomatoes bring color and crunch. Avocado adds creaminess, and queso fresco gives a nice salty bite. Finally, squeeze lime on top for a fresh zing. - Freshly chopped onions - Sliced jalapeños - Salsa or pico de gallo - Hot sauce Tacos are fun because you can customize them. You can add freshly chopped onions for more bite. Sliced jalapeños can bring heat, if you like spice. Salsa or pico de gallo adds freshness and zest. A drizzle of hot sauce can make your tacos even more exciting. - Calories per serving: Approximately 400 - Breakdown of macros: - Protein: 25g - Carbohydrates: 30g - Fat: 20g These tacos are not just tasty; they can also fit into your meal plan. Each serving has around 400 calories. You get a good amount of protein from the meat. The carbs come from tortillas, which provide energy. Some healthy fats come from the avocado and cheese. Enjoying tacos can be both satisfying and nutritious! {{ingredient_image_1}} 1. In a large skillet, heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil over medium heat. 2. Add 1 small finely chopped onion and 2 minced garlic cloves to the skillet. 3. Sauté them for 3-4 minutes until they are soft and fragrant. 4. Next, add 1 pound of ground beef or chicken to the pan. 5. Break it up with a spatula and cook until it turns brown, about 5-7 minutes. 1. Once the meat is cooked, stir in 1 tablespoon of chili powder, 1 teaspoon of cumin, and 1 teaspoon of paprika. 2. Season with salt and pepper to taste. 3. Cook this mixture for an additional 2 minutes. This helps the spices blend well and become fragrant. 4. For the best flavor, taste your mixture and adjust the spices if needed. 1. While the meat cooks, heat 8 small corn tortillas in a separate pan over medium heat. 2. Warm each tortilla for about 30 seconds on each side. This keeps them soft and pliable. 3. If you want extra flavor, you can also add a little oil to the pan while warming. 4. This way, they won’t break when you fill them with the meat mixture. To make your tacos shine, use fresh herbs and spices. Fresh cilantro adds a bright taste. It brings a burst of flavor that dried herbs can't match. Always season your meat well. A mix of chili powder, cumin, and paprika gives depth. Salt and pepper enhance everything, making each bite pop. Assembling your tacos like a pro is key. Start with a warm tortilla. Add a scoop of the meat mixture. Be generous! Then, layer on the toppings: chopped cilantro, diced tomatoes, and avocado slices. Finish with crumbled queso fresco. For garnishing, serve lime wedges on the side. A squeeze of lime adds a nice zing and looks great on the plate. When cooking meat, both a skillet and a grill work well. A skillet gives you nice browning and keeps the meat juicy. A grill adds a smoky flavor but watch it closely to avoid overcooking. For tortillas, avoid sogginess by warming them quickly. Heat them for about 30 seconds per side until just pliable. This keeps your tacos crisp and tasty. Pro Tips Quality Meat Matters: Choose high-quality ground beef or chicken for the best flavor and texture in your tacos. Warm Tortillas: Always warm your tortillas before assembling; this makes them more pliable and enhances their flavor. Fresh Ingredients: Use fresh cilantro, ripe avocados, and juicy tomatoes to elevate the freshness of your tacos. Experiment with Toppings: Feel free to add other toppings like pickled onions or jalapeños for an extra kick! {{image_2}} You can switch up the meat in your tacos. Using fish or shrimp gives a fresh twist. Grilled or sautéed, these proteins bring a light flavor to your meal. If you want to skip meat, try lentils or mushrooms. Lentils cook quickly and soak up spices well. Mushrooms add a rich, savory taste. Both options keep your tacos hearty and satisfying. Mexico has many regions, each with its own flavors. For example, tacos from Oaxaca use rich cheese and smoky spices. Tacos from Yucatán are bright with citrus and herbs. You can customize your spices too. If you love heat, add more chili powder or fresh peppers. For a milder taco, use less spice. Adjusting flavors makes your tacos unique to your taste. Tortillas are classic, but you can be creative. Lettuce wraps make a healthy and crunchy shell. They are low in carbs and full of freshness. You can also experiment with flavored tortillas. Try spinach or tomato tortillas for a fun look and taste. Use different colors to make your taco feast more exciting. To keep your tacos fresh, store the ingredients separately. This helps maintain their texture and flavor. Place the meat in an airtight container. The same goes for chopped veggies and toppings. Use a different container for tortillas. Always label containers with the date. This helps you keep track of freshness. When storing in the fridge, ensure it is at or below 40°F. You can keep leftover meat for up to three days. Veggies like tomatoes and avocado may spoil faster. Use them within two days for the best taste. If you want to save tacos for later, freezing is a great option. You can freeze cooked meat and tortillas separately. Place the meat in a freezer-safe bag. Press out as much air as possible. For tortillas, stack them with parchment paper in between. This prevents them from sticking together. When ready to eat, thaw the meat overnight in the fridge. For tortillas, you can warm them in a dry skillet. To reheat meat, use a microwave or skillet. Heat until it's hot throughout, around 165°F. Cooked meat can last about three to four days in the fridge. Always check for any off smells. Fresh produce should be used quickly. Tomatoes may last up to a week, while avocado stays fresh for about two days once cut. Store veggies in a cool place, away from sunlight, to keep them crisp. Street-style tacos are simple, flavorful tacos found on streets in Mexico. They often use small corn tortillas and fresh ingredients. The filling can be meat or veggies, seasoned with spices. You can top them with fresh cilantro, diced tomatoes, and cheese. These tacos focus on bold flavors and easy assembly. To add heat to your tacos, use chili powder or fresh jalapeños. You can also try hot sauce or crushed red pepper. Another great tip is to mix in diced chipotle peppers while cooking the meat. This adds a smoky flavor and extra heat. Adjust the spice level to fit your taste. Yes, you can prepare tacos in advance! Cook the meat and store it in the fridge. You can heat it up when ready to serve. Keep the tortillas and toppings separate to maintain freshness. When reheating, warm the tortillas briefly so they stay soft. This way, your tacos taste fresh and delicious at gatherings. Street-style tacos are easy to make and fun to eat. We covered key ingredients like ground beef or chicken, fresh veggies, and the right spices. You learned how to prepare the meat and heat tortillas for soft tacos. Topping and presenting tacos makes them even better. Remember to explore variations and try different proteins or flavor profiles. With proper storage, you can save leftovers for later. Enjoy your taco nights, and feel confident making them unique each time!

Street Style Mexican Tacos

Delicious and easy-to-make Mexican tacos filled with seasoned meat and fresh toppings.
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 15 minutes
Total Time 30 minutes
Course Main Course
Cuisine Mexican
Servings 4
Calories 300 kcal

Ingredients
  

  • 1 lb ground beef or chicken
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1 small onion, finely chopped
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 tablespoon chili powder
  • 1 teaspoon cumin
  • 1 teaspoon paprika
  • to taste salt and pepper
  • 8 small corn tortillas
  • 1 cup chopped fresh cilantro
  • 1 cup diced tomatoes
  • 1 whole avocado, sliced
  • 1 cup crumbled queso fresco or feta cheese
  • as needed lime wedges for serving

Instructions
 

  • In a large skillet, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the chopped onion and minced garlic, sauté for about 3-4 minutes until softened.
  • Add the ground beef or chicken to the skillet, breaking it up with a spatula. Cook until browned and no longer pink, about 5-7 minutes.
  • Stir in the chili powder, cumin, paprika, salt, and pepper. Cook for an additional 2 minutes until the spices are well combined and fragrant.
  • While the meat is cooking, heat the corn tortillas in a separate pan over medium heat for about 30 seconds on each side until warm and pliable.
  • To assemble the tacos, place a generous spoonful of the meat mixture on each tortilla. Top with chopped cilantro, diced tomatoes, avocado slices, and crumbled queso fresco.
  • Serve the tacos immediately with lime wedges on the side for squeezing over the top.

Notes

Serve with lime wedges for added flavor.
Keyword chicken, easy recipe, ground beef, Mexican, tacos