Spicy Beef Tacos Mango (Printer-friendly)
Seasoned beef in warm tortillas with a zesty mango salsa delivering fresh and spicy flavors.
# What You'll Need:
→ Spicy Beef
01 - 1.1 lbs ground beef
02 - 1 tbsp olive oil
03 - 1 small onion, finely diced
04 - 2 cloves garlic, minced
05 - 1 tbsp chili powder
06 - 1 tsp ground cumin
07 - 1/2 tsp smoked paprika
08 - 1/2 tsp cayenne pepper, adjust to taste
09 - 1/2 tsp dried oregano
10 - 1/2 tsp salt
11 - 1/4 tsp black pepper
12 - 1/2 cup beef broth or water
13 - 2 tbsp tomato paste
→ Mango Salsa
14 - 1 large ripe mango, peeled and diced
15 - 1/2 small red onion, finely diced
16 - 1 small red bell pepper, diced
17 - 1 jalapeño, seeded and finely chopped
18 - 2 tbsp fresh cilantro, chopped
19 - Juice of 1 lime
20 - 1/4 tsp salt
→ To Serve
21 - 8 small corn or flour tortillas, warmed
22 - Optional: shredded lettuce, sliced avocado, crumbled queso fresco, sour cream, lime wedges
# How to Prepare:
01 - In a bowl, combine diced mango, red onion, bell pepper, jalapeño, cilantro, lime juice, and salt. Mix gently and set aside to let flavors meld.
02 - Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add diced onion and cook until softened, about 2 to 3 minutes.
03 - Stir in minced garlic and cook for 30 seconds until fragrant.
04 - Add ground beef, breaking it up with a spoon, and cook until browned and fully cooked, approximately 5 to 6 minutes. Drain excess fat if necessary.
05 - Sprinkle chili powder, cumin, smoked paprika, cayenne, oregano, salt, and black pepper over the beef. Stir well to evenly coat with spices.
06 - Add tomato paste and beef broth (or water). Stir to combine and simmer for 3 to 4 minutes until the mixture thickens.
07 - Taste and adjust seasoning as needed.
08 - Spoon the spicy beef into warmed tortillas. Top generously with mango salsa and any optional garnishes. Serve immediately.
# Expert Advice:
01 -
- The mango salsa cuts through the richness of the beef with bursts of sweetness and heat that keep every bite interesting.
- Everything comes together in about half an hour, so you can have bold flavors without spending your evening in the kitchen.
- It's endlessly adaptable: swap proteins, dial the spice up or down, or pile on whatever toppings you have on hand.
02 -
- Warming the tortillas makes them pliable and brings out their flavor, I learned this after serving cold tortillas that cracked and fell apart.
- Letting the salsa sit for even just 10 minutes makes a noticeable difference, the lime juice softens the onion and the flavors meld into something cohesive.
- Don't skip draining excess fat from the beef if it pools, too much grease makes the filling slippery and the tortillas soggy.
03 -
- Toasting the spices in the pan for a minute before adding the liquid unlocks deeper, more complex flavors.
- A ripe mango should smell sweet at the stem end and give slightly when pressed, if it's rock hard it won't have the juiciness you want.
- Taste the salsa after it sits for a bit, the flavors develop and you might want to add a touch more lime or salt before serving.