Spicy Beef Tacos Guacamole (Print version)

Seasoned ground beef paired with creamy guacamole and warm tortillas for a flavorful, easy-to-make meal.

# Ingredient List:

→ Spicy Beef

01 - 1.1 lb ground beef
02 - 1 small onion, finely chopped
03 - 2 cloves garlic, minced
04 - 1 tbsp olive oil
05 - 2 tsp chili powder
06 - 1 tsp ground cumin
07 - 1 tsp smoked paprika
08 - 1/2 tsp ground coriander
09 - 1/2 tsp dried oregano
10 - 1/2 tsp crushed red pepper flakes
11 - 1/2 tsp salt
12 - 1/4 tsp black pepper
13 - 1/3 cup beef or chicken broth
14 - 2 tbsp tomato paste

→ Guacamole

15 - 2 ripe avocados
16 - 1 small tomato, deseeded and diced
17 - 1/4 small red onion, finely chopped
18 - 1 small jalapeño, seeded and minced
19 - Juice of 1 lime
20 - 2 tbsp fresh cilantro, chopped
21 - 1/4 tsp salt
22 - Freshly ground black pepper, to taste

→ To Serve

23 - 8 small corn or flour tortillas
24 - Shredded lettuce
25 - Diced tomatoes
26 - Grated cheddar or crumbled queso fresco
27 - Fresh cilantro leaves
28 - Lime wedges

# How To Make It:

01 - Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Sauté onion for 2 to 3 minutes until softened, then add garlic and cook for 30 seconds.
02 - Add ground beef and cook, breaking up with a spoon until browned, about 5 to 6 minutes. Drain excess fat if necessary.
03 - Stir in chili powder, cumin, smoked paprika, coriander, oregano, crushed red pepper flakes, salt, and black pepper. Cook for 1 minute until fragrant.
04 - Mix in tomato paste thoroughly. Pour in broth and simmer for 5 to 7 minutes until the mixture has thickened slightly. Keep warm.
05 - Halve and pit avocados, then scoop flesh into a bowl and mash to desired consistency.
06 - Gently fold in diced tomato, red onion, jalapeño, lime juice, cilantro, salt, and black pepper to the mashed avocado.
07 - Heat tortillas in a dry skillet or microwave until pliable.
08 - Spoon the spicy beef into warm tortillas. Top with guacamole, shredded lettuce, diced tomatoes, cheese, fresh cilantro leaves, and a wedge of lime.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • It comes together in under an hour, which means you can pull off taco night without spending your entire evening cooking
  • The flavor builds so naturally as the spices toast in the pan—you'll taste the difference real guacamole makes compared to store-bought, and your guests will notice too
  • Everyone gets to build their own taco exactly how they like it, which somehow makes the meal feel more interactive and fun
  • You can easily adjust the heat level to match your crowd, making it perfect whether you're cooking for spice lovers or cautious eaters
02 -
  • If your avocado is hard, don't force it into the recipe. A hard avocado will be bitter and grainy. Either wait another day or swap it out—it makes a noticeable difference in every bite.
  • The spices need those 5 to 7 minutes simmering with the broth. Don't rush this step thinking the beef is done. The liquid helps the spices fully infuse into the meat, and that's what makes people ask for seconds.
  • Guacamole oxidizes (turns brown) quickly once exposed to air. Make it as close to serving time as possible. If you must make it ahead, press plastic wrap directly onto the surface to minimize air exposure.
03 -
  • Brown your beef in batches if your skillet is small. Crowding the pan steams the meat instead of browning it, and you miss out on those delicious caramelized bits.
  • Keep all your toppings prepped and in small bowls before you start cooking. This makes assembly fast and fun, and people can customize without you hovering over the stove.
  • If you're cooking for a crowd, double the beef filling but keep the guacamole in a separate batch—it doesn't scale as well and tastes fresher when made in smaller amounts.

Return