In a quaint little town bursting with vibrant flavors, I discovered the magic of tacos during a summer festival. It was one of those sun-kissed afternoons where laughter echoed in the air, and the scent of spices danced around me like a joyous melody. I decided to recreate that moment in my kitchen, infusing my tacos with bold spices and a refreshing avocado salsa that would make anyone feel like they were at a lively fiesta. Here’s how to bring that celebration to your own table!
Ingredients
For the Spicy Beef:
– 1 lb ground beef
– 2 tbsp olive oil
– 1 small onion, finely chopped
– 2 garlic cloves, minced
– 1 tsp chili powder
– 1 tsp cumin
– ½ tsp smoked paprika
– ½ tsp cayenne pepper (adjust to taste)
– Salt and pepper to taste
– 2 tbsp fresh cilantro, chopped
For the Avocado Salsa:
– 2 ripe avocados, diced
– 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
– 1 small red onion, finely chopped
– 1 jalapeño, seeded and minced
– Juice of 1 lime
– Salt to taste
– 2 tbsp fresh cilantro, chopped
For Serving:
– Corn tortillas
– Lime wedges
– Extra cilantro for garnish
Instructions
In a large skillet, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the chopped onion and sauté until translucent, about 3-4 minutes. Stir in the minced garlic and cook for an additional minute, allowing the flavors to meld. Next, add the ground beef to the skillet, breaking it apart with a spoon. Cook until browned and cooked through.
Sprinkle in the chili powder, cumin, smoked paprika, cayenne pepper, salt, and pepper. Stir well to combine, allowing the spices to infuse the beef with their rich flavors. Cook for another 2-3 minutes, then remove from heat and fold in the fresh cilantro.
While the beef is cooking, prepare the avocado salsa. In a medium bowl, gently combine the diced avocados, cherry tomatoes, red onion, and jalapeño. Drizzle the lime juice over the mixture, season with salt, and fold in the fresh cilantro. Be careful not to mash the avocados—it should be chunky and fresh!
To assemble your tacos, warm the corn tortillas on a skillet for a minute on each side until they are pliable. Spoon the spicy beef mixture onto each tortilla, generously top with the avocado salsa, and garnish with extra cilantro. Serve with lime wedges on the side for that extra zesty kick!
These Spicy Beef Tacos with Avocado Salsa are not just a meal; they are a celebration of flavors, a story of summer days spent enjoying good food and laughter. Enjoy every bite and let the fiesta come alive at your table!