Description

A homemade ortega taco seasoning blend creates smoky chipotle and lime beef tacos. This recipe delivers a complex, restaurant-quality flavor with minimal effort for weeknight meals.

Ingredients

500 g lean ground beef
1 tbsp neutral oil
1 medium yellow onion, finely diced
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 tbsp tomato paste
1 tbsp chili powder
1.5 tsp ground cumin
1 tsp smoked paprika
0.5 tsp dried oregano
1 tsp fine sea salt
0.5 tsp freshly ground black pepper
70 g (2.5 ounces) canned chipotle peppers in adobo sauce, pureed
2 tbsp fresh lime juice
0.5 cup vegetable broth or water
12 corn tortillas (6-inch)
1 cup shredded Monterey Jack or cheddar cheese
0.25 cup fresh cilantro, chopped
1 lime, cut into wedges

Cook Mode Prevent your screen from going dark

Instructions

Brown Beef and Aromatics: In a large skillet over medium-high heat, add the neutral oil and heat until shimmering. Brown the ground beef, breaking it apart with a spoon, until no pink remains, then drain excess fat. Add the diced onion and cook until softened, about 3-4 minutes. Stir in the minced garlic and tomato paste, cooking for 1 minute until fragrant.
Toast the Spices: In a small bowl, combine the chili powder, ground cumin, smoked paprika, dried oregano, sea salt, and black pepper. Sprinkle the blend over the ground beef mixture in the skillet and stir well to coat. Cook for 1 minute, stirring constantly, to toast the spices before adding liquid.
Simmer and Thicken: Stir in the pureed chipotle peppers and lime juice, along with the vegetable broth or water. Bring the mixture to a gentle simmer, reduce heat to low, cover, and cook for 10-12 minutes, allowing the flavors to meld and the sauce to thicken slightly.
Assemble Tacos: While the beef simmers, warm the corn tortillas to make them pliable by microwaving in a damp paper towel for 30 seconds or heating briefly on a dry skillet. Spoon a generous amount of the smoky chipotle-lime beef mixture into each warmed tortilla. Top with shredded cheese, cilantro, and a lime wedge.

Notes

To adjust the heat level, use fewer chipotle peppers for a milder version. The seasoned beef mixture can be prepared ahead of time and stored in the refrigerator for up to 3 days or frozen for longer storage. To reheat, warm gently on the stove with a splash of water or broth.

Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 20 minutes
Category: Main Dish
Method: Stovetop
Cuisine: Tex-Mex

Nutrition

Serving Size: 3 tacos
Calories: 500 kcal
Sugar: 2 g
Sodium: 800 mg
Fat: 20 g
Saturated Fat: 10 g
Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
Trans Fat: 0 g
Carbohydrates: 35 g
Fiber: 4 g
Protein: 35 g
Cholesterol: 100 mg