Slightly Smokey and Spicy Taco Meat

Transform your taco night with this irresistibly flavorful Slightly Smokey and Spicy Taco Meat! This quick and easy recipe combines the richness of ground beef with a bold blend of spices like smoked paprika, chili powder, and cumin, all balanced by a hint of lime juice for zesty freshness. A touch of chipotle in adobo sauce and optional cayenne pepper add just the right amount of heat, while the simmering beef broth creates a perfectly saucy consistency. Ready in just 30 minutes, this savory filling is perfect for tacos, burritos, or nachos. Garnish with fresh cilantro for an extra pop of color and flavor, and enjoy a delicious homemade meal packed with smoky and spicy goodness.

Nutriscore Rating: 65/100

Prep Time:10 mins

Cook Time:20 mins

Total Time:30 mins

Servings: 4

Ingredients

• 1 pound ground beef (80/20 blend)
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1 medium onion, finely diced
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 2 teaspoons smoked paprika
• 1.5 teaspoons chili powder
• 1 teaspoon ground cumin
• 1 teaspoon ground coriander
• 0.5 teaspoon cayenne pepper (optional, for extra heat)
• 1.5 tablespoons tomato paste
• 0.5 cup beef broth
• 0.5 teaspoon salt
• 0.25 teaspoon black pepper
• 1 teaspoon chipotle in adobo sauce, finely chopped (optional)
• 0.5 whole lime, juiced
• 2 tablespoons fresh cilantro, chopped (optional, for garnish)

Directions

Step 1

Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat.

Step 2

Add the finely diced onion to the skillet and sauté for 3-4 minutes, or until soft and translucent.

Step 3

Stir in the minced garlic and cook for 1 minute until fragrant.

Step 4

Push the onion and garlic to the side of the skillet and add the ground beef. Break it up with a spoon or spatula and cook until browned, about 6-8 minutes. Drain off excess grease if necessary.

Step 5

Sprinkle the smoked paprika, chili powder, ground cumin, ground coriander, and cayenne pepper (if using) over the beef. Stir well to coat the meat evenly with the spices.

Step 6

Add the tomato paste and chopped chipotle in adobo sauce (if using). Stir everything together and cook for 2 minutes to deepen the flavors.

Step 7

Pour in the beef broth, and stir to combine. Allow the mixture to simmer for 5-7 minutes, or until most of the liquid has evaporated and the meat is saucy but not watery.

Step 8

Season with salt and black pepper to taste. Stir in the juice of half a lime for a refreshing kick.

Step 9

Remove the skillet from heat and garnish with fresh chopped cilantro if desired.

Step 10

Serve immediately as a filling for tacos, burritos, or over nachos. Enjoy!

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(777.4g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	1420.5

Total Fat 108.7g	0%
Saturated Fat 38.7g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 1.3g
Cholesterol 321.1mg	0%
Sodium 2059.9mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 29.2g	0%
Dietary Fiber 7.9g	0%
Total Sugars 9.0g
Protein 82.3g	0%

Vitamin D 28.1IU	0%
Calcium 184.1mg	0%
Iron 14.3mg	0%
Potassium 1842.4mg	0%

*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

Source of Calories

Fat: 68.7%

Protein: 23.1%

Carbs: 8.2%