Jin & Vin
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TUETaco TuesdayEpisode 3

Weeknight Ground Beef Tacos

Twenty-five minutes, twelve tacos, two brothers. Cheap ingredients and a spice blend you can mix in a jar and keep.

Time 25 minutesServes 4
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Method

  1. Brown the beef

    Large skillet, medium-high heat, no oil. Add the beef and break it up. Cook 6–7 minutes until properly browned, not just grey. Spoon off excess fat if there's a lot.

  2. Aromatics

    Add onion and cook 3 minutes until soft, then garlic for 30 seconds.

  3. Season

    Stir in the taco seasoning and tomato paste and cook 1 minute so the spices toast and the paste darkens.

  4. Simmer

    Pour in the water, scrape the pan, and simmer 3–4 minutes until it thickens into a filling that holds together on a spoon.

  5. Warm the tortillas

    Dry pan, 20 seconds a side. Stack them in a towel to keep warm.

  6. Build

    A spoonful of beef, then toppings. Lime squeeze last.

Things we learned

  • Taco seasoning (makes about 2 Tbsp): 1 Tbsp chili powder, 1 tsp cumin, ½ tsp smoked paprika, ½ tsp garlic powder, ½ tsp onion powder, ½ tsp salt, ¼ tsp oregano, a pinch of cayenne.
  • Give the beef room and don't stir too early — brown bits are flavour.
  • Warm tortillas bend; cold tortillas crack.