Beef Tacos — Homemade Seasoning, in 25 Minutes
Brown the mince, season with 2 tsp cumin, 2 tsp paprika, 1 tsp oregano, garlic and 1 tbsp tomato purée, reduce with 1 dl water for 5 minutes. Warm the tortillas in a pan, everything else in bowls on the table — everyone fills their own. The packet seasoning is mostly salt and starch; your own takes a minute.
Tacos are the family meal where nobody has to argue about the contents, because everyone fills their own: children take meat and cheese, adults salsa, onions and chilli. The mince takes 15 minutes, and the seasoning from four spices beats any packet. Everything else is chopping and putting bowls on the table.
Ingredients
- 500 g Minced beef
- 1 piece Onion
- 2 pieces Garlic cloves
- 1 tbsp Rapeseed oil
- 2 tsp Ground cumin
- 2 tsp Paprika (smoked)
- 1 tsp Oregano
- 1 tbsp Tomato purée
- 1 tsp Salt
- 12 pieces Tortillas (small, soft)
Salsa
- 3 pieces Tomatoes
- 1 piece Onion (red)
- 1 piece Lime
- ½ bunch Coriander
To fill
- ½ piece Iceberg lettuce
- 150 g Cheese (grated)
- 200 g Soured cream
- Sambal or chilli sauce
Method
- 1
Salsa
Finely dice the tomatoes and red onion, mix with lime juice, chopped coriander and salt. Let stand 10 minutes.
- 2
Mince
Finely chop the onion and garlic. Heat the oil until very hot, brown the mince 5 minutes, add the onion and garlic, 2 minutes. Stir in the cumin, paprika, oregano, tomato purée and salt, toast 1 minute.
- 3
Reduce
Add 1 dl water and simmer 5 minutes until the liquid has almost gone and the meat is juicy but not wet.
- 4
Warm the tortillas
Warm the tortillas in a dry pan for 20 seconds a side until soft and lightly blistered. Wrap in a cloth to keep warm.
- 5
At the table
Shred the lettuce, everything into bowls: meat, salsa, lettuce, cheese, soured cream, chilli. Everyone fills three tortillas — meat first, then the rest.
Tips
- Make the seasoning ahead in a jar: 4 tbsp cumin, 4 tbsp paprika, 2 tbsp oregano, 1 tbsp garlic powder, 1 tbsp salt. 2 tbsp per 500 g meat — enough for six taco nights.
- The meat keeps three days in the fridge and freezes well. Roll leftovers in tortillas, bake under cheese — enchiladas, the second meal.
- With a tin of black beans and a tin of sweetcorn in the meat it serves six — and nobody notices there is less meat.
What can I substitute?
Fry chicken with the same spices for 6 minutes. Fry drained beans with the spices for 5 minutes and mash lightly — vegetarian and just as popular.
Warm hard shells 3 minutes in the oven — crunchier, but they break. Large wraps rolled up become burritos.
For anyone who finds coriander tastes of soap. The salsa is milder.
Nutrition per serving
Estimated from the ingredients.
Frequently asked questions
What is in packet taco seasoning?
Mostly salt, starch and sugar, then paprika, cumin and onion powder. Your own mix has the same spices without the fillers — and costs a fraction, because cumin and paprika are in the cupboard.
How many tacos per person?
Three small tortillas per adult, two for children. 500 g mince makes 12 tacos. With beans in the meat, 16.
Can I prepare tacos ahead?
Meat and salsa yes, up to a day. Cut the lettuce and cheese fresh, warm the tortillas only at the table. Reheat the meat in a pan with a splash of water.
How much does taco night cost per person?
About 4 CHF per person with Swiss mince and all the toppings. Tortillas from Migros or Coop cost about 3 CHF per pack of 8.
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