Spiced Ground Beef Tacos with Fresh Tomato Salsa and Chipotle Lime Crema

There’s nothing quite like taco night to bring everyone to the table. These spiced ground beef tacos are packed with bold flavors: seasoned beef and onion, a bright tomato salsa, and a creamy chipotle lime crema that adds a smoky kick. Topped with melty Monterey Jack cheese and wrapped in warm flour tortillas, every bite is a fiesta.

This recipe is designed for home cooks who want a delicious, fuss-free meal. Using simple ingredients and one pan, you can have dinner on the table in under 30 minutes. Customize with your favorite toppings and enjoy!

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Ingredients

1 unit Red OnionView ingredient guideLike ingredientDislike ingredient

1 teaspoon Chipotle PowderView ingredient guideLike ingredientDislike ingredient

1 unit Tomato PasteView ingredient guideLike ingredientDislike ingredient

4 tablespoon Sour CreamView ingredient guideLike ingredientDislike ingredient

10 ounce Ground BeefView ingredient guideLike ingredientDislike ingredient

0.25 cup Monterey Jack CheeseView ingredient guideLike ingredientDislike ingredient

1 unit TomatoView ingredient guideLike ingredientDislike ingredient

1 unit LimeView ingredient guideLike ingredientDislike ingredient

6 unit Flour TortillasView ingredient guideLike ingredientDislike ingredient

1 tablespoon Southwest Spice BlendView ingredient guideLike ingredientDislike ingredient

0.25 ounce CilantroView ingredient guideLike ingredientDislike ingredient

teaspoon (tsp) SaltView ingredient guideLike ingredientDislike ingredient

teaspoon (tsp) Black PepperView ingredient guideLike ingredientDislike ingredient

Instructions

1. Finely dice the red onion. Cut the tomato into small cubes. Zest and juice the lime. Pick the cilantro leaves from the stems and roughly chop.
2. In a small bowl, combine the sour cream, half the chipotle powder, a squeeze of lime juice, and a pinch of salt. Stir until smooth. Set aside.
3. Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the ground beef and cook, breaking it apart with a spoon, until browned, about 4-5 minutes. Drain excess fat if desired.
4. Add the diced red onion to the skillet and cook for 1-2 minutes until softened. Stir in the Southwest spice blend, remaining chipotle powder, tomato paste, and a splash of water. Season with salt and pepper. Cook for 1 minute until fragrant.
5. Warm the flour tortillas in a dry skillet or microwave until pliable.
6. To assemble, spoon the beef mixture onto each tortilla. Top with diced tomato, a drizzle of chipotle lime crema, and a sprinkle of Monterey Jack cheese. Garnish with fresh cilantro. Serve with lime wedges on the side.

Useful Cookware

A few helpful kitchen tools for this recipe, with relevant Amazon picks for each item.

Large skillet

SENSARTE Nonstick Frying Pan Skillet with Lid, 12 Inch Large Deep Frying Pan, 5 Qt Non Stick Saute Pan with Cover, Induction Pan, Healthy Non Toxic Cooking Pan with Helper Handle, PFOA PFOS FreeView on AmazonFarberware Dishwasher Safe Nonstick Jumbo Cooker/Saute Pan with Helper Handle -Aluminum, 6 Quart, BlueView on AmazonTramontina Professional 14-Inch Non Stick Extra Large Frying Pan, Heavy-Gauge Aluminum Skillet with Reinforced Nonstick Coating, Red Handle, Dishwasher and Oven SafeView on Amazon

Small bowl

Kaytee Stoneware Ceramic Pet Hamster Bowl, Brown, 3-InchView on AmazonDipping Bowls, Soy Sauce Dish Ceramic, 3 OZ Small Serving Bowls for Side Dishes Vintage Blue Stylish Design, Set of 6 Mini Appetizer Plates for Condiment Sushi Ketchup BBQ Party, 4 InchView on AmazonFarielyn-X 3.5in 4oz Small Glass Bowls, Mini Glass Containers, Ramekins, Prep, Pinch Bowl, Stackable Condiment Containers, for Prep, Dips, Nuts, Snacks, Candy Meal Prep Bowls, Dessert BowlsView on Amazon

Chef's knife

imarku Japanese Chef Knife - Sharp Kitchen Knife 8 Inch Chef's Knives HC Steel Paring Knife, Unique Gifts for Men and Women, Gifts for Mom or Dad, Kitchen Gadgets with Gift Box, Fathers GiftsView on AmazonVictorinox Fibrox Pro Chef’s Knife, 8 Inch - Swiss Army Kitchen Knife, High Carbon Stainless Steel Blade, Non-Slip Fibrox Handle, Dishwasher Safe, BlackView on AmazonPAUDIN Chef Knife, 8 Inch High Carbon Stainless Steel Sharp Kitchen Knife with Ergonomic Handle, Gift Box for Family & RestaurantView on Amazon

Cutting board

Astercook Deep-Carbonized Bamboo Cutting Boards for Kitchen with Wood Storage Stand, Reversible Charcuterie & Chopping Boards with Juice Grooves and Easy-Grip Handles, Fathers Day Gift for MenView on AmazonZeawec 3-Piece Set Bamboo Cutting Board for Kitchen - Crack-Resistant Wood Chopping Boards with Deep Juice Grooves, Pre-Oiled Butcher Block for Meat, Vegetables & Cheese, CarbonizedView on AmazonTitanium Cutting Board for Kitchen, Cutting Board Double Sided Food Grade, Pure Titanium/PP, Easy to Clean Large Size 15”×10.3”View on Amazon

Measuring spoons

Measuring Spoons, Premium Heavy Duty Stainless Steel Measuring Spoons Cups Set, Small Tablespoon with Metric and US Measurements, Set of 6 for Measuring Dry and Liquid IngredientsView on AmazonTILUCK Measuring Cups & Spoons Set, Stackable Cups and Spoons, Nesting Measure Cups with Stainless Steel Handle, Kitchen Gadgets for Cooking & Baking (Black)View on AmazonSpring Chef Stainless Steel Magnetic Measuring Spoons Set with Strong N45 Magnets, Heavy Duty Metal Kitchen Gadgets for Baking & Cooking, Fits in Most Kitchen Spice Jars, Set of 8 with Leveler, BlackView on Amazon

Spatula

ChefAide 5 Pieces Silicone Spatula Set, Food Grade Rubber Spatula, Upgrade Strong Handle with Ergonomic Grip, Heat Resistant Up to 600°F for Nonstick Cookware, CookingView on AmazonCoukre 2 Pack Silicone Spatula Set, High Heat Resistant, BPA Free Kitchen Spatula, Solid & Slotted Turner for Non-Stick Pans, Sautéing, and Flipping (2, PureBlack)View on AmazonKLAQQED 3Pcs Silicone Spatula Set Heat Resistant Spatulas for Nonstick Cookware Fish Turner Plastic Spatulas Rubber Wok Spatula, Long Large Spatula Silicone Cooking Use Kitchen Utensils SetView on Amazon

Recipe Tips

FAQ

Can I use ground turkey or chicken instead of beef?

Yes, ground turkey or chicken works well. Just adjust cooking time and season similarly.

How do I make the salsa ahead of time?

Dice the tomato and onion, mix with lime juice and cilantro, and refrigerate for up to 2 hours. Add salt just before serving.

What can I substitute for Monterey Jack cheese?

Cheddar, pepper jack, or a Mexican blend cheese are great substitutes.