Spicy Beef Tacos Mango Salsa (Printable Version)
Seasoned beef meets vibrant mango salsa on warm tortillas for a flavorful, fresh meal.
# What You'll Need:
→ Spicy Beef
01 - 1.1 lbs ground beef
02 - 1 tbsp olive oil
03 - 1 small onion, finely diced
04 - 2 cloves garlic, minced
05 - 1 tbsp chili powder
06 - 1 tsp ground cumin
07 - 1/2 tsp smoked paprika
08 - 1/2 tsp cayenne pepper, adjust to taste
09 - 1/2 tsp dried oregano
10 - 1/2 tsp salt
11 - 1/4 tsp black pepper
12 - 1/2 cup beef broth or water
13 - 2 tbsp tomato paste
→ Mango Salsa
14 - 1 large ripe mango, peeled and diced
15 - 1/2 small red onion, finely diced
16 - 1 small red bell pepper, diced
17 - 1 jalapeño, seeded and finely chopped
18 - 2 tbsp fresh cilantro, chopped
19 - Juice of 1 lime
20 - 1/4 tsp salt
→ To Serve
21 - 8 small corn or flour tortillas, warmed
22 - Optional: shredded lettuce, sliced avocado, crumbled queso fresco, sour cream, lime wedges
# Directions:
01 - Combine diced mango, red onion, bell pepper, jalapeño, cilantro, lime juice, and salt in a bowl. Mix gently and set aside to meld flavors.
02 - Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add diced onion and cook until softened, about 2 to 3 minutes.
03 - Stir in minced garlic and cook for 30 seconds until fragrant.
04 - Add ground beef, breaking it up with a spoon, and cook until browned and cooked through, approximately 5 to 6 minutes. Drain excess fat if necessary.
05 - Sprinkle chili powder, cumin, smoked paprika, cayenne, oregano, salt, and black pepper over the beef. Stir well to evenly coat with spices.
06 - Add tomato paste and beef broth or water. Stir to combine and reduce heat to low. Simmer for 3 to 4 minutes until thickened.
07 - Taste and adjust seasoning if necessary.
08 - Spoon the spicy beef mixture into warm tortillas. Top generously with mango salsa and optional garnishes. Serve immediately.
# Expert Advice:
01 -
- The mango salsa cuts through the spiced beef with bright acidity and unexpected sweetness.
- It comes together in 35 minutes, making weeknight dinners feel special without the fuss.
- Naturally dairy-free and endlessly customizable to your heat tolerance.
02 -
- Don't skip draining the beef after browning; excess fat dilutes the spice flavors and makes the filling greasy.
- If your mango feels rock-hard, it will ruin the salsa—choose one with gentle give or leave it at room temperature for a day to ripen.
- The beef mixture will seem thin when you first add the broth, but it thickens as it simmers and the tomato paste breaks down.
03 -
- If your mango is underripe, dice it smaller and let it macerate longer with the lime juice and salt; the acid will soften it slightly while the salt draws out hidden sweetness.
- Toast the spices together in a small bowl before adding them to the beef—it's an extra step that makes the flavor noticeably deeper and more rounded.