Beef Tacos Pickled Onions (Printable View)
Seasoned beef in warm tortillas garnished with tangy pickled onions, fresh veggies, and cheese.
# What You Need:
→ Beef Filling
01 - 1 lb ground beef
02 - 1 medium onion, finely chopped
03 - 2 cloves garlic, minced
04 - 1 tbsp olive oil
05 - 1 tsp ground cumin
06 - 1 tsp smoked paprika
07 - 1/2 tsp chili powder
08 - 1/2 tsp dried oregano
09 - 1/2 tsp salt
10 - 1/4 tsp black pepper
11 - 1/4 cup beef broth or water
→ Pickled Onions
12 - 1 large red onion, thinly sliced
13 - 1/2 cup apple cider vinegar
14 - 1/2 cup water
15 - 1 tbsp sugar
16 - 1 tsp salt
→ To Serve
17 - 8 small corn or flour tortillas
18 - 1 cup shredded lettuce
19 - 1 cup diced tomatoes
20 - 1/2 cup crumbled feta or cotija cheese
21 - Fresh cilantro leaves
22 - Lime wedges
# How-To Steps:
01 - Combine apple cider vinegar, water, sugar, and salt in a small saucepan. Bring to a boil, stirring to dissolve sugar and salt. Place sliced red onion into a heatproof container and pour hot liquid over. Let stand at room temperature for at least 20 minutes.
02 - Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add chopped onion and sauté for 2 to 3 minutes until softened. Add minced garlic and cook for an additional 30 seconds.
03 - Add ground beef to the skillet, breaking it apart with a spoon. Cook until browned, about 5 to 7 minutes. Drain excess fat if necessary.
04 - Add ground cumin, smoked paprika, chili powder, dried oregano, salt, and black pepper. Pour in beef broth or water and simmer for 3 to 5 minutes until most of the liquid evaporates and flavors meld.
05 - Heat tortillas in a dry skillet or microwave until flexible and warm.
06 - Fill each tortilla evenly with beef mixture. Top with shredded lettuce, diced tomatoes, drained pickled onions, crumbled cheese, and fresh cilantro leaves. Serve with lime wedges on the side.
# Expert Advice:
01 -
- The pickled onions add a bright, tangy punch that makes even basic seasoned beef taste restaurant-quality.
- Everything comes together in under 40 minutes, which means weeknight tacos that feel special, not rushed.
- You can prep the onions ahead of time, so dinner is genuinely easy when you need it most.
02 -
- Don't skip draining the excess fat from the cooked beef, or the filling becomes heavy and the spices don't coat each piece properly.
- The pickled onions are best when they've had at least 20 minutes to sit, so make them first and let them soften while you're handling the beef.
- Warm your tortillas right before assembling because a cold tortilla will crack, and a warm one holds everything with grace.
03 -
- If you want extra richness, add a thin slice of avocado to each taco just before the pickled onions, so the acid brightens the creaminess.
- Substitute ground turkey or chicken if you prefer something lighter, and the pickled onions still make it taste full-flavored and intentional.