Beef Tacos Corn Salsa (Printable)
Seasoned beef and vibrant corn salsa layered in warm tortillas for a flavorful and easy main dish.
# What You Need:
→ Beef Filling
01 - 1 lb ground beef
02 - 1 small onion, finely chopped
03 - 2 cloves garlic, minced
04 - 1 tbsp olive oil
05 - 1 tsp ground cumin
06 - 1 tsp smoked paprika
07 - ½ tsp chili powder, adjust to taste
08 - ½ tsp dried oregano
09 - 1 tsp salt
10 - ½ tsp black pepper
11 - 2 tbsp tomato paste
12 - ¼ cup water
→ Corn Salsa
13 - 1 cup corn kernels (fresh, canned, or thawed)
14 - 1 medium ripe tomato, diced
15 - ¼ red onion, finely diced
16 - ½ jalapeño, seeded and minced
17 - 2 tbsp fresh cilantro, chopped
18 - Juice of 1 lime
19 - ¼ tsp salt
→ Tacos & Toppings
20 - 8 small corn tortillas or flour tortillas
21 - ½ cup shredded lettuce
22 - ½ cup grated cheddar or Monterey Jack cheese
23 - ½ cup sour cream
24 - Lime wedges, for serving
# How to Make It:
01 - Combine corn, tomato, red onion, jalapeño, cilantro, lime juice, and salt in a bowl. Mix thoroughly and set aside to allow the flavors to meld.
02 - Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Sauté onion until softened, about 2 minutes. Add garlic and cook for 30 seconds.
03 - Add ground beef to the skillet. Break up with a spoon and cook until no longer pink, approximately 5 to 6 minutes. Drain excess fat if necessary.
04 - Stir in cumin, smoked paprika, chili powder, oregano, salt, and black pepper. Mix in tomato paste and water. Cook for an additional 2 to 3 minutes until mixture thickens. Remove from heat.
05 - Heat tortillas in a dry skillet or microwave until flexible and warm.
06 - Fill each tortilla with the beef mixture. Top with shredded lettuce, cheese, a generous spoonful of corn salsa, and a dollop of sour cream. Serve immediately with lime wedges.
# Expert Tips:
01 -
- The corn salsa is so easy to make but tastes like you've been standing over it all day, letting flavors whisper together.
- Everything comes together in under 35 minutes, which means you can actually enjoy your dinner instead of spending the evening at the stove.
- It's the kind of meal that makes people reach for seconds without hesitation, and nobody realizes how little effort it took.
02 -
- Don't skip draining the excess fat from the beef—it's the difference between a sauce that clings and one that separates and pools.
- The corn salsa tastes better if you give it even just 10 minutes to sit; the lime juice and salt draw out juices and marry everything together into something better than the individual parts.
- Warm your tortillas right before assembly; a cold tortilla will crack and won't embrace the filling the way a warm one does.
03 -
- Toast your spices briefly in the hot oil before adding beef—it wakes them up and makes the whole dish taste more intentional and alive.
- Keep the lime juice separate until the very end; add it to the salsa just before serving so it stays bright and doesn't oxidize the tomatoes.