Beef Tacos Corn Salsa (Printer-Friendly)
Seasoned beef and fresh corn salsa layered on warm tortillas for a flavorful meal.
# What You'll 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
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
→ Tortillas & 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, diced tomato, red onion, jalapeño, cilantro, lime juice, and salt in a bowl. Mix thoroughly and set aside to allow flavors to develop.
02 - Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add chopped onion and cook until softened, approximately 2 minutes. Stir in minced garlic and cook for an additional 30 seconds.
03 - Add ground beef to the skillet and cook, breaking it apart with a spoon, until fully browned, about 5 to 6 minutes. Drain excess fat if necessary.
04 - Sprinkle cumin, smoked paprika, chili powder, dried oregano, salt, and black pepper over the beef. Stir in tomato paste and water. Continue cooking for 2 to 3 minutes until the mixture thickens. Remove from heat.
05 - Heat tortillas in a dry skillet or microwave until soft and pliable.
06 - Fill each tortilla with beef mixture. Top with shredded lettuce, grated cheese, a spoonful of corn salsa, and a dollop of sour cream. Serve accompanied by lime wedges.
# Expert Advice:
01 -
- The whole thing comes together in under 40 minutes, which means you can go from craving tacos to eating them without overthinking it.
- That corn salsa is genuinely addictive—fresh, bright, and it makes even simple seasoned beef taste restaurant-quality.
- It feeds four people generously, which makes it perfect for casual dinners or when you need something reliable that everyone actually enjoys.
02 -
- Don't skip draining the beef if there's excess fat pooling—you want richness from good seasoning, not greasiness.
- Let your corn salsa sit for at least 5 minutes before serving; the flavors genuinely meld and become more cohesive.
- Warm tortillas are absolutely essential—cold or lukewarm tortillas will make the whole taco fall apart emotionally and physically.
03 -
- Cook your onions and garlic until fragrant but not brown—this gentle start makes the beef taste richer once it hits the pan.
- If you're making these for a crowd, prep the corn salsa and beef filling ahead; just warm the tortillas and assemble right before serving.