Description
Garlic Butter BBQ Beef Tacos offer a savory, smoky twist on classic tacos by combining tender ground beef cooked in garlic butter and barbecue sauce, served with fresh toppings like lettuce, tomatoes, and cheese on warm tortillas. This easy-to-make recipe is perfect for a flavorful weeknight meal or casual gathering.
Ingredients
Scale
Beef Mixture
- 1 lb ground beef (preferably 80/20 for flavor)
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1/4 cup unsalted butter
- 1/4 cup BBQ sauce (your favorite brand)
- 1 tsp smoked paprika
- 1 tsp onion powder
- 1/2 tsp chili powder
- Salt and pepper to taste
Toppings and Assembly
- 8 small corn or flour tortillas
- 1 cup shredded lettuce
- 1 cup diced tomatoes
- 1 cup shredded cheese (cheddar or Mexican blend)
- 1/2 cup sour cream (optional)
- Fresh cilantro for garnish (optional)
Instructions
- Prepare Garlic Butter: In a large skillet, melt the butter over medium heat. Once melted, add the minced garlic and sauté for about 1-2 minutes until fragrant, releasing the garlic’s rich aroma without burning.
- Cook Ground Beef: Add the ground beef to the skillet and break it into smaller pieces using a wooden spoon or spatula. Cook the beef for 5-7 minutes, stirring occasionally, until browned and cooked through.
- Season and Simmer: Drain excess fat if necessary from the cooked beef. Stir in BBQ sauce, smoked paprika, onion powder, chili powder, salt, and pepper. Mix thoroughly and allow the mixture to simmer for 2-3 minutes to meld all the flavors together.
- Warm Tortillas: While the beef simmers, warm the tortillas using your preferred method: stovetop, microwave, or oven. This step ensures the tortillas are soft and pliable for assembling tacos.
- Keep Tortillas Warm: Once warmed, cover the tortillas with a clean kitchen towel to retain heat and keep them flexible.
- Assemble Tacos: Place a generous scoop of the BBQ beef mixture in the center of each warm tortilla. Top with shredded lettuce, diced tomatoes, and shredded cheese. Add sour cream and fresh cilantro if using for extra flavor.
- Serve Immediately: Serve the tacos hot, offering extra BBQ sauce and lime wedges on the side to enhance the taste experience.
- Store Leftovers: If there is leftover beef mixture, let it cool completely before placing it in an airtight container. Refrigerate for up to 3 days.
- Reheat Beef Mixture: Warm leftover beef in a skillet over medium heat or microwave until heated through.
- Store Tortillas: Keep leftover tortillas in a sealed bag or container. They are best enjoyed fresh but can be reheated before serving.
Notes
- Use ground beef with a higher fat content (80/20) for juicier and more flavorful tacos.
- Adjust BBQ sauce quantity to suit your preferred level of sauciness and sweetness.
- For a spicier kick, add extra chili powder or a dash of cayenne pepper to the beef mixture.
- Warm tortillas properly to avoid cracking while folding.
- Leftover beef mixture freezes well for up to 1 month; thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.
- Substitute sour cream with Greek yogurt for a healthier option.
- Gluten-free tortillas can be used to make the recipe gluten-free.
