Smoky Street Tacos

Smoky Street Tacos

Find this delicious and unique twist on classic street tacos inspired by the famous LA street taco stand. Perfect for Taco Tuesday or a fun, flavorful dinner at home!

Time: (Prep, Cook, Total): 15 minutes prep, 10 minutes cook, 25 minutes total
Servings: 2 servings
Difficulty: Intermediate
Cuisine: Mexican-American Fusion

Allergens

Dairy, Wheat

Ingredients

  • 8 small corn tortillas
  • 1 lb ground beef or chicken
  • 1 medium white onion, diced
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 2 tsp chili powder
  • 1 tsp ground cumin
  • 1 tsp paprika
  • Salt and pepper, to taste
  • 1 cup shredded cheese (cheddar or Monterey Jack)
  • 1 large tomato, diced
  • 1 avocado, sliced
  • Fresh cilantro leaves, for garnish
  • Lime wedges, for serving

Instructions

  1. Heat a large skillet over medium heat. Add ground meat and cook until browned. Drain excess fat.
  2. Add onion, garlic, chili powder, cumin, paprika, salt, and pepper to the skillet. Cook for 5 minutes or until fragrant.
  3. Assemble tacos: Add a spoonful of meat mixture to each tortilla, top with cheese, tomato, avocado, and cilantro leaves. Serve with lime wedges on the side.

Chef’s Insight

To intensify the smoky flavor, add a pinch of smoked paprika to the meat mixture.

Notes

This recipe is versatile and can be adapted to different proteins or vegetarian options.

Cultural or Historical Background

Street tacos originated in Mexico City but have become popular across the United States, especially in Los Angeles, where they are often served with unique spins on traditional ingredients.