Description
These Garlic Butter Honey BBQ Beef Tacos combine juicy ground beef cooked in a flavorful garlic butter and honey BBQ sauce, served on warm tortillas with fresh toppings like shredded lettuce, cheddar cheese, and red onion. Perfect for a quick and delicious weeknight Tex-Mex meal with a perfect balance of sweet, smoky, and savory flavors.
Ingredients
Scale
Beef Mixture
- 1 pound ground beef
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1/2 cup barbecue sauce
- 2 tablespoons honey
- 1 tablespoon tomato paste
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1/2 teaspoon chili powder
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
Tacos
- 8 small flour or corn tortillas
- 1 cup shredded lettuce
- 1/2 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- 1/4 cup diced red onion
- Chopped cilantro (optional)
- Lime wedges (optional)
Instructions
- Prepare the garlic butter base: In a large skillet over medium heat, melt the unsalted butter and sauté the minced garlic for about 1 minute until fragrant and golden, being careful not to burn it.
- Cook the ground beef: Add the ground beef to the skillet with the garlic butter and cook for 6 to 8 minutes, using a spatula to break the meat apart, until it is fully browned and cooked through. Drain excess grease if necessary to avoid sogginess.
- Add the sauce and spices: Stir in the barbecue sauce, honey, tomato paste, smoked paprika, chili powder, salt, and black pepper. Mix well to ensure the beef is thoroughly coated with the flavorful sauce.
- Simmer to thicken: Reduce the heat slightly and let the beef mixture simmer for 3 to 5 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the sauce thickens slightly and clings well to the beef.
- Warm the tortillas: Heat the tortillas in a dry skillet or microwave until they are warm and pliable, ready to be filled.
- Assemble the tacos: Spoon generous portions of the honey BBQ beef mixture into each tortilla. Top with shredded lettuce, shredded cheddar cheese, diced red onion, and if desired, chopped cilantro for freshness.
- Serve with garnish: Serve the tacos immediately alongside lime wedges for squeezing, adding a bright citrusy balance to the rich and savory filling.
Notes
- Adjust the heat level by adding cayenne pepper or your favorite hot sauce directly to the beef mixture for a spicier kick.
- For added crunch and flavor, include sliced jalapeños or crushed tortilla chips as a topping.
- This beef mixture is versatile and can also be used in taco bowls, quesadillas, or nachos.
- Choose between flour or corn tortillas based on preference or dietary needs.
- To make this recipe gluten free, opt for corn tortillas and verify that the barbecue sauce is gluten free.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Tex-Mex
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 taco
- Calories: 280
- Sugar: 9g
- Sodium: 440mg
- Fat: 15g
- Saturated Fat: 7g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 20g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 15g
- Cholesterol: 45mg
