Gringa Tacos

What You’ll Need

• 1 lb ground beef

• ½ yellow onion, finely diced

• 1 tsp salt

• ½ tsp black pepper

• 1 tsp cumin

• 1 tsp chili powder

• ½ tsp smoked paprika

• ½ lime, juiced

• 8 small flour tortillas (6–8 inch)

• 8 oz Queso Oaxaca, pulled into strands or shredded

• ½ cup fresh cilantro, chopped

• Optional toppings: finely diced white onion for topping, squeeze of lime + pinch flaky salt to finish

How to Make

• First, cook your beef.

  • Heat a skillet over medium. Add diced yellow onion and sauté ~2 mins until softened. Add ground beef and cook, breaking it up with a spoon, until browned and cooked through.

• Season da beef.

  • Stir in salt, pepper, cumin, chili powder, smoked paprika, and lime juice. Let simmer ~2 mins so the spices bloom. Remove from heat.

• Build the gringas tacos.

  • Heat a clean skillet over medium. Place a flour tortilla in the pan. Sprinkle a layer of Oaxaca cheese over half the tortilla. Add a scoop of seasoned beef, then a little more cheese on top. Fold in half. Cook 2–3 minutes per side until golden brown and crisp on the outside and fully melted inside.

• Finish.

  • Transfer to a cutting board. Let rest 1 minute, then slice in half. Top with fresh cilantro, optional white onion, a squeeze of lime, and a tiny pinch of flaky salt if desired.