Name: Beef and Black Bean Mini Tacos
Ingredients: 1 lb (450g) Lean Ground Beef (80/20 or 85/15): The foundation of our filling. An 80/20 blend provides excellent flavor and moisture, but 85/15 is a great leaner option.; 1 medium Yellow Onion, finely chopped: Adds a sweet, aromatic base that deepens the overall flavor of the meat mixture.; 3 cloves Garlic, minced: An essential aromatic that provides a pungent, savory kick.; 1 can (15 ounces) Black Beans, rinsed and drained: These add a wonderful creamy texture, a boost of fiber and protein, and help make the beef filling go further.; 1 cup (240ml) Beef Broth: Used to deglaze the pan and create a rich, savory sauce for the filling, ensuring it’s not dry.; 1 tablespoon Chili Powder: The primary spice, offering a warm, smoky, and mildly spicy flavor profile.; 2 teaspoons Ground Cumin: Provides a distinctive warm, nutty, and earthy flavor crucial to any taco seasoning.; 1 teaspoon Smoked Paprika: Adds a beautiful color and a deep, smoky flavor that complements the beef perfectly.; ½ teaspoon Dried Oregano: Lends a peppery, slightly bitter herbaceous note that balances the other spices.; ½ teaspoon Salt (or to taste): Enhances all the other flavors in the dish.; ¼ teaspoon Black Pepper (or to taste): Adds a touch of sharp heat.; 1 tablespoon Olive Oil: Used for sautéing the onion and garlic, preventing them from sticking.; 24-30 “Street Taco” size Corn or Flour Tortillas (about 4 inches): These small tortillas are the perfect size for creating mini taco shells. Corn offers a more authentic flavor and crunch, while flour is softer and easier to work with.; Optional Toppings: Shredded lettuce, diced tomatoes, shredded cheddar or Monterey Jack cheese, sour cream or Mexican crema, salsa, guacamole, fresh cilantro, sliced jalapeños, lime wedges.

Ingredients

Scale

1 lb (450g) Lean Ground Beef (80/20 or 85/15): The foundation of our filling. An 80/20 blend provides excellent flavor and moisture, but 85/15 is a great leaner option.
1 medium Yellow Onion, finely chopped: Adds a sweet, aromatic base that deepens the overall flavor of the meat mixture.
3 cloves Garlic, minced: An essential aromatic that provides a pungent, savory kick.
1 can (15 ounces) Black Beans, rinsed and drained: These add a wonderful creamy texture, a boost of fiber and protein, and help make the beef filling go further.
1 cup (240ml) Beef Broth: Used to deglaze the pan and create a rich, savory sauce for the filling, ensuring it’s not dry.
1 tablespoon Chili Powder: The primary spice, offering a warm, smoky, and mildly spicy flavor profile.
2 teaspoons Ground Cumin: Provides a distinctive warm, nutty, and earthy flavor crucial to any taco seasoning.
1 teaspoon Smoked Paprika: Adds a beautiful color and a deep, smoky flavor that complements the beef perfectly.
½ teaspoon Dried Oregano: Lends a peppery, slightly bitter herbaceous note that balances the other spices.
½ teaspoon Salt (or to taste): Enhances all the other flavors in the dish.
¼ teaspoon Black Pepper (or to taste): Adds a touch of sharp heat.
1 tablespoon Olive Oil: Used for sautéing the onion and garlic, preventing them from sticking.
24–30 “Street Taco” size Corn or Flour Tortillas (about 4 inches): These small tortillas are the perfect size for creating mini taco shells. Corn offers a more authentic flavor and crunch, while flour is softer and easier to work with.
Optional Toppings: Shredded lettuce, diced tomatoes, shredded cheddar or Monterey Jack cheese, sour cream or Mexican crema, salsa, guacamole, fresh cilantro, sliced jalapeños, lime wedges.

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Instructions

Prepare the Oven and Taco Shells: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). To create the mini taco shells, drape the small street taco tortillas directly over two bars of your oven rack. Ensure they are evenly spaced. Bake for 7-10 minutes, or until they are golden brown, crispy, and hold a “U” shape. Carefully remove them from the oven and set them aside. If you are making a large batch, you may need to do this in stages.
Sauté the Aromatics: Place a large skillet or Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Add the olive oil. Once the oil is shimmering, add the finely chopped yellow onion and cook, stirring occasionally, for 3-4 minutes until it becomes soft and translucent. Add the minced garlic and cook for another minute until fragrant, being careful not to let it burn.
Brown the Ground Beef: Add the ground beef to the skillet with the onions and garlic. Use a wooden spoon or spatula to break the meat apart into small crumbles. Cook for 6-8 minutes, or until the beef is fully browned and no pink remains.
Drain the Fat: Carefully tilt the skillet and use a spoon to skim off and discard any excess grease. This step is crucial for ensuring your filling is rich and flavorful, not greasy.
Season the Filling: Return the skillet to the heat. Sprinkle the chili powder, ground cumin, smoked paprika, dried oregano, salt, and black pepper over the cooked beef. Stir continuously for about 1 minute to toast the spices and coat the meat evenly. This process awakens the flavors of the spices.
Simmer and Thicken: Pour the beef broth into the skillet. Use your spoon to scrape up any browned bits from the bottom of the pan (this is where a lot of flavor is). Bring the mixture to a simmer. Once simmering, reduce the heat to medium-low.
Incorporate the Beans: Add the rinsed and drained black beans to the skillet. Stir gently to combine them with the beef mixture. Allow the filling to continue simmering for 5-7 minutes, uncovered, stirring occasionally. The sauce will thicken, and the flavors will meld together beautifully. Once thickened to your liking, remove from the heat.
Assemble the Mini Tacos: Take your pre-baked mini taco shells and carefully spoon the warm beef and black bean filling into each one. Be generous, but don’t overfill them, as you need room for toppings.
Add Toppings and Serve: Arrange the filled mini tacos on a large platter or board. Serve immediately with bowls of your favorite toppings like shredded cheese, lettuce, diced tomatoes, sour cream, and guacamole, allowing everyone to customize their own perfect mini taco.

Nutrition

Serving Size: one normal portion
Calories: 450