Taco Beef Lettuce Cups

Name: Taco Beef Lettuce Cups
Prep time: 20 min
Cook time: 15 min
Total time: 35 min
Yield: 4 servings
Cuisine: Tex-Mex, Mexican
Ingredients: 1 tbsp Avocado Oil; 0.5 tsp Black Pepper; 1 dash Cayenne Pepper; 1 tbsp Chili Powder; 0.25 cup Diced Onion; 0.5 cup Diced Tomatoes; 0.5 tsp Garlic Powder; 1 bunch Green Onion; 1 lb Ground Beef; 2 tsp Ground Cumin; 0.25 cup Ketchup; 12 whole Lettuce Leaves; 0.5 tsp Mexican Oregano; 0.5 cup Shredded Monterey Jack Cheese; 1 tbsp Tomato Paste; 0.5 cup Water

Appetizer 🧄Dinner 🍽️Lunch 🥪Snack 🍿 Tex-Mex 🇺🇸🇲🇽Mexican High-Protein 💪Low-Carb Low-Sodium Gluten-Free Halal 🕌Comfort-Food

Taco Beef Lettuce Cups feature juicy, well-browned ground beef seasoned with warm chili, cumin, and a hint of tomato for balanced richness. Snapped into crisp butter lettuce, they’re topped with melty cheese, tomato, red onion, and fresh green onion for bright contrast. Perfect for a fresh-feeling weeknight dinner or game-day bites.

Prep20 mins
Cook15 mins
Serves4
DifficultyEasy

1

Add oil to a nonstick skillet and set it over high heat. Add the white and light green parts of the sliced green onion; set aside the darker green parts for garnish. Add the beef, and use a spatula to break it into small crumbles, about 5 minutes.
2

Lower the heat to medium-high. Add salt, black pepper, garlic powder, chili powder, cumin, oregano, tomato paste, and ketchup, and cook, stirring, for about 2 minutes.
3

Use a spatula to smooth and press the mixture into an even layer. Let it cook without stirring for 1 to 2 minutes more, or until the meat pieces begin to develop a brown crust. Stir the mixture and repeat the browning process once more.
4

Add the water, and continue cooking, stirring occasionally, until the meat mixture reaches your preferred texture, 1 to 2 more minutes—cook briefly for a saucier result, or longer for a drier, stickier result. You can add more liquid to the pan to adjust if needed.
5

Taste and adjust the seasoning if needed. To serve, spoon the beef into lettuce cups, and garnish with grated cheese, red onion, and tomato. Finish by sprinkling on the reserved dark green onion tops.