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An overhead view of the spicy ground beef filling for chipotle tacos simmering in a dark, rich adobo sauce in a skillet.

Chipotle Beef Tacos: Smoky, Spicy, and Simple

These Chipotle Beef Tacos feature a savory ground beef filling simmered in a smoky, spicy adobo sauce. A quick and easy recipe perfect for a flavorful weeknight dinner in under 30 minutes.
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Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 30 minutes
Servings: 8 tacos
Course: Dinner, Main Course
Cuisine: Mexican
Calories: 310
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

For the Beef Filling
  • 1 lb ground beef 85/15 recommended
  • 1 tbsp olive oil
  • 1 small yellow onion finely diced
  • 3 cloves garlic minced
  • 2-3 chipotle peppers in adobo minced, plus 1 tbsp of the sauce
  • 1 tsp ground cumin
  • 1/2 tsp dried oregano
  • 1/2 tsp smoked paprika
  • 1/2 cup beef broth
  • 1/2 tsp salt or to taste
  • 1/4 tsp black pepper or to taste
  • 8 small corn or flour tortillas for serving
For Serving (Optional)
  • Crumbled cotija cheese
  • Sour cream or Mexican crema
  • Chopped fresh cilantro
  • Diced white onion
  • Lime wedges

Equipment

  • 1 Large Skillet
  • 1 Cutting Board
  • 1 Knife

Method
 

  1. Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the diced onion and cook for 3-4 minutes, until softened.
  2. Add the minced garlic and cook for another minute until fragrant.
  3. Add the ground beef to the skillet. Use a spoon to break it apart and cook until fully browned, about 5-6 minutes. Drain off any excess grease.
  4. Stir in the minced chipotle peppers, adobo sauce, ground cumin, dried oregano, smoked paprika, salt, and pepper.
  5. Pour in the beef broth and stir to combine. Bring the mixture to a simmer and reduce the heat to medium-low. Let it simmer for 5-7 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the sauce has thickened.
  6. Serve the chipotle beef filling warm in toasted tortillas with your favorite toppings.

Notes

Spice Level: For a milder flavor, use only 1 chipotle pepper and 1 tablespoon of adobo sauce. For extra heat, add another pepper.
Make-Ahead: The beef filling can be prepared up to 3 days in advance and stored in the refrigerator. The flavors will deepen overnight.
Freezing: The cooked beef filling freezes well. Store it in an airtight container or freezer bag for up to 3 months.