Description
These Garlic Butter Honey BBQ Beef Tacos combine savory ground beef cooked with aromatic garlic, rich butter, and a smoky-sweet BBQ sauce enhanced with honey. Served in warm taco shells and topped with fresh veggies and cheese, they are a perfect quick and flavorful weeknight meal that serves 8.
Ingredients
Scale
Beef Mixture
- 1 lb ground beef
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 tablespoons butter, divided
- 1/3 cup BBQ sauce
- 1 tablespoon honey
- 1 teaspoon soy sauce (optional)
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- Optional: chili powder or paprika, to taste
Taco Assembly
- 8 taco shells (soft or hard)
- 1 cup shredded lettuce
- 1/2 cup diced tomatoes
- 1/4 cup chopped red onion
- 1/2 cup shredded cheese (cheddar or Mexican blend)
- Fresh cilantro leaves, for garnish
- Lime wedges, for serving
Instructions
- Cook the Garlic: In a large skillet, heat 1 tablespoon of butter over medium-high heat. Add the minced garlic and cook for about 1 minute until fragrant, being careful not to burn it.
- Cook the Beef: Add the ground beef to the skillet. Break it up with a spoon and cook until fully browned and cooked through, about 7-8 minutes. Drain any excess fat if needed.
- Add Sauce and Simmer: Reduce heat to low. Add the remaining 1 tablespoon of butter, BBQ sauce, honey, and soy sauce if using. Stir thoroughly to coat the beef evenly. Let it simmer gently for 2-3 minutes to allow the flavors to meld. Taste and season with salt, pepper, and optional chili powder or paprika.
- Warm the Taco Shells: While the beef simmers, warm the taco shells in the oven or microwave as per package instructions, or lightly toast them in a dry skillet for a few seconds per side.
- Assemble the Tacos: Spoon the garlic butter honey BBQ beef mixture into each taco shell.
- Add Toppings: Top each taco with shredded lettuce, diced tomatoes, chopped red onion, shredded cheese, and a few fresh cilantro leaves for freshness.
- Serve: Serve the tacos immediately with lime wedges on the side to be squeezed over for added zest.
Notes
- Use lean ground beef to reduce grease and make the tacos less fatty.
- You can substitute ground turkey or chicken for a lighter version.
- Adjust the honey and BBQ sauce amounts to suit your desired sweetness and tang.
- Add jalapeños or hot sauce if you prefer spicy tacos.
- Soft taco shells create a more traditional Mexican style, whereas hard shells add crunch.
- Leftover beef mixture can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
