Description
These garlic butter honey BBQ beef tacos are a crowd-pleasing, flavor-packed meal featuring juicy ground beef cooked in garlic butter and tossed with a sweet and tangy honey BBQ sauce. Perfect for parties or easy weeknight dinners, they’re loaded into warm tortillas and topped with crunchy slaw and your favorite fixings.
Ingredients
- 1 1/2 pounds ground beef (80/20 preferred)
- 3 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 small yellow onion, finely chopped (about 1/2 cup)
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1/2 teaspoon chili powder
- Salt and black pepper, to taste
- 1/2 cup BBQ sauce
- 3 tablespoons honey
- 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
- 1 teaspoon hot sauce (optional)
- 12 small flour or corn tortillas (6-inch size)
- 1 1/2 cups shredded cheese (cheddar, Monterey Jack, or Mexican blend)
- 2 cups coleslaw mix or shredded lettuce
- Chopped fresh cilantro, to taste
- Lime wedges, for serving
- Optional toppings: sliced jalapeños, pickled onions, avocado, sour cream
Instructions
- Gather and prep all ingredients: mince garlic, chop onion, and measure spices and sauces.
- In a small mixing bowl, whisk together BBQ sauce, honey, apple cider vinegar, and hot sauce (if using). Set aside.
- Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add butter and let it melt and foam.
- Add minced garlic and chopped onion. Sauté for 2–3 minutes until fragrant and soft.
- Add ground beef, breaking it up with a spoon. Season with smoked paprika, chili powder, salt, and pepper.
- Cook beef for 6–8 minutes, stirring occasionally, until browned and cooked through.
- Pour prepared honey BBQ sauce over the beef. Stir to coat and reduce heat to medium-low.
- Simmer for 5–6 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the mixture is thickened and sticky.
- Meanwhile, warm tortillas in a dry skillet for 30 seconds per side or wrap in a damp towel and microwave for 30–45 seconds.
- Spoon beef filling into warm tortillas. Top with shredded cheese, coleslaw or lettuce, and desired toppings.
- Garnish with cilantro and serve with lime wedges. Serve immediately while hot.
Notes
For a gluten-free version, use GF tortillas and check your BBQ sauce. For dairy-free, use vegan butter and cheese. The beef filling can be made ahead and reheated. Letting the beef brown undisturbed adds extra flavor. Keep tacos warm in a low oven if serving a crowd. Leftover filling reheats well with a splash of water.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Cuisine: American, Tex-Mex
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 taco
- Calories: 275
- Sugar: 9
- Sodium: 480
- Fat: 13
- Saturated Fat: 6
- Carbohydrates: 26
- Fiber: 2
- Protein: 14
Keywords: beef tacos, honey BBQ, garlic butter, easy tacos, crowd-pleaser, party food, weeknight dinner, skillet recipe, Tex-Mex, American