Description
These garlic butter honey BBQ beef tacos are the perfect fusion of sweet, savory, and smoky flavors. Tender ground beef is cooked in a sticky honey BBQ sauce with aromatic garlic butter, creating an irresistible taco filling that’s ready in just 35 minutes. Perfect for busy weeknights when you want something exciting but don’t have hours to spend in the kitchen.
Ingredients
- 2 pounds ground beef (80/20 blend)
- 4 tablespoons unsalted butter, divided
- 6 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 large yellow onion, diced
- 1/3 cup honey
- 1/2 cup BBQ sauce
- 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
- 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1 teaspoon ground cumin
- 1/2 teaspoon chili powder
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
- 12–16 small tortillas (flour or corn)
- 2 cups coleslaw mix
- 1 cup shredded Mexican cheese
- 1/2 cup fresh cilantro, chopped
- 2 green onions, sliced
- 1 lime, cut into wedges
- Sour cream for serving
Instructions
- Prep ingredients: Dice onion, mince garlic, and measure all spices. This recipe moves quickly once cooking starts.
- Cook aromatics: Heat large skillet over medium-high heat. Add 2 tablespoons butter, then diced onion. Cook 2-3 minutes until softened. Add garlic and cook 30 seconds until fragrant.
- Brown the beef: Add ground beef, breaking up with spoon. Cook 6-8 minutes until completely browned and caramelized. Drain excess fat if needed.
- Make sauce base: Push beef to one side. Add remaining 2 tablespoons butter to empty space. Add honey, BBQ sauce, vinegar, and Worcestershire sauce. Stir to combine.
- Season and simmer: Add all spices to sauce mixture. Combine everything and reduce heat to medium-low. Simmer 8-10 minutes, stirring occasionally, until sauce thickens and becomes sticky.
- Taste and adjust: Sample and adjust seasonings as needed. Add more honey for sweetness or BBQ sauce for smokiness.
- Warm tortillas: Heat tortillas in dry skillet for 30 seconds per side, or wrap in damp paper towels and microwave 30 seconds.
- Assemble tacos: Fill each tortilla with 1/4 cup beef mixture. Top with cheese, coleslaw, cilantro, and green onions. Serve with lime wedges and sour cream.
Notes
Make-Ahead Tips: The beef filling can be made up to 3 days in advance and refrigerated. Reheat gently with a splash of water.
Freezer-Friendly: Cooked beef mixture freezes for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight and reheat on stovetop.
Substitutions: Use ground turkey for lighter option, corn tortillas for gluten-free, or maple syrup instead of honey.
Spice Level: Adjust heat by adding more red pepper flakes or diced jalapeños to the beef mixture.
Pro Tip: Don’t skip the simmering time – it’s crucial for developing that sticky, caramelized coating on the beef.
- Prep Time: 15
- Cook Time: 20
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Mexican-American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 2 tacos
- Calories: 485
- Sugar: 18g
- Sodium: 650mg
- Fat: 22g
- Saturated Fat: 10g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 35g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 28g
- Cholesterol: 75mg
Keywords: garlic butter honey BBQ beef tacos, BBQ beef tacos, sweet and savory tacos, garlic honey beef tacos, sticky beef tacos, easy beef taco recipe, honey BBQ tacos, quick taco dinner