BEEF TACOS get a tantalizing Thai spin for a satisfying flavor bomb on your table in 20 minutes!
These Beef Tacos will satisfy your taco cravings AND your Asian cravings in one easy recipe. The rich, robust beef filling is infused with red curry, ginger, garlic, soy sauce, and sweet chili sauce then topped with any of your favs from pineapple, to mangos, to carrots, to snow peas for a satisfying rich and fresh crunch. Top your Beef Tacos off with easy 3 ingredient Coconut Crema and dinner was never better – or easier! This beef taco dinner can be on your table in 20 minutes but the encore of flavors and textures tastes truly gourmet.
Beef Taco Recipe
If you have been following Carlsbad Cravings for a little while, it is no secret that Asian and Mexican foods are my FAV. But Asian and Mexican together – mind blowing! I recently made Asian Sweet Chili Chicken Enchiladas and and I cannot even begin to describe how good they are, but you know I will try (coming soon). Update: Since this recipe, I have also made Korean Beef Tacos and Asian Pulled Pork Tacos – both must make recipes!
My only hesitation with such recipes is that because they are a little out of the box, that people won’t try them and realize how good they really are. But I hope you trust me on these, they are Ah-mazing! And did I mention the are ready in 20 minutes?! They join the cast of my other easy, ground beef recipes: Weeknight Bolognese, Beef, Bean and Cheese Burritos, 15 Minute Beefy Buffalo Macaroni and Cheese, Jalapeno Popper Beef Taquitos, Hawaiian Sloppy Joes, Korean Beef Noodle Bowlls as the answer to all you last minute, “what should I make for dinner?” woes.
How to Make Beef Tacos
Although these beef tacos might look and sound gourmet, they are super quick and easy to make.
- First, heat 1 teaspoon olive oil over medium high heat in a large skillet. Brown beef and onions until beef is no longer pink. Add red curry paste, ginger and garlic and saute for 30 seconds.
- Add remaining kidney beans, sweet chili sauce, soy sauce and dried basil.
- Cover and turn heat to low and allow the flavors to meld, stirring occasionally for approximately 10 minutes.
- Meanwhile, prepare Coconut Crema by whisking coconut yogurt, mayonnaise and honey together. You can also take this time to prepare any desired toppings.
- Pile your beef taco filling into soft tortillas and top with desired toppings.
- EAT!
What Toppings are Best for Beef Tacos?
The beef taco filling is so irresistible you will be eating it with a spoon. Not want to eat with a spoon – will eat with a spoon – because its irresistibly delish! It gets even better (if you can imagine!) when it’s dressed up with different flavors and textures of toppings. Some topping ideas include:
- Pepper Jack cheese
- shredded cabbage
- matchstick carrots
- broccoli slaw
- julienned red bell peppers
- avocado
- pineapple
- mangos
You can mix and match whatever toppings your heart desires but I highly suggest either pineapple or mangos for their natural citrus sweetness that perfectly compliments the rich, hearty red curry beef taco filling (a must in my book!). If you are intimidated by cutting mangos – do’t be, just check out my How to Cut A Mango Post that teaches everything you could ever want to know about mangos.
Best Crema for Beef Tacos
We are all used to topping our traditional Mexican Beef Tacos with either red salsa, salsa verde, sour cream, or guacamole, because all tacos need the “glue” which marries all the flavors. For these Beef Tacos, I created Coconut Crema!
Yes, Coconut Crema. You are going to want to put it on everything! Its a simple mixture of coconut yogurt, mayonnaise and honey. Creamy, sweet, coconut in every bite – LOVE!
If you can’t find coconut yogurt, then try some plain yogurt with a little coconut extract.
Can I Prep Beef Tacos Ahead of Time?
Absolutely!
- You can make the beef taco filling ahead of time, either as written, or in bulk, and refrigerate or freeze it.
- You can chop and prep all your desired toppings ahead of time and store in airtight containers in the refrigerator.
- You can even whisk up your 1 minute Coconut Crema in advance if you prefer.
So many options. I’m just daydreaming of how I can have these Red Curry Beef Tacos at my fingertips – all the time.
Beef Tacos. On your table in 20 minutes with on encore of Thai flavors that will last a lifetime.
20 Minute Red Curry Beef Tacos. Move over taco seasoning. There’s a new beef in town.
And everyone is going to fall in love with it!
LOOKING FOR MORE TACO RECIPES?
- Chili Lime Chicken Tacos
- Tacos Al Pastor
- Turkey Tacos
- Blackened Fish Tacos
- Salsa Verde Chicken Tacos
- Baked Fiesta Ranch Chicken Tacos
- Baja Fish Tacos
- Cilantro Lime Shrimp Tacos
looking for more Thai recipes?
- Peanut Pineapple Thai Chicken Satay
- Red Curry Chicken
- Panang Curry
- Thai Chicke Noodle Soup
- Tom Kah Gai Chicken Coconut Soup
- 30 Minute Sticky Thai Peanut Orange Chicken
Red Curry Beef Tacos with Coconut Crema
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Ingredients
- 8-10 small flour tortillas (7 inch)*
Thai Red Curry Beef Tacos
- 1 pound lean ground beef
- 1/4 red onion, chopped
- 1 tablespoon red curry paste
- 2 teaspoons freshly grated ginger
- 3 garlic cloves, minced
- 2 tablespoons low sodium soy sauce
- 3 tablespoons Asian/Thai Sweet Red Chili Sauce (like Mae Ploy)
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon pepper
- 1 teaspoon dry basil
- 1 15 oz. can red kidney beans
- 1 tablespoon lime juice
Coconut Crema
- 1 5.3 oz. container coconut yogut
- 3 tablespoons mayonnaise
- 2 teaspoons honey
Topping Ideas
- Monterey Jack cheese
- chopped mangoes
- chopped pineapple
- Matchstick carrots
- shredded cabbage
- Bean Sprouts
- chopped cilantro
- fresh lime juice
- sriracha
Instructions
- Heat 1 teaspoon olive oil over medium high heat in a large skillet. Brown beef and onions until beef is no longer pink. Add red curry paste, ginger and garlic and saute for 30 seconds. Add remaining Taco Ingredients, cover and turn heat to low. Allow flavors to meld, stirring occasionally while you prepare Coconut Crema and Toppings, approximately 10 minutes..
- Add coconut yogurt, mayonnaise and honey to a medium bowl and whisk until well combined OR for extra silky Crema, mix in your blender.
- To assemble, line tortillas with meat followed by cheese, desired toppings and top everything with Coconut Crema.
Notes
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Carlsbad Cravings Original
Susy says
What a nutritious blend!
This site is wonderful!!!
Jen says
Thank you Susy! It is so quick and easy and tastes delicious! Hope you love it!
Cyd says
Huge hit at our table tonight! And, it really did come together super fast. We will be making this one again and agian for sure!
Jen says
Awesome Cyd, I love hearing that it was a huge hit and super quick – yay! Thank you so much!
Melissa says
Hi I am making this tonight and was wondering if it needed to be Greek or regular coconut yogurt? Love your recipes by the way.
Jen says
Thanks so much Melissa! I used regular coconut yogurt but I think either would work great in this recipe. Enjoy, love this one!