Warm Hearth Keto Tacos (Printable)
Spiced ground beef tucked in crisp lettuce leaves with fresh toppings for a satisfying low-carb meal.
# List of ingredients:
→ Meat
01 - 1 lb ground beef (80/20 preferred)
→ Spices & Seasonings
02 - 1 tsp chili powder
03 - 1 tsp smoked paprika
04 - 1/2 tsp ground cumin
05 - 1/2 tsp garlic powder
06 - 1/2 tsp onion powder
07 - 1/2 tsp sea salt
08 - 1/4 tsp ground black pepper
09 - Pinch of cayenne pepper (optional)
→ Sauce & Fats
10 - 2 tbsp tomato paste (no sugar added)
11 - 1/4 cup water
12 - 1 tbsp olive oil
→ Taco Shells
13 - 8 large romaine lettuce leaves or iceberg lettuce cups
→ Toppings
14 - 1/2 cup shredded cheddar cheese
15 - 1/4 cup sour cream
16 - 1/4 cup diced red onion
17 - 1/2 cup diced tomatoes
18 - 1/4 cup chopped cilantro
19 - 1 avocado, sliced
20 - 1 lime, cut into wedges
# Steps:
01 - Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add ground beef and cook, breaking up the meat with a spatula, until browned, about 5 to 6 minutes.
02 - Drain excess fat if necessary. Stir in chili powder, smoked paprika, cumin, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, black pepper, and cayenne. Cook for 1 minute until fragrant.
03 - Add tomato paste and water; stir to combine. Simmer for 3 to 4 minutes until thickened. Adjust seasoning to taste.
04 - While beef cooks, wash and dry lettuce leaves. Arrange them on a platter to form taco shells.
05 - Spoon the seasoned beef mixture evenly into each lettuce shell.
06 - Top each taco with shredded cheddar cheese, diced red onion, diced tomatoes, chopped cilantro, sliced avocado, and a dollop of sour cream.
07 - Serve immediately with lime wedges on the side.
# Expert Advice:
01 -
- Ready in 30 minutes with zero carb regrets, so weeknight dinner stress actually melts away.
- That sizzle of beef hitting hot oil and the way the spices bloom—it tastes like you spent way more time than you actually did.
- Lettuce shells stay crisp even when loaded, which sounds impossible until you try it and wonder why you ever needed tortillas.
- Everyone at the table eats the same thing, whether they're keto or just hungry for something real and flavorful.
02 -
- Lettuce leaves will wilt if you add hot beef and toppings too far in advance, so prep everything and assemble just before eating—this is a eat-as-you-go kind of meal.
- The 80/20 ground beef ratio is genuinely important; leaner beef turns dry and chalky, while fattier beef stays juicy and flavorful as it cooks.
- Drying your lettuce leaves thoroughly prevents them from sliding off each other, and it means the toppings won't slide into your lap.
03 -
- Cook the beef the morning of, then reheat gently just before serving—the flavors meld together and taste even better the next day.
- Keep your toppings cold and prepped in separate bowls so guests can build their own tacos exactly how they like them, and nothing gets soggy waiting.