Sesame Beef Tacos

Instead of going the traditional route with these tacos, we decided to mix things up with a Korean-style sesame beef filling. The filling gets a kick from gochugaru—chili flakes traditionally used in dishes like kimchi and bulgogi. It’s an unconventional choice, perhaps, but one that lives up to the maxim that everything tastes better in a tortilla.

Ingredients

  • 10 oz ground beef

  • 6 flour tortillas

  • 2 scallions

  • 1 cucumber

  • 3 radishes

  • 1/4 oz cilantro

  • 2 Tbsp white wine vinegar

  • 4 Tbsp sour cream

  • 1 tsp korean chili flakes

  • 4 oz red cabbage

  • 1 tsp garlic

  • 1 Tbsp soy sauce

  • 6 tsp sriracha

  • 1 Tbsp sesame oil

  • 1 tsp vegetable oil

  • 2 tsp sugar

  • salt

  • pepper

Directions

  • Wash and dry all produce. Trim, then thinly slice scallions. Thinly slice cucumber and radishes crosswise. Pick cilantro leaves from stems; discard stems.

  • In a medium bowl, toss cucumber, radishes, white wine vinegar, 1 tsp sugar, and a pinch of salt and pepper. Set aside until rest of meal is ready.

  • In a small bowl, stir together sour cream and a few chili flakes (to taste— start with a pinch and go up from there, saving a little for the filling). Season with salt and pepper.

  • Heat a drizzle of oil in a large pan over medium-high heat. Add scallions and cabbage. Cook, tossing, until softened, 4-5 minutes. Add beef, garlic powder, and 1 tsp sugar, breaking up meat into pieces. Cook, tossing, until beef is no longer pink, 4-5 minutes. Season with salt, pepper, and up to ½ tsp more sugar (as needed). Stir in soy sauce, 1 tsp sriracha (we sent more), sesame oil and a pinch of chili flakes (to taste).

  • While filling cooks, wrap tortillas in a damp paper towel and microwave on high until warm, about 30 seconds. Alternatively, wrap tortillas in foil and warm in oven for 5 minutes at 425 degrees.

  • Spread a bit of chili crema on each tortilla, then top with filling, a small amount of pickled veggies, cilantro, sriracha, and any remaining chili flakes, if desired. Serve with remaining pickled veggies on the side.