Can I make garlic butter honey BBQ beef tacos ahead of time?

You can cook the beef mixture ahead and reheat it gently over low heat, but it’s best assembled fresh. Reheating slowly keeps the sauce glossy instead of sticky or dry. Warm the tortillas right before serving so they stay flexible.

Why does my sauce taste too sweet?

This usually comes from the BBQ sauce rather than the honey. Different brands vary a lot in sweetness, so taste before adding extra honey. A small pinch of salt or smoked paprika usually brings the balance back without needing more sauce.

Can I use beef strips instead of ground beef?

Yes, beef strips work well if they’re sliced thin and cooked just until tender. Add them to the pan after the garlic butter is fragrant and avoid overcooking, or they’ll lose moisture. Ground beef is more forgiving if this is your first time making the recipe.

Are flour tortillas better than corn tortillas for this recipe?

Flour tortillas hold up better to the saucy filling and stay soft when warmed. Corn tortillas can crack and break once filled unless they’re well heated and handled gently. For garlic butter honey BBQ beef tacos, flour tortillas give the most reliable result.

The Ultimate Garlic Butter Honey BBQ Beef Tacos

Description

Sticky, smoky-sweet beef cooked in garlic butter, honey, and BBQ sauce, tucked into warm tortillas with a creamy drizzle. A fast, comforting taco dinner that delivers big flavor with simple steps.

Ingredients

Scale

1 lb ground beef or thin-sliced beef strips
2 tablespoons unsalted butter
2 cloves garlic, minced
1/4 cup honey
1/3 cup BBQ sauce
1 teaspoon smoked paprika
Salt, to taste
Black pepper, to taste
1/2 cup mayonnaise
2 tablespoons honey (for sauce)
1 tablespoon BBQ sauce (for sauce)
1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika (for sauce)
6 soft flour tortillas
1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
Fresh cilantro, optional

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Instructions

Melt the butter gently in a skillet over medium heat until softly sizzling.
Add the minced garlic and cook just until fragrant and pale golden.
Add the beef and cook, spreading it out so it browns instead of steaming.
Drain excess fat if needed to keep the filling rich but not greasy.
Lower the heat slightly and stir in the honey, BBQ sauce, smoked paprika, salt, and pepper.
Simmer until the sauce thickens and clings to the beef.
Whisk together mayonnaise, honey, BBQ sauce, and smoked paprika for the creamy sauce.
Warm the tortillas until soft and flexible.
Fill tortillas with beef, drizzle with sauce, and top with cheddar cheese and cilantro.

Notes

Use full-fat mayonnaise for the best sauce texture.
Taste the BBQ sauce before adding extra honey, as sweetness varies by brand.
Keep heat moderate once honey is added to prevent burning.

Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 20 minutes
Category: Main Dish
Method: Skillet
Cuisine: Mexican

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1 taco
Calories: 420
Sugar: 12
Sodium: 780
Fat: 26
Saturated Fat: 11
Unsaturated Fat: 13
Trans Fat: 0
Carbohydrates: 30
Fiber: 2
Protein: 20
Cholesterol: 85