Name: Lamb Tacos
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 15 min
Total time: 30 min
Ingredients: 8 corn tortillas; 1 pound ground lamb; 1 teaspoon dried Mexican oregano; 1 teaspoon ground cumin; 1 teaspoon chipotle chile powder (or 1/2 teaspoon for milder meat (recipe note #1)); 1 teaspoon Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper (to taste); 1/2 cup Mexican crema (or sour cream); 1 tablespoon fresh lime juice (about 1/2 lime); 1/2 teaspoon finely grated fresh lime zest; 1/4 teaspoon chipotle chile powder; 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt; thinly sliced cabbage (red or green); thinly sliced radishes; finely diced white onion; queso fresco ((fresh Mexican cheese) or cotija); fresh cilantro leaves; thinly sliced fresh or pickled jalapeño (optional); lime wedges (for serving)

Gluten Free Quick Meals

This post may contain affiliate links.

Jump to Recipe

If you love juicy, flavorful lamb but have never had Lamb Tacos, you should remedy that ASAP.

Lamb Tacos served on a stainless steel platter

Tacos are amazing, aren't they? More than a dish, they're a blank canvas for creativity. Fill up a warm corn tortilla with everything from sliced avocado to scrambled eggs, and you've got yourself a tasty meal. But these tacos are something else entirely.

Inspired by the famous slow-cooked Mexican barbacoa, this greatly simplified version is made in just 30 minutes with ground lamb; simple, but spectacular. Lively spices and the right toppings enhance the lamb's distinctly delicious flavors for a hand-cradled piece of heaven.

Ingredients You Need to Make Lamb Tacos

Lamb Tacos Ingredients on a white marble board

Corn Tortillas: White or yellow.
Ground Lamb: Not too lean.
Dried Oregano: Ideally Mexican.
Ground Cumin:
Chipotle Chile Powder: Not chili powder which is a blend of spices. Chipotle chile powder is made only with dried and smoked chipotle peppers.
Kosher Salt and Freshly Ground Black Pepper:
Mexican Crema: Or sour cream.
Lime: Look for firm, large fruits that are heavy for their size.
Cabbage: Red or green.
Radishes: If radishes are large, you may want to cut slices in half.
White Onion: If you prefer less raw onion sting, finely dice and then soak in cold water for a 15-30 minutes and drain before serving.
Queso Fresco: Or Cotija cheese.
Cilantro: Fresh leaves.
Fresh or Pickled Jalapeño: optional

How to Make Lamb Tacos

Here's how to make Lamb Tacos. Start with a warm corn tortilla, lightly fried or warmed in the oven. Fill it with a thick layer of hot, tender lamb spiced with cumin and smoky chipotle chile powder. Then, when you pile on the toppings, the magic happens.

cooking ground lamb with dried mexican oregano

The flavor of finely diced onions merges with creamy queso fresco. Crunchy shredded cabbage and snappy sliced radishes add freshness. A generous drizzle of Chipotle Lime Crema, a scatter of fresh cilantro leaves, squeeze of lime, and a jalapeño slice or two and your tacos are ready to devour.

More Delicious Taco Recipes to Try

Carne Asada Tacos
Pork Carnitas Tacos
Pork Belly Tacos
Shrimp Tacos (and Grilled Shrimp Tacos when it's grilling season!)

If you love lamb...

A whole collection of delicious lamb recipes.

Lamb Tacos

Marissa Stevens

Juicy, flavorful lamb cradled in warm corn tortillas and piled high with your choice of delicious toppings.

5 from 5 votes

Save Recipe Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 15 mins

Cook Time 15 mins

Total Time 30 mins

Course Main Course

Cuisine Mexican

Servings tacos

Calories 246 kcal

Ingredients

8 corn tortillas
1 pound ground lamb
1 teaspoon dried Mexican oregano
1 teaspoon ground cumin
1 teaspoon chipotle chile powder or ½ teaspoon for milder meat (recipe note #1)
1 teaspoon Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste

Chipotle Lime Crema

½ cup Mexican crema or sour cream
1 tablespoon fresh lime juice about ½ lime
½ teaspoon finely grated fresh lime zest
¼ teaspoon chipotle chile powder
½ teaspoon kosher salt

Toppings

thinly sliced cabbage red or green
thinly sliced radishes
finely diced white onion
queso fresco (fresh Mexican cheese) or cotija
fresh cilantro leaves
thinly sliced fresh or pickled jalapeño optional
lime wedges for serving

Instructions

Preheat oven to 350°F. (recipe note #2)
Wrap 2 stacks of 4 tortillas separately in foil. Heat in oven 10 to 15 minutes until soft and warm.
While tortillas warm, add lamb and oregano to a large skillet over medium heat; cook and stir, breaking up the lamb with a wooden spoon until browned and nearly cooked through. Drain excess fat. Stir in cumin and 1 teaspoon chipotle chile powder (use ½ teaspoon if you prefer milder meat), kosher salt and pepper; cook and stir 2 to 3 minutes more until meat is cooked through. Season to taste with .
Meanwhile, make Chipotle Lime Crema by stirring ingredients together until smooth: Mexican crema (or sour cream), lime juice and zest, chipotle chile powder, and kosher salt. Set aside (refrigerate if making well ahead of time).
To assemble tacos: top each warm tortilla with ⅛ of lamb, desired amount of toppings, finishing with Chipotle Lime Crema, cilantro leaves and fresh or pickled jalapeño slices if desired. Serve with fresh lime wedges.

Notes

Chipotle chile powder is a smoky spice made with only smoked and dried chipotle peppers, not a standard chili powder that is a blend of spices.
Warming tortillas in the oven is easy and great for feeding several people at once, but you can also lightly fry tortillas in oil if you prefer a crunchy taco. (Tacos pictured have lightly fried tortillas.)
Note that topping amounts are 'to taste' and are not included in nutrition information.

Nutrition

Calories: 246kcalCarbohydrates: 13gProtein: 11gFat: 16gSaturated Fat: 6gCholesterol: 49mgSodium: 548mgPotassium: 190mgFiber: 2gSugar: 1gVitamin A: 168IUVitamin C: 1mgCalcium: 62mgIron: 2mg

Keyword Cinco de Mayo, cravings, gluten free

Tried this recipe?I'd love to see it! Tag me on Instagram at @pinchandswirl or leave me a comment and rating below.