The Best Guajillo Beef Tacos Recipe (Easy & Authentic)

Tired of boring taco night? This Guajillo Chili Beef Tacos recipe is the only one you'll ever need to change that forever. Savor the authentic, smoky flavors of an easy-to-make chili paste, perfectly balanced with a fresh, tropical mango salsa.

Why This is the BEST Guajillo Beef Taco Recipe

• Authentic Flavor, Simplified: I've broken down the process of making a rich guajillo chili paste into easy, manageable steps that any home cook can master.
• Perfectly Balanced: The smoky, mildly spicy chili beef is perfectly complemented by the sweet and tangy tropical mango salsa for a flavor combination you won't forget.
• Family-Approved: This recipe has been tested and loved by my own family, including my son Victor. It's a guaranteed crowd-pleaser.

What Makes Guajillo Chilis Perfect for Tacos?

Chili guajillo, the dried form of the mirasol chili, is a cornerstone of Mexican cooking. It's prized for its complex flavor profile: a **sweet and earthy flavor** with a **slight fruitiness** and notes of berries and green tea. With a **mild to medium heat level** (2,500–5,000 **Scoville Heat Units, or SHU**), it adds incredible depth without overwhelming heat, making it perfect for family meals. Learn more about this essential ingredient in my complete Guajillo Peppers Guide.

What's the Best Beef for Tacos?

For the most tender and flavorful results, I recommend using beef chuck or sirloin, thinly sliced against the grain. Chuck roast has great marbling, which renders down during cooking, making the beef incredibly juicy. Sirloin is a leaner option but still wonderfully tender when sliced thin. For more taco-making tips, see this excellent guide from Taste of Home.

Video: How to Make Guajillo Braised Beef

Before you start, watch this step-by-step guide to making the authentic Guajillo Braised Beef that is the heart of this recipe.

(This video by Mike858 demonstrates an authentic guajillo beef recipe, a key component of these tacos.)

Guajillo Chili Beef Tacos with Mango Salsa

An authentic, smoky, and easy-to-make taco recipe that combines tender guajillo-marinated beef with a fresh, tropical mango salsa. Perfect for elevating your next taco night.

Ingredients

For precise measurements, I always recommend using a Digital Kitchen Scale. It's the secret to consistent results.

For the Guajillo Chili Beef:

• 4 dried guajillo chilies, stemmed and seeded
• 1.5 lbs beef chuck or sirloin, thinly sliced
• 3 cloves garlic
• 1 white onion, divided
• 1 tsp ground cumin
• 1 tsp dried oregano
• 2 tbsp apple cider vinegar
• 1 cup beef broth, divided
• 1 tsp salt
• 2 tbsp olive oil

For the Tropical Mango Salsa & Toppings:

• 1 cup ripe mango, finely diced
• 1/4 cup red onion, finely diced
• 1 tbsp fresh lime juice
• 1 tbsp fresh cilantro, chopped
• 1/2 tsp guajillo chili powder (optional)
• 12 corn tortillas
• 1 avocado, sliced
• Extra cilantro and lime wedges for serving

Instructions

1. Make the Guajillo Paste: Toast the 4 dried guajillo chilies in a dry skillet over medium heat for 30-60 seconds per side until fragrant. Be careful not to burn them. A Lodge Cast Iron Skillet is perfect for this. Place the toasted chilies in a bowl and cover with hot water. Let them soak for 15-20 minutes until softened.
2. Blend the Paste: Drain the chilies and add them to a blender with 3 garlic cloves, half of the white onion, cumin, oregano, apple cider vinegar, and 1/2 cup of the beef broth. Blend until completely smooth. Season the paste with 1 tsp salt and set aside.
3. Marinate and Cook Beef: In a bowl, coat the 1.5 lbs of thinly sliced beef with the guajillo chili paste. Let it marinate for at least 30 minutes, or overnight in the fridge for the best flavor. Heat 2 tbsp of olive oil in your skillet over medium-high heat. Finely chop the remaining half of the onion and sauté until translucent, about 3 minutes. Add the marinated beef and cook for 5–7 minutes, stirring occasionally, until browned and tender. Deglaze the pan with the remaining 1/2 cup of beef broth.
4. Assemble Tacos: While the beef cooks, prepare the mango salsa by mixing the diced mango, red onion, lime juice, and cilantro. Warm the corn tortillas. Fill each tortilla with the guajillo beef and top with mango salsa, fresh cilantro, and avocado. Serve immediately with lime wedges.

My Pro Tips for Perfect Guajillo Beef Tacos

• Don't Burn the Chiles: Toasting is key, but burning them will make your paste bitter. They only need a minute or two until they are fragrant.
• Marinate Longer: If you have the time, marinating the beef overnight makes a huge difference in flavor and tenderness.
• Fresh Tortillas: Quality corn tortillas are a game-changer. Look for them at a local Hispanic market if you can.
• Balance Heat: The mango salsa provides a perfect sweet and tangy contrast to the smoky chili. Don't skip it! Using a tool like the KitchenAid All Purpose Kitchen Shears makes prepping the cilantro quick and easy.

Serving Suggestions

Serve Guajillo Chili Beef Tacos hot with a side of Mexican rice and elote (street corn). For drinks, a refreshing Horchata White Russian or a cold Mexican cerveza is the perfect pairing. For a larger chili-inspired meal, complement these tacos with our Spicy Chicken Noodle Soup.