Beef Tacos with Seasoning (Printable)
Ground beef cooked with bold spices, served in warm tortillas with fresh toppings for a classic meal.
# What You Need:
→ Taco Seasoning
01 - 1 tablespoon chili powder
02 - 1 teaspoon ground cumin
03 - 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
04 - 1 teaspoon garlic powder
05 - 1 teaspoon onion powder
06 - 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
07 - 1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
08 - 1/2 teaspoon salt
09 - 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
→ Beef Filling
10 - 1 pound ground beef, 85% lean
11 - 1 small onion, finely chopped
12 - 2 cloves garlic, minced
13 - 1/4 cup tomato sauce
14 - 1/4 cup water
15 - 1 tablespoon olive oil
→ To Serve
16 - 8 small corn or flour tortillas
17 - 1 cup shredded lettuce
18 - 1 cup diced tomatoes
19 - 1/2 cup shredded cheddar or Mexican blend cheese
20 - 1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro
21 - 1/4 cup diced red onion
22 - Lime wedges
23 - Sour cream
24 - Sliced jalapeños
# How To Make It:
01 - Combine chili powder, ground cumin, smoked paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, dried oregano, red pepper flakes, salt, and black pepper in a small bowl. Mix thoroughly and set aside.
02 - Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add chopped onion and cook for 2 to 3 minutes until softened and translucent.
03 - Stir in minced garlic and cook for 30 seconds until fragrant, being careful not to burn it.
04 - Add ground beef to the skillet, breaking it apart with a spatula. Cook for 5 to 7 minutes until completely browned and no longer pink. Drain excess fat if necessary.
05 - Sprinkle the prepared taco seasoning evenly over the browned beef. Stir well to coat all meat with the spice mixture.
06 - Pour in tomato sauce and water. Stir to combine, reduce heat to low, and simmer for 4 to 5 minutes until the sauce thickens and coats the meat.
07 - Taste the beef mixture and adjust salt or spices if needed before serving.
08 - Heat tortillas in a dry skillet for 30 seconds per side or microwave wrapped in damp paper towels for 30 seconds until warm and pliable.
09 - Spoon seasoned beef filling into warm tortillas. Top with shredded lettuce, diced tomatoes, cheese, cilantro, red onion, sour cream, and jalapeños as desired. Serve with lime wedges on the side.
# Expert Tips:
01 -
- The homemade seasoning blend hits every note, smoky, earthy, and just spicy enough to keep you reaching for another taco
- Everything comes together in under 40 minutes, making it perfect for those weeknights when you want something real but don't have hours to spend at the stove
02 -
- I learned the hard way that draining too much fat leaves you with dry, crumbly beef, so just drain the excess and leave a little behind for flavor and moisture
- Letting the beef simmer in that tomato sauce mixture for the full 5 minutes is what transforms it from ground meat to actual taco filling
03 -
- If your seasoning tastes too salty, add a pinch of brown sugar to balance it out, and if it needs more depth, a tiny splash of vinegar works wonders
- Warm your plates in the oven for a few minutes before serving, hot tacos on cold plates lose their appeal way too fast