Beef Tacos with Seasoning (Printable)
Savory ground beef cooked with homemade spices, served in warm tortillas with fresh garnishes.
# 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 teaspoon salt
09 - 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
→ Beef Filling
10 - 1 tablespoon olive oil
11 - 1 small onion, finely diced
12 - 2 garlic cloves, minced
13 - 1 pound ground beef
14 - 2 tablespoons tomato paste
15 - 1/2 cup water
→ Toppings and Tortillas
16 - 8 small corn or flour tortillas
17 - 1 cup shredded lettuce
18 - 1 cup chopped tomatoes
19 - 1/2 cup shredded cheddar or Monterey Jack cheese
20 - 1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro
21 - 1/4 cup sour cream
22 - 1 lime cut into wedges
# How To Make It:
01 - Combine chili powder, ground cumin, smoked paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, dried oregano, crushed red pepper flakes, salt, and black pepper in a small bowl. Mix thoroughly until uniform and set aside.
02 - Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add finely diced onion and cook for 2 to 3 minutes until softened and translucent. Add minced garlic and cook for 30 seconds until fragrant, stirring constantly to prevent burning.
03 - Add ground beef to the skillet. Cook while breaking up meat with a spatula until browned and cooked through, approximately 5 to 6 minutes. Drain excess fat if necessary.
04 - Stir in tomato paste and prepared taco seasoning mixture. Mix thoroughly to evenly coat the beef with spices and tomato paste.
05 - Pour in water and reduce heat to low. Simmer for 3 to 4 minutes until sauce thickens slightly and flavors meld together. Remove from heat when consistency is reached.
06 - Warm tortillas according to package instructions or heat in a dry skillet for 30 seconds per side until pliable and lightly toasted.
07 - Spoon seasoned beef mixture into warmed tortillas. Top with shredded lettuce, chopped tomatoes, shredded cheese, fresh cilantro, and a dollop of sour cream. Serve with lime wedges on the side.
# Expert Tips:
01 -
- The homemade seasoning blend hits all those smoky cumin notes that storebought versions somehow miss completely
- Everything comes together in thirty minutes flat which is exactly how fast Tuesday dinner needs to happen
- Everyone gets to build their own perfect taco at the table so nobody complains about onions or cilantro
02 -
- The filling continues to absorb liquid as it sits so add another splash of water if youre reheating leftovers the next day
- Draining the beef fat after browning keeps the seasoning from getting washed away and diluted
03 -
- Make double or triple the seasoning blend and store it in a jar for future taco nights
- Ground turkey works surprisingly well if you drain the extra liquid after cooking