Ground Beef Tacos: the tasty Mexican dish to make for an easy weeknight dinner
Fancy a Taco Tuesday in the comfort of your home? You'll love this quick, flavorful ground beef taco recipe. Perfect for a fast weeknight dinner. These delectable tacos are filled with juicy ground beef seasoned with a savory, lightly spicy homemade taco seasoning and served in warmed tortillas – garnished with your favorite tacos toppings, of course!
Both kids and adults will love these mouthwatering ground beef tacos. They're super simple to make, and you can customize them with ease. Once you try these homemade authentic ground beef tacos, they're sure to become a regular fixture in your dinner rotation!
Ground Beef Tacos Ingredients
Extra-lean ground beef is ideal for tacos. Opt for a 90/10 ratio. An 80/20 ratio would work, too. You'll need about one pound of ground beef, which yields about eight servings, depending on what else you put in the tacos.
You'll also need spices to season the meat. This recipe calls for a homemade taco seasoning made from cumin, chili powder, salt, pepper, garlic powder, and Mexican oregano.
You'll also need some tomato paste, which gives the beef filling a bit of brightness, plus tortillas for serving.
How to Make Ground Beef Tacos
To make homemade ground beef tacos, sauté your beef over medium heat for several minutes until it gets nice and browned. Pour off any excess fat – you don't want greasy tacos. After the beef has been browned, simply add the spices and seasonings to the beef. Pour in the water, stir well, and let the mixture cook down for a couple of minutes over medium-low heat.
Assemble the tacos by putting a few tablespoons of beef filling in warmed corn or flour tortillas and garnish them with your favorite taco toppings. Red onions, guacamole, sour cream, cheese, lettuce, and jalapenos – whatever you like!
How to Make Homemade Taco Seasoning
Homemade taco seasoning that's way better (and more affordable) than anything you'd get in the supermarket. All you need to do is mix your spices and start using the seasoning! Typical spices used in taco seasoning include chili powder, cumin, garlic powder, onion powder, Mexican oregano, salt, pepper, paprika, and red chili flakes. Use any combination of these spices in any amount to create a perfectly crafted seasoning that suits your taste exactly.
Tips for Making the Best Ground Beef Tacos
Use Mexican oregano if you can find it. It has a different taste compared to Italian oregano and is a must-have for truly authentic Mexican dishes.
Not a fan of spicy food? Reduce the amount of chili powder you use in the taco seasoning.
You don't want to dry out your ground beef. After adding in the spices and water, cook everything for a few minutes more so you don't overcook the beef.
For a richer flavor, you can use broth or stock instead of water.
You can add onions to your ground beef for a deeper, richer flavor. Sauté them until they soften, then add in the beef.
Make sure to warm up your tortillas. Not only does it make your tacos tastier, it'll help prevent the tortillas from splitting when filling them up.
Ground Beef Tacos Toppings
There are endless fabulous toppings to use as taco garnishes. Some classic choices are shredded lettuce, red onion, jalapenos, cilantro, tomatoes, sour cream, guacamole, and cheese. Cojita or a Mexican cheese blend is always delicious, but cheddar, Monterey Jack, or Colby, are all great.
How to Store Authentic Ground Beef Tacos
Store the ground beef filling separate from the tortillas and toppings. This will prevent the tortillas from getting soggy. Ground beef tacos will last up to 3 days in an airtight container in the fridge.
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Instructions
Heat oil in a skillet. Sauté the beef over medium heat for 5 to 7 minutes until browned. Pour off fat.
Heat oil in a skillet. Sauté the beef over medium heat for 5 to 7 minutes until browned. Pour off fat.
Stir in chili powder, cumin, oregano, garlic powder, salt, pepper, tomato paste, and water.
Stir in chili powder, cumin, oregano, garlic powder, salt, pepper, tomato paste, and water.
Reduce heat to medium-low and cook for 3 to 5 minutes, until the sauce thickens.
Reduce heat to medium-low and cook for 3 to 5 minutes, until the sauce thickens.
Transfer the beef to a serving dish and enjoy immediately with warm tortillas.
Transfer the beef to a serving dish and enjoy immediately with warm tortillas.
For the topping, add lettuce.
For the topping, add lettuce.
Add chopped tomatoes.
Add chopped tomatoes.
Top with shredded cheese and onion slices.
Top with shredded cheese and onion slices.
Serve and enjoy!
Serve and enjoy!
Notes
Use either corn or flour tortillas for your tacos.
