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    You are here: Home / Recipes / Beef

    Easy Ground Beef Tacos

    Published: Mar 16, 2021 · Modified: Sep 19, 2021 by Susie Weinrich · This post may contain affiliate links.

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    four ground beef tacos on a table with all the toppings
    pinterest image with text

    Making Ground Beef Tacos at home is super simple! Just about 20 minutes, 1 lb of ground beef, a handful of simple seasonings and you have really delicious Homemade Ground Beef Tacos! Load them up with your favorite taco toppings – salsa, guacamole cheese, sour cream, and cilantro.

    Ground beef tacos in hard shells with toppings

    Next time, if you want to change it up from traditional ground beef tacos, check out these recipes for Barbacoa, Instant Pot Chicken Tacos, or Fish Stick Tacos.

    Table of Contents hide
    1 Why This Recipe Works
    2 Ingredients
    3 What Ground Beef to Buy
    4 Make it Spicy
    5 Step by Step Picture Instructions
    6 Serving
    7 Make Ahead
    8 Recipe Tips
    9 Perfect Side Dishes for Tacos
    10 Recipe FAQ’s
    11 Related Recipes
    12 Did you make this recipe?!
    13 Easy Ground Beef Tacos

    Why This Recipe Works

    • Sometimes you need an easy weeknight dinner that everyone will eat, that is why we love these tacos (and this recipe for Sloppy Joes).
    • You probably have most of the seasonings right in your spice cabinet, no need to buy a pre-mixed packet!
    • This taco recipe has just the right amount of salt. I find that the packaged taco seasoning can be a touch salty.
    • Everything is ready in under 30 minutes!

    Ingredients

    Here are the things that you need to make Homemade Ground Beef Tacos. You can find most of the supplies in your spice cabinet!

    Ground beef taco ingredients with labels

    What Ground Beef to Buy

    I recommend going with a 85/15 ground beef to make tacos.

    It will have enough fat content to make it flavorful, but not so much that your tacos are greasy.

    For beef tacos, just like chili, it is ok to buy a frozen or vacuum sealed ground beef. This is not the time that you need the very best quality, like in a hamburger.

    Make it Spicy

    If you like your tacos a little spicier you can add one or all three of these things:

    • Add one chopped up jalapeno and sauté before adding the beef to the skillet. The more seeds and white pith that you add, the hotter it will be!
    • Add a dash or two of cayenne pepper to the seasoning mix.
    • Go heavier on the red pepper flakes.

    Step by Step Picture Instructions

    Start with a large skillet, non stick or stainless steel will both work.

    Over medium heat add the oil, once it is hot add the ground beef. Cook through while crumbling.

    If there is excess grease in the pan go ahead and drain that before moving on.

    ground beef crumbled and cooked in a skillet

    Pro Tip – Drain about 90% of the grease. The additional 10% will add nice flavor to your tacos without making them greasy.

    Add the tomato paste and stir so that it coats the ground beef.

    ground beef coated in tomato paste

    Now measure in all the spices – chili powder, cumin, onion powder, garlic powder, oregano, smoked paprika, red pepper flakes, salt and pepper.

    spices and herbs for tacos

    Stir the ground beef so it is coated with all the spices.

    spices added to cooked ground beef

    Finally pour in the water and simmer for a couple minutes until it combines with the spices and tomato paste and coats the ground beef.

    Remove from the heat and serve.

    homemade taco meat in a skillet

    Serving

    Serve this ground beef taco meat in hard or soft shell taco or warmed corn tortillas.

    Top with all your favorite taco toppings, like pico de gallo, cheese, sour cream, diced white onions, jalapenos, guacamole, avocado, etc…

    Seasoned ground beef for tacos

    Make Ahead

    If you want to make this ahead for easier meal prep during the week Simply place in an airtight container for up to 5 days or a freezer safe baggie for up to 3 months.

    To reheat from frozen place in the fridge overnight to thaw, then follow fridge reheating instructions.

    To reheat from the fridge place in a skillet with a couple tablespoons of water and heat through. Taste for additional seasoning like salt, cumin, or chili powder.

    Recipe Tips

    • Use a ground meat chopper to make quick work of crumbling your ground beef. (see photo below)
    • Make sure your spices are fresh… ground spices/powders last about 1-2 years, while dried herbs can last about 4 years.
    • Use SMOKED paprika for a really delicious flavor. Sweet paprika and paprika will not give you the same flavor.
    • Drain about 90% of the grease from the beef before adding your tomato paste and spices. Leaving too much will make your tacos greasy.
    • For a spicier taco add more red pepper flakes and some cayenne pepper.
    ground meat chopper

    Perfect Side Dishes for Tacos

    Complete your Beef Taco dinner with any of these side dishes:

    • Easy Mexican Rice
    • Cilantro Lime Slaw
    • The Best 15-Minute Refried Beans
    • Restaurant Style Salsa
    • Classic Margarita on the Rocks
    • Guacamole

    Recipe FAQ’s

    What is the best ground beef for tacos?

    I recommend using an 85/15 ground beef for tacos. It is fatty enough to have great flavor, but not too fatty to leave you with greasy tacos.

    Do you drain ground beef before adding taco seasoning?

    Yes! If your ground beef has rendered more than a tablespoon of fat in the browning process then I highly recommend you drain that grease before adding the taco seasonings.

    What do you put inside a taco?

    Start by laying down a nice helping of warm seasoned ground beef, then top with shredded cheese, sour cream, pico de gallo or salsa, guacamole or avocados, and shredded lettuce. For a little spice you can also add diced jalapeno.

    Related Recipes

    • Easy Smothered Burritos
    • Beef Enchilada Casserole
    • Enchilada Zucchini Boats

    Susie Weinrich washing produce

    Did you make this recipe?!

    If you make this recipe I would love to hear your review. Pop down to the comment section and connect with me.

    Then sign up for our Weekly Newsletter so you never miss a new recipe!

    Rate This Recipe
    four ground beef tacos in a row with pico de gallo and sour cream

    Easy Ground Beef Tacos

    Take 1 lb. of ground beef and some seasonings and spices and make the very best ground beef tacos. No need to buy a pre-mixed package of spices when you already have them in your spice cabinet!
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    Print Rate
    Prep Time: 10 minutes
    Cook Time: 10 minutes
    Total Time: 20 minutes
    Servings: 4 people
    Calories: 325kcal
    Author: Susie Weinrich

    Equipment

    • Skillet

    Ingredients

    • 1 tablespoon olive oil
    • 1 lb ground beef I recommend buying 85/15
    • 1 ½ tablespoon tomato paste
    • 1 teaspoon each: chili powder & cumin
    • ½ teaspoon each: onion powder & garlic powder & dried oregano
    • ¼ teaspoon smoked paprika
    • ¾ teaspoon kosher salt
    • ¼ teaspoon black pepper
    • pinch of red pepper flakes
    • ⅓ cup water

    Serving

    • soft or hard taco shells, or warmed corn tortillas
    • Toppings: cheese, sour cream, lettuce, cilantro, homemade salsa , pico de gallo, or guacamole
    Prevent your screen from going dark while you are cooking!

    Instructions

    • In a large skillet over medium heat add the olive oil. Once it is hot add the ground beef. Crumble while it browns and cooks through.
      Pro Tip – If you are using a non stick skillet you may not need the additional olive oil.
    • Drain excess grease.
      Pro Tip: drain about 90% of the grease. Leaving some behind will add to the flavor of the tacos
    • Stir the tomato paste into the ground beef until it coats all the crumbles.
    • Add the seasonings – chili powder, cumin, onion powder, garlic powder, oregano, smoked paprika, red pepper flakes, salt and pepper.
      Stir to coat the ground beef.
    • Pour in the water and simmer for about 2 minutes.
    • Remove from the heat and serve.
    • Serve the seasoned ground beef in soft or hard taco shells topped with all your favorite taco toppings.
      Excellent served with a margarita, 15 minute refried beans, and Mexican Rice.

    Notes:

    This recipe is easily doubled or tripled for a larger crowd!
    Make Ahead: prepare completely and keep in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days, or place in a freezer in a freezer safe container for up to 3 months.
    When reheating add a few tablespoons of water and then taste for additional seasoning like salt, cumin and chili powder.
    Recipe Tips: 
    • Use a ground meat chopper to make quick work of crumbling your ground beef. (see photo above the recipe)
    • Make sure your spices are fresh… ground spices/powders last about 1-2 years, while dried herbs can last about 4 years.
    • Use SMOKED paprika for a really delicious flavor. Sweet paprika and paprika will not give you the same flavor.
    • Drain about 90% of the grease from the beef before adding your tomato paste and spices. Leaving too much will make your tacos greasy.
    • For a spicier taco add and sauté a jalapeno, sprinkle in more red pepper flakes and/or some cayenne pepper.
     
    **Nutrition is only calculated for the seasoned ground beef, not the taco shell or toppings.
     
    Did you try this recipe? Connect with me & let me know how it turned out by commenting below!
    Jump to Comments
    Serving: 1serving | Calories: 325kcal | Carbohydrates: 1g | Protein: 20g | Fat: 26g | Saturated Fat: 9g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 81mg | Sodium: 561mg | Potassium: 372mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 1g | Vitamin A: 154IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 24mg | Iron: 2mg

    If nutrition facts are provided they are calculated as an estimate to the best of our knowledge.

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    About Susie Weinrich

    Susie Weinrich is the recipe developer, food photographer, and content creator behind Mom's Dinner. She has over 20 years experience in the food industry. Currently, Susie shares all her recipes and food knowledge on Mom's Dinner. You will find her recipes are easy to follow and full of tips and tricks to make sure the recipe you are making turns out perfect!

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