Preppy Kitchen Recipes Main Dishes Ground Beef Tacos

Ground Beef Tacos

By John Kanell Published Sep 15, 2024
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These easy Ground Beef Tacos are a go-to recipe for taco lovers! Lean ground beef is seasoned to perfection with Mexican spices and loaded onto soft or hard taco shells with endless topping options. This quick-fix meal only takes 15 minutes to prepare and delivers a restaurant-quality dining experience!

A plate with two ground beef tacos topped with cheese, pico de gallo, and cilantro. More tacos in the background along with a drink.

When you need a quick and satisfying meal that delivers on flavor, this beef taco recipe won’t disappoint! Taco meat is sauteéd until tender and juicy, then simmered with savory spices and rich tomato sauce for a flavor-packed tortilla filling. The homemade taco seasoning elevates the ground beef flavor for an authentic taco experience, which pairs beautifully with warm tortillas and toppings of choice.

The beauty of this recipe lies in its simplicity and versatility. You can easily customize these ground beef tacos to suit your taste, whether you prefer a classic combination of pico de gallo, sour cream, and shredded lettuce or you want to get creative. With just a few simple ingredients and minimal prep time, you’ll have a delicious, easy dinner in no time, ideal for busy weeknights or casual gatherings. For more taco-inspired recipes, try my Taco Casserole, Taco Salad, or Taco Soup.

What You Need To Make This Recipe

Ingredients needed to make ground beef tacos.

Lean Ground Beef — Opt for 90/10 ground beef to achieve a good balance of flavor and leanness. This ratio ensures that your taco meat is juicy without being overly greasy. You can substitute ground turkey or ground chicken for a leaner option.

Tomato Sauce — Adds richness and depth to the taco meat. Look for a no-salt-added variety to control the seasoning in the dish, or substitute one 6-ounce can of tomato paste mixed with enough water to equal ¾ cup. You can also use your favorite salsa for extra flavor.

Seasonings — chili powder, ground cumin, dried oregano, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and black pepper all combine to make a very flavorful homemade taco seasoning for the ground beef.

Tortillas — Choose storebought or homemade corn tortillas for a more traditional, slightly chewy taco experience or flour tortillas for a softer, more pliable option. You can also fry the tortillas to make a crispy taco shell. For a gluten-free or low-carb alternative, try lettuce wraps or gluten-free tortillas.

How To Make Ground Beef Tacos

Set of two photos showing ground beef cooked in a skillet and tomato sauce added.

1. Heat a large skillet over medium heat. Add the ground beef. Cook, stirring to break the beef into small crumbles, until browned, for about 8 minutes. Drain any excess fat from the skillet.

2. Add the tomato sauce to the browned beef.

Set of two photos showing seasoning added to the skillet and then cooked meat added to a tortilla.

3. Stir in the chili powder, cumin, salt, oregano, black pepper, garlic powder, and onion powder until combined. Bring the mixture to a simmer over medium heat. Reduce the heat to medium-low and cook, stirring often, until the sauce is thickened and the beef is well coated, for about 2 minutes.

4. Warm the tortillas to your desired crispiness in a separate skillet. Then assemble the tacos by spooning about ⅓ cup of the seasoned ground beef onto each warm tortilla. Serve with your favorite toppings!

A plate with a ground beef taco topped with cheese, pico de gallo, and cilantro. A skillet with more ground beef, a bowl of pico de gallo, lime wedges, and tortillas in the background.

Use Homemade Taco Seasoning

Creating your own taco seasoning is a game-changer for this dish. You can adjust the spices to suit your taste, ensuring each taco night is seasoned to your liking. This recipe includes a blend of chili powder, cumin, garlic powder, onion powder, and oregano that will make your ground beef tacos irresistible.

Taco Toppings

There are endless topping possibilities for these tasty tacos! From fresh pico de gallo or salsa to creamy sour cream, shredded lettuce, fresh cilantro, a sprinkle of shredded Mexican cheese blend, and fresh jalapeño slices, you can mix and match to create your perfect taco.

What To Serve With Tacos

Pair these tacos with sides like Mexican rice, Instant Pot black beans, and fresh, creamy guacamole with tortilla chips for a festive taco night. A refreshing margarita completes the spread for the adults!

Overhead view of five ground beef tacos on a platter with a bowl of pico de gallo and lime wedges. A bowl of shredded cheese and some plates on the side.

How To Make Crunchy Taco Shells

For those who love a little crunch, you can easily make homemade crispy shells with corn tortillas or flour tortillas. Heat a medium skillet with ½ inch of vegetable oil over medium-high heat. Fry one tortilla at a time for 1-2 minutes on each side or until they are bubbly and crisp on the edges. Let them drain on paper towels to remove excess oil for a few seconds, then, using tongs, fold each warm tortilla in half lengthwise, holding it for about 30 seconds while it cools and hardens to form the shell.

Storage Tips

Any leftover taco meat can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat it in a skillet over medium heat or the microwave until warm. Be sure to store the tortillas, meat, and toppings separately.

Pro Tips For Making This Recipe

Don’t overcrowd the skillet. When browning the ground beef, use a large enough skillet to ensure it isn’t overcrowded. This will help the meat brown and not steam, developing richer, more flavorful taco meat. If necessary, cook in batches to achieve a nice sear and prevent steaming, which can cause the meat to become gray and soggy.
Warm the tortillas. For the best ground beef tacos, warm the tortillas before assembling the fillings on a hot skillet, in the oven, or by microwaving them wrapped in a damp paper towel for 15 to 30 seconds. This step makes the tortillas more pliable and delicious.
Make extra for leftovers. Double the recipe and store any leftover taco meat for quick meals throughout the week. It’s perfect for taco salads, burrito bowls, or nachos!

A plate with two ground beef tacos topped with cheese, pico de gallo, and cilantro. Another plate with two in the background along with bowls of toppings.

Frequently Asked Questions

What’s The Best Ground Beef For Tacos?

I recommend using lean ground beef, such as 90/10, for the best balance of flavor and texture. It’s juicy but not too greasy, making it ideal for tacos. If your ground beef is very lean and sticks to the pan at all during browning, add a little bit of olive oil to help.

How Much Taco Meat Should I Make Per Person?

Plan for about ¼ pound of uncooked ground beef or ⅓ to ½ cups of cooked taco meat per person. Depending on the size of your tortillas, this should be enough to fill two tacos. This recipe makes enough for about four servings or eight tacos in total.

Should I Drain Off The Fat From The Meat?

Yes, after browning the meat, drain any excess fat from the skillet if needed. This prevents the tacos from becoming too greasy. If your meat is lean enough, you may not have much to drain off.

If you’ve tried this Ground Beef Tacos recipe, then don’t forget to rate it and let me know how you got on in the comments below. I love hearing from you!