Spice up your weeknight dinner with these delicious and simple ground beef tacos. Ready in just 30 minutes, these tacos are a family favorite and perfect for a busy night. Top with your choice of fixings, and serve with refried beans or cilantro lime rice.
Set up a taco bar and let your friends and family customize their tacos. For a complete fiesta, serve these with Mexican shrimp cocktails and chicken enchilada soup.
Why You’ll Want To Make These Again and Again
Whether you like crispy taco shells, soft flour tortillas, or corn tortillas, dinner does not get much easier or more delicious. These tacos can be dressed and on the table in less than twenty minutes, making them the ideal weeknight meal.
With just a handful of spices, even your teenager can get these made for dinner. If you are always in a hurry, make a double portion of the ground beef mixture and freeze half for up to two months for another delicious taco meal. Customize the toppings to suit your taste.
How To Make Ground Beef Tacos
Making ground beef tacos is as simple as browning the ground beef in a large skillet over medium-high heat. When it is about halfway browned, add a little chopped onion. Then add the spices, salt, pepper, and a little bit of beef or chicken broth and let it simmer for a few minutes.
Finally, scoop the beef mixture into your shells and top with lettuce, sun-ripened tomatoes, shredded cheese, jalapeno rings, and whatever your little heart desires.
Preparation Tips and Storage
- Carefully blacken the edges of the corn tortillas right over an open flame on a gas stove using tongs.
- The shells should not be stuffed until ready to eat, as they may become soggy and cold.
- Drizzle your tacos with ranch, chipotle ranch, or fire-roasted salsa for extra flavor.
- Store all leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator, although tacos are always best eaten as soon as they are prepared.
Use Homemade Taco Seasoning
Homemade Taco Seasoning is quick and easy to make, with so much flavor compared to those dry taco seasoning packets that have been sitting on the shelves for months.
Many of the herbs and spices in this recipe may already be in your pantry or spice cupboard. Mix a triple or quadruple batch of homemade taco seasoning. Store in an airtight container for up to six months.
When making tacos, use 2 1/2 tablespoons for each pound of ground beef. You can also use it in soups, fajitas, taco pasta salad, and taco salad and as a dry rub for chicken, beef, or pork. It tastes much better than the taco seasoning packets and is easy to mix up and store.
Taco Toppings
The possibilities are endless, but here are a few of my favorites. Ideally, set up a taco bar and let your family and friends select which toppings they like the best.
- chopped iceberg lettuce
- chopped tomatoes
- cheddar cheese
- pickled jalapenos
- thinly sliced red onion
- chopped or torn cilantro
- guacamole
- sour cream
- salsa
- thinly sliced jalapenos
- black olives
Frequently Asked Questions
You can substitute ground turkey, chicken, or even pork for the ground beef.
You can prepare taco meat up to a day in advance and reheat it in the microwave. If it gets dry, add a little beef broth, or water.
It is best to store the ground beef taco mixture separately. Store it in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. Use freshly warmed taco shells and freshly chopped toppings.
More Taco Recipes
Ground Beef Tacos
Ingredients
- 1 lb lean ground beef
- 1/2 medium onion chopped
- 1 tablespoon chili powder
- 2 teaspoons cumin
- 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper
- 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/4 teaspoon onion powder
- 1/4 teaspoon paprika
- 1/4 teaspoon oregano
- 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes
- 2 pinches ground cayenne pepper
- 2 tablespoons beef or chicken broth see notes
- 8 taco shells either crunchy or soft
- Chopped lettuce
- Chopped tomatoes
- Shredded cheese cheddar, cheddar Jack, Monterey Jack
- Pickled Jalapenos
Instructions
- In a large skillet, brown the ground beef breaking it up as it cooks. About halfway through the browning process, add the onion. Cook until the beef is brown and the onion is soft. Drain any excess grease.
- Turn the heat to low. Add the chili powder, cumin, salt, black pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, oregano, red pepper flakes, ground cayenne pepper, and beef broth. Simmer for 4-5 minutes.
- Divide the beef mixture evenly between the taco shells. Top with desired toppings. Serve promptly.
Notes
- You can substitute ground turkey, chicken, or even pork for the ground beef.
- Carefully blacken the edges of the corn tortillas right over an open flame on a gas stove using tongs.
- Taco meat can be prepared up to a day in advance and reheated in the microwave. If it gets dry, add a little beef broth or tomato sauce.
- The shells should not be stuffed until ready to eat, as they may become soggy and cold.
- For a little extra flavor, drizzle your tacos with ranch, chipotle ranch, or fire-roasted salsa.
- Store all leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator, although tacos are always best eaten as soon as they are prepared.
Nutrition
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Rosey
Tacos are fantastic, and I know any meat would work well. I like how versatile they are, and they are great for company too.
Beth Pierce
So true Rosey!!
Melissa Dixon
I love ground beef tacos, these were so good. I am going to have to make them again soon.
Risa Lopez
These are the best tacos and so easy to make! Thanks for sharing the recipe.
Tammy
These was SO delicious! The perfect summer meal…so flavorful and light too. I could have tacos every night!
Talya
I was just thinking about making tacos for dinner tonight! It’s always a winner and so quick and easy to make – perfect for a mid week meal.
Beth Pierce
So true!
Nayna Kanabar
I love the idea of a Taco bar as its so versatile when you have a group of people with different tastes. This way they can select topping of their taste and enjoy the meal. This a great recipe and very crowd pleasing.
Beth Pierce
Thanks Nayna!
Claudia
This recipe can easily make a perfect family weeknight meal. It’s quick and easy but so delicious!
Stephanie
I love that you used your own taco seasoning here instead of the storebought stuff. It’s always better when you can mix it yourself and avoid the added ingredients. And this tasted better, too!
Beth Pierce
Thanks Stephanie! I agree 100% about the taco seasoning!
Sandra
I love a really good soft taco and they’re even better when the shells are amazing. I think tacos will be on the menu for dinner tomorrow for sure.
Mila R
Taco Tuesday is every week, so I need all taco recipes. I love your delicious Ground Beef Taco one!
Michele
ohhhh man those look so good. I might have to make tacos tonight.
Rosey
A classic favorite for a reason. My grandbabe never wants to miss Taco Tuesday.
Ivan Carlo Jose
These are fantastic tacos. What I love about this recipe is that it’s so easy to make. I love to top them with pickled jalapenos.
briannemanzb
I love it. This is the perfect family weeknight meal that can be ready in less than 30 minutes!
Bryan
Tacos are still one of my favorite meals! Ground beef is what i usually go with but most any taco makes for good, agreeable comfort food.
Beth Pierce
So true!
Sabrina
My family is obsessed with tacos so I’m always looking for simple delicious recipes and this one did not disappoint! It was so easy to make and so delicious. Thanks for this its a keeper!
Beth Pierce
You are most welcome Sabrina!