Ground Beef Tacos (with homemade seasoning)

This is the best ground beef taco recipe, perfect for an easy dinner, Taco Tuesdays, Cinco de Mayo or any night you need a quick dinner.🙌🏻

If you have been looking for an easy taco recipe, you came to the right place friends! You can use this same method for soft tacos or hard shell tacos. I am using hard shells for the photos because that’s what my family likes best.

Taco seasoning

I am using my homemade taco seasoning for these ground beef tacos. I cannot tell you the last time I bought a taco seasoning packet. Not to worry, internet friends! It takes less than two minutes to mix up, and you may never buy another taco seasoning packet either. 💁🏼‍♀️😎

This seasoning works for anywhere from one pound to 1.25 pounds. It gives these tacos amazing flavor with zero questionable ingredients. Yum!😋👏🏻

Other ingredients

The rest of the ingredients are fairly basic, but they make one killer taco!

How to make classic ground beef tacos

Making these ground beef tacos is super easy! Just brown up some ground beef, using a spoon or flipper to break the meat up into chunks. Cook until no pink remains.

Then drain the grease off the meat. I do this by dumping the cooked beef onto a large plate with paper towels to soak up the grease.

Next, I return the drained beef to the pan. Sprinkle the seasoning on top and add the water, stirring to combine. Bring the mixture to a simmer over medium heat. Once the contents come to a simmer, reduce the heat to low and cook until the water evaporates, about 7 minutes.

Heat the taco shells just prior to serving. You can use hard or soft shells. Just heat them according to package instructions.

Now you are ready to assemble the tacos! Spoon the meat in, and then add your toppings.

And boom, dinner is served.

What to put in tacos

So what do you put in ground beef tacos? First I recommend serving with the classic fillings: lettuce, tomato, shredded cheese and salsa.

Some people like taco sauce, but we prefer salsa.

Why? We always have some, it has great flavor, and it is one less condiment to buy at the store. You can use store-bought or homemade salsa.

Whether you are setting up a taco bar or making tacos for your family, any of the following fillings/ toppings are fantastic in tacos:

• guacamole, any type
• sour cream
• pickled jalapeño slices
• corn kernels or corn salsa
• cowboy caviar
• queso
• diced avocado
• cilantro
• sautéed peppers
• onions (cooked or raw)
• refried beans
• black beans, canned or homemade
• pinto beans, canned or homemade
• creamy jalapeño ranch dressing (inspire by Chuy’s restaurant)

Also, we like our tacos with a side of cilantro lime rice. So good!

How to make these into low carb beef tacos

Y’all know I love carbs. 😍 I love and eat all the macros.

But everybody has different preferences. You do you, friends. If you need a low carb option, you can serve this in  lettuce leaves. Iceberg, butter lettuce and green leaf work best. If you do this, you may need more tacos to feel satisfied.

Ground beef tacos recipe

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5 from 2 votes

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Ground Beef Tacos

This is the best ground beef taco recipe, perfect for an easy dinner, Taco Tuesdays, Cinco de Mayo or any night you need a quick dinner. Classic beef taco recipe with homemade seasoning.

Course Main Course

Cuisine Mexican, Tex Mex

Keyword beef tacos, ground beef tacos

Prep Time 7 minutes

Cook Time 15 minutes

Total Time 22 minutes

Servings 12 tacos

Calories 166 kcal

Author Marjorie @APinchOfHealthy

Ingredients

• 1 pound ground beef (note: I have used up to 1.25 pounds with this same recipe)

Taco seasoning blend

• 2 teaspoons chili powder
• 2 teaspooons cumin
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1/2 teaspoon paprika
• 1/4 teaspoon oregano
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon black pepper
• 3/4 cup water

Taco Assembly

• 12 taco shells (Hard or soft - for soft I recommend fajita-sized flour tortillas)
• 2 cups lettuce shredded
• 2 cups tomatoes diced
• 1 cup salsa homemade or store-bought
• 1 cup shredded cheese (cheddar, Monterey Jack, cheddar jack blend or Mexican cheese blend all work)

Instructions

Taco seasoning blend

1. Measure out all ingredients into a bowl, and stir together until well-combined. Set aside.

Cooking the taco meat

1. Brown the meat, and separate with a spatula or spoon until brown and crumbly. 
   

2. Drain the fat off the meat, and return to the same pan.

3. Sprinkle the seasoning on top, and add the water.

4. Stir to combine, and bring to a simmer over medium heat.

5. Once the mixture starts bubbling, reduce heat to low, and cook until the liquid evaporates, about 7 more minutes.

Heat the taco shells

1. Heat the taco shells in the oven (or toaster oven), according to package instructions, just prior to serving.

Assembling the tacos

1. Spoon some of the beef mixture into a taco shell. 

2. Add desired toppings. I recommend lettuce, tomato, shredded cheese and salsa. Other optional toppings: sour cream, guacamole, diced avocado, cilantro, queso, onions, peppers, corn.

Recipe Video

Recipe Notes

Nutritional information is approximate and was calculated using a recipe nutrition label generator. Hard taco shells, and toppings listed in the ingredient section of the recipe card are included in nutrition. Optional toppings are not included.

I love carbs! And all the macros. But I understand some folks have different dietary needs than me. If you need a low carb/ keto option you can use iceberg, butter leaf or green leaf lettuce as a taco shell.

Nutrition Facts

Ground Beef Tacos

Amount Per Serving

Calories 166 Calories from Fat 72

% Daily Value*

Fat 8g12%

Saturated Fat 3g19%

Cholesterol 31mg10%

Sodium 468mg20%

Potassium 306mg9%

Carbohydrates 11g4%

Fiber 1g4%

Sugar 2g2%

Protein 11g22%

Vitamin A 575IU12%

Vitamin C 4.1mg5%

Calcium 77mg8%

Iron 1.5mg8%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

Note: This post originally appeared on A Pinch of Healthy April 17, 2019. It has been updated with new photos and additional recipe modifications.