These Ground Beef Tacos are a classic weeknight favorite that come together in under 30 minutes! They’re easy, customizable, and packed with flavor from the homemade taco seasoning.
Ground Beef Tacos have been a staple in our dinner rotation for what feels like forever. One of those “default” meals that I can whip up super quickly without having to do much planning or prep work.
Plus, I know everyone in my house is always on board for taco night. My husband and son absolutely enjoy my carne asada, chicken, and shrimp tacos. They ask me to make them at least once a week.
In this recipe, I’ll show you how to make your own taco seasoning that is easy and doesn’t have any preservatives. When you pair the seasonings with a little tomato sauce, it makes the most delicious, saucy ground beef taco meat you’ll ever have.
As far as toppings go, they’re totally customizable. We like to load ours up with all the toppings, including homemade guacamole and fresh pico de Gallo, but you can go with whatever you prefer.
The leftovers are even better the next day and super versatile! You can make taco salad, quesadillas, meal prep bowls, you name it!
Mark Your Calendars
October 14th is National Taco Day! This day began as an advertising campaign for the chain Del Taco but gained popularity and now we have a whole day dedicated to tacos.
Ingredients For The Best Taco Meat
- 1 pound Ground beef — I like to use extra-lean ground beef for tacos because it’s moist and flavorful without being too heavy. You can easily swap it for ground chicken or ground turkey if you prefer.
- Olive oil — Just a drizzle to help brown the ground beef. Also use avocado oil if you prefer.
- Tomato sauce — This is what makes the taco meat so moist and flavorful. You can also replace it for 1/4 cup of beef broth, if desired.
- Taco seasoning — It’s so easy to make taco seasoning from scratch! Here, I’m using chili powder, ground coriander, garlic powder, onion powder, dried oregano, and salt to taste. You can also add cayenne pepper, ground cumin, or crushed red pepper if you like your tacos spicy. If you want to save time, you can use seasoning packets from the grocery store to make beef tacos.
Tortillas & Toppings
Tortillas — Corn tortillas are my go-to for ground beef tacos, but flour tortillas or hard taco shells are just as delicious!
Guacamole — See my homemade guacamole recipe for the best and easiest guacamole you’ll ever make!
Veggies — I like to keep it classic with diced tomatoes, white onions, and shredded lettuce or cabbage. But black olives, jalapenos, chopped bell pepper, red onions and sliced radish are all fantastic on tacos as well.
Fresh cilantro —But, if you absolutely don’t like cilantro you can leave it out.
Sour cream — The cool, creamy texture is the perfect contrast to the taco meat. Shredded cheese like Monterey jack also has the same effect and takes any taco to another level.
Cheese – Shredded cheddar cheese or Mexican blend are the best for ground beef tacos.
How to Make Ground Beef Tacos
Prepare the taco meat:
- Heat your olive oil over medium-high heat before adding the ground meat.
- Cook until it’s completely done, breaking it up into small pieces with a spatula or a wooden spoon as you go.
- Stir in the tomato sauce, all the seasonings, salt and pepper. Cook for another minute.
Assemble your tacos:
- First, warm your tortillas before adding a base of taco meat.
- Then, simply pile on your favorite toppings and enjoy!
Olivia’s Recipe Tips
- If you use ground beef with a higher fat content, be sure to drain the fat before seasoning the meat.
- You only need to simmer the tomato sauce and seasonings until it starts thickening.
- Don’t forget to warm the tortillas before serving. This makes them more pliable and less likely to tear when you add the taco fillings.
How To Store Leftovers
To Store: You can store the leftover taco meat in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. As for the veggies, I’d only save those for a couple of days and then dice up fresh toppings if I need to.
To Freeze: Ground beef taco meat freezes wonderfully for up to 3 months and it’s a great thing to have on hand for quick dinners. I prefer to store it in freezer bags to save space, but any freezer-safe container will do.
To Reheat: Just pop the seasoned ground beef in the microwave or back in a skillet until it’s heated through.
The Best Sides for Taco Night
First and foremost, chips and salsa are a must! If you have fresh avocados on hand, whip up this easy avocado salsa – it’s a nice contrast to the taco meat.
I also love to whip up these 30-minute pressure cooker beans and a side of Mexican rice. This cauliflower rice is also fantastic and it’s low-carb.
In the summer, I tend to go with lighter sides like a fresh corn salad or this sweet and savory black bean mango salad. Not only are they delicious, but these salads are so beautiful as well.
Frequently Asked Questions
I’m using 90% lean ground beef here because it still has a ton of flavor without making a lot of grease. You want a little bit of fat to keep the meat moist, but otherwise, any ground beef will do. You just may need to drain the grease before seasoning the taco meat.
It depends on the size of your tortillas and how many people it’s for. For small corn tortillas, like I’m using, 2-3 tablespoons of taco meat is a good serving size. I find that one pound of ground beef will serve 4 with room for everyone to have more than one taco.
It’s up to you! This recipe is totally customizable, so if you like spice you can kick up the chili powder. If you prefer your tacos on the mild side, I recommend using paprika instead.
The taco meat is already low in carbs, but you can easily swap the tortilla for a low-carb variety. Or, simply rearrange the ingredients and make a taco salad or bowl instead.
If you enjoy this recipe, let me know in the comments below! And don’t forget to check out the full collection of Mexican Food Recipes here at Primavera Kitchen.
Ground Beef Tacos
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Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 pound extra-lean ground beef
- ½ cup tomato sauce
- 1 teaspoon chili powder
- ½ teaspoon ground coriander
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon onion powder
- ¼ teaspoon dried oregano
- Salt to taste
For serving
- Warm corn tortillas
- Guacamole
- Diced tomatoes and white onions
- Chopped cilantro
- Sour cream
- Thinly shredded lettuce
Instructions
- Heat the olive oil in a medium skillet over medium-high heat. Add the ground beef and cook for 6 to 8 minutes, breaking it into small pieces as it cooks. If needed, drain and discard any excess grease.
- Stir in the tomato sauce, chili powder, ground coriander, garlic powder, onion powder, dried oregano and salt. Mix until fully combined and cook for an additional minute.
- Take the skillet off the heat.
- Put ground beef in corn tortillas, add guacamole, then top with shredded lettuce, cheese, tomatoes, onions, and sour cream. Serve warm.
Tips
- You can warm the tortillas in a skillet or wrap them in foil and warm them in the oven.
- Add onions and garlic to the taco meat for a more savory flavor.
- Don’t skip the tomato sauce, because that’s what keeps the taco meat so moist.
Nutrition Information
Nutrition information is calculated using an ingredient database and should be considered an estimate.
Olivia says
Maria says
Love this
Olivia says
It’s so good! We love it too 😉