Ground Beef Tacos

There’s something so satisfying about classic ground beef tacos, don’t you think?

They’re the epitome of casual dining that never disappoints!

Made with perfectly seasoned ground beef and piled high with fresh toppings, they strike that ideal balance between comfort food and fiesta-worthy fare. 

Better yet, they’re quick enough for busy weeknights but special enough for weekend gatherings. Enjoy!

Ground beef tacos in tortillas garnished with chopped tomatoes served on a plate.
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Why You’ll Love These Ground Beef Tacos

Quick Fix: This recipe transforms basic ground beef into restaurant-worthy tacos in just 15-20 minutes. Perfect for when you want something satisfying but don’t want to spend hours in the kitchen. 

Bold Taste: The aromatic spices, garlic, and tomato paste create a rich, savory meat filling. Each one features layers of Mexican-inspired taste to rival your favorite taco truck.

Budget-Smart: The recipe uses affordable ingredients like ground beef and basic pantry spices. It lets you stretch your grocery budget while feeding a crowd. Plus, any leftover meat can be repurposed for nachos, burritos, or taco salads

Ingredients

  • Ground Beef: The savory, hearty base for the filling.
  • Olive Oil: Though not strictly necessary, it does provide moisture and makes it easier to brown the beef. 
  • Onion & Garlic: The aromatic base ingredients that make the beef taste so much better. 
  • Seasonings: Use a blend of chili powder, ground cumin, smoked paprika, ground coriander, and oregano. Finish it off with basic salt and pepper. 
  • Tomato Paste: For a concentrated tomato flavor and rich color. It also helps hold the filling together. 
  • Broth: Use beef or chicken, as you prefer. Either will keep the filling moist while enhancing its savory, umami notes. 
  • Tortillas: You can use corn or flour tortillas, whichever you like best.
  • Toppings: The fresh ingredients that add texture, flavor, and a crisp coolness. I like lettuce, tomatoes, jalapeños, sour cream, fresh lime, cheese, and more. 
Cooked ground beef with taco spices in a skillet

How to Make Ground Beef Tacos

What makes these tacos truly special is their versatility.

They’re endlessly customizable with your favorite toppings, from melted cheese and cool sour cream to zesty salsa and creamy guacamole.

Plus, tacos are super easy to make! Here are the steps: 

1. COOK the onion and beef until the onion is soft and the beef is browned. Break the meat up with a wooden spoon as it cooks.

2. STIR in the garlic, spices, and tomato paste. Cook until fragrant and well-coated.

3. ADD the broth and cook for 3–5 minutes, stirring, until most liquid evaporates. Remove from heat.

4. WARM the tortillas in a dry skillet or microwave wrapped in damp paper towels for 15–30 seconds.

5. ASSEMBLE the tacos with beef, lettuce, pico de gallo, cheese, sour cream, guacamole, and cilantro. Enjoy!

Homemade ground beef tacos with sour cream, guacamole, and pico de gallo

Tips for the Best Ground Beef Tacos

Whether you’re feeding a family or hosting friends, these ground beef tacos are guaranteed to bring smiles around the table.

They’re unpretentious, deeply satisfying, and absolutely delicious – everything good food should be!

Keep these tips in mind when making your tacos

  • Choose the right beef. Use 80/20 ground beef for the perfect balance of flavor and texture. It’s lean enough to be healthy but fatty enough to stay juicy and flavorful. 
  • Prep before cooking. Chop all the veggies, measure all the spices, and prep the toppings before you start. This will make cooking and serving a lot easier.  
  • Don’t drain the grease. That’s flavor! Just add the spices and broth, and it will cook into the sauce.
  • Remember to warm the tortillas. A few seconds in a dry skillet is more than enough. Or wrap a stack in slightly damp paper towels and microwave for 15-30 seconds for better flexibility. 
  • Layer strategically. Build the tacos with the warm ingredients on the bottom and cold ones on top. (i.e., meat first, then cheese, lettuce, tomatoes, sour cream, etc.) This prevents soggy tacos and ensures optimal temperature contrast.  
  • Prepare a toppings bar. Set up a “taco bar” with all the toppings in separate bowls. This will allow everyone to garnish their tacos with whatever they like best. 
Ground beef tacos served in a flour tortillas with pico de gallo.

How to Store

Once the tacos are assembled, they don’t store well. The shells will become too soggy.

Also, taco toppings don’t always store well. Specifically the lettuce and guacamole.

However, you can store (or freeze) the beef mixture to use later. 

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To Store: Place cooled leftover beef in an airtight container. Refrigerate for 3-4 days. Store the toppings separately. 

To Freeze: Let the beef mixture cool completely, then transfer it to a freezer-safe container. Freeze for up to 3 months. 

To Reheat: Warm the beef with a splash of broth or water over medium heat for 5 -7 minutes, stirring occasionally. You can also microwave the mixture in 30-second intervals until heated through. Serve with fresh toppings, if possible.

More Tex-Mex Recipes We Can’t Get Enough Of

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Leftover Sloppy Joes Tacos
Sheet-Pan Chicken Fajitas
Slow Cooker Nacho Soup

Ground Beef Tacos

Course: Main CourseCuisine: Mexican, American
Servings

4

servings
Prep time

10

minutes
Cooking time

10

minutes
Calories

675

kcal

Hearty, savory, and ready in a flash, these ground beef tacos are the ultimate weeknight meal for busy families. Top them with guacamole, cilantro, and more!

Ingredients

  • For the Ground Beef
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil

  • 1 small onion, finely chopped

  • 1 pound lean ground beef

  • 2 cloves garlic, minced

  • 1 1/2 teaspoons ground cumin

  • 1 1/2 teaspoons chili powder

  • 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika

  • 1/2 teaspoon ground coriander

  • 1/2 teaspoon oregano

  • 1/2 teaspoon salt, or to taste

  • 1/4 teaspoon black pepper

  • 2 tablespoons tomato paste

  • 1/4 cup beef or chicken broth (or water)

  • For Serving
  • 8-10 small corn or flour tortillas

  • 1 cup shredded lettuce

  • 1 cup Pico de gallo

  • 1 cup shredded cheese (cheddar, Monterey Jack, or a Mexican blend)

  • 1 cup guacamole

  • 1/2 cup sour cream or Mexican crema

  • 1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro

  • lime wedges, for garnish

Instructions

  • Warm the oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the onion and beef and cook, breaking up the meat with a wooden spoon, until the onion is soft and the meat is no longer pink.
  • Stir in the garlic, cumin, chili powder, paprika, coriander, oregano, salt, pepper, and tomato paste. Mix until the meat is well coated and the spices are fragrant.
  • Pour in the broth, stir well, and cook for 3-5 minutes, until most of the liquid has cooked off. Remove from the heat.
  • While the beef is cooking, warm the tortillas in a dry skillet or the microwave (wrap them in damp paper towels and microwave for 15-30 seconds).
  • Spoon the seasoned ground beef into the tortillas. Top with shredded lettuce, pico de gallo, shredded cheese, sour cream, guacamole, and fresh cilantro as desired. Enjoy!

Notes

  • Use 80/20 ground beef for the perfect balance of flavor and texture.
  • Prep all the toppings, veggies, and spices before cooking for faster serving.

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