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Weeknight Tacos · Ground Beef

Ground Beef Tacos with Homemade Seasoning

Saucy, well-seasoned beef from a quick homemade spice mix, ready for all your favorite toppings in about 25 minutes. Taco Tuesday, sorted.

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Prep
10 min
Cook
15 min
Total
25 min
Serves
4 · 8 to 10 tacos
Level
Easy

Ingredients

Taco seasoning

  • 1 tbsp chili powder
  • 1 tsp ground cumin
  • 1 tsp smoked paprika
  • ½ tsp dried oregano
  • ½ tsp garlic powder
  • ¾ tsp kosher salt
  • ¼ tsp black pepper

Beef

  • 1 tsp vegetable oil
  • 1 small onion, finely chopped
  • 1 lb ground beef, 85% lean
  • 1 tbsp tomato paste
  • ½ cup water

To serve

  • 8–10 small flour or corn tortillas, or taco shells
  • 1 cup cheddar cheese, shredded
  • 2 cups lettuce, shredded
  • 1 tomato, diced
  • sour cream, salsa, lime wedges (optional)

Cook to 160°F inside (check with a thermometer).

Steps

  1. Stir the taco seasoning ingredients together in a small bowl.
  2. Heat the oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the onion and cook, stirring, until soft.
  3. Add the beef, turn the heat to medium-high and break it into small crumbles with a spoon. Cook until no pink remains and it reaches 160°F (71°C). Spoon off extra fat if there's a lot.
  4. Stir in the seasoning and tomato paste for 30 seconds, then add the water. Simmer, stirring now and then, until the sauce thickens and coats the meat.
  5. Warm the tortillas in a dry skillet for about 20 seconds per side, or wrap them in a damp paper towel and microwave 30 seconds.
  6. Fill the tortillas with beef and pile on the toppings.

Tip: Double or triple the seasoning mix and keep it in a jar for next time. Use about 2 1/2 tablespoons per pound of meat.

Tip: Ground turkey works too; cook it to 165°F.

Storage: Refrigerate the cooked beef up to 3 days or freeze up to 3 months.

Make ahead: Cook the beef a day ahead and reheat with a splash of water.

Estimated nutrition per serving: 780 calories · protein 36 g · carbohydrates 62 g · fiber 6 g · sugars 7 g · fat 43 g (saturated 17 g) · sodium 1,470 mg. Estimate from USDA FoodData Central; not medical or dietary advice. Based on 16 of 16 ingredients.