Description
Ground Beef Tacos – Quick & Flavorful
A juicy, spiced taco filling ready in under 30 minutes, perfect for hard or soft shells, family dinners, or taco nights with friends.
Ingredients
-
1 lb (450 g) ground beef (85% lean recommended)
-
1 small onion, finely chopped
-
2 cloves garlic, minced
-
2 tbsp tomato paste
-
1/2 cup water
-
1 tbsp chili powder
-
1 tsp cumin
-
1 tsp paprika (sweet or smoked)
-
1/2 tsp oregano
-
Salt and pepper, to taste
Shells & Toppings
-
Taco shells (hard, soft, or both!)
-
Shredded lettuce
-
Diced tomatoes
-
Shredded cheese (cheddar, Monterey Jack, or Mexican blend)
-
Sour cream or Greek yogurt
-
Salsa or hot sauce
-
Avocado or guacamole
-
Chopped cilantro
Optional Twists:
-
Spicy: add jalapeño or chipotle powder
-
Low-Carb/Keto: use large lettuce leaves instead of shells
-
Swap Protein: ground turkey, chicken, or plant-based beef alternative
-
Cheesy Fiesta: stir in shredded cheese at the end of cooking
Instructions
-
Brown the Beef: Heat a large skillet over medium heat. Add beef and let it sit 1 min before breaking it apart. Cook 5–7 min until no pink remains. Drain excess fat if needed.
-
Sauté Aromatics: Add onion and garlic to the skillet. Cook 2–3 min until fragrant and onion is translucent.
-
Build Flavor Base: Push beef and onion aside. Add tomato paste and cook 30–60 sec. Pour in water and add chili powder, cumin, paprika, oregano, salt, and pepper. Stir until evenly coated.
-
Simmer: Reduce heat to low. Simmer 5–10 min until sauce thickens. Taste and adjust seasoning.
-
Warm Shells: Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Warm hard or soft shells 5–7 min. Alternatively, warm soft tortillas in a skillet, 30 sec per side.
-
Assemble Tacos: Set up a taco bar with beef filling, shells, and toppings. Layer strategically: beef → cheese → lettuce → juicy toppings to prevent soggy shells.
Notes
-
Greasy Filling: Drain excess fat after browning beef.
-
Make Ahead: Store filling in airtight container in fridge up to 3 days or freeze up to 2 months. Reheat gently.
-
Prevent Broken Shells: Double-shell or briefly warm hard shells over oven bars for sturdier tacos.
-
Soggy Shells: Layer cheese under lettuce and pat tomatoes dry.
Nutrition
- Calories: 420 cal Per Serving
- Sugar: 3g
- Fat: 22g
- Saturated Fat: 8g
- Carbohydrates: 28g
- Fiber: 4g