Beef Tacos with Seasoning (Printable)
Flavorful ground beef seasoned with spices, nestled in warm tortillas with fresh toppings for taco night.
# What You'll Need:
→ Beef
01 - 1 lb ground beef (85% lean recommended)
→ Seasoning Mix
02 - 1 tbsp chili powder
03 - 1 tsp ground cumin
04 - 1 tsp smoked paprika
05 - 1/2 tsp garlic powder
06 - 1/2 tsp onion powder
07 - 1/2 tsp dried oregano
08 - 1/4 tsp cayenne pepper
09 - 1 tsp kosher salt
10 - 1/2 tsp ground black pepper
→ Liquid
11 - 1/2 cup water
12 - 1 tbsp tomato paste
→ Tacos
13 - 8 small corn or flour tortillas
→ Optional Toppings
14 - 1 cup shredded lettuce
15 - 1 cup diced tomatoes
16 - 1/2 cup shredded cheddar or Monterey Jack cheese
17 - 1/4 cup diced red onion
18 - 1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro
19 - 1 avocado, sliced
20 - Sour cream and salsa
# Steps:
01 - Combine chili powder, cumin, smoked paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, oregano, cayenne pepper, kosher salt, and black pepper in a small bowl. Mix thoroughly and set aside.
02 - Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add ground beef, breaking it apart with a wooden spoon. Cook for 5-6 minutes until fully browned. Drain excess fat if necessary.
03 - Sprinkle the prepared seasoning mix evenly over the browned beef. Stir well to distribute spices throughout the meat.
04 - Pour in water and add tomato paste. Reduce heat to medium and simmer for 4-5 minutes, stirring frequently until the sauce thickens and coats the beef. Adjust seasoning to taste.
05 - Heat tortillas in a dry skillet, microwave, or directly over a gas flame until warm and pliable.
06 - Spoon seasoned beef into warm tortillas. Top with lettuce, tomatoes, cheese, red onion, cilantro, avocado, sour cream, and salsa as desired.
07 - Arrange tacos on a serving platter and serve immediately while hot.
# Expert Tips:
01 -
- The homemade seasoning blend puts those dusty little packets to absolute shame
- Everything comes together in under thirty minutes including the seasoning prep
02 -
- Letting the beef simmer in the seasoning liquid for the full five minutes is what transforms it from ground meat to taco filling
- Warming corn tortillas over an open flame creates those authentic restaurant-style char spots
03 -
- Mix a double or triple batch of the seasoning blend to keep in a jar for busy weeknights
- Taste the beef before serving and adjust salt or spices to your preferences