Beef Tacos Homemade Seasoning (Printable)
Flavorful ground beef with zesty seasoning, topped with fresh veggies and cheese in warm tortillas.
# What You Need:
→ Taco Seasoning
01 - 1 tbsp chili powder
02 - 1 tsp ground cumin
03 - 1 tsp smoked paprika
04 - 1 tsp garlic powder
05 - 1 tsp onion powder
06 - ½ tsp dried oregano
07 - ½ tsp crushed red pepper flakes (optional)
08 - 1 tsp salt
09 - ½ tsp black pepper
→ Beef Filling
10 - 1 lb ground beef (80/20 or 85/15)
11 - 1 small onion, finely chopped
12 - 2 cloves garlic, minced
13 - ⅓ cup tomato sauce or 2 tbsp tomato paste plus ¼ cup water
14 - 2 tbsp water (additional as needed)
15 - 1 tbsp olive oil
→ Taco Assembly
16 - 8 small corn or flour tortillas, warmed
17 - 1 cup shredded lettuce
18 - 1 cup diced tomatoes
19 - 1 cup shredded cheddar or Monterey Jack cheese
20 - ½ cup sour cream
21 - ½ cup salsa
22 - ¼ cup chopped fresh cilantro
23 - 1 lime, cut into wedges
# How-To:
01 - Combine chili powder, ground cumin, smoked paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, dried oregano, crushed red pepper flakes (if using), salt, and black pepper in a small bowl. Set aside.
02 - Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add finely chopped onion and cook for 2 to 3 minutes until softened.
03 - Stir in minced garlic and cook for 30 seconds until fragrant.
04 - Add ground beef to the skillet, breaking it apart with a spoon. Cook 5 to 7 minutes until browned and no longer pink. Drain excess fat if necessary.
05 - Sprinkle prepared taco seasoning over the cooked beef and stir well to combine evenly.
06 - Stir in tomato sauce (or tomato paste mixed with ¼ cup water) and 2 tablespoons additional water. Simmer for 2 to 3 minutes, adding more water if mixture appears dry.
07 - Adjust seasoning as needed to balance flavors.
08 - Heat tortillas in a dry skillet or microwave until warm and pliable.
09 - Fill each tortilla with the beef mixture, then top with shredded lettuce, diced tomatoes, cheese, sour cream, salsa, chopped cilantro, and a squeeze of lime.
# Expert Advice:
01 -
- Homemade seasoning tastes fresher and less salty than the packet stuff, and you actually know what's in it.
- Thirty minutes from start to finish means dinner is ready before you've finished scrolling through your phone.
- Everyone at the table gets to build exactly what they want, so picky eaters and adventurous ones both win.
02 -
- Don't skip draining excess fat from the beef if there's a visible pool of grease. The tacos taste cleaner and less heavy when you do.
- Lime juice is non-negotiable. It sounds like a small detail, but those few drops transform the whole experience from good to memorable.
03 -
- Make the seasoning blend ahead of time and store it in a jar. Thirty seconds of prep is the difference between ordering takeout and cooking at home.
- If your beef looks dry after simmering, add water in small splashes instead of dumping it all in at once. You're looking for a loose, saucy texture, not a soup.