These easy ground beef tacos will make any day of the week a fiesta! Lean ground beef is seasoned with fragrant dried Mexican spices like chili powder, cumin, coriander, and oregano for maximum flavor.
These ground beef tacos definitely deserve a spot in the dinnertime rotation. The savory ground beef is seasoned with robust Mexican spices that add an instant blast of flavor. The best part is that it only takes 15 minutes to make the flavorful filling.
Making your own seasoning mix gives you the advantage of creating a healthier blend that you can easily customize to your taste buds. Using lean ground beef is the perfect base for infusing herbs and spices. The hardest part will be choosing which toppings to add to your warm flour tortillas or crunchy taco shells.
How to make ground beef tacos
- Combine paprika, cumin, salt, pepper, coriander, oregano, garlic, onions, and chili powder.
- Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat with oil.
- Add the ground beef to a hot skillet and break it into smaller pieces, cooking until no longer pink.
- Add the taco seasoning blend, stir, and cook for 1 minute.
- Taste the meat and season as desired.
- Serve taco filling warm with tortilla and toppings.
What ground beef is best for tacos?
There are different types of ground beef available at the grocery store. First, select a grind with between 80 to 90% lean meat, either ground chuck, round, or sirloin. This type also works well for beef enchiladas too. The higher the percentage of fat, the more flavor, and the meat won’t taste as dry. However, select the ratio based on your taste and nutrition preference.
How do you brown taco meat?
The key to browning taco meat is to add the beef into a hot oiled skillet and then break it into smaller-sized pieces. Don’t move it around too much to ensure maximum contact time with the surface of the pan.
The browning adds an extra layer of flavor to the beef right before the seasonings go in. I like to use a cast iron skillet because it retains heat really well, but a stainless steel pan or nonstick skillet will work too.
How much ground beef is in a taco?
It’s about a ¼ cup (2 ounces) of meat for smaller tacos, 4 to 5-inch tortillas. If you’re using larger 6 to 8-inch size tortillas, or filling hard shell tacos, plan for a ½ cup (4 ounces) of meat. For 1-pound of 80 to 90% lean ground beef, cooking will yield about 13 to 15 ounces of meat, or 8 small or 4 large tacos.
Can other types of meat or vegetables be used?
Yes! You can substitute ground turkey, chicken, or pork for beef. Firm tofu, butternut squash, sweet potatoes, or zucchini are tasty vegetarian fillings. Cut into smaller ¼-inch to ½-inch sized pieces and saute before adding the seasoning.
What seasonings do you use?
This homemade taco seasoning combines ground cumin, coriander, garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, and chili powder. Kosher salt and black pepper add a standard savory base to the seasoning. This blend is mild in spice level, so other types of dried chilis like cayenne, chipotle, or crushed red pepper can be added to kick it up!
Other toppings you can add
- Shredded iceberg lettuce
- Sour cream or crema
- Guacamole
- Pineapple salsa
- Homemade salsa
- Pico de Gallo
- Shredded cheddar or Monterey jack cheese
More Mexican recipes
Recipe Science
Is there a taste difference between ground round, chuck, or sirloin?
Yes! Because they come from different primal cuts of the cow, the flavor and texture vary. Chuck is from the shoulder with a rich flavor, highest fat, most tender, and moist. Sirloin comes from the midsection and has less fat, with a tender texture. Round is from the rump and upper leg and tends to have a chewy texture with a moderate amount of fat.
Ground Beef Tacos
Ingredients
- 1 teaspoon paprika, sweet or smoked
- ¾ teaspoon cumin
- ¾ teaspoon kosher salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- ¼ teaspoon coriander
- ¼ teaspoon dried oregano
- ¼ teaspoon garlic powder
- ¼ teaspoon onion powder
- ¼ teaspoon chili powder
- 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
- 1 pound ground beef, 80 to 90% lean beef
- 8 tortillas flour or corn, 4 ½ to 6-inch in size
Instructions
- In a small bowl combine paprika, cumin, salt, pepper, coriander, oregano, garlic powder, onion powder, and chili powder.
- Heat a large skillet over medium-high oil. Add vegetable oil, once hot add the ground beef.
- Saute the beef, breaking up with a spoon into smaller pieces. Cook until no longer pink, 4 to 5 minutes.
- Add the taco seasoning mixture, stir to combine and cook for 1 minute.
- Taste the beef and add more seasoning as desired.
- Serve tacos with warmed tortillas and desired toppings.
Equipment
Notes
- Topping Suggestions: Shredded lettuce, guacamole, Pico de Gallo, shredded cheese, cilantro, sour cream.
- Serving Size: 8 small tacos or 4 large tacos.
- For a thicker taco seasoning sauce: Add 2 tablespoons flour, 1 tablespoon cornstarch, or 1 tablespoon arrowroot powder to the taco seasoning blend. Once the meat is browned, add the seasoning and ¾ cups of water, stir and bring to a boil. Reduce heat to a simmer and cook for 5 minutes, stirring occasionally until the sauce thickens.
Nutrition Facts
Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000-calorie diet. All nutritional information is based on estimated third-party calculations. Each recipe and nutritional value will vary depending on the brands you use, measuring methods, and portion sizes per household.
Arlene Ritley says
I appreciate all the recipes you publish. However, using 80% 20% ground meat is unhealthy unless you drain the fat. But that is never written in your recipes that I am aware of. What is the best way to drain ground meat? Thanks
Jessica Gavin says
The easiest way is the pour the ground beef into a bowl with a strainer to drain off the excess fat.
Bruce Smith says
I grew up in a Southern California Latino neighborhood and the first thing I learned to cook was tacos from a recipe very close to this one. That was in the mid 1960s and I still love these tacos!
Jessica Gavin says
Whoo-hoo! I’m so happy that you are enjoying this recipe, the ultimate comfort food!
Gail says
Could you tell me what brand of kosher salt is used in your home made taco spice? I know there are differences in the ratios.
Jessica Gavin says
Sure! I use Morton’s kosher salt.
STELLA BOWMAN says
I didn’t even see the “Thicker Taco Seasoning Sauce” option until scrolled down and read the comments. So, I thought I would make a Creamy Style Taco I usually make a crumblier style. The “thicker” saucier taco was absolutely wonderful. I can also use it for a Nacho base!!
Marvina Johnson says
Thank You, your recipes are great.
SF says
Does the nutritional value above include the corn tortilla and filling? e.g. cheese, tomato, onion?
Cari says
Hi Jessica — do you think this recipe could be doubled? And if I wanted to make it with the thicker seasoning sauce, should I also double the amount of flour/cornstarch/arrowroot powder and the amount of water (1 1/2 cups instead of 3/4 cups)? I think this looks like a great dinner — I was just hoping to get more servings from the recipe. Thank you so much!
Jessica Gavin says
Yes, this recipe can be doubled (just use a larger pot to cook the 2 pounds of meat) and double the flour/cornstarch and water as well.
Cari says
Thank you!
Dolores says
I Love your recipes!!!
Jessica Gavin says
Thank you Dolores!