Ground Beef Tacos

Spice up your weeknight dinner with these delicious and simple ground beef tacos. Ready in just 30 minutes, these tacos are a family favorite and perfect for a busy night. Top with your choice of fixings, and serve with refried beans or cilantro lime rice.  

Set up a taco bar and let your friends and family customize their tacos. For a complete fiesta, serve these with Mexican shrimp cocktails and chicken enchilada soup.

Whether you like crispy taco shells, soft flour tortillas, or corn tortillas, dinner does not get much easier or more delicious. These tacos can be dressed and on the table in less than twenty minutes, making them the ideal weeknight meal.

How To Make Ground Beef Tacos

This is a summary version; for the complete list of ingredients and instructions, please refer to the recipe card below.

1. Brown the ground beef in a large skillet. About halfway through the browning process, add a little chopped onion.
2. Add the spices, salt, pepper, and a little bit of beef or chicken broth, and let it simmer for a few minutes.
3. Scoop the beef mixture into your shells and top with lettuce, sun-ripened tomatoes, shredded cheese, jalapeno rings,

Preparation Tips

See the complete list of ingredients on the recipe card below.

• Carefully blacken the edges of the corn tortillas right over an open flame on a gas stove using tongs.
• The shells should not be stuffed until ready to eat, as they may become soggy and cold.
• Drizzle your tacos with ranch, chipotle ranch, or fire-roasted salsa for extra flavor.

Set Up A Taco Bar

The possibilities are endless, but here are a few of my favorites. Ideally, set up a taco bar and let your family and friends choose their toppings.

• chopped iceberg lettuce
• chopped tomatoes
• cheddar cheese
• pickled jalapenos
• thinly sliced red onion
• chopped or torn cilantro
• guacamole
• sour cream
• salsa
• thinly sliced jalapenos
• black olives

Ground Beef Tacos

These scrumptious ground beef tacos made with homemade taco seasoning are quick and easy for busy family weeknight meals.  

5 from 64 votes

Print Pin Rate

Course: dinner, lunch, main meal beef

Cuisine: Mexican

Prep Time: 5 minutes minutes

Cook Time: 10 minutes minutes

Total Time: 15 minutes minutes

Servings: 8 tacos

Calories: 145kcal

Author: Beth Pierce

Ingredients

• 1 lb lean ground beef
• ½ medium onion chopped
• 1 tablespoon chili powder
• 2 teaspoons cumin
• ½ teaspoon kosher salt
• ½ teaspoon ground black pepper
• ¼ teaspoon garlic powder
• ¼ teaspoon onion powder
• ¼ teaspoon paprika
• ¼ teaspoon oregano
• ¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes
• 2 pinches ground cayenne pepper
• 2 tablespoons beef or chicken broth see notes
• 8 taco shells either crunchy or soft
• Chopped lettuce
• Chopped tomatoes
• Shredded cheese cheddar, cheddar Jack, Monterey Jack
• Pickled Jalapenos

Instructions

• In a large skillet, brown the ground beef breaking it up as it cooks. About halfway through the browning process, add the onion. Cook until the beef is brown and the onion is soft. Drain any excess grease.
• Turn the heat to low. Add the chili powder, cumin, salt, black pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, oregano, red pepper flakes, ground cayenne pepper, and beef broth. Simmer for 4-5 minutes.
• Divide the beef mixture evenly between the taco shells.  Top with desired toppings.  Serve promptly.

Notes

Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator, although tacos are always best eaten as soon as they are prepared. 

Nutrition

Calories: 145kcal | Carbohydrates: 9g | Protein: 13g | Fat: 6g | Saturated Fat: 2g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 2g | Trans Fat: 0.2g | Cholesterol: 35mg | Sodium: 254mg | Potassium: 275mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 1g | Vitamin A: 460IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 29mg | Iron: 2mg

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