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.
- Brown the ground beef in a large skillet. About halfway through the browning process, add a little chopped onion.
- Add the spices, salt, pepper, and a little bit of beef or chicken broth, and let it simmer for a few minutes.
- 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
More Taco Recipes
Ground Beef Tacos
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
Nutrition
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https://www.smalltownwoman.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/Beth-1.pdf
Hayley Dhanecha
We love tacos, so easy and quick to put together. Can’t wait to try your recipe, especially want to try your taco seasoning. Thank you.
Beth Pierce
The pleasure is all mine, Hayley!
Maggie
I love tacos. They are my favorite go to meal. This recipe looks easy enough. Gonna give it a try!
Chris
I have tried quite a few different homemade taco seasonings and this is one of our families favorites so far. Thanks for sharing, this recipe is a keeper.
Beth Pierce
Thanks, Chris, So glad that you like the taco seasoning!
Janessa
Nothing beats simple ground beef tacos for dinner and these did not disappoint!
Beth Pierce
Thanks, Janessa!
Dana Sandonato
These are so delicious! We’ve made them for our weekly Taco Tuesday several times and they always deliver.
Blair Villanueva
I love a good taco and these are one of my favorites. So easy to make at home and they taste so much better than any restaurant I have been to. Thanks for the recipe.
Fransic verso
Well, I’ve never made taco seasoning before but good to know that it’s simple. This recipe look so yummy.
Nicole Bertrand
We just had these last night! Delicious way to celebrate taco tuesday!
Beth Pierce
Yes, indeed! So glad you enjoyed them.
Molly
We just had tacos last night! Excited to try some of these additional accoutrements next time!
heather
Yum! We eat tacos 2-3 times a month. I prefer ground beef but occasionally we use ground turkey as well.