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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Frank
These were so yummy, they were just as good as the ones my Mom made when were little. Thank you, Beth!
Beth Pierce
My pleasure, Frank!
Elizabeth
These beef tacos were absolutely delicious and easy to make 😍! Perfect for a busy weeknight. Can’t wait to make them again. The kids loved them.
Beth Pierce
Thanks, Elizabeth! I am glad that they liked them!
Emily
I found this delicious plant-based ground at the grocery store recently and will try making this recipe with that! I can’t wait, your seasoning mix sounds INCREDIBLE!!
Beth Pierce
Thanks, Emily! Enjoy!
Michael Edgar
Great ground beef tacos. I had not had tacos like these in so long. My wife love them too and wants me to make them again next week. Thanks for the recipe.
Beth Pierce
My pleasure, Michael Edgar!
Barb R
I just made these tacos last week. They are yummy and easy to make. They are always a hit with the family!
SONIA SEIVWRIGHT
I just love the idea of setting up a taco bar so everyone can customise their tacos. The homemade taco seasoning sounds impressive and much better than store-bought packets. Thanks for sharing such a versatile and flavorful recipe!
Stephanie B
So nice when I can put together a delicious dinner in half-an-hour! We are taco freaks in my house and this recipe is at the top of our list. I must take your suggestion and make these for a taco bar next time we have a casual party.
Beth Pierce
Thanks, Stephanie! I am so glad that you love the ground beef tacos. We love them too!
Melissa
I love making tacos for the family! So fun and easy to personalize to everyones tastes as I let them top them themselves! I’ve never tried with ground chicken or turkey though but that sounds like a good lower cal alternative option! I bet with that combo of spices no one would even be able to tell I switched it! I’ll let you know how it goes!
Beth Pierce
Sounds like a plan! Enjoy!
Ben
You really can’t beat a recipe this easy and delicious. This is going to be on permanent rotation in my dinner schedule.
Beth Pierce
Thanks, Ben! So glad that you liked the ground beef tacos!
Robert Burns
Some of my all-time favorites
Beth Pierce
Thank you, Robert!