Classic Ground Beef Tacos

Taco night is a fixed point in our week, the dinner nobody argues about. I set out bowls of everything, warm shells, seasoned beef, cheese, lettuce, and let everyone build their own however they like.

The beef is where it all comes together, and I gave up the seasoning packets a while back. A handful of spices from the cabinet does the job better and lets me control the salt.

It takes about fifteen minutes start to finish, which is why it lands on the table so often. Somehow a simple plate of tacos always turns dinner into a little bit of a party.

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Why You’ll Love This Beef Tacos

• Seasoned from scratch, so you control the salt and spice.
• On the table in about fifteen minutes.
• Everyone builds their own the way they like it.
• An easy weeknight dinner the whole family looks forward to.

Ingredients for Beef Tacos

• 1 pound ground beef
• 1/2 onion, diced
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 tablespoon chili powder
• 1 teaspoon ground cumin
• 1/2 teaspoon paprika
• 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
• 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
• 2 tablespoons tomato paste
• 1/2 cup water
• 8 taco shells or tortillas
• Toppings: shredded cheese, lettuce, tomato, sour cream

How to Make Beef Tacos

1. Heat a large skillet over medium-high. Add the ground beef and onion and cook, breaking up the meat, until browned and no longer pink, about 5 to 7 minutes. Spoon off any excess fat.
2. Stir in the garlic, chili powder, cumin, paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, oregano, salt, and pepper. Add the tomato paste and cook for 1 minute, until fragrant.
3. Pour in the water and stir. Simmer for 3 to 5 minutes, until the sauce thickens and coats the beef.
4. Taste and adjust the salt.
5. Warm the shells or tortillas, then fill them with the beef and your favorite toppings.

Tips

• Mixing your own seasoning lets you skip the extra salt and fillers in the packets.
• A splash of water helps the spices coat the beef and keeps it from drying out.
• Warm tortillas in a dry skillet for a minute to make them soft and pliable.
• Set out toppings in bowls so everyone can build their own.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use ground turkey? Yes. It is leaner, so add a little oil to the pan and season a bit more generously.

How do I make it spicier? Add a pinch of cayenne or some diced jalapeno with the spices.

More Recipes You’ll Like

• Classic Apple Pie
• Classic Creamy Coleslaw
• Soft and Chewy Chocolate Chip Cookies
• Classic Apple Pie (with a Flaky Golden Crust)

Classic Ground Beef Tacos

Recipe by Daisy MerrittCourse: DinnerCuisine: American

Ingredients

• 1 pound ground beef

• 1/2 onion, diced

• 2 cloves garlic, minced

• 1 tablespoon chili powder

• 1 teaspoon ground cumin

• 1/2 teaspoon paprika

• 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder

• 1/2 teaspoon onion powder

• 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano

• 1 teaspoon salt

• 1/2 teaspoon black pepper

• 2 tablespoons tomato paste

• 1/2 cup water

• 8 taco shells or tortillas

• Toppings: shredded cheese, lettuce, tomato, sour cream

Directions

• Heat a large skillet over medium-high. Add the ground beef and onion and cook, breaking up the meat, until browned and no longer pink, about 5 to 7 minutes. Spoon off any excess fat.
• Stir in the garlic, chili powder, cumin, paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, oregano, salt, and pepper. Add the tomato paste and cook for 1 minute, until fragrant.
• Pour in the water and stir. Simmer for 3 to 5 minutes, until the sauce thickens and coats the beef.
• Taste and adjust the salt.
• Warm the shells or tortillas, then fill them with the beef and your favorite toppings.