Ground Beef Tacos with Homemade Seasoning Recipe

Name: Ground Beef Tacos with Homemade Seasoning
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 20 min
Total time: 30 min
Yield: 4
Ingredients: 1 lb ground beef 80/20 recommended; 1 small yellow onion finely diced; 3 cloves garlic minced; 1.5 tsp chili powder; 1 tsp ground cumin; 0.5 tsp smoked paprika; 0.5 tsp garlic powder; 0.5 tsp onion powder; 0.25 tsp dried oregano; 0.25 tsp cayenne pepper optional, adjust to taste; 0.75 tsp salt; 0.25 tsp black pepper; 2 tbsp tomato paste; 0.25 cup water; 8 flour or corn tortillas 6-inch size; 1 cup shredded lettuce; 2 roma tomatoes diced; 0.5 cup shredded cheddar cheese; 0.25 cup sour cream; 2 tbsp fresh cilantro roughly chopped, optional; 1 lime cut into wedges; 1 tsp neutral cooking oil such as vegetable or canola oil

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4 servings

10 min prep

20 min cook

30 min total

Dinner Beef Quick Tacos

Ground Beef Tacos with Homemade Seasoning recipe

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About

Juicy seasoned ground beef piled into warm tortillas and topped with fresh, colorful garnishes. A quick, budget-friendly weeknight dinner the whole family will love.

Ingredients

1 lb ground beef (80/20 recommended)
1 small yellow onion (finely diced)
3 cloves garlic (minced)
1.5 tsp chili powder
1 tsp ground cumin
0.5 tsp smoked paprika
0.5 tsp garlic powder
0.5 tsp onion powder
0.25 tsp dried oregano
0.25 tsp cayenne pepper (optional, adjust to taste)
0.75 tsp salt
0.25 tsp black pepper
2 tbsp tomato paste
0.25 cup water
8 flour or corn tortillas (6-inch size)
1 cup shredded lettuce
2 roma tomatoes (diced)
0.5 cup shredded cheddar cheese
0.25 cup sour cream
2 tbsp fresh cilantro (roughly chopped, optional)
1 lime (cut into wedges)
1 tsp neutral cooking oil (such as vegetable or canola oil)

Equipment

large skillet
wooden spoon
small bowl
knife
cutting board

Steps

1

Mix the Homemade Taco Seasoning
prep 3 min

In a small bowl, combine the chili powder, ground cumin, smoked paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, dried oregano, cayenne pepper, salt, and black pepper. Stir well until evenly blended. Set the seasoning blend aside — making it in advance ensures it gets added to the beef all at once for even flavor.
2

Dice the Onion and Tomatoes
prep 5 min

Finely dice the yellow onion and set it aside. Dice the roma tomatoes and roughly chop the cilantro if using, then place them in separate small bowls for topping. Cut the lime into wedges and arrange all toppings — lettuce, tomatoes, cheese, sour cream, cilantro, and lime — ready for serving.
3

Cook the Onion and Garlic
cook 5 min

Heat the cooking oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat until shimmering, about 1 minute. Add the diced onion and cook, stirring occasionally, for 3–4 minutes until softened and translucent. Add the minced garlic and cook for another 30 seconds until fragrant.
4

Brown the Ground Beef
cook 7 min

Add the ground beef to the skillet and break it apart with a wooden spoon. Cook over medium-high heat for 5–7 minutes, stirring and breaking up any clumps, until the beef is fully browned with no pink remaining. If there is excess fat in the pan, carefully tilt the skillet and spoon it out, leaving about 1 tablespoon for flavor.
5

Season the Beef and Simmer
cook 4 min

Sprinkle the taco seasoning blend over the browned beef and stir to coat every piece evenly. Add the tomato paste and water, then stir everything together until well combined. Reduce the heat to medium-low and simmer for 3–4 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the sauce thickens and clings to the beef. While this simmers, start step 6 to warm the tortillas.
6

Warm the Tortillas
cook 3 min

Warm the tortillas one at a time in a dry skillet over medium heat for about 30 seconds per side until pliable and lightly toasted, or wrap them all in a damp paper towel and microwave for 45–60 seconds. Keep them wrapped in a clean kitchen towel to stay warm until ready to serve.
7

Assemble and Serve the Tacos
serve 2 min

Spoon a generous portion of the seasoned beef into the center of each warm tortilla. Top with shredded lettuce, diced tomatoes, cheddar cheese, a dollop of sour cream, and fresh cilantro if using. Squeeze a lime wedge over each taco just before eating for a bright, fresh finish.