Easy Ground Beef Tacos Recipe
These Ground Beef Tacos are a weeknight game-changer! Delicious, juicy ground beef made with my homemade taco seasoning, fresh lettuce, cheese, and tomatoes are all stuffed inside crunchy taco shells. Perfect for Taco Tuesday and ready in just 20 minutes!
Servings: 4 servings
Ingredients
For the Ground Beef
- 2 teaspoon olive oil
- ½ yellow onion diced
- 1 pound lean ground beef
- 2 teaspoon chili powder
- ½ teaspoon cumin
- ½ teaspoon paprika
- ½ teaspoon dried oregano
- ½ teaspoon cayenne optional, omit if you're sensitive to spicy foods
- ¼ teaspoon garlic powder
- ¼ teaspoon cornstarch optional
- ⅛ teaspoon onion powder
- salt + pepper to taste
- 1 cup tomato sauce
For Serving the Tacos
- 8-12 crunchy taco shells
- monterey or colby jack cheese shredded
- fresh tomatoes diced
- Romaine or Iceberg lettuce shredded
- sour cream
Instructions
For the Ground Beef
- Sauté the Onion: Heat a large skillet over medium heat. Add the olive oil and diced onion, sautéing for 4–5 minutes until the onions are soft and translucent. Stir frequently to prevent browning.
- Brown the Beef: Add the ground beef to the skillet with the onions. Use a wooden spoon or spatula to break the beef into small crumbles. Cook until browned and fully cooked through, about 6–8 minutes. Drain about ¾ of the excess fat and liquid from the skillet.
- Add Seasoning & Simmer: Return the skillet to medium-high heat. Add all the spices—chili powder, garlic powder, onion powder, cornstarch (if using), oregano, paprika, cumin, cayenne, salt, and pepper—plus the tomato sauce. Stir everything together well to combine. Simmer for 5 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the flavors meld and the sauce thickens slightly.
- Assemble the Tacos: Warm the taco shells according to package instructions. Spoon the seasoned beef into each shell, then top with shredded cheese, lettuce, diced tomatoes, and a spoonful of sour cream—or your favorite toppings.
Notes
Note: Nutritional information is for 8 ground beef tacos with crispy taco shells. Toppings such as cheese, sour cream, lettuce, and tomatoes is not included.
- I highly recommend preparing a large batch of Homemade Taco Seasoning as it is super versatile and delicious in other taco-flavored recipes such as Taco Salad, Chicken Tortilla Soup, Enchiladas, and Baked Fajitas.
- Feel free to use your favorite ground meat for these tacos including turkey, pork, lamb, venison, chicken, or a mix!
- Storage: Transfer any leftovers to an airtight container. Store in the fridge for up to 4-5 days. Reheat on the stovetop or in the microwave with a splash of water or broth to prevent the meat from drying out.
- Freezing: Cool completely, then place in freezer-safe storage bags or containers for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.
Nutrition
Calories: 316kcal | Carbohydrates: 21g | Protein: 27g | Fat: 13g | Saturated Fat: 4g | Cholesterol: 70mg | Sodium: 477mg | Potassium: 697mg | Fiber: 3g | Sugar: 3g | Vitamin A: 900IU | Vitamin C: 5.3mg | Calcium: 49mg | Iron: 4.2mg
