Taco Tuesday Favorite
These beef tacos are a family favorite that's perfect for busy weeknights. The homemade taco seasoning is so much better than store-bought packets, and you probably have all the spices in your pantry already.
Building the Perfect Taco
The secret to great tacos is the layering. Start with a warm tortilla, add your seasoned meat, then layer on the toppings in the right order: lettuce first (acts as a barrier), then tomatoes, cheese, sour cream, and finally salsa. This prevents your tortilla from getting soggy.
Beef Tacos
Authentic Mexican tacos with seasoned beef
Ingredients
Instructions
- 1 Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add ground beef and diced onion.
- 2 Cook, breaking up the meat with a wooden spoon, until beef is browned and onion is softened, about 6-8 minutes.
- 3 Drain excess fat, leaving about 1 tablespoon in the pan.
- 4 Add minced garlic and cook for 30 seconds until fragrant.
- 5 Add chili powder, cumin, paprika, oregano, salt, and pepper. Stir to coat the meat evenly.
- 6 Pour in water and stir. Reduce heat to medium-low and simmer for 5 minutes until sauce thickens.
- 7 While meat simmers, warm taco shells according to package directions. If using soft tortillas, heat them in a dry skillet or over a gas flame.
- 8 Prepare all toppings and arrange in serving bowls.
- 9 To assemble tacos: fill each shell or tortilla with seasoned beef.
- 10 Top with lettuce, tomatoes, cheese, sour cream, and salsa.
- 11 Serve immediately with lime wedges, hot sauce, and cilantro if desired.
Chef's Note
You can use ground turkey or chicken for a leaner option. Make it a taco bar by setting out all the toppings and letting everyone build their own. Other great toppings include: diced avocado, pickled jalapeños, fresh cilantro, lime wedges, and Mexican crema. Leftover taco meat freezes beautifully for up to 3 months.
Servings: 4
Cuisine: Mexican
Course: main
Nutrition (per serving): 8g protein · 28g total carbs