Ground Beef Tacos

Whip up these easy ground beef tacos for a quick, satisfying meal that’s packed with bold spices and delicious toppings. Perfect for busy weeknights or taco nights, this recipe will have your family coming back for seconds!

If you love these easy ground beef tacos, you’re in for a treat with these Smashed Kefta Tacos—a mashup of Middle Eastern and Mexican goodness. For another tasty take on ground beef, try my Korean BBQ Beef Bowl (aka melt-in-your-mouth Bulgogi) or go for something totally different with a Turkish Borek.

Staying in the realm of quick and delicious meals, my spinach and chicken stew is a winner. Pair it with my lebanese rice or grab a piece of bread to soak up all that sauce. And when you’re craving something sweet, check out two of my top dessert hits: apple cake, more apples than dough or my famous flourless yogurt cake. Or, if you’re feeling extra daring, try the lemon cake that only needs one egg—because why not?

Why you’ll love this recipe

• Quick & easy: Done in under 30 minutes with minimal effort.
• Customizable: Toppings galore! Tailor it to your taste.
• Budget-friendly: Uses affordable ingredients already in your kitchen.
• Family-approved: Perfect for picky eaters and taco lovers alike.

Ingredients

• Ground Beef: I usually go with lean ground beef to keep things a little lighter, but if you want your tacos to be richer, regular ground beef does the trick.
• Tortillas: I prefer tortillas over wraps because they’re sturdier and perfect for holding juicy beef filling without falling apart.

How to make Ground Beef Tacos

Quick and simple, these process shots show how to make easy tacos in no time! From sautéing onions and cooking the beef to assembling the perfect taco, follow these easy steps for a delicious dinner in minutes.

1. Sauté the base: Heat oil in a large pan over medium heat. Cook onions until soft and translucent.
2. Cook the meat: Add minced beef, breaking it into small pieces with a wooden spoon. Stir in garlic and seasonings. Pour in water and simmer until the beef is fully cooked and browned.

3. Prepare the sauce: In a small bowl, mix the cornflour with water. Pour into the pan, then add the tomato sauce and soy sauce, stirring until the sauce thickens and coats the beef.
4. Garnish: Use chopped green onions to finish the dish.

5. Assemble tacos: Heat tortillas in a pan or taco shells in the oven. Add beef, cheese, and your favourite toppings. Fold and lightly toast each side.

A full list of ingredients and instructions can be found in the recipe card below.

Tacos add-ons

Substitutions

• Onions: Use any available type; yellow and red are great options.
• Tomato Paste: Swap with ketchup or blended fresh tomatoes (about 2 ripe ones).
• Taco Seasoning: Make your own blend with 1 tsp each of garlic powder, onion powder, oregano, plus 2 tbsp each of cumin and paprika.
• Cornstarch: Omit or replace with the same amount of all-purpose flour, though it may slightly alter texture.

Ground Beef Substitutions:

• Meat: Opt for ground turkey or chicken for a lighter dish, or pork for richness.
• Vegetarian Substitutions:
  • Beans or Lentils: Replace beef with 500 grams of cooked black beans or lentils.
    • Dry to Cooked: 250g dry beans or 165g dry lentils make 500g cooked.
    • Soaking & Cooking:
      • Beans: Soak for 8–12 hours, and cook for 45–60 minutes.
      • Lentils:
        • Green/Brown: Soak for 2–4 hours, and cook for 20–30 minutes.
        • Red/Yellow: No soaking, cook 15–20 minutes.

Pro Tip: Always rinse and sort beans/lentils before cooking!

Storage

To store leftover beef filling, place it in an airtight container and refrigerate for up to 3 days. For longer storage, freeze the meat filling for up to 3 months. When ready to use, simply thaw and reheat as needed for a quick meal.

Tips and Tricks

• Toast the Tortillas: Warm them in a skillet or over an open flame for a slightly charred, smoky finish.
• Season As You Cook: Add taco seasoning in stages to build layers of flavour into the beef.
• Don’t Skimp on Toppings: Lay out a variety of fresh, creamy, and crunchy toppings for a balanced taco.
• Keep It Saucy: Add a splash of water or stock while cooking to keep the filling juicy and avoid dry beef.
• Drain Excess Fat: For a lighter filling, drain the fat after browning the beef, but keep a bit for richness.
• Make It in Advance: The taco filling tastes even better the next day as the spices meld together.
• Cheese First: Layer cheese directly on the tortilla before the beef so it melts slightly and holds the taco together.
• Adjust Heat Levels: Offer mild, medium, and spicy toppings so everyone can choose their heat level.

FAQs

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Easy Ground Beef Tacos Recipe

Claudia

Easy ground beef tacos are perfect for weeknight dinners. A quick, one-pan recipe packed with seasoned beef and customizable toppings to suit everyone’s taste.

5 from 2 votes

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Prep Time 10 minutes mins

Cook Time 15 minutes mins

Total Time 25 minutes mins

Course Main Course

Cuisine Mexican

Servings 4

Calories 436 kcal

Equipment

• Large Skillet
• wooden spoon
• Mixing bowl

Ingredients

  

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Ingredients

• 8-10 tortillas 10-12 taco shells ( See Note 1)

Beef:

• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 2 onions diced (2 medium)
• 500 g minced beef 1 lb
• 4 garlic cloves minced
• ½ cup water 120 ml

Seasonings:

• 1 tsp salt
• ½ tsp ground pepper
• 1 tsp smoked paprika
• ½ tsp chili flakes or cayenne adjust to your taste
• Or use this mix of seasonings: make your own taco seasoning from 1 tsp of each garlic powder, onion powder, and oregano, plus 2 tbsp of each cumin and paprika. Add 1 tsp salt, 1/2 pepper and 1/2 cayenne pepper ( to taste).

Sauce:

• 2 tbsp tomato paste
• 2 tbsp light soy sauce
• 2 tbsp corn starch

Toppings:

• Oven-baked potatoes
• Sriracha mayo
• Green onions
• Tomato salad
• Mozzarella grated

Other Topppings Ideas

• Guacamole, sour cream, pico de gallo, pickled jalapeños, fresh cilantro, lime wedges, shredded lettuce, olives, radishes, baked potato wedges, tomato salad, chimichurri sauce, high-protein mayo.

Instructions

 

Sauté the base

• Heat olive oil in a large pan over medium heat. Once the oil is warm, add diced onions and stir occasionally. Cook until the onions become soft and translucent—this should take about 5 minutes. If you prefer a slight caramelized touch, let them cook for an extra minute or two.
  2 tbsp olive oil, 2 onions

Cook the beef

• Add the ground beef to the pan with the onions. Use a wooden spoon or spatula to break the meat into smaller crumbles, ensuring it cooks evenly. Stir occasionally as the beef browns. Add minced garlic and seasonings (salt, pepper, paprika, chili flakes). Pour in half a cup of water, which helps distribute the spices and keeps the meat juicy. Reduce the heat to medium-low and simmer until the beef is fully cooked and the water has mostly evaporated.
  500 g minced beef, 4 garlic cloves, 1/2 cup water, 1 tsp salt, 1/2 tsp ground pepper, 1 tsp smoked paprika, 1/2 tsp chili flakes or cayenne

Prepare the sauce

• In a small mixing bowl, combine the tomato paste, light and dark soy sauces, and cornflour. Add about four tablespoons of water and whisk until the mixture is smooth with no lumps. Pour this mixture over the cooked beef and stir well. Cook on low heat for about 3 minutes until the sauce thickens and evenly coats the beef. If the sauce is too thick, add a splash of water; if too thin, simmer for a minute longer.
  2 tbsp tomato paste, 2 tbsp light soy sauce, 2 tbsp corn starch

Assemble tacos

• Heat tortillas in a dry skillet over medium heat or directly over a low flame for a slight char. Once warm, place the tortilla on a flat surface. Add a sprinkle of shredded mozzarella or your preferred cheese on one half. Spoon the cooked beef mixture on top of the cheese for a melty, rich filling.
• Fold the tortilla in half and place it back into the skillet. Lightly toast each side until the tortilla is crispy and the cheese has melted. Repeat with the remaining tortillas, adjusting quantities to suit the number of servings.

Add toppings

• Once your tacos are toasted, it’s time to add the fun extras! Top the beef with fresh green onions, diced tomatoes, or a dollop of sriracha mayo. You can also try shredded lettuce, guacamole, salsa, or sour cream to make each taco unique. Serve immediately for the best experience.
• With these steps, your easy ground beef tacos will be packed with a great balance of textures and ready to share!

Notes

1. Tortillas or Taco Shells – First, I make sure to warm up the tortillas or taco shells. For taco shells, I like to bake them until they’re crispy (since they can be a bit chewy right out of the package). Tortillas just need a quick 20-second zap in the microwave. I love filling the tortillas with grated mozzarella and the beef filling, then cooking them in a pan so they get a little crispy. But hey, do what feels right for you!
2. Meat – I usually go with lean ground beef for these tacos, but if you prefer something a bit fattier, just be sure to drain any excess fat before adding your seasoning. You could also use chicken, turkey, pork, or lamb if that’s more your style.
3. Cheese – I typically use mozzarella, but feel free to swap it out with cheddar or any cheese you like. Make it your own!
4. Nutrition – Just a heads-up, the nutrition details I’ve shared are for the beef filling and tortillas only. Toppings aren’t included in this calculation, so if you go wild with those, keep that in mind!

 

Nutrition Facts

Easy Ground Beef Tacos Recipe

Amount per Serving

Calories

436

% Daily Value*

Fat

 

32

g

49

%

Saturated Fat

 

11

g

69

%

Trans Fat

 

2

g

Polyunsaturated Fat

 

1

g

Monounsaturated Fat

 

16

g

Cholesterol

 

89

mg

30

%

Sodium

 

1236

mg

54

%

Potassium

 

550

mg

16

%

Carbohydrates

 

12

g

4

%

Fiber

 

2

g

8

%

Sugar

 

4

g

4

%

Protein

 

24

g

48

%

Vitamin A

 

475

IU

10

%

Vitamin C

 

7

mg

8

%

Calcium

 

49

mg

5

%

Iron

 

3

mg

17

%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

Nutrition

Calories: 436kcalCarbohydrates: 12gProtein: 24gFat: 32gSaturated Fat: 11gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 16gTrans Fat: 2gCholesterol: 89mgSodium: 1236mgPotassium: 550mgFiber: 2gSugar: 4gVitamin A: 475IUVitamin C: 7mgCalcium: 49mgIron: 3mg

Keyword best taco recipe, Quick ground beef tacos, weeknight tacos

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