Beef Tacos with Homemade Seasoning (Printer-friendly)
Flavorful ground beef tacos featuring homemade seasoning blend and fresh salsa. A classic Mexican-inspired meal ready in 35 minutes.
# What you'll need:
→ Beef Filling
01 - 1 pound ground beef
02 - 1 tablespoon olive oil
03 - 1 small onion, finely chopped
04 - 2 cloves garlic, minced
→ Homemade Taco Seasoning
05 - 1½ teaspoons chili powder
06 - 1 teaspoon ground cumin
07 - ½ teaspoon smoked paprika
08 - ½ teaspoon dried oregano
09 - ½ teaspoon garlic powder
10 - ½ teaspoon onion powder
11 - ¼ teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
12 - ½ teaspoon salt
13 - ¼ teaspoon black pepper
→ Fresh Salsa
14 - 2 medium ripe tomatoes, diced
15 - ½ small red onion, finely chopped
16 - 1 small jalapeño, seeded and finely chopped
17 - 2 tablespoons fresh cilantro, chopped
18 - 1 tablespoon lime juice
19 - ¼ teaspoon salt
→ To Serve
20 - 8 small corn or flour tortillas, warmed
21 - 1 cup shredded lettuce
22 - 1 cup shredded cheddar or Monterey Jack cheese
23 - ½ cup sour cream
24 - Lime wedges
# Method:
01 - In a mixing bowl, combine diced tomatoes, red onion, jalapeño, cilantro, lime juice, and salt. Toss gently and set aside to allow flavors to meld.
02 - In a small bowl, combine chili powder, cumin, smoked paprika, dried oregano, garlic powder, onion powder, red pepper flakes, salt, and black pepper until well blended.
03 - Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add chopped onion and cook for 2 to 3 minutes until softened. Add minced garlic and cook for 30 seconds more.
04 - Add ground beef to the skillet, breaking it apart with a spoon. Cook until browned and cooked through, approximately 6 to 8 minutes. Drain excess fat if necessary.
05 - Sprinkle the homemade seasoning blend over the cooked beef. Add 2 to 3 tablespoons water and stir thoroughly. Simmer for 2 minutes until the beef is evenly coated and the mixture achieves a slightly saucy consistency. Remove from heat.
06 - Fill each warm tortilla with seasoned beef. Top with fresh salsa, shredded lettuce, cheese, and sour cream if desired. Serve with lime wedges.
# Expert Tips:
01 -
- The homemade seasoning blend costs pennies but tastes like something from your favorite taqueria, with none of those mystery ingredients from packets.
- These tacos come together in about 30 minutes but taste like they simmered all day, perfect for those nights when cooking feels impossible but takeout feels worse.
02 -
- Warming tortillas is non-negotiable, I once served them cold and watched in horror as they cracked and fell apart with the first bite.
- Adding a few tablespoons of water after the seasoning creates that restaurant-style saucy coating instead of dry, powdery beef.
03 -
- Toast your spices in a dry pan for 30 seconds before mixing your seasoning blend for deeper, more complex flavor notes that will make people wonder what your secret is.
- When warming corn tortillas, sprinkle them with a few drops of water before heating to create steam that prevents cracking while keeping them pliable and soft.