Beef Tacos Homemade Seasoning (Printable)
Tender beef combined with a vibrant spice blend, topped fresh and wrapped in warm tortillas for a tasty meal.
# What You'll Need:
→ Taco Seasoning
01 - 1 tablespoon chili powder
02 - 1 teaspoon ground cumin
03 - 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
04 - 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
05 - 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
06 - 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
07 - 1/2 teaspoon salt
08 - 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
09 - 1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes (optional)
→ Beef Filling
10 - 1 tablespoon olive oil
11 - 1 pound ground beef
12 - 1 small onion, finely diced
13 - 2 cloves garlic, minced
14 - 2 tablespoons tomato paste
15 - 1/3 cup plus 1 tablespoon water
→ Taco Assembly
16 - 8 small corn or flour tortillas, warmed
17 - 1 cup shredded lettuce
18 - 1 cup diced tomatoes
19 - 1/2 cup shredded cheddar cheese
20 - 1/4 cup sour cream
21 - 1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro
22 - 1 lime, cut into wedges
# How to Make It:
01 - Combine chili powder, ground cumin, smoked paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, dried oregano, salt, black pepper, and red pepper flakes in a small bowl and set aside.
02 - Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add diced onion and cook for 2 to 3 minutes until softened.
03 - Add minced garlic to the skillet and cook for 30 seconds.
04 - Add ground beef to the skillet, breaking it apart with a spoon. Cook for 5 to 6 minutes until fully browned. Drain excess fat if needed.
05 - Stir in tomato paste and the prepared taco seasoning until the beef is evenly coated.
06 - Pour in water, stir well, and simmer for 3 to 4 minutes until the mixture thickens and flavors meld. Adjust seasoning to taste.
07 - Heat tortillas in a dry skillet or microwave until warm and pliable.
08 - Fill each tortilla with beef mixture and top with shredded lettuce, diced tomatoes, cheddar cheese, sour cream, chopped cilantro, and a lime wedge for squeezing.
# Expert Suggestions:
01 -
- Homemade seasoning tastes exponentially better than packets and costs pennies.
- Comes together in 30 minutes, which means weeknight dinner that feels intentional, not rushed.
- The beef stays juicy and flavorful, not dried out or one-note.
02 -
- Don't skip draining excess fat from the beef—too much oil makes the seasoning slide off and the taco fall apart.
- Lime isn't garnish, it's essential; that acidity is what brings everything into focus and makes each bite taste alive.
03 -
- Brown your meat in a hot skillet without crowding it—this gets you a good sear instead of steaming.
- Add the water gradually and let it reduce so the seasoning clings to the beef instead of swimming in sauce.