Beef Tacos Homemade Seasoning (Printable)
Juicy seasoned ground beef in warm tortillas with fresh salsa and classic toppings. Ready in 40 minutes.
# What You'll Need:
→ Beef Filling
01 - 1.1 lb ground beef (80/20 preferred)
02 - 1 tablespoon olive oil
03 - 1 small onion, finely chopped
04 - 2 cloves garlic, minced
05 - 2 tablespoons tomato paste
06 - 1/2 cup beef broth or water
→ Homemade Taco Seasoning
07 - 1 tablespoon chili powder
08 - 1 teaspoon ground cumin
09 - 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
10 - 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
11 - 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
12 - 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
13 - 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper (optional)
14 - 1/2 teaspoon salt
15 - 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
→ Homemade Salsa
16 - 3 medium ripe tomatoes, diced
17 - 1/2 small red onion, finely chopped
18 - 1 jalapeño, seeded and minced
19 - 1/4 cup fresh cilantro, chopped
20 - Juice of 1 lime
21 - Salt and pepper, to taste
→ For Serving
22 - 8 small corn or flour tortillas (gluten-free if needed)
23 - 1 cup shredded lettuce
24 - 1 cup shredded cheddar or Monterey Jack cheese
25 - 1/2 cup sour cream
26 - 1 avocado, sliced
27 - Lime wedges
# How to Make It:
01 - Combine diced tomatoes, red onion, jalapeño, cilantro, lime juice, salt, and pepper in a bowl. Mix well and let rest to develop flavors.
02 - Whisk all seasoning ingredients together in a small bowl until evenly combined.
03 - Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Sauté onion until softened, about 2 minutes. Add garlic and cook for 30 seconds. Add ground beef, breaking it apart. Cook until browned and crumbly, approximately 5 to 6 minutes.
04 - Incorporate tomato paste and taco seasoning into beef. Stir to coat thoroughly. Pour in beef broth or water, simmer until liquid reduces and mixture thickens, about 3 to 4 minutes. Adjust seasoning as needed.
05 - Heat tortillas in a dry skillet or microwave until pliable and warm.
06 - Fill each tortilla with desired amount of beef mixture. Top with salsa, shredded lettuce, cheese, sour cream, avocado slices, and a squeeze of lime.
07 - Serve immediately, accompanied by extra salsa and lime wedges.
# Expert Suggestions:
01 -
- Your kitchen will smell incredible while the beef sizzles, and homemade seasoning actually lets you taste the beef instead of just heat.
- Fresh salsa made in minutes beats bottled every time, and once you taste the difference, store-bought feels like a shortcut you'll never take again.
- These tacos come together in 40 minutes flat, which means weeknight dinner without the guilt of takeout.
02 -
- Don't skip letting the salsa sit—those first 5 minutes of sitting actually matter and transform chopped ingredients into real salsa.
- If your beef mixture is soupy after cooking, you either need more time to simmer or you added too much liquid; taste it before serving and adjust because wet tacos are a disappointment.
03 -
- Brown your beef in batches if you're doubling this recipe; overcrowding the pan steams the meat instead of browning it, which ruins the texture.
- Taste your seasoning mix before you cook with it by pinching a tiny amount on your tongue, because dried spices vary by brand and sometimes one type tastes more intense than you expect.