Beef Tacos Classic Mexican (Printable version)

Seasoned ground beef served in soft or crunchy shells with lettuce, cheese, and salsa.

# What You'll Need:

→ Beef Filling

01 - 1 lb ground beef
02 - 1 small onion, finely chopped
03 - 2 cloves garlic, minced
04 - 2 tbsp tomato paste
05 - 2 tsp chili powder
06 - 1 tsp ground cumin
07 - 1 tsp smoked paprika
08 - ½ tsp dried oregano
09 - ½ tsp salt
10 - ¼ tsp black pepper
11 - ⅓ cup water
12 - 1 tbsp olive oil

→ Tacos

13 - 8 small taco shells (soft flour or crunchy corn tortillas)
14 - 1 cup iceberg lettuce, shredded
15 - 1 cup cheddar cheese, shredded
16 - 1 cup salsa (store-bought or homemade)
17 - 1 medium tomato, diced (optional)
18 - ½ cup sour cream (optional)
19 - Fresh cilantro, chopped (optional)
20 - Lime wedges (optional)

# How To Make:

01 - Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add finely chopped onion and cook for 2 to 3 minutes until softened.
02 - Incorporate minced garlic and sauté for 30 seconds until fragrant.
03 - Add ground beef to the skillet and cook, breaking it apart with a spatula, until fully browned and cooked through, approximately 5 to 7 minutes. Drain excess fat if necessary.
04 - Stir in tomato paste, chili powder, ground cumin, smoked paprika, dried oregano, salt, and black pepper until evenly combined.
05 - Pour in water and simmer the mixture for 2 to 3 minutes until slightly thickened. Remove from heat.
06 - Heat taco shells according to package directions until warm and pliable or crisp.
07 - Fill each taco shell with a generous portion of the beef mixture, then top with shredded lettuce, shredded cheddar cheese, salsa, and optional diced tomato, sour cream, fresh cilantro, and a squeeze of lime.
08 - Serve tacos immediately while warm.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • The whole thing comes together in 30 minutes, and somehow it tastes like you've been cooking all day.
  • Ground beef becomes this deeply savory, slightly smoky filling that actually tastes better than the expensive seasoning packets.
  • Everyone can build their own taco exactly how they want it, so there's zero complaint at the table.
02 -
  • Don't drain all the fat from the beef, it carries flavor and keeps the whole thing moist instead of dry.
  • Taste the beef mixture before serving and adjust your salt or spices if needed, because everyone's palate is different.
  • If you're making these for a crowd, you can prep the beef filling ahead and just reheat it gently before assembling the tacos.
03 -
  • Brown the meat without moving it around too much at first, those stuck bits on the pan are where the real flavor lives.
  • Make your seasoning mix ahead of time in a small bowl, then it goes in all at once and blends perfectly instead of clumping up.
  • If your taco shells feel stale, wrap them in a damp paper towel and microwave for 15 seconds, they'll come back to life.
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