Beef Tacos Classic Mexican (Printable View)
Seasoned ground beef with crisp veggies and zesty toppings in warm tortillas for a hearty meal.
# Ingredient List:
→ Beef Mixture
01 - 1 pound ground beef (80/20 recommended)
02 - 1 small onion, finely chopped
03 - 2 cloves garlic, minced
04 - 1 tablespoon chili powder
05 - 1 teaspoon ground cumin
06 - 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
07 - 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
08 - 1/2 teaspoon salt
09 - 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
10 - 1/4 cup tomato sauce
11 - 1/4 cup water
→ Taco Garnishes
12 - 8 small corn or flour tortillas
13 - 1 cup shredded lettuce
14 - 1 cup diced tomatoes
15 - 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
16 - 1/2 cup sour cream
17 - 1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro
18 - 1 lime, cut into wedges
19 - Optional: sliced jalapeños, avocado, salsa
# How to Prepare:
01 - Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add ground beef and cook, breaking apart with a spatula, until browned, about 5 minutes. Drain excess fat if necessary.
02 - Add chopped onion to the skillet and cook until softened, about 3 minutes. Stir in minced garlic and cook for 1 minute more.
03 - Sprinkle chili powder, cumin, smoked paprika, oregano, salt, and black pepper over the beef. Stir well to distribute spices evenly.
04 - Pour in tomato sauce and water. Stir to combine, reduce heat to medium-low, and simmer for 5 minutes until thickened.
05 - Warm tortillas in a dry skillet or microwave until soft and pliable.
06 - Fill tortillas with beef mixture and top with shredded lettuce, diced tomatoes, shredded cheddar, sour cream, cilantro, and any optional garnishes. Serve with lime wedges.
# Expert Suggestions:
01 -
- It comes together in just 30 minutes, making it perfect for those weeknight dinners when you need something satisfying fast.
- The spice blend is so balanced that even if you've never made tacos before, you'll nail the flavor every single time.
- Your family will actually want seconds, and there's something magic about watching everyone build their own perfect taco.
02 -
- Don't skip draining the excess fat from the beef—too much grease makes the seasoning slide right off and the tacos become heavy rather than satisfying.
- The tomato sauce and water are crucial; without them, the beef dries out during simmering, but with them, you get a sauce that makes every bite taste cohesive and intentional.
03 -
- If you want extra flavor depth, add a teaspoon of instant coffee or a small splash of apple cider vinegar to the beef mixture—it sounds strange, but it rounds out the spices beautifully.
- Make the beef mixture ahead of time and reheat it gently when you're ready to serve. It actually tastes better the next day as the flavors meld together.