Classic beef tacos (Printer-Friendly)
Seasoned ground beef with crisp veggies and zesty toppings in warm tortillas for a tasty Mexican classic.
# What You'll Need:
→ Beef Mixture
01 - 1 pound ground beef (80/20 lean-to-fat ratio)
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
→ Serving Components
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 Make It:
01 - Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add ground beef and cook, breaking it apart with a spatula, until fully browned, about 5 minutes. Drain excess fat if necessary.
02 - Add finely chopped onion to the skillet and cook until softened, approximately 3 minutes. Stir in minced garlic and cook for an additional minute.
03 - Sprinkle chili powder, ground cumin, smoked paprika, dried oregano, salt, and black pepper over the beef mixture. Stir thoroughly to coat evenly.
04 - Pour in tomato sauce and water. Stir to combine, reduce heat to medium-low, and let simmer for 5 minutes until thickened.
05 - While beef simmers, heat tortillas in a dry skillet or microwave until soft and pliable.
06 - Spoon beef mixture onto warmed tortillas. Garnish with shredded lettuce, diced tomatoes, cheddar cheese, sour cream, chopped cilantro, and optional toppings. Serve with lime wedges.
# Expert Advice:
01 -
- It comes together in just 30 minutes, making it perfect for those nights when you want something satisfying but don't have hours to spend cooking
- The spice blend is perfectly balanced—warm and flavorful without being overwhelming, so everyone at the table will actually enjoy it
- You get to customize every bite with your favorite toppings, turning dinner into an interactive experience where everyone feels like they're creating their own masterpiece
02 -
- Don't skip the simmering step. Those 5 minutes aren't wasted time—they're when the spices marry together and the sauce develops depth. Rushing this means missing the transformation entirely
- The quality of your ground beef actually matters. That 80/20 recommendation isn't random—it's the difference between dry, crumbly tacos and ones that are tender and cohesive. Once I learned this, I stopped buying whatever was on sale and noticed the improvement immediately
03 -
- If you want to add depth, stir a tiny pinch of cinnamon into your spice blend—it won't taste like cinnamon, but it'll make people wonder what your secret is. I discovered this by accident and now it's intentional
- Make a double batch and freeze half the cooked beef. When you're tired and hungry, you'll have taco filling ready to go in minutes, and it'll taste even better because the spices will have had time to fully develop