Ground Beef Tacos with Homemade Seasoning
Classic weeknight ground beef tacos with a homemade spice blend that beats the packet. Saucy, savory and on the table in 25 minutes.
40% of it needs you at the counter
- Hands-on
- 10 min
- Cooking
- 15 min
- Serves
- 4
- Calories
- 355
- Protein
- 26 g
- Per serving
- $2.39
Why this recipe works
Taco night is the most requested dinner we make. The seasoning mix takes one minute, keeps for months in a jar, and tastes better than anything in a packet.
- Browning the beef well before adding spices builds a deep, meaty base.
- Tomato paste and a splash of water make the filling saucy, the way packet mixes do, without the fillers.
- Your own spice blend lets you control the salt and the heat.
Ingredients
For the seasoning
To serve
You will need
- 12-inch skillet
Method
Tap a step number to mark it done.
Brown the beef
Heat the skillet over medium-high heat. Add the beef and onion, break up the meat and cook until well browned with no pink remaining. Spoon off excess fat.
Season
Stir in the garlic, all the seasoning ingredients and the tomato paste and cook for 1 minute until fragrant.
Simmer
Add the water and simmer, stirring, until thick and saucy.
Fill and serve
Spoon the filling into warm shells and top with lettuce, cheese, tomato and sour cream.
Techniques in this recipe
- Fish and seafood145°F / 63°C
- Pork chops, tenderloin, whole cuts of beef145°F / 63°C
- Ground beef, pork and sausage160°F / 71°C
- Chicken and turkey (all cuts)165°F / 74°C
Source: USDA safe minimum internal temperatures. Measure the thickest part, away from bone. Is it done? Safe temperatures
The internal temperatures that tell you chicken, pork, beef, fish and ground meat are cooked safely, and when to pull them early for juicier results.
Read the full guide
Cook's notes
- Warm hard shells in a 350°F oven for 5 minutes so they are crisp, not stale.
- Make a big jar of the seasoning: multiply by eight and use 2 tablespoons per pound of meat.
- Leftover filling makes great nachos, taco salad or quesadillas.
Nutrition per serving
355 calories
$2.39 estimated cost per serving
Where the calories come from
| Protein | 29% of calories | 26 g |
|---|---|---|
| Carbs | 23% of calories | 20 g |
| Fat | 48% of calories | 19 g |
| Fiber | 2 g | |
| Sodium | 380 mg |
Calculated from USDA FoodData Central values for the listed ingredients and amounts; not lab-tested. Cost estimated from average US retail prices.
Questions people ask
How much homemade taco seasoning equals one packet?
About 2 tablespoons of this blend replaces one store-bought packet for 1 pound of meat.
Are these tacos gluten-free?
The filling is. Most hard corn taco shells are gluten-free, but check the label for cross-contamination warnings.
Should I drain the fat?
With 85% lean beef, spoon off most of it but leave about a tablespoon. It carries the spices' flavor.
