Beef Tacos Homemade Seasoning (Print)
Juicy ground beef seasoned with a vibrant homemade spice blend in warm tortillas, perfect for easy dinners.
# What You Need:
→ Homemade Taco Seasoning
01 - 1 tablespoon chili powder
02 - 1 teaspoon ground cumin
03 - 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
04 - 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
05 - 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
06 - 1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
07 - 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
08 - 1/2 teaspoon salt
09 - 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
→ Beef Filling
10 - 1 pound ground beef (80/20 or 85/15)
11 - 1 small yellow onion, finely diced
12 - 2 cloves garlic, minced
13 - 1/3 cup water
14 - 1 tablespoon tomato paste
→ Tacos & Toppings
15 - 8 small flour or corn tortillas, warmed
16 - 1 cup shredded lettuce
17 - 1 cup diced tomatoes
18 - 1/2 cup shredded cheddar or Monterey Jack cheese
19 - 1/4 cup sour cream
20 - 1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro
21 - 1 small avocado, sliced (optional)
22 - Lime wedges, for serving
# How To Make It:
01 - Combine chili powder, ground cumin, smoked paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, crushed red pepper flakes, dried oregano, salt, and black pepper in a small bowl. Set aside.
02 - Heat a large skillet over medium heat. Add ground beef and diced onion. Cook while breaking up meat with a spoon until beef is browned and onion is soft, approximately 6-8 minutes. Drain excess fat if needed.
03 - Stir in minced garlic and sauté for 1 minute until fragrant.
04 - Add the prepared taco seasoning blend, tomato paste, and water to the skillet. Mix thoroughly to coat the beef evenly with the spice mixture.
05 - Reduce heat and simmer for 3-4 minutes, stirring occasionally, until most of the liquid is absorbed and the beef is well-seasoned.
06 - Heat tortillas in a dry skillet or microwave until warm and pliable.
07 - Fill each tortilla with the seasoned beef mixture. Top with shredded lettuce, diced tomatoes, shredded cheese, sour cream, fresh cilantro, and sliced avocado as desired. Serve immediately with lime wedges on the side.
# Expert Advice:
01 -
- The homemade seasoning hits way harder than store-bought packets, and you probably have everything in your spice rack right now
- These come together in under 30 minutes but taste like they took all afternoon
02 -
- I learned the hard way that draining too much fat leaves the beef dry and sad—leave just a little in the pan
- The water might seem unnecessary but it's what transforms the spices from a dusty coating into a sauce that actually sticks to the meat
03 -
- Mix up a big batch of the seasoning and store it in a jar—taco night becomes a 15-minute affair
- The beef actually tastes better the next day, so don't be afraid to make it ahead