Ground Beef Tacos

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Bringing back one of my childhood favorites - Ground Beef Tacos!! I can VIVIDLY remember taco night as a kid. A pot of fragrant ground meat with taco seasoning, a variety of different hard or soft taco shells and all the accoutrements. It's dinner in less than 15 minutes and it's exactly what I'm craving these days.

Ground Beef Tacos on a serving platter with a bowl of extra taco meat, and two small bowls with pico de gallo and guacamole.


 

Why I Love This Recipe

I think it's safe to say that a Ground Beef Taco night is a staple in many homes across the world. A few different things go into making this a successful dinner that can be prepped in less than 15 minutes. A pot of fragrant ground meat with taco seasoning (obviously this is my favorite), a variety of different hard or soft taco shells and all the accoutrements like guacamole, salsa, shredded cheese (Tillamook if you're buying pre-shredded for SURE) and perhaps some onions and cilantro. Ground Beef Tacos make dinner less than 15 minutes away and it's exactly what I'm craving these days.

Ingredients & Substitutions

Mise en place of all ingredients to make ground beef tacos.
  • Your favorite taco seasoning
  • Ground beef (80/20 when it comes to fat ratio, you don't want these to dry out or be too lean) 
  • Yellow onion - or a red onion
  • Olive oil - or avocado oil
  • Tortillas, either hard of soft shells, pick your favorite or serve with both!
  • Freshly shredded cheddar cheese
  • Freshly shredded Monterey jack cheese
  • Salsa or Pico 
  • Guacamole 

*For a full list of ingredients and instructions please see recipe card below.

How to Make Ground Beef Tacos

A skillet with onions being sautéed in olive oil and ground beef added.

Step 1: Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium high heat. Add the ground meat and onion sauté for 5 minutes and break it up with the back of a wooden spoon.

A skillet with ground beef being cooked and taco seasoning added.

Step 2: Add all the taco seasoning and stir to combine. Continue to cook the ground meat and break it down with the back of a wooden spoon until it's fully cooked and no pink remains.

A skillet with ground beef being cooked and water added.

Step 3: Once cooked, add 2 tablespoons of water and reduce to a simmer. Let simmer for 10 minutes.

A skillet with ground beef cooked for tacos, along with four small glass mixing bowls with shredded Cheddar cheese, shredded Monterey Jack cheese, guacamole and salsa, along with tortillas on the side.

Step 4: Serve the taco meat with tortillas, shredded cheese, salsa, and any other taco fixings you prefer. Voila, Ground Beef Tacos are done!

How to Store Ground Beef Tacos

You can store any leftover ground beef in an airtight container in the fridge for 3-4 days. Make sure to reheat it till its warmed through, whether you are using the stove or the microwave. Tacos are best assembled fresh- so warm some tortillas, and get all your toppings and you're all set!

How to Freeze Ground Beef Tacos

You can freeze the ground beef! Portion out in freezer bags or containers for about 3 months. Make sure to thaw before you plan to eat it and warm it through well.

Tips & Tricks

Taco meat is so versatile, it's something that we all need in our back pocket. It's also so insanely easy and simple so the tricks are to use great ingredients.

I obviously designed the perfect taco seasoning for recipes just like this! Super flavorful, not too spicy and perfect all across the board. So snag a few jars so you always have that on hand. After that, it's all about getting the best quality of ground beef you can get your hands on and having an assortment of toppings. The Salsa, Pico and Guacamole (should you choose to make them at home for these Ground Beef Tacos) can be prepped the morning of and stored in the fridge until you're ready to serve.

Ground Beef Taco meat in a bowl along with a bowl of guacamole on the side.

FAQs

What is the best ground beef for tacos?

I always choose 80/20 ground beef for tacos

Which tortillas do you prefer using for these?

You really can use any tortillas, flour or corn, hard or soft!!

Similar Recipes

If you tried this recipe, please leave a 🌟 star rating and let me know how it goes in the 📝 comments below. Thanks for visiting today

Ground Beef Tacos

Author: Gaby Dalkin
5 from 1 vote
These ground beef tacos are the perfect dinner in under 20 minutes! Plus you can double the meat recipe and use it for other weeknight meals such as enchiladas, taco bowls or nachos!
Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 12 minutes
Total Time 17 minutes
Course Dinner
Cuisine Mexican, Tex Mex
Servings 4 people

Ingredients
  

  • ½ tablespoon olive oil
  • 1 small yellow onion finely chopped
  • 1 pound ground beef
  • 2 tablespoons taco seasoning

For Serving

Instructions
 

  • Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium high heat.
  • Add the ground meat and onion sauté for 5 minutes and break it up with the back of a wooden spoon. Add all the taco seasoning and stir to combine. Continue to cook the ground meat and break it down with the back of a wooden spoon until it's fully cooked and no pink remains.
  • Once cooked, add 2 tablespoons of water and reduce to a simmer. Let simmer for 10 minutes.
  • Serve as taco meat with tortillas, shredded cheese, salsa, and any other taco fixings you prefer.

Nutrition Information

Calories: 317kcal | Carbohydrates: 3g | Protein: 20g | Fat: 24g | Saturated Fat: 9g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 11g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 81mg | Sodium: 178mg | Potassium: 346mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 1g | Vitamin A: 118IU | Vitamin C: 3mg | Calcium: 27mg | Iron: 2mg
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5 from 1 vote

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