Beef Tacos Homemade Seasoning (Printable)
Juicy ground beef in soft tortillas with a vibrant homemade spice blend and fresh toppings for easy weeknight meals.
# What's Needed:
→ 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
22 - Lime wedges
# How to Make It:
01 - Combine chili powder, cumin, smoked paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, red pepper flakes, oregano, salt, and black pepper in a small bowl. Set aside for later use.
02 - Heat a large skillet over medium heat. Add ground beef and diced onion, breaking up meat with a spoon while cooking. Brown the beef for 6-8 minutes until fully cooked and onion is softened. Drain excess fat if needed.
03 - Stir in minced garlic and sauté for 1 minute until fragrant, being careful not to burn it.
04 - Add the prepared taco seasoning blend, tomato paste, and water to the skillet. Mix thoroughly to coat the beef evenly with spices.
05 - Reduce heat and simmer for 3-4 minutes, stirring occasionally, until most liquid is absorbed and beef is well-coated with seasoning.
06 - Heat tortillas in a dry skillet for 30 seconds per side or microwave wrapped in damp paper towels for 20 seconds until pliable.
07 - Fill each warm tortilla with seasoned beef mixture. Top with lettuce, tomatoes, cheese, sour cream, cilantro, and avocado slices. Serve immediately with lime wedges on the side.
# Tips for Success:
01 -
- The homemade seasoning blend hits every perfect flavor note without any weird additives or excessive sodium
- Everything comes together in under 30 minutes, making it ideal for those nights when everyone is hungry NOW
- You can easily double the spice mix and keep it in a jar for even faster taco dinners later
02 -
- Draining excess fat after browning the beef prevents your tacos from becoming greasy, but leave a little behind for flavor
- The mixture will look a bit watery after adding the water and tomato paste, but it thickens beautifully as it simmers
03 -
- Make a double batch of the seasoning blend and store it in a glass jar for future taco nights
- If the beef seems too dry after simmering, add another splash of water rather than more seasoning