Beef Tacos Homemade Seasoning (Printable version)
Ground beef seasoned with a vibrant homemade spice blend served in warm tortillas with fresh toppings.
# What you need:
→ 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 - 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
07 - 1/2 teaspoon salt
08 - 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
09 - 1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes (optional)
→ Beef Filling
10 - 1 tablespoon olive oil
11 - 1 pound ground beef
12 - 1 small onion, finely diced
13 - 2 cloves garlic, minced
14 - 2 tablespoons tomato paste
15 - 1/3 cup plus 1 tablespoon water
→ Assembly
16 - 8 small corn or flour tortillas, warmed
17 - 1 cup shredded lettuce
18 - 1 cup diced tomatoes
19 - 1/2 cup shredded cheddar cheese
20 - 1/4 cup sour cream
21 - 1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro
22 - 1 lime, cut into wedges
# How To:
01 - Combine all taco seasoning ingredients in a small bowl and set aside.
02 - Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add diced onion and cook for 2 to 3 minutes until softened.
03 - Add minced garlic to the skillet and cook for an additional 30 seconds.
04 - Add ground beef, breaking it up with a spoon. Cook until browned and fully cooked, approximately 5 to 6 minutes. Drain excess fat if needed.
05 - Stir in tomato paste and the prepared taco seasoning, ensuring the beef is well coated.
06 - Pour in water, stir to combine, and simmer for 3 to 4 minutes until the mixture thickens and develops flavor.
07 - Taste the beef mixture and adjust seasoning as desired.
08 - Heat tortillas in a dry skillet or microwave until warm and pliable.
09 - Fill each tortilla with the beef mixture and top with shredded lettuce, diced tomatoes, shredded cheddar, sour cream, chopped cilantro, and a squeeze of lime.
# Expert Advice:
01 -
- You control the spice level and salt, which means tacos that taste like actual food, not a packet.
- Fifteen minutes of active cooking time makes this feel fancy but never stressful on a weeknight.
- Homemade seasoning costs pennies and tastes miles better than anything premixed.
02 -
- Draining excess fat after browning the beef matters; a greasy taco is never as good as a balanced one.
- The water and tomato paste create a sauce that adheres to the meat, so don't skip it or you'll end up with dry, seasoning-dusted beef instead.
- Fresh lime juice at the end transforms the whole dish—bottled lime juice tastes hollow by comparison.
03 -
- Make your seasoning blend in larger batches and store it in a small jar—you'll find yourself using it for everything from roasted vegetables to scrambled eggs.
- If you're cooking for a crowd, brown all the beef first, then finish the sauce in stages so it stays warm and doesn't overcook.