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Make easy Ground Beef Tacos With Homemade Taco Seasoning! Smoky, bold, and ready in 30 minutes for the perfect weeknight dinner.
Know Before You Scroll
Serves
4 people
Prep Time
10 mins
Cook Time
20 mins
Total Time
30
Flavor Profile
Bold, smoky, a little spicy, and super savory. This homemade taco seasoning brings deep chili, cumin, and paprika flavor with a subtle kick of heat. The ground beef tacos? Juicy, cozy, and taco-truck delicious.
Difficulty Level
Easy. This is a no-stress, weeknight kind of recipe—just mix, stir, and sizzle.
Equipment Needed
Small mixing bowl, measuring spoons, airtight 4-ounce spice jar, large skillet, spatula, knife, cutting board, paper towels (if microwaving tortillas).
Top Tip
Make a double (or triple!) batch of the taco seasoning to keep on hand for fast flavor boosts—think veggies, soups, or scrambled eggs.
Time-Saving Tips
Buy pre-chopped onion and pre-shredded cheese for lightning-fast taco assembly. And yes, pre-warmed tortillas in a tortilla warmer are chef’s kiss.
Ingredient Swaps
No smoked paprika? Add a dash of chipotle powder. No ground beef? Swap in ground turkey, chicken, or even lentils for a plant-based twist.
Make Ahead Note:
The seasoning blend keeps for up to 6 months in an airtight jar. Store in a cool, dry spot and shake before using to wake up the spices.
Let’s talk about tacos — the kind that are bold, smoky, juicy, and packed with big flavor in every bite. This ground beef taco recipe is your new weeknight MVP. We’re making a homemade seasoning blend (no store-bought packets here!) that’s super easy but seriously delivers on the flavor.
I used to be a ride-or-die store-bought taco seasoning kind of girl. But once I mixed up a batch of this homemade taco spice blend, it was game over.
It’s smoky, a little spicy, super savory, and honestly… I don’t know how I ever lived without it. It’s one of those small pantry upgrades that makes every taco, burrito, roasted veggie, and even scrambled egg situation taste ten times better. I wasn’t going to share this because… spice blends aren’t exactly glamorous? But you guys keep asking. And I keep remaking it.
The complete printable recipe is available at the bottom of this post (simply click the button above). For a detailed, step-by-step guide with photos and helpful tips, keep reading!
Step By Step Instructions
1
Prepare the Taco Seasoning
To start, grab a small mixing bowl — something cereal-sized is perfect. Add in 1 tablespoon of chili powder, 1 teaspoon of ground cumin, 1 teaspoon of smoked paprika, ½ teaspoon each of garlic powder, onion powder, and dried oregano, ¼ teaspoon of cayenne pepper (more if you like heat), ½ teaspoon of salt, and ¼ teaspoon of black pepper. Stir everything together until well combined.
This spice mix makes about 4 ounces total, and you’ll only a tablespoon for the beef — which means plenty of extra seasoning ready to go when you need it. Store the leftover blend in a 4-ounce spice jar or an airtight container, and boom, future taco night just got easier.
2
Soften The Onions
Now for the ground beef mixture – Heat a large skillet over medium heat and add 1 tablespoon of oil — avocado or olive oil works great here. Toss in one finely chopped small onion and sauté it until it’s soft and just starting to get golden and delicious.
3
Brown the Ground Beef
Now add 1 pound of ground beef. Use a wooden spoon or spatula to break up the meat into small crumbles as it cooks.
4
Season & Simmer
Let it brown for about 5 to 7 minutes, stirring occasionally, until fully cooked and no longer pink. If there’s excess grease, go ahead and drain it off.
Sprinkle 1 tablespoon of the taco seasoning over the cooked beef. Pour in ¼ cup of water and stir everything together until the seasoning is evenly distributed. Turn the heat down and let it simmer for 3 to 5 minutes. The water will cook down and turn into a thick, flavorful coating that clings to every bite of beef. Dreamy.
If the mixture is dry, you can add an extra splash of beef broth, chicken broth, or even water to bring back some moisture. For extra flavor, you could also use a bit of tomato sauce, salsa, or a drizzle of olive oil. Just add a little at a time until you reach the desired consistency!
5
Warm the Tortillas
While the beef is finishing up, grab 8 small corn or flour tortillas and get them warm and soft. You can toast them in a dry skillet for about 20 to 30 seconds per side, or wrap them in a damp paper towel and microwave for about 30 seconds. Warm tortillas = happier taco experience. Always.
6
Now it’s taco time!
Now for the fun part! Spoon the seasoned beef into your warm tortillas, then pile on the toppings. Shredded lettuce, diced tomatoes, cheddar or Mexican blend cheese, sour cream, salsa, jalapeños, fresh cilantro — go wild or keep it classic. There’s no wrong way to taco.
7
Serve And Enjoy
And that’s it, you’re ready to serve these delicious Ground Beef Tacos With Homemade Taco Seasoning! Super flavorful, quick, and easy tacos with homemade seasoning. Big taco energy, minimal effort. Yes, please. 🌮
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Recipe
Ground Beef Tacos With Homemade Seasoning
Ingredients
For the Taco Seasoning
- 4 teaspoons garlic granules or powder
- 2 teaspoons onion powder
- 2 teaspoons paprika
- 8 teaspoons teaspoons chili powder
- 2 teaspoons smoked paprika
- 8 teaspoons ground cumin
- 1 teaspoon cayenne pepper (adjust to taste)
- 2 teaspoons dried oregano (preferably Mexican oregano)
- 2 teaspoons sea salt (reduced from 4 teaspoons)
- 2 teaspoons freshly ground black pepper
For the Taco Filling
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 small onion (finely chopped)
- 1 pound ground beef (80/20 recommended)
- 1 tablespoon taco seasoning (recipe above)
- ¼ cup water
- 8 small corn or flour tortillas
Optional Toppings
- Shredded lettuce
- Diced tomatoes
- Shredded cheese (cheddar or Mexican blend)
- Sour cream
- Salsa or hot sauce
- Sliced jalapeños
- Fresh cilantro
Instructions
For the Taco Seasoning
- In a small bowl, mix all the spices together until well combined. You’ll only need a bit for the recipe, so save the rest in a 4oz spice jar for future use
For The Ground Beef Filling
- Heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat.
- Add the chopped onion and cook for 3 to 4 minutes, stirring occasionally, until soft and translucent.
- Add the ground beef to the skillet. Break it apart with a spatula and cook for 5-7 minutes, stirring occasionally, until browned and no longer pink. Drain excess grease if needed.
- Sprinkle 1 tablespoon of homemade taco seasoning evenly over the meat. Pour in ¼ cup of water and stir well to combine.
- Lower the heat and let the mixture simmer for 3-5 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the liquid reduces and coats the beef evenly.
Warm the Tortillas
- Heat a dry skillet over medium heat.
- Warm each tortilla for 20-30 seconds per side until soft and slightly golden. Alternatively, wrap them in a damp paper towel and microwave for 30 seconds.
Assemble the Tacos
- Spoon the seasoned beef mixture into each warm tortilla. Add your favorite toppings like lettuce, tomatoes, cheese, and sour cream.
Tips
Erren’s Top Tips
Use fresh spices for maximum flavor.If your spices have been sitting in the back of the pantry for a year, they’ve probably lost their oomph. Fresh spices = big, bold taco flavor. Make it your own.
Want it spicier? Add a pinch more cayenne. Prefer it smoky? Bump up the smoked paprika. This blend is super flexible. Double or triple the batch.
Trust — once you make it, you’ll want to use it on more than just tacos. Think roasted potatoes, soups, eggs, even popcorn! Shake before using.
Spices settle in the jar, so always give your taco seasoning a little shake before you scoop it out. It helps everything stay balanced. For extra-juicy taco meat:
Don’t skip the water step! Mixing the seasoning with a splash of water helps it distribute evenly and turns into a saucy coating for the beef. Tortilla tip:
Warm tortillas are key. A quick toast in a skillet or a zap in the microwave wrapped in a damp paper towel makes them soft and pliable — no tearing, no breaking.
Storage & Freezing Instructions
For the Taco Seasoning: Store your homemade taco seasoning in an airtight jar (a 4 oz spice jar works perfectly). Keep it in a cool, dry place like your pantry or spice cabinet. It stays fresh for up to 6 months, but honestly, you’ll use it way before then. For the Cooked Taco Meat: Let it cool completely, then transfer to an airtight container. Store in the fridge for up to 4 days. Freezing Instructions: Freeze for up to 3 months. Reheat in a skillet with a splash of water to bring it back to life.
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FAQs
Can I use this taco seasoning with chicken or veggies?
Absolutely. This blend works great on ground chicken, shredded chicken, tofu, roasted cauliflower, sweet potatoes — it’s super versatile
How much taco seasoning should I use per pound of meat?
Use 1 tablespoon of seasoning per 1 pound of meat. You can adjust up or down depending on your taste preference.
Is this taco seasoning gluten-free?
Yes! There are no fillers, flour, or anti-caking agents — just pure spices. Perfect for gluten-free diets.
Can I reduce the salt or make it salt-free?
Totally. If you’re watching sodium, feel free to lower or omit the salt and season your taco meat to taste later in the cooking process.
Is this recipe spicy?
It has a subtle heat from cayenne pepper, but it’s not overwhelming. If you like things milder, just scale back the cayenne or leave it out.
What kind of tortillas should I use — corn or flour?
Either works! Corn tortillas give a more traditional flavor and are naturally gluten-free, while flour tortillas are soft, pliable, and easy to fold.
Do I need to drain the beef after cooking?
If your beef is on the fattier side (like 80/20), go ahead and drain off any excess grease before adding the seasoning and water.
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