Ground Beef Tacos With Homemade Seasoning
These ground beef tacos are made with a homemade seasoning blend that’s way better than the packet. The recipe makes 4 oz of seasoning, so you’ll have extra on hand for quick, flavor-loaded meals anytime.
Servings 4
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.
Notes
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.