Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Mexican Ground Beef Tacos are a classic, crowd-pleasing meal featuring perfectly seasoned ground beef, soft or crispy taco shells, and your favorite toppings. Quick to prepare and endlessly customizable, these tacos are ideal for busy weeknights, casual gatherings, or taco night at home. They deliver bold flavor with minimal effort, making them a go-to dish for all ages.

ingredients

(Tip: You’ll find the full list of ingredients and measurements in the recipe card below.)

ground beef (80/20 or lean)yellow oniongarlictaco seasoning (store-bought or homemade)tomato pastesaltblack pepperwater or beef brothcorn or flour tortillasolive oil

Toppings (optional but recommended): shredded lettuce, diced tomatoes, shredded cheese, sour cream, avocado, salsa, chopped cilantro, lime wedges

directions

Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium heat and add chopped onion. Sauté until translucent, about 3-4 minutes.

Add minced garlic and cook for another 30 seconds until fragrant.

Add ground beef to the skillet, breaking it apart with a spoon. Cook until browned and fully cooked through, about 6-8 minutes.

Drain excess grease if necessary, then stir in taco seasoning, tomato paste, and a splash of water or broth.

Simmer for 4-5 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the mixture thickens and is well coated with seasoning.

Warm tortillas on a skillet, in the oven, or microwave until soft and pliable.

Spoon the seasoned beef into the tortillas and top with your favorite toppings.

Serve immediately with lime wedges on the side.

Servings and timing

This recipe yields approximately 8 tacos (serves 4).
Preparation time: 10 minutes
Cooking time: 15 minutes
Total time: 25 minutes

Variations

Swap ground beef for ground turkey or chicken for a leaner version.

Add chopped jalapeños or chipotle for extra heat.

Mix in black beans or corn to stretch the filling and add texture.

Use hard taco shells for a crunchy alternative.

Top with pickled red onions or radishes for a tangy twist.

storage/reheating

Store leftover beef mixture in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
To reheat, warm in a skillet over medium heat or microwave in 30-second intervals, stirring between each.
Tortillas are best stored separately and reheated just before serving.

FAQs

Can I make the beef filling ahead of time?

Yes, you can prepare the beef up to 3 days in advance and reheat when ready to serve.

What’s the best way to warm tortillas?

Tortillas can be warmed in a dry skillet, wrapped in foil in the oven, or microwaved under a damp paper towel.

Can I freeze the ground beef filling?

Absolutely, store in a freezer-safe container for up to 2 months. Thaw in the fridge before reheating.

What’s the difference between corn and flour tortillas?

Corn tortillas have a more traditional flavor and are gluten-free, while flour tortillas are softer and more pliable.

Can I use store-bought taco seasoning?

Yes, but homemade seasoning allows you to control the spice level and ingredients.

Are these tacos spicy?

The base recipe is mild, but you can easily adjust the heat with spicy toppings or extra seasoning.

What type of cheese works best?

Shredded cheddar, Monterey Jack, or a Mexican blend all work great.

Can I make these vegetarian?

Yes, substitute beef with lentils, tofu, or a plant-based ground meat alternative.

How do I prevent soggy tacos?

Drain the beef mixture well and don’t overfill with juicy toppings.

Can I double the recipe?

Yes, it scales easily for feeding a crowd or meal prepping.

Conclusion

Mexican Ground Beef Tacos bring all the delicious flavors of a taqueria straight to your kitchen. Fast, flavorful, and endlessly versatile, they’re perfect for any night of the week. Whether you keep it simple or pile on the toppings, these tacos are guaranteed to satisfy and become a staple in your meal rotation.