Favorite Beef Tacos

These Favorite Beef Tacos are filled with seasoned ground beef and topped with all your favorite fixings for a satisfying meal any night of the week.

A plate of beef tacos.

You are going to love these Favorite Beef Tacos. It’s a crowd pleasing meal that brings bold flavor and customization to the table. Take a fresh tortilla and top it with seasoned ground beef and your favorite fix ins and you have a yummy dinner at your fingertips.

I love using my Homemade Taco Seasoning for this recipe and I also serve these tacos alongside my Flavorful Spanish Rice and Restaurant Style Black Beans for a full meal!

Why We Love Tacos

  • The Favorite Beef Tacos recipe is quick and easy, ready in just 30 minutes.
  • Toasted spices in the Favorite Beef Tacos recipe add a rich, smoky flavor.
  • Beef Tacos are versatile, perfect for Taco Tuesdays or any night of the week.

Recipe Ingredients

Ground beef in a skillet.
  • Chili Powder: Adds a robust, flavor with a hint of spice.
  • Cumin: Provides a warm, nutty flavor with a slightly peppery undertone.
  • Coriander: Adds a citrusy, slightly sweet flavor.

See the recipe card for full information on ingredients and quantities.

Variations

  • Taco Meat Options: For a twist on the classic beef tacos, try using different meats. Ground turkey or chicken provides a lighter taste, perfect for chicken tacos. Ground pork adds a sweet, savory flavor, while mixing beef with chorizo brings a spicy kick. For a hearty option, use a slow-cooked chuck roast.
  • Toppings Bar: It’s always fun to set out a toppings bar for your tacos. Stir in sliced olives, diced tomatoes, crushed tortilla chips, shredded cheddar or Mexican blend cheese, sour cream, guacamole, cilantro, diced green chilis, and more! These options allow everyone to customize their tacos to their liking, making the meal even more enjoyable.

How to Make Beef Tacos

Step 1: In a large skillet set over medium heat, add the olive oil. When the oil is hot, add the onion and sauté until soft, about 4-5 minutes. Add the pepper, garlic, and seasonings. Continue to sauté until fragrant, about 2-3 minutes.

Step 2: Add the ground beef and cook until no pink remains, breaking it apart into small chunks with a spatula or wooden spoon. When the meat is cooked throughout, pour in the tomato sauce, chicken broth, apple cider vinegar, and brown sugar. Simmer until about half of the liquid has evaporated, about 10 minutes. Remove from the heat and serve hot.

A plate with our favorite beef tacos, served with avocado, jalapeno pepper, and tomatoes.

More Methods to Cook Beef Tacos

  • Slow Cooker: Brown the beef and sauté the vegetables and spices, then transfer all ingredients to a slow cooker and cook on low for 6-8 hours until tender.
  • Grill: Grill the ground beef in a grill pan, then combine with sautéed vegetables and spices in a skillet on the stove.
  • Instant Pot: Use the sauté function to brown the beef and cook the vegetables, then add the remaining ingredients and cook on high pressure for 10 minutes, followed by a quick release.
  • Crockpot: Brown the beef and sauté the onions, garlic, and spices in a skillet. Transfer to the crockpot, add the sauce ingredients, and cook on low for 4-6 hours or high for 2-3 hours.

FAQs

What can I add to this ground beef tacos recipe?

You can enhance this beef taco recipe by adding toppings such as shredded cheese, diced tomatoes, chopped lettuce, avocado slices, sour cream, salsa, or fresh cilantro. These additions will provide extra flavor and texture, making your tacos even more delicious.

Can I use different types of taco shells for this recipe?

Yes, you can use hard taco shells or soft white corn tortillas. Both options work well with the seasoned beef and allow for a delightful variety in texture and taste.

What dip options go well with my Beef Tacos?

Great dip options to serve with this beef taco recipe include guacamole, queso dip, Pico de Gallo, bean dip, and creamy jalapeño dip.

Our favorite beef tacos on a plate.

Storage Info

To STORE your Beef Tacos, place the cooked meat in an airtight container and refrigerate for up to 4 days. To FREEZE, just transfer to a freezer-safe container and store for up to 3 months.

REHEAT by thawing in the refrigerator overnight if frozen, then warm in a skillet over medium heat until hot, about 5-7 minutes. You can also microwave on medium power in 1-minute intervals, stirring between each.

Did you try this recipe? Leave a ⭐️ rating below and share it on Instagram, Facebook and Pinterest!

A plate of beef tacos.

Favorite Beef Tacos Recipe

These Favorite Beef Tacos are filled with seasoned ground beef and topped with all your favorite fixings for a satisfying meal any night of the week.
4.95 from 17 votes
Pin Rate
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: Mexican
Diet: Gluten Free, Dairy Free
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 20 minutes
Total Time: 30 minutes
Servings: 8
Calories: 154kcal
Author: Andrea
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Ingredients

  • 1 tbsp olive oil
  • 1/2 yellow onion - minced
  • 4 cloves garlic - minced
  • 1/2 jalapeño pepper or Hatch Chile - minced
  • 2 tbsp chili powder
  • 1 tsp cumin
  • 1 tsp coriander
  • 1/2 tsp salt
  • 1/2 tsp oregano
  • 1/4 tsp smoked paprika - or regular
  • 1/4 tsp cayenne pepper
  • 1-1 1/2 lb lean ground beef
  • 1/2 c tomato sauce
  • 1/2 c low sodium chicken broth
  • 2 tsp apple cider vinegar
  • 1 tsp light brown sugar - packed
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Instructions

  • In a large skillet set over medium heat, add the olive oil. When the oil is hot, add the onion and sauté until soft, about 4-5 minutes. Add the pepper, garlic, and seasonings. Continue to sauté until fragrant, about 2-3 minutes.
  • Add the ground beef and cook until no pink remains, breaking it apart into small chunks with a spatula or wooden spoon. When the meat is cooked throughout, pour in the tomato sauce, chicken broth, apple cider vinegar, and brown sugar. Simmer until about half of the liquid has evaporated, about 10 minutes. Remove from the heat and serve hot.

VIDEO

NOTES

Adding peppers is completely optional. If you don’t want any heat, try adding half of a New Mexico Chile (Hatch) chile. We like ours to have a little kick, so we usually add minced jalapeño or serrano to it.
To STORE your Beef Tacos, place the cooked meat in an airtight container and refrigerate for up to 4 days. To FREEZE, just transfer to a freezer-safe container and store for up to 3 months.
REHEAT by thawing in the refrigerator overnight if frozen, then warm in a skillet over medium heat until hot, about 5-7 minutes. You can also microwave on medium power in 1-minute intervals, stirring between each.

Nutrition

Calories: 154kcal | Carbohydrates: 4g | Protein: 19g | Fat: 7g | Saturated Fat: 2g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 3g | Trans Fat: 0.3g | Cholesterol: 53mg | Sodium: 322mg | Potassium: 421mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 2g | Vitamin A: 722IU | Vitamin C: 3mg | Calcium: 28mg | Iron: 3mg

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About the Author

Andrea

Hi I'm Andrea!

Hotelier turned Food Blogger to help make your life simple, one recipe at a time.

4.95 from 17 votes (5 ratings without comment)

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Comments:

  1. 5 stars
    This is my absolute favorite taco meat recipe! I will Never use a taco seasoning packet again. I’m excited to try beef enchilada recipe. Amazing, ty

  2. 5 stars
    We LOVED these beef tacos. It was an easy recipe to make and my family ate the entire meal. No leftovers. So that means it was a winner!!