Best Ground Beef Taco Recipe
User Reviews
4.8
Best Ground Beef Taco Recipe
Description
Best Ground Beef Taco Recipe combines ground beef with a blend of Mexican-inspired spices and tomato sauce, then simmers to meld the flavors into a saucy filling. The ground beef is cooked over medium heat until browned, drained, then simmered with a seasoning mix featuring chili powder, cumin, and dried oregano. White corn tortillas are quickly fried in hot oil until lightly golden and crisp, then folded while hot into taco shapes. This method creates a satisfying contrast between the tender, savory meat and the crisp, slightly oily shells.
The seasoning blend brings warmth and complexity without overwhelming heat, and the tomato sauce adds moisture and tang. The fried tortillas provide a sturdy shell to hold the filling and toppings, with added crunch and richness from the oil. This recipe makes approximately eight tacos, suitable for four people when serving about two tacos each. Toppings such as shredded cheese, lettuce, sour cream, and salsa complement the dish well.
Practically, using 70-80% lean ground beef keeps the tacos flavorful yet not excessively greasy. Variations can include ground chicken or turkey instead of beef, or sautéing extra chopped vegetables like peppers and zucchini with the meat for added texture and nutrition. The fried tortillas should be handled carefully to hold their shape and drained well on paper towels to remove excess oil. This recipe offers a classic, home-style taco with controlled seasoning and a distinctive fried shell texture.
Ingredients
- 1 lb ground beef 70-80% lean*
- 1 tbsp chili powder
- ½ tsp salt
- ¾ tsp cumin
- ½ tsp oregano dried, Mexican
- ¼ tsp granulated garlic
- ¼ tsp onion powder
- ½ cup tomato sauce
Taco Shells
- 8 white corn tortillas
- ½ cup neutral cooking oil avocado or vegetable, generic cooking oil
Instructions
- Cook Ground Beef: Heat a large skillet over medium heat. Add the ground beef. Break the beef up with a wooden spoon while cooking. Cook the ground beef fully, until browned and no longer pink.
- Drain: Drain any excess grease from the skillet. Then return to the stove and reduce the heat to low.
- Season: Add the 1/2 cup tomato sauce and taco seasoning. Stir together until the meat is coated in the sauce.
- Simmer: Allow to simmer for 5 minutes.
- Fry Tortillas: Pour 1/2 cup oil in a medium size skillet, heat over medium high heat. Carefully dip a tortilla, if the oil sizzles and bubbles then it's hot enough. Gently lay the tortilla in the oil and fry each side for about 30 seconds, just enough to give some color and add some crispness.
- Shape Tortillas: Remove the tortilla to a paper towel to absorb oil, and carefully fold the tortilla over to create a taco shape. I do this with my tongs, or two forks, whatever I'm using to lay the tortillas in the oil and remove them.
- Toppings: Fill the tortillas with the ground beef taco meat and add desired toppings
Notes
- Use 80/20 ground beef for a balance of flavor and fat without greasiness.
- Ground chicken or turkey can substitute for the beef if preferred.
- Add chopped vegetables like peppers, zucchini, or carrots sautéed with the meat to include extra veggies.
- Adjust heat by adding crushed red pepper flakes to the seasoning blend according to taste.
- Fry the corn tortillas briefly until lightly golden and fold them while warm to create taco shapes; drain on paper towels to remove excess oil.
- Plan approximately 1 pound of meat per 4 people, equating to about 2 tablespoons of meat per taco.
- Top tacos with shredded mild cheese, lettuce, diced tomatoes, cilantro, sour cream, guacamole, salsa, jalapeños, or onions as desired.
Nutrition Information
Show DetailsNutrition Facts
Serving: 4Serving
Amount Per Serving
Calories kcal
% Daily Value*
| Serving | 1 | |
| Calories | 152kcal | 8% |
| Carbohydrates | 2g | 1% |
| Protein | 10g | 20% |
| Fat | 12g | 18% |
| Saturated Fat | 4g | 20% |
| Cholesterol | 40mg | 13% |
| Sodium | 280mg | 12% |
| Potassium | 223mg | 5% |
| Fiber | 1g | 4% |
| Sugar | 1g | 2% |
| Vitamin A | 363IU | 7% |
| Vitamin C | 1mg | 1% |
| Calcium | 17mg | 2% |
| Iron | 2mg | 11% |
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.
User Reviews
Overall Rating
4.8
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