5 from 6 votes
Ground Beef Tacos
This easy Ground Beef Tacos recipe makes delicious, saucy tacos that are full of flavor in 15 minutes or less. A couple of surprise ingredients can really elevate your standard beef taco recipe beyond just that packet of seasoning.
Prep Time
3 mins
Cook Time
12 mins
Total Time
15 mins
Servings:
4
servings (1 cup each)
Calories:
329 kcal
Course:
Main Course
Cuisine:
American, Mexican
Ingredients
For the taco seasoning (see note 1):
- 1 tablespoon chili powder
- 1 1/2 teaspoons cumin ground
- 3/4 teaspoon paprika
- 1/2 teaspoon ground coriander
- 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper
- salt
- 1 teaspoon cornstarch
For the tacos:
- 1 teaspoon olive oil
- 1 medium onion finely chopped
- 3 cloves garlic minced
- 1 teaspoon oregano dried
- 1 pound ground beef (see note 2)
- 1 (8 oz) can tomato sauce
- 2 teaspoons apple cider vinegar
- 1 teaspoon brown sugar (see note 3)
- black pepper freshly ground
- salt freshly ground
Toppings for serving:
- corn tortillas or flour tortillas
- lettuce shredded
- cheddar cheese shredded
- diced tomatoes
- sour cream
Instructions
To make the taco seasoning:
- In a small bowl, whisk together chili powder, cumin, paprika, coriander, cayenne pepper, and salt to taste (I like 1/2 teaspoon), Whisk in cornstarch if desired. (Or, substitute one packet store-bought taco seasoning).
Cup of Yum
To make the tacos:
- In a large skillet over medium-high heat, heat oil until shimmering. Add onion and cook until softened, about 5 minutes. Stir in taco seasoning, garlic, and oregano until fragrant, about 30 seconds.
- Add ground beef and cook, stirring occasionally and breaking up clumps with a wooden spoon, until almost cooked through, about 2 minutes. Feel free to drain excess grease at this point if desired.
- Stir in tomato sauce, vinegar, and brown sugar. Bring to a simmer and cook until thickened, about 4 minutes. Season to taste with salt and pepper.
To serve:
- Serve the meat hot with tortillas and all your favorite toppings like lettuce, cheese, tomatoes, and sour cream.
Notes
- Taco seasoning: Ingredients for homemade taco seasoning are right in the recipe card in the amount you need. Or, substitute one packet of store-bought taco seasoning.
- Ground beef: If you choose a lean ground beef such as 90/10, you may not need to drain any fat. Fat is flavor!
- Brown sugar: Leave this out if it sounds weird to you.
- Yield: This recipe makes about 4 cups (1 quart) of delicious Beef Taco meat. That's enough for 4 servings, 1 cup of meat each, enough to make 3 or 4 tacos per person.
- Storage: Store leftovers covered in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
- Slow cooker: Sauté the onions in a skillet on the stove. Add the taco seasoning, garlic, and dried oregano. Add the ground beef and cook until almost done. Transfer the beef to the slow cooker and add the sauce, brown sugar, cider vinegar, and tomato sauce. Cover and cook on HIGH for 2-3 hours or on LOW for 6-7 hours.
Nutrition Information
Serving
1 cup meat
Calories
329kcal
(16%)
Carbohydrates
7g
(2%)
Protein
20g
(40%)
Fat
24g
(37%)
Saturated Fat
9g
(45%)
Polyunsaturated Fat
1g
(6%)
Monounsaturated Fat
11g
(55%)
Trans Fat
1g
(50%)
Cholesterol
81mg
(27%)
Sodium
114mg
(5%)
Potassium
432mg
(9%)
Fiber
2g
(8%)
Sugar
2g
(4%)
Vitamin A
850IU
(17%)
Vitamin C
3mg
(3%)
Calcium
56mg
(6%)
Iron
3mg
(17%)
Nutrition Facts
Serving: 4 servings (1 cup each)
Amount Per Serving
Calories 329
% Daily Value*
| Serving | 1 cup meat | |
| Calories | 329kcal | 16% |
| Carbohydrates | 7g | 2% |
| Protein | 20g | 40% |
| Fat | 24g | 37% |
| Saturated Fat | 9g | 45% |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 1g | 6% |
| Monounsaturated Fat | 11g | 55% |
| Trans Fat | 1g | 50% |
| Cholesterol | 81mg | 27% |
| Sodium | 114mg | 5% |
| Potassium | 432mg | 9% |
| Fiber | 2g | 8% |
| Sugar | 2g | 4% |
| Vitamin A | 850IU | 17% |
| Vitamin C | 3mg | 3% |
| Calcium | 56mg | 6% |
| Iron | 3mg | 17% |
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.