Classic Mexican-Style Beef Tacos (Printable Version)

Seasoned ground beef with spices in soft or crunchy shells topped with fresh vegetables and cheese.

# What You'll Need:

→ Beef Filling

01 - 1 lb ground beef
02 - 1 small onion, finely chopped
03 - 2 cloves garlic, minced
04 - 2 tbsp tomato paste
05 - 2 tsp chili powder
06 - 1 tsp ground cumin
07 - 1 tsp smoked paprika
08 - 1/2 tsp dried oregano
09 - 1/2 tsp salt
10 - 1/4 tsp black pepper
11 - 1/3 cup water
12 - 1 tbsp olive oil

→ Taco Assembly

13 - 8 small taco shells (soft flour or crunchy corn tortillas)
14 - 1 cup iceberg lettuce, shredded
15 - 1 cup cheddar cheese, shredded
16 - 1 cup salsa
17 - 1 medium tomato, diced (optional)
18 - 1/2 cup sour cream (optional)
19 - Fresh cilantro, chopped (optional)
20 - Lime wedges (optional)

# How to Make It:

01 - Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the onion and cook for 2–3 minutes until softened. Add garlic and cook for 30 seconds until fragrant.
02 - Add ground beef and cook, breaking it up with a spatula, until browned and cooked through (about 5–7 minutes). Drain excess fat if needed.
03 - Stir in tomato paste, chili powder, cumin, smoked paprika, oregano, salt, and pepper. Mix well to coat the meat evenly.
04 - Pour in water and simmer for 2–3 minutes, until the mixture thickens slightly. Remove from heat.
05 - Warm taco shells according to package instructions until heated through.
06 - Fill each taco shell with a generous spoonful of the beef mixture. Top with lettuce, cheese, salsa, and optional toppings like tomato, sour cream, cilantro, and a squeeze of lime. Serve immediately.

# Expert Tips:

01 -
  • Ready in thirty minutes but tastes like it simmered all afternoon
  • The spice blend hits every comfort button without being overwhelming
  • Perfect for feeding a crowd or stretching leftovers into tomorrow lunch
02 -
  • Draining the beef after browning makes a lighter taco but I keep a little fat for flavor
  • The sauce needs those 2 to 3 minutes of simmering to thicken properly
  • Warm tortillas fold without cracking and hold everything together better
03 -
  • Mix the spices in a small bowl before adding to avoid clumps
  • Double the beef filling and freeze half for an emergency dinner
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