Beef Tacos with Homemade Seasoning (Printable)
Juicy seasoned beef in warm tortillas topped with fresh homemade salsa and classic fixings.
# What You Need:
→ Beef Filling
01 - 1.1 lb ground beef (80/20 fat ratio)
02 - 1 tablespoon olive oil
03 - 1 small onion, finely chopped
04 - 2 garlic cloves, minced
05 - 2 tablespoons tomato paste
06 - 1/2 cup beef broth or water
→ Homemade Taco Seasoning
07 - 1 tablespoon chili powder
08 - 1 teaspoon ground cumin
09 - 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
10 - 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
11 - 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
12 - 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
13 - 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper (optional)
14 - 1/2 teaspoon salt
15 - 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
→ Homemade Salsa
16 - 3 medium ripe tomatoes, diced
17 - 1/2 small red onion, finely chopped
18 - 1 jalapeño, seeded and minced
19 - 1/4 cup fresh cilantro, chopped
20 - Juice of 1 lime
21 - Salt and pepper, to taste
→ For Serving
22 - 8 small corn or flour tortillas (choose corn for gluten-free)
23 - 1 cup shredded lettuce
24 - 1 cup shredded cheddar or Monterey Jack cheese
25 - 1/2 cup sour cream
26 - 1 avocado, sliced
27 - Lime wedges
# How-To Steps:
01 - Combine tomatoes, red onion, jalapeño, cilantro, lime juice, salt, and pepper in a bowl. Mix well and allow flavors to meld.
02 - Whisk all seasoning ingredients together in a small bowl until evenly combined.
03 - Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Sauté onion until softened, about 2 minutes, then add garlic and cook 30 seconds. Add ground beef, breaking it up and cooking until browned and crumbly, about 5 to 6 minutes.
04 - Stir in tomato paste and prepared taco seasoning, tossing to coat. Pour in beef broth or water and simmer until liquid mostly evaporates and mixture thickens, about 3 to 4 minutes. Adjust seasoning to taste.
05 - Heat tortillas in a dry skillet or microwave until soft and pliable.
06 - Fill each tortilla with beef mixture, then top with salsa, shredded lettuce, cheese, sour cream, avocado slices, and a squeeze of lime.
07 - Serve immediately with extra salsa and lime wedges on the side.
# Helpful Tips:
01 -
- Everything is made from actual ingredients you can pronounce, and the taco seasoning stays good in your pantry forever.
- Homemade salsa tastes so much brighter than anything bottled—your guests always ask for the recipe.
- It comes together in under 40 minutes, which means weeknight dinners without the guilt of takeout.
02 -
- Letting the salsa sit before serving changes everything—the lime juice softens the tomatoes and the flavors meld in a way they never do if you rush.
- The 80/20 beef ratio is worth seeking out; leaner meat makes tough, dry tacos that no amount of seasoning fixes.
- Toasting your spices in a dry pan for 30 seconds before mixing them wakes them up, though it's optional if you're short on time.
03 -
- Brown the beef slowly and let it develop a little crust before you scramble it—those caramelized bits are where the deepest flavor lives.
- Don't skip the tomato paste; it's the secret that makes everything taste like you spent way more effort than you actually did.