Beef Tacos with Homemade Seasoning (Print Version)
Flavorful ground beef tacos with zesty homemade spice blend and fresh salsa, wrapped in warm tortillas for a classic Mexican meal.
# What You Need:
→ Beef Filling
01 - 1 pound ground beef
02 - 1 tablespoon olive oil
03 - 1 small onion, finely chopped
04 - 2 cloves garlic, minced
→ Homemade Taco Seasoning
05 - 1½ teaspoons chili powder
06 - 1 teaspoon ground cumin
07 - ½ teaspoon smoked paprika
08 - ½ teaspoon dried oregano
09 - ½ teaspoon garlic powder
10 - ½ teaspoon onion powder
11 - ¼ teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
12 - ½ teaspoon salt
13 - ¼ teaspoon black pepper
→ Fresh Salsa
14 - 2 medium ripe tomatoes, diced
15 - ½ small red onion, finely chopped
16 - 1 small jalapeño, seeded and finely chopped
17 - 2 tablespoons fresh cilantro, chopped
18 - 1 tablespoon fresh lime juice
19 - ¼ teaspoon salt
→ To Serve
20 - 8 small corn or flour tortillas, warmed
21 - 1 cup shredded lettuce
22 - 1 cup shredded cheddar or Monterey Jack cheese
23 - ½ cup sour cream
24 - Lime wedges
# How to Make It:
01 - In a mixing bowl, combine diced tomatoes, red onion, jalapeño, cilantro, lime juice, and ¼ teaspoon salt. Toss gently and set aside to allow flavors to meld.
02 - In a small bowl, whisk together chili powder, ground cumin, smoked paprika, dried oregano, garlic powder, onion powder, crushed red pepper flakes, salt, and black pepper until well combined.
03 - Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add chopped onion and cook for 2 to 3 minutes until softened. Add minced garlic and cook for 30 seconds more.
04 - Add ground beef to the skillet. Cook, breaking it up with a spoon, until browned and cooked through, approximately 6 to 8 minutes. Drain excess fat if necessary.
05 - Sprinkle homemade seasoning over the beef and add 2 to 3 tablespoons water. Stir well and simmer for 2 minutes until beef is evenly coated and mixture achieves a slightly saucy consistency. Remove from heat.
06 - Fill each warm tortilla with seasoned beef. Top with fresh salsa, shredded lettuce, cheese, and a dollop of sour cream. Serve with lime wedges.
# Expert Hints:
01 -
- The homemade seasoning blend costs pennies to make but delivers restaurant-quality flavor that makes everyone think youve been cooking Mexican food all your life.
- These come together in just 35 minutes, perfect for those nights when youre tempted to order takeout but still want something that feels like a proper meal.
02 -
- Never skip the resting time for your salsa - those 15-20 minutes while you cook the beef allows the salt to draw out juices and the flavors to properly blend.
- Adding just 2-3 tablespoons of water to the seasoned beef creates the perfect consistency without making it soupy, a mistake I made for years before getting it right.
03 -
- Toast your spices in a dry pan for 30 seconds before mixing your seasoning blend to release their essential oils and intensify their flavors.
- If youre using corn tortillas, stack them between damp paper towels and microwave for 30 seconds before serving to make them pliable and prevent cracking.