Beef Tacos Homemade Seasoning (Printable)
Juicy ground beef with bold spices in warm tortillas topped with fresh garnishes and cheese.
# What You'll Need:
→ Taco Seasoning
01 - 1 tablespoon chili powder
02 - 1 teaspoon ground cumin
03 - 1 teaspoon paprika
04 - 1 teaspoon garlic powder
05 - 1 teaspoon onion powder
06 - ½ teaspoon dried oregano
07 - ½ teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes (optional)
08 - 1 teaspoon fine sea salt
09 - ½ teaspoon ground black pepper
→ Beef Filling
10 - 1 tablespoon olive oil
11 - 1 small onion, finely diced
12 - 2 cloves garlic, minced
13 - 1 pound ground beef
14 - 2 tablespoons tomato paste
15 - ⅓ cup water
→ For Serving
16 - 8 small corn or flour tortillas, warmed
17 - 1 cup shredded lettuce
18 - 1 cup diced tomatoes
19 - ½ cup shredded cheddar cheese
20 - ¼ cup sour cream
21 - ¼ cup chopped fresh cilantro
22 - Lime wedges
# How-To Steps:
01 - Combine all taco seasoning ingredients in a small bowl until evenly mixed.
02 - Heat olive oil over medium heat in a large skillet. Add diced onion and cook for 2 to 3 minutes until softened.
03 - Stir in minced garlic and cook for 30 seconds until fragrant.
04 - Add ground beef and cook, breaking it up with a spoon, until fully browned, about 5 to 7 minutes. Drain excess fat if needed.
05 - Mix in tomato paste and prepared seasoning. Cook for 1 minute to blend flavors.
06 - Add water, stir well, and simmer for 2 to 3 minutes until thickened. Adjust seasoning if necessary.
07 - Heat tortillas in a dry skillet or microwave until pliable and warm.
08 - Fill tortillas with beef mixture and top with shredded lettuce, diced tomatoes, cheddar cheese, sour cream, chopped cilantro, and lime wedges.
# Expert Advice:
01 -
- Homemade taco seasoning tastes miles better than the packet version and costs almost nothing.
- The whole meal comes together in 30 minutes, making it perfect for nights when you're hungry but short on time.
- Ground beef stretches further when it's coated in this bold spice blend, so even a small amount feels generous.
02 -
- Don't skip browning the onions first; it takes just a few minutes and creates a sweetness that balances the spices.
- If your seasoning blend sits in the pantry for months, the flavors mute—mix a fresh batch when it looks dull.
- A squeeze of lime at the end transforms everything, adding brightness that ties all the flavors together.
03 -
- Toast your spices in a dry pan for 30 seconds before mixing them if you want an even deeper, roasted flavor.
- If ground beef is your only option and it's very lean, add a tablespoon of water to the seasoning mixture to prevent it from drying out.