Beef Tacos Homemade Seasoning (Printable)
Juicy ground beef with bold homemade spices served in warm tortillas topped with fresh garnishes.
# 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 - 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
07 - 1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes (optional)
08 - 1 teaspoon fine sea salt
09 - 1/2 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 - 1/3 cup water
→ For Serving
16 - 8 small corn or flour tortillas, warmed
17 - 1 cup shredded lettuce
18 - 1 cup diced tomatoes
19 - 1/2 cup shredded cheddar cheese
20 - 1/4 cup sour cream
21 - 1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro
22 - Lime wedges
# How-To Steps:
01 - Combine chili powder, ground cumin, paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, dried oregano, crushed red pepper flakes, sea salt, and black pepper in a small bowl until evenly mixed.
02 - Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat; add diced onion and cook for 2 to 3 minutes until softened.
03 - Stir in minced garlic and cook for 30 seconds until aromatic.
04 - Add ground beef to the skillet, breaking it apart with a spoon. Cook 5 to 7 minutes until browned and cooked through. Drain excess fat if needed.
05 - Mix in tomato paste and prepared seasoning blend; cook for 1 minute to meld flavors.
06 - Stir in water, combine thoroughly, and simmer for 2 to 3 minutes until thickened. Adjust seasoning as preferred.
07 - Heat tortillas in a dry skillet or microwave until pliable and warm.
08 - Fill tortillas with beef mixture; top with shredded lettuce, diced tomatoes, cheddar cheese, sour cream, chopped cilantro, and a squeeze of lime juice.
# Expert Advice:
01 -
- Homemade seasoning tastes nothing like those packet mixes and costs less too.
- The whole thing comes together in 30 minutes, making it perfect for busy weeknights.
- Ground beef browns beautifully and soaks up every bit of that bold spice blend.
02 -
- Don't skip draining excess fat from the beef—it prevents the filling from becoming greasy and lets the spices shine.
- Freshly made taco seasoning tastes exponentially better than anything from a packet, and you control exactly how spicy it gets.
03 -
- Make your seasoning blend in bulk and store it in an airtight container—you'll use it constantly and always have restaurant-quality tacos ready to go.
- If you want softer, more pliable tortillas, wrap them in a damp kitchen towel while they warm instead of heating them individually.