Beef Tacos Homemade Seasoning (Printable Version)

Tender beef seasoned with vibrant spices, served in warm tortillas with fresh toppings for a flavorful meal.

# What You'll Need:

→ Homemade Taco Seasoning

01 - 1 tablespoon chili powder
02 - 1 teaspoon ground cumin
03 - 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
04 - 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
05 - 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
06 - 1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
07 - 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
08 - 1/2 teaspoon salt
09 - 1/4 teaspoon black pepper

→ Beef Filling

10 - 1 pound ground beef (80/20 or 85/15 ratio)
11 - 1 small yellow onion, finely diced
12 - 2 cloves garlic, minced
13 - 1/3 cup water
14 - 1 tablespoon tomato paste

→ Tacos & Toppings

15 - 8 small flour or corn tortillas
16 - 1 cup shredded lettuce
17 - 1 cup diced tomatoes
18 - 1/2 cup shredded cheddar or Monterey Jack cheese
19 - 1/4 cup sour cream
20 - 1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro
21 - 1 small avocado, sliced
22 - Lime wedges

# How to Make It:

01 - Combine chili powder, cumin, smoked paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, red pepper flakes, oregano, salt, and black pepper in a small bowl. Mix thoroughly and set aside.
02 - Heat a large skillet over medium heat. Add ground beef and diced onion, breaking up meat with a wooden spoon. Cook until beef is browned and onion is softened, approximately 6 to 8 minutes. Drain excess fat if needed.
03 - Stir in minced garlic and sauté for 1 minute until fragrant, being careful not to burn it.
04 - Add the prepared taco seasoning blend, tomato paste, and water to the skillet. Stir well to coat the beef evenly with spices.
05 - Reduce heat to low and simmer for 3 to 4 minutes, stirring occasionally. Allow most of the liquid to be absorbed until the beef is thoroughly seasoned and slightly thickened.
06 - Warm tortillas in a dry skillet over medium heat for 30 seconds per side or microwave wrapped in damp paper towels for 20 seconds.
07 - Fill each warmed tortilla with seasoned beef mixture. Top with lettuce, tomatoes, cheese, sour cream, cilantro, and avocado slices as desired. Serve immediately with lime wedges on the side.

# Expert Tips:

01 -
  • The homemade seasoning takes literally two minutes to whisk together and transforms ordinary ground beef into something that tastes like it came from a Mexican restaurant
  • You probably already have everything in your pantry right now, no special grocery run required
  • The beef filling freezes beautifully, so you can double the batch and have taco Tuesdays ready for weeks
02 -
  • Dont drain the fat after browning the beef unless its excessive, that fat carries flavor and helps the seasoning stick
  • The beef mixture actually tastes better if it sits for a few minutes off the heat, giving the spices time to settle in
  • Warm your tortillas properly, a cold tortilla can make even the best filling taste disappointing
03 -
  • Let the seasoning mixture sit for at least a week before using, the flavors meld together beautifully
  • A pinch of cinnamon in the seasoning blend adds warmth that most people cant identify but everyone notices

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