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Best Easy Quick Beef Tacos with Homemade Seasoning

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These quick beef tacos with homemade seasoning are fast, forgiving, and deeply satisfying. Perfect for busy weeknights, they come together in under 20 minutes with simple pantry ingredients.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 tablespoon chili powder
  • 1 teaspoon ground cumin
  • 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
  • 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
  • Pinch of cayenne pepper (optional)
  • 1 pound ground beef (85/15)
  • 1/2 cup water
  • 8 small corn or flour tortillas
  • 1/2 cup shredded lettuce
  • 1/2 cup diced tomatoes
  • 1/2 cup shredded cheddar or Mexican blend cheese
  • 1/4 cup sour cream
  • Fresh cilantro, chopped
  • Lime wedges

Instructions

  1. Make the seasoning: In a small bowl, combine chili powder, cumin, smoked paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, oregano, salt, pepper, and cayenne if using. Stir with a fork to break up any clumps. Set aside.
  2. Brown the beef: Place a large skillet over medium-high heat and add the ground beef. Break it up with a wooden spoon as it cooks. Let it sit for a minute or two without stirring to get a nice brown crust. Cook for about 5-6 minutes until no longer pink. If there’s a lot of fat, spoon most of it out, leaving about a tablespoon for flavor.
  3. Add the seasoning: Sprinkle the homemade seasoning over the cooked beef. Stir well to coat every piece. Then pour in the 1/2 cup of water and stir again. Let it simmer for 2-3 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the liquid thickens into a light sauce.
  4. Warm the tortillas: While the beef simmers, heat a dry skillet or comal over medium heat. Warm each tortilla for about 30 seconds per side until they’re soft and slightly charred in spots. Stack them on a plate and cover with a clean kitchen towel to keep warm.
  5. Prep your toppings: Shred the lettuce, dice the tomatoes, grate the cheese, and chop the cilantro. Arrange everything in small bowls.
  6. Assemble and serve: Spoon the seasoned beef into the warm tortillas. Top with lettuce, tomatoes, cheese, sour cream, and a squeeze of fresh lime. Sprinkle cilantro on top and serve immediately.

Notes

Don’t skip the water step—it helps the seasoning dissolve evenly and creates a little sauce that coats the meat beautifully. For extra flavor, try blooming the seasoning in the pan before adding water. The beef can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 4 days or frozen for up to 3 months.

Nutrition

Keywords: beef tacos, quick tacos, homemade taco seasoning, easy dinner, weeknight dinner, ground beef tacos

Find it online: https://breezybake.com/best-easy-quick-beef-tacos-with-homemade-seasoning/