Beef Tacos Homemade Seasoning (Printable version)
Savory ground beef seasoned with bold spices, wrapped in warm tortillas and fresh toppings.
# Ingredient List:
→ 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 Make It:
01 - Combine all seasoning ingredients in a small bowl and mix thoroughly. Set aside.
02 - Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add finely 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 to the skillet, breaking it up with a spoon. Cook until browned and fully cooked, about 5 to 7 minutes. Drain excess fat if necessary.
05 - Stir in tomato paste and the prepared taco seasoning. Cook for 1 minute to combine flavors.
06 - Pour in water, stir well, and simmer the mixture for 2 to 3 minutes until thickened. Adjust seasoning as needed.
07 - Heat tortillas in a dry skillet or microwave until warm and pliable.
08 - Fill each tortilla with beef mixture and top with shredded lettuce, diced tomatoes, cheddar cheese, sour cream, chopped cilantro, and a squeeze of lime.
# Expert Suggestions:
01 -
- The homemade seasoning tastes fresher and more vibrant than anything premade, and you control exactly how spicy it gets.
- It comes together faster than ordering delivery, with minimal cleanup and maximum flavor that feels intentional.
- Ground beef stretches further when it's this flavorful, making it genuinely economical for feeding a crowd.
02 -
- The seasoning blend is only as good as your spices—if something's been sitting in your cabinet for three years, replace it because stale spices taste like cardboard.
- Don't skip draining the fat after browning the beef; a little greasy taco is forgivable, but a puddle of it is just sad.
- Warming tortillas is not optional—cold ones won't bend properly and your dinner experience will suffer for no good reason.
03 -
- Brown the beef properly—the Maillard reaction is real and it's the entire reason these taste better than steamed beef, so don't rush it.
- Make your seasoning blend in batches and store it in a jar; it's cheaper than packets and you'll use it constantly once you start.