Ground Beef Tacos

Taco Tuesdays are one of those easy dinners everyone looks forward to, especially when you need something quick and satisfying. They are simple to make, budget-friendly, and versatile enough to customize for the whole family. Perfect for busy weeknights, meal prep, or turning leftovers into taco bowls, nachos, or burritos.

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Why you’ll love these ground beef tacos

• Quick and easy, ready in about 20 minutes
• Budget-friendly using simple pantry ingredients
• Easy to customize with your favorite toppings
• Great for leftovers and meal prep

Ingredients

Here’s a list of what you need:

• Ground beef – Provides the hearty base of the tacos, we like to use a lean beef for this
• Taco seasoning mix – Adds classic Tex-Mex flavor
• Olive oil – Helps cook the beef evenly
• Onion – Adds sweetness and depth
• Cilantro – Brings freshness and brightness
• Tomato purée – Adds moisture and richness
• Flour tortillas – Holds the filling together
• Lettuce – Adds crunch and freshness
• Red cabbage – Adds texture and color
• Cherry tomatoes – Brings acidity and sweetness
• Sweet corn – Adds pops of sweetness
• Guacamole – Adds creaminess
• Lime – Brightens the flavors
• Cheddar cheese – Adds richness and melt

How to Make Tacos with Ground Beef

1. In a large bowl, mix the beef with the taco seasoning mix.
2. Heat a large pan over medium-high heat with oil. Add beef to the pan and break it with a large wooden spatula by keeping some space in between them. Reduce the heat to medium. Let cook until the bottom is brown then flip.
3. Add onion, garlic, cilantro, and tomato purée and mix to combine.
4. Decrease the heat to medium-low, then cook for about 3-5 minutes while stirring occasionally.
5. Remove from heat.
6. Warm each tortilla in a nonstick skillet for about 10 seconds.
7. Start the filling by adding lettuce and red cabbage, then ground beef.
8. Place cooked ground beef on the lettuce and cabbage.
9. Top with cherry tomato, sweet corn, guacamole, lime, and sprinkle with cheddar cheese.
10. Serve immediately.

Variations and Substitutions

• Dairy-free: Skip cheese or use dairy-free alternatives
• Low carb: Use lettuce wraps or taco bowls
• Vegetarian: Substitute lentils, mushrooms, or plant-based meat

How to Store and Reheat Leftovers

• Refrigerator Storage: Store cooked taco meat in an airtight container for up to 3 days. Keep toppings separate.
• Reheating Method: Reheat in a skillet over medium heat with a small amount of broth or tomato purée to restore moisture.
• Freezer Storage: Freeze cooked taco meat in a sealed container for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight before reheating.

Love tacos and Mexican food? Try these recipes!

• Best Cheese Enchilada Recipe
• Chipotle Barbacoa
• Fresco Tacos
• Simple Taco Soup Recipe
• Sopapilla Mexican Dessert
• Taco Bell Crunchwrap
• Taco Ring
• Taco Sauce Recipe

Favorite Ground Beef Recipes

• Cornbread Casserole with Ground Beef
• Ground Beef Cabbage Rolls
• Ground Beef Casserole
• Tater Tot Casserole with Ground Beef
• Velveeta Cheese Dip with Ground Beef

Check out more easy Mexican food recipes and the best ground beef recipes here on CopyKat!