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February 9, 2019

Ground Beef Tacos

Name: Ground Beef Taco Recipe
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 15 min
Total time: 30 min
Ingredients: 2 lbs ground beef chuck (10% to 20% fat); 20 oz Rotel Tomatoes with Green Chilis ((Two 10 oz cans with their juice)); 1 tsp chili powder (plus more for serving); 1 tsp kosher salt (or to taste); 20 yellow corn tortillas ((small) or Hard Taco Shells); 1/2 iceberg lettuce (shredded); 2/3 cup sour cream (for topping); 2 limes (cut into wedges); 1/4 bunch Cilantro sprigs (to serve)

Our go-to Beef Taco Recipe with the juiciest ground beef taco meat. Beef tacos are perfect for easy entertaining or busy weeknights and they always get rave reviews!

We love taco parties and usually go between these ground beef tacos or our famous fish tacos. You can prep the taco meat and toppings in advance then everyone builds their own tacos. Talk about stress free entertaining.

beef tacos on a platter with mango salsa topping and lime wedges

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If you are looking to feed a smaller crowd, you can easily cut all of the ingredients in half and the taco meat will cook even faster. You can also make the full batch and freeze leftovers for a future dinner. If you want to really take these to the next level, make sure you try our easy Homemade Hard Taco Shells.

What Makes These the BEST Beef Tacos?

It is all in the ground beef taco meat and this recipe does not disappoint. These beef tacos are:

EASY
Only 4 ingredients
a 1-Pan recipe
15 minutes cooking time

What Kind of Ground Beef for Tacos?

You want to use ground beef with a fat content between 80-90% – nothing overly lean or fatty. If you do have a fattier beef on hand, no worries, you can spoon out the excess fat from the pan before adding the tomatoes.

Ground beef taco meat ingredients with ground beef, rotel tomatoes and seasonings

How to Make Ground Beef Tacos:

The beef taco meat comes together in 1 pan in about 15 minutes. You end up with tender juicy and perfectly seasoned beef.

1. Heat a large non-stick skillet over med-high heat, add the beef and cook 5 minutes, or until no longer pink, skim off excess fat if desired.

How to make ground beef for tacos in a skillet

2. Add Rotel tomatoes, 1 tsp chili powder and 1 tsp salt. Cook until beef is fully cooked and and most of the tomato liquid has evaporated (7 to 10 minutes).

Adding rotel tomatoes and seasonings to ground beef taco meat

Taco Toppings for Beef Tacos:

Ground beef tacos are so versatile for any kind of toppings. We love serving these with Mango Salsa (as seen in the photos), but you can make your Taco Tuesdays exciting with these taco toppings:

Shredded iceberg lettuce
Sour cream
Limes cut into wedges
Cilantro sprigs
Sliced jalapeños (fresh or canned)
Sliced avocado
Diced tomatoes
Sliced green onion or diced red onion
Corn Tortillas – or Homemade Hard Taco Shells

Taco bar toppings with salsa, lime wedges, sour cream, lettuce and soft corn tortillas

How to Toast Tortillas for Tacos:

Soft Corn tortillas should be toasted just before serving to keep them fresh and warm. Toast only as many as you need. Always use dry skillet (no oil required) and do not overheat or tortillas will become dry.

Heat a large non-stick pan or griddle over medium/high heat.
Place tortillas in a single layer and toast 15-30 seconds on each side just until hot and barely starting to turn golden.
Remove to a plate and wrap loosely with foil to keep warm.

How to toast tortillas on a dry skillet

These beef tacos are so fresh, hearty and satisfying. Try these for your next taco party!

Throw a beef taco PARTY! These juicy beef tacos are loaded and topped with mango salsa. Beef tacos are fun to serve and eat. Fresh, healthy and satisfying! | natashaskitchen.com

More Taco Recipes for Taco Tuesday:

Fish Tacos with the best fish taco sauce!
Korean Beef Bulgogi Tacos – incredible flavor here
Shrimp Tacos with Coleslaw – a restaurant copycat
Slow Cooker Chicken Tacos – easy weeknight dinner

Ground Beef Taco Recipe

5 from 64 votes

Author: Natasha of NatashasKitchen.com

Beef Tacos with the juiciest ground beef taco meat. These are perfect for easy entertaining or busy weeknights and they always get rave reviews! We serve these topped with mango avocado salsa.

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Prep Time: 15

Cook Time: 15

Total Time: 30

Ingredients

Servings: small tacos

For the Beef Mixture:

2 lbs ground beef chuck, 10% to 20% fat
20 oz Rotel Tomatoes with Green Chilis, (Two 10 oz cans with their juice)
1 tsp chili powder, plus more for serving
1 tsp kosher salt, or to taste

To Serve Beef Tacos:

20 yellow corn tortillas, (small) or Hard Taco Shells
1/2 iceberg lettuce, shredded
2/3 cup sour cream, for topping
2 limes , cut into wedges
1/4 bunch Cilantro sprigs, to serve

Instructions

Heat a large non-stick skillet over med-high heat. Add 2 lbs ground beef and cook, stirring occasionally until cooked through (5 minutes). Use a spoon to skim off and discard most of the excess fat, leaving about 2-3 Tbsp in the pan.
Add 2 cans of tomatoes, 1 tsp chili powder and 1 tsp salt. Continue to cook until beef is fully cooked and sauce slightly reduced and most of the tomato liquid has evaporated (7 to 10 minutes).
Before serving, on a dry large non-stick pan over medium/high heat, toast both sides of tortillas just until hot and barely starting to turn golden (15-30 seconds per side). Remove to a plate and cover loosely with foil to keep warm.
To serve, place a heaping spoonful of beef over each tortilla, top with lettuce, mango salsa, sprigs of cilantro, sour cream and a sprinkle of chili powder if desired. Squeeze fresh lime juice just before eating.

Nutrition Per Serving

195kcal Calories14g Carbs9g Protein11g Fat4g Saturated Fat36mg Cholesterol171mg Sodium263mg Potassium2g Fiber1g Sugar200IU Vitamin A5mg Vitamin C51mg Calcium1.6mg Iron

Nutrition Facts

Ground Beef Taco Recipe

Amount per Serving

Calories

195

% Daily Value*

Fat

Saturated Fat

Cholesterol

Sodium

171

Potassium

263

Carbohydrates

Fiber

Sugar

Protein

Vitamin A

200

Vitamin C

Calcium

Iron

1.6

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

Course: Lunch, Main Course

Cuisine: American, Tex Mex

Keyword: beef taco recipe, beef tacos

Skill Level: Easy

Cost to Make: $18-$22

Calories: 195

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Easiest Taco Night Ever!

Here’s a secret sneaky tip for instant tacos with no cooking required: Use left-over meat from last night’s dinner. Use leftover meatloaf to make beef tacos or repurpose your Crockpot Pulled Chicken leftovers! Break up the meat and warm until just heated through then add them to your taco bar.

Throw a beef taco PARTY! These juicy beef tacos are loaded and topped with mango salsa. Beef tacos are fun to serve and eat. Fresh, healthy and satisfying! | natashaskitchen.com

Natasha Kravchuk

Welcome to my kitchen! I am Natasha, the blogger behind Natasha's Kitchen (since 2009). My husband and I run this blog together and share only our best, family approved and tested recipes with YOU. Thanks for stopping by! We are so happy you're here.