30-Minute Ground Beef Tacos Recipe
These 30-Minute Ground Beef Tacos offer a flavorful, easy-to-make meal featuring a perfectly seasoned beef filling combined with fresh pico de gallo, served in warm soft tortillas with classic toppings like shredded lettuce, cheese, and sour cream. Ideal for a quick weeknight dinner packed with bold Mexican-inspired flavors.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 12 tacos 1x
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Mexican
Ingredients
Scale
Taco Seasoning
- 1 tbsp chili powder (up to 2 tbsp depending on preference for heat)
- 1 tbsp cumin
- 1 tbsp cornstarch
- 2 tsp paprika
- 2 tsp kosher salt
- 1 tsp ground pepper
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp coriander
- ¼ tsp oregano
- ¼ tsp red pepper flakes
Pico de Gallo
- 2 roma tomatoes (diced to ½” – about 1 cup)
- ½ small white onion (diced to ½” – about ½ cup)
- ¼ cup fresh cilantro (chopped)
- 1 tbsp lime juice
- ½ tsp kosher salt
- ½ tsp ground pepper
Ground Beef Filling
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1 medium yellow onion (finely chopped to ¼”)
- 1 lb ground beef (80-90% lean)
- 3 tbsp tomato paste
- 1 cup beef broth
To Serve
- 12 soft corn tortillas (or flour tortillas)
- ¾ cup shredded cheddar jack cheese (or cheddar cheese)
- ¼ head iceberg lettuce (shredded)
- ⅓ cup sour cream
Instructions
- Make the taco seasoning: Combine all taco seasoning ingredients (chili powder, cumin, cornstarch, paprika, kosher salt, ground pepper, garlic powder, coriander, oregano, and red pepper flakes) in a small bowl or lidded jar. Stir or shake vigorously until well combined to create a balanced and flavorful spice blend.
- Prepare tomato paste mixture: In a small bowl or measuring cup, combine beef broth and tomato paste, whisking until very smooth and homogeneous. This will be added to the beef mixture later to create a rich sauce.
- Make the pico de gallo: Mix diced roma tomatoes, diced white onion, chopped cilantro, lime juice, kosher salt, and ground pepper in a bowl. Stir until ingredients are well combined. Taste and adjust seasoning with additional lime juice, salt, or pepper to enhance the fresh flavors. Place pico de gallo in the refrigerator to marinate while you cook the beef filling.
- Cook the aromatics: Heat a 10-inch skillet over medium-high heat. Add olive oil and heat until it shimmers. Add the finely chopped yellow onion and cook, stirring occasionally, until soft and fragrant, about 5 minutes.
- Brown the ground beef: Add ground beef to the skillet with onions. Cook, breaking up the meat with a wooden spoon, until browned and onions are translucent with caramelized edges, approximately 7 to 8 minutes.
- Add the taco seasoning: Stir the entire batch of prepared taco seasoning into the skillet, mixing thoroughly to coat the beef and onions. Cook for 2 to 3 minutes, stirring frequently, until the mixture is very fragrant and seasoning is fully incorporated.
- Simmer with tomato broth: Pour in the tomato paste and beef broth mixture. Stir well to combine. Reduce heat to a simmer and cook, stirring occasionally, until the liquid is absorbed and the sauce thickens, about 5 minutes.
- Serve the tacos: Warm the tortillas just before serving. Spoon the seasoned ground beef filling onto each tortilla. Top with shredded lettuce, shredded cheddar jack cheese, a dollop of sour cream, and fresh pico de gallo. Serve immediately and enjoy your flavorful homemade tacos!
Notes
- Adjust chili powder amount based on your preferred spice level, up to 2 tablespoons for more heat.
- Using cornstarch in the seasoning helps thicken the sauce slightly during simmering.
- Soft corn tortillas are traditional, but flour tortillas can be substituted based on preference.
- For extra freshness, prepare pico de gallo a few hours ahead to allow the flavors to meld.
- Make sure to warm tortillas before assembling tacos to enhance texture and flavor.
Keywords: ground beef tacos, easy beef tacos, quick taco recipe, Mexican dinner, weeknight tacos, taco seasoning, pico de gallo, soft tortillas
Find it online: https://kitchenbyclara.com/30-minute-ground-beef-tacos-recipe/
