This type of taco is an American Tex-Mex tradition. We've taken our love of our southern neighbor and turned it into a cheap-to-eat favorite across the United States. Our version features a flavorful ground beef that uses a house-made blend of taco seasoning spices. Don't worry, you can still use a seasoning packet if you need to. We kick it up a notch with onions and cook our spices with the beef for maximum flavor. We finish it off with salsa to create an extra layer of flavor.
Want the taste of ground beef tacos without the tacos? try us Delicious Taco Casseroleor us The Ultimate Nacho Recipe.
Why you'll love this recipe
- Uses a homemade spice mix, but still works with a taco seasoning packet.
- We add salsa to the ground beef filling to create even more flavor.
- Ready in 30 minutes and one of the most affordable tacos ever.
This recipe is easy to start with ground beef. There are plenty of options for fat ratio, but we find the sweet spot in one of the most affordable options: your standard 80/20 mix, also known as ground chalk. Lean alternatives can always be used, but will result in a slightly more dry ground beef filling. The salsa in this recipe can help add extra moisture to offset this.
Material notes
- Beef on the bottom: Using 80/20 or ground beef with a fat content will give you the best results.
- Onions: Yellow or white onions work best for cooking. You can also skip the onion if you want.
- Spices: Our homemade mix is equivalent to 1 packet of taco seasoning or 2 tablespoons from a jar of taco seasoning.
- Salsa: Use a restaurant-style salsa that's either homemade or store-bought.
- Tortillas: Can use 8 inch flour or corn tortillas based on personal preference.
Storage and reheating instructions
Reserve the remaining beef Fill an airtight container in the refrigerator separately from all other ingredients. The USDA recommends Cooked beef can be consumed within 3 to 4 days.
to coagulate, Ground beef should be fully cooked. Store in an airtight container or resealable freezer bag for up to 4 months. Thaw overnight in refrigerator when ready to eat.
Reheat In a skillet on the stove over medium heat, or in the microwave in 30-second increments.
Tips from Chef Cayt
- The fat content of your ground beef has flavor.
- Adding your spices while cooking the ground beef leaves the oil in the spices where you get the most flavor. Seasoning it at the end doesn't allow for the same development of flavor layers.
