25-Minute Ground Beef Tacos
A quick, flavorful recipe for lean ground beef tacos seasoned with a homemade blend of spices and tomato paste, served with fresh toppings. Ideal for family dinners or meal prep.
Equipment
- 1 Nonstick Skillet
- Measuring Spoons (set)
- 1 Wooden spoon
- 1 Cutting board
- 1 Pair of tongs
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 pound lean ground beef
- 2 teaspoons chili powder
- 2 teaspoons ground cumin
- ½ teaspoon dried oregano
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon ground black pepper
- 2 tablespoons tomato paste
- ½ cup water
For serving:
- 8 corn or flour tortillas
- Finely chopped lettuce
- Shredded Mexican cheese blend or cheddar cheese
- Diced tomatoes
- Chopped red onions
Instructions
- Heat the Oil: Place a large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat and add the olive oil. Allow it to warm until shimmering.
- Brown the Beef: Add the ground beef to the skillet.Cook it uncovered, breaking it apart with a wooden spoon, stirring occasionally until fully browned and no longer pink, about 5 to 7 minutes. Drain excess fat if necessary.
- Add Seasonings and Tomato Paste: Sprinkle in chili powder, cumin, oregano, garlic powder, salt, and pepper. Stir well to evenly coat the beef with spices. Add the tomato paste and mix thoroughly.
- Simmer with Water: Pour in ½ cup of water and stir to combine. Reduce the heat to medium-low and let the mixture simmer, stirring occasionally, until the sauce thickens and clings to the beef, approximately 3 to 5 minutes.
- Serve and Assemble: Warm your tortillas. Spoon the seasoned beef onto each tortilla and top with chopped lettuce, tomatoes, cheese, and red onions or your favorite toppings. Serve immediately.
Notes
- Storage: Keep leftover taco meat in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. Reheat gently on the stovetop with a splash of water to maintain moisture.
- Freezing: Once cooled, freeze the taco meat in freezer-safe bags or containers for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating.
- Ingredient Swaps: If you don’t have tomato paste, substitute with an equal amount of tomato sauce for a slightly thinner sauce. Paprika can replace chili powder if you prefer a milder spice.
- Toppings: Feel free to customize with avocado slices, sour cream, salsa, or jalapeños for extra flavor and texture.
- Tortilla Tips: For softer tortillas, warm them wrapped in a damp paper towel in the microwave for 20-30 seconds before serving.
