Description
This Old School Beef Taco recipe features a classic, flavorful ground beef filling seasoned with a homemade blend of spices, served in crispy taco shells or soft tortillas. Topped with shredded cheese, fresh lettuce, tomatoes, onions, and your favorite sauces, it’s a perfect, customizable meal that brings nostalgic taco night vibes to your table.
Ingredients
Scale
Beef Tacos:
- 1 tbsp oil
- 2 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 onion, finely chopped
- 500 g / 1 lb ground beef
- 2 tbsp tomato paste
- 1/4 cup / 65 ml water
Homemade Taco Seasoning:
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp onion powder
- 1 tsp dried oregano
- 2 tsp cumin powder
- 2 tsp paprika
- 1/4 tsp cayenne pepper (optional, adjust to taste)
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/4 tsp black pepper
Taco Shells and Toppings:
- 10 to 12 crispy taco shells (“stand and stuff”) OR soft tortillas of choice
- Shredded cheese (cheddar or preferred kind)
- Shredded iceberg lettuce
- 2 tomatoes, chopped
- 1/2 red or white onion, chopped
- Sour cream
- Taco sauce (optional)
- Additional toppings: coriander/cilantro, jalapeño, hot sauce/chilli sauce, pickled chillies, salsa sauce, pico de gallo
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 180°C (350°F) to prepare for optionally baking the assembled tacos to melt the cheese and crisp the shells.
- Cook Aromatics: Heat 1 tablespoon of oil in a large skillet over high heat. Add the minced garlic and finely chopped onion, cooking for about 2 minutes or until they turn golden and fragrant.
- Brown the Beef: Add the ground beef to the skillet. Cook for 2 minutes, breaking the meat apart with a spoon as it changes color from red to light brown.
- Season the Meat: Sprinkle the homemade taco seasoning evenly over the beef mixture. Continue cooking for 2 minutes, stirring well to ensure the beef is thoroughly cooked and coated with the spices.
- Add Tomato Paste and Water: Stir in 2 tablespoons of tomato paste and 1/4 cup (65 ml) of water. Cook for about 1 minute until the water evaporates, leaving a moist but not watery beef filling.
- Assemble Tacos: If using crispy taco shells, place them in a baking pan that fits them snugly. Fill each shell with the prepared beef mixture, then top generously with shredded cheese.
- Bake (Optional): Bake the assembled tacos in the oven for 5 to 7 minutes until the cheese melts completely and the taco shells become extra crispy.
- Serve: Serve the tacos hot straight from the oven or with soft tortillas if preferred. Arrange the shredded lettuce, chopped tomatoes, onions, sour cream, taco sauce, and other desired toppings on the table for everyone to customize their own tacos.
Notes
- For softer tacos, substitute the crispy taco shells with warm soft tortillas of your choice.
- Ground beef can be substituted with ground turkey or plant-based mince for variation.
- Use your favorite cheese, such as cheddar, Monterey Jack, or a Mexican blend for topping.
- Adjust the cayenne pepper or omit it entirely to control the spiciness of the beef filling.
- Leftover beef filling can be refrigerated in an airtight container up to 3 days or frozen for up to 2 months.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Mexican
Keywords: beef tacos, classic taco recipe, homemade taco seasoning, ground beef tacos, easy Mexican dinner
