Ground Beef Tacos

When Taco Tuesday rolls around, these ground beef tacos are what we make most often. It’s the classic taco recipe that our family has been making for generations!

Ingredients for Easy Ground Beef Tacos

• Ground Beef – I usually go for a semi-lean ground beef, like 85/15. Any leaner and the meat might be dry. You can also use ground turkey or a plant-based meat substitute like Impossible Beef or Beyond Beef.
• Taco Seasoning – I usually opt for homemade taco seasoning, but you can absolutely use store-bought taco seasoning packets. You can use the seasoning in the recipe below, or our Homemade Taco Seasoning recipe.
• Water – The water mixes with the cornstarch in the taco seasoning to create a delicious sauce that coats the ground beef and helps to bind everything together. You can also use beef broth or chicken broth for extra flavor.
• Taco Shells – You can use crunchy corn tortillas or shells or you can use soft flour tortillas. You can also use green leaf lettuce as a low-carb tortilla shell!

Topping Ideas

You can never go wrong with the classic toppings to tacos like shredded lettuce, cheese, and tomatoes or some pico de gallo. I also love adding fresh cilantro, avocado, and diced red onions. My husband likes adding chopped jalapeños and a dollop of sour cream. My kids like adding a scoop of corn as one of their toppings, which I have to admit, is actually delicious! You can always add some fresh guacamole, taco sauce, or some salsa over the top too!

Expert Tips:

Bulk it up: I know this might sound weird but if I need to bulk up my taco meat, I will add a can of chili or pinto beans (drained, but not rinsed). It actually gives the beef a nice texture and makes it so a lot further!

Sneak in some veggies: This is one of my favorite secrets ever to sneak in veggies for my kids. Add some chopped onion and/or a shredded zucchini to the mix! Just toss it in right when you start browning the beef. If you add zucchini it will release some water so you can reduce the water amount to ½ cup. The zucchini especially soaks up the flavor or the meat and you can’t even tell it’s there. You can also try adding finely chopped mushrooms or shredded carrot!

Break the meat up finely: Use a potato masher or wooden spoon while browning the beef to create small, even crumbles. This gives you that classic taco texture and helps the seasoning coat every bite.

Warm the taco shells first: Bake hard taco shells at 350 degrees F for 3-5 minutes before filling. They will be crispier, sturdier, and taste much fresher.

Don’t overload the shells: A few tablespoons of meat plus toppings is usually plenty. Overfilling can cause taco shells to crack and fall apart.

Frequently Asked Questions

More Recipes Using Mexican Ground Beef

30 Minute Meals

Walking Tacos Recipe

Casserole Recipes

Mexican Cornbread Casserole

Dinner

Mexican Lasagna

30 Minute Meals

Mexican Beef and Rice Skillet

More Taco Recipes

Chicken

• Grilled Chicken Tacos with Bacon – Grilled Chicken Tacos with Bacon are a delicious fusion of two of our favorite Summer dishes. The bacon crunch in each bite also takes chicken tacos to a new level!
• Easy Chicken Tacos – Easy Chicken Tacos are a simple and flavorful way to get dinner on the table quickly! Tender chicken, taco spices and also topped with garden fresh ingredients, this is the perfect summertime supper!
• Chipotle’s Crispy Chicken Tacos – Chipotle tacos are perhaps one of the most craveable foods on this planet! Whether you have been to Chipotle or not, now you can enjoy Chipotle’s Crispy Tacos whenever you want.

Beef

• Walking Tacos – Walking Tacos, Tacos in a Bag, Locos, Walking Tacos, Tacos in a Bag, Locos Tacos – whatever you call them, they’re the best meal for camping, reunions, and block parties. Also, walking tacos are cheap and tasty, with the easiest clean-up ever—no plates required!
• Birria Tacos – Birria tacos (also known as quesabirria tacos) are a traditional Mexican dish that are all the rage right now. After just one bite of these savory tacos you will see why!
• Grilled Steak Street Tacos – Grilled Steak Street Tacos are bursting with flavor. Tender steak combined with simple ingredients wrapped in corn or flour tortillas. Taco Tuesday can’t come soon enough!

Fish

• Grilled Mahi Mahi Tacos – Grilled Mahi Mahi Tacos are a light and fresh summertime supper. Flaky fish, a perfect blend of spices, and also all your favorite toppings make these fish tacos a family favorite! 
• Easy Shrimp Tacos – These Shrimp Tacos are piled high with tasty, plump shrimp, homemade slaw and also tangy cilantro dressing layered in warm corn tortillas. A healthy, easy summer supper or the perfect party food!
• Thai Fish Tacos – Jazz up your typical fish tacos and get your Thai fix all at once with these Thai Fish Tacos. A super easy and delicious meal, ready in less than 30 minutes!
• Halibut Tacos – Halibut Tacos, with flaky halibut fish on a corn tortilla topped with crunchy cabbage, cilantro dressing, and also a squirt of lime, make a healthy and flavorful dish!
• Spicy Shrimp Tacos – This Spicy Shrimp Taco Recipe makes the best meal or snack. Tender bite-size shrimp, crunchy cabbage and spicy sauce comes together in just minutes and disappears even faster!
• Easy Fish Tacos – These Easy Fish Tacos are fantastic! Make these for a great weeknight meal when you don’t have a whole lot of time to prepare dinner. The entire family will love them.

Other

• Breakfast Tacos – These tex-mex style breakfast tacos are filled with sausage, bacon and eggs and perfect for breakfast, brunch, or even dinner!
• Sweet Potato Tacos – These Sweet Potato Tacos taste so yummy and they couldn’t be easier to make. You will love the black bean filling and the fresh, flavorful toppings.
• Kalua Pork Tacos – These Kalua Pork Tacos with Fresh Mango Salsa are loaded with juicy smokey flavored shredded pork and topped with fresh mango and avocado.
• Black Bean Tacos – These crispy Black Bean Tacos are an easy weeknight dinner that your whole family will love. They taste amazing dipped in salsa or guacamole.