This simple recipe for ground beef tacos makes an easy and delicious meal any time of the year! It’s one of our favorite go-to recipes when we need a quick last minute meal solution.
Who doesn’t love a good, juicy taco loaded with all sorts of your choice of favorite toppings? We are especially fond of tacos since visiting Mexico last year; even though ours don’t quite taste like theirs, here’s our version.
One cool thing about these simple ground beef tacos is – (do we even have to say it!? They’re delicious!) But also they are fully customizable, so you can use whatever you have in your refrigerator for toppings.
This meal is one we make fairly regularly when we need a simple meal idea on the final days before going on our main monthly grocery restock. For example, we aren’t planning to go grocery shopping for a few more days, so this was a great option for dinner since we have ground beef in the freezer. We also had some things, such as lettuce needing to be used, before going bad. (If you wish to learn more about us, click here.)
As the name suggests, simple ground beef tacos are incredibly easy to make, so this recipe is perfect for beginners!
Supplies You May Need
- Large (preferably non-stick) skillet or frying pan
- Cutting board
- Kitchen knife
- Spatula
- Measuring spoons
Ingredients:
- Oil: We use a drizzle of either olive or coconut oil to sauté the onion.
- Large onion: Red, yellow or white, all are delicious!
- Ground beef: We get ours in bulk from a local butcher shop.
- Black beans
- Taco seasoning: This can be found in the spice section of most stores, or make your own!
- Chili powder
- Cumin
- Salt & pepper
- Red pepper
- Tortilla wraps or taco shells
- Shredded cheese
- Fresh cilantro: This is a key ingredient! We like to add dried cilantro if we don’t have fresh on hand.
- Fresh parsley
- Sour cream
- Lettuce: Iceberg, romaine, baby greens, spinach – we like a mix of them all!
- Salsa
- Ranch dressing
- Guacamole
- Limes
How to make Simple Ground Beef Tacos
First, you’ll want to thaw the ground beef if it’s frozen.
Secondly, heat a drizzle of oil in your large skillet or frying pan. Dice your onion finely and sauté until somewhat crispy and turning brown. (You can totally skip this step and simply add the onion in with the ground beef!)
Next add the thawed ground beef to the pan with the onion and cook on medium to high heat until cooked thoroughly and starting to brown.
After the beef is cooked and browned to your liking, dump the ground beef/onion mixture a colander or strainer to drain off the excess grease. Return beef mixture to the pan.
Drain the canned black beans and add to the pan, along with the rest of the ingredients: taco seasoning, chili powder, cumin, salt and pepper and red pepper (if you wish). If you’re using dried herbs instead of fresh ones, add them now as well. If using fresh cilantro and parsley, (recommended), you’ll want to add as a topping instead of an ingredient.
Heat everything together on low heat for 5 to 10 minutes before serving.
If using soft tortilla wraps, we like to microwave them for about 30 seconds, just to warm them! Finally build your custom taco in your choice of taco shell. Taco meat mixture, followed by shredded cheese (specifically on top of the meat so it melts beautifully:), lettuce, salsa, sour cream, ranch dressing, fresh parsley and cilantro, guacamole… Add a squeeze of lime juice and MMM… enjoy!
Refrigerate leftovers for up to 4 days.
Variations
We’re all aware, I believe, that beef is expensive these days. You can totally swap out the ground beef for shredded cooked chicken or pork, ground pork, turkey, or maybe even venison!?
Hard or soft taco shells will be delicious, soft is our personal favorite!
As for cheese, this is completely your choice. We use whatever kinds we have on hand, which is usually cheddar and mozzarella.
Obviously, there are many more toppings out there, all of them delicious. For example, black olives, peppers, peppers, etc. would make great toppings. Simple ground beef tacos are also great with only a few basic toppings, such as shredded cheese and sour cream.
Simple Ground Beef Tacos
Simple Ground Beef Tacos
This simple recipe for ground beef tacos makes an easy and delicious meal any time of the year! It's one of our favorite go-to recipes when we need a quick last minute meal solution.
Ingredients
- Drizzle of olive oil
- 1 onion, diced
- 1 lb. ground beef, thawed
- 1 can black beans, drained
- 3 tbsp. taco seasoning
- 1 tbsp. chili powder
- 1/2 tsp. cumin
- salt & pepper, to taste
- 1/4 tsp. red pepper flakes (optional)
- Tortillas or taco shells
- Shredded cheese
- Fresh cilantro, finely chopped
- Fresh parsley, finely chopped
- Sour cream
- Lettuce, chopped
- Salsa
- Ranch dressing
- Guacamole
- Lime wedges
Instructions
- Heat a drizzle of olive oil in a skillet or frying pan.
- Saute the chopped onion until starting to crisp and turn brown. (optional)
- Add the ground beef to the pan with the onions and cook, until completely cooked through and starting to brown.
- While the beef is cooking, prepare all the toppings: shred the cheese, chop the lettuce, and fresh herbs, cut limes in wedges.
- After the beef is cooked, drain off excess grease from entire mixture in a colander or strainer, then return back to the pan.
- Add seasonings and drained black beans. Heat on low for 5 to 10 minutes.
- Warm the tortillas or taco shells in the microwave for 30 seconds or until suffiiently heated. (optional)
- Create a delicious taco with all of your prepared ingredients and toppings and enjoy!
Notes
If you don't have fresh herbs, you can add a teaspoon of both dried parsley and dried cilantro to the ground beef mixture along with the other seasonings.
And, don't forget to add any of your favorite toppings! (Or omit your least favorites!)
Nutrition Information:
Yield:
7Serving Size:
1Amount Per Serving: Calories: 281Total Fat: 17gSaturated Fat: 6gTrans Fat: 1gUnsaturated Fat: 9gCholesterol: 64mgSodium: 560mgCarbohydrates: 12gFiber: 2gSugar: 2gProtein: 20g
Nutrition information isn't always accurate.
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