This type of taco is an American Tex-Mex tradition. We’ve taken our love for our Southern neighbor and turned it into a cheap-eats go-to favorite across the United States. Our version has a flavorful ground beef that utilizes a homemade blend of taco seasoning spices. Don’t worry, you can still use a seasoning packet if you need. We kick ours up a notch with onion and cooking our spices with the beef to maximize flavor. We finish it off by utilizing salsa to help build additional layers of flavor.

Want the flavors of ground beef tacos without the taco? Try our Tasty Taco Casserole, or our 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 build even more flavor.
  • Ready in under 30 minutes and one of the most affordable types of tacos.

This recipe is straightforward starting with ground beef. There are lots of options out there for fat ratios, but we find the sweet spot at one of the most affordable options: your standard 80/20 blend, also known as ground chuck. Leaner options can always be used, but they will result in a slightly more dry ground beef filling. The salsa in this recipe can help add additional moisture to offset this.

Ingredient Notes

  • Ground Beef: Using a ground beef that is 80/20 or leaner will give you the best results. 
  • Onion: yellow or white onions work best for cooking. You can also skip onion if you prefer.
  • Spices: our homemade blend is the equivalent of 1 packet of Taco seasoning, or 2 tablespoons from a jar of taco seasoning.
  • Salsa: use a restaurant-style salsa that is either homemade or store-bought.
  • Tortillas: can use 8-inch flour or corn tortillas based on personal preference.

Storage and Reheating Instructions

Store leftover ground beef filling separately from all other ingredients in an airtight container in the refrigerator. The USDA recommends that cooked beef be consumed within 3 to 4 days.

To freeze, the ground beef should be fully cooked. Store in an airtight container or resealable freezer bag for up to 4 months. Thaw in the fridge overnight when ready to eat.

Reheat in a skillet on the stove over medium heat, or in the microwave on high in 30-second increments.

Tips from Chef Cayt

  • That fat content of your ground beef contains flavor.
  • Adding your seasonings while the ground beef is cooking releases the oils in the spices which is where you get the maximum flavor. Seasoning it at the end doesn’t allow the same development of layers of flavors.

More Easy Taco Recipes