Perfectly Crispy Ground Beef Tacos with Fresh Toppings Recipe
These Ground Beef Tacos deliver a homemade flavor that surpasses takeout, featuring perfectly seasoned and browned beef with a flavorful crust, complemented by fresh toppings and your choice of hard or soft taco shells.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Mexican
Ingredients
Scale
For the Beef:
- 1 lb ground beef
- 1 packet taco seasoning (approximately 2 tablespoons)
- 1/4 cup water
Toppings and Shells:
- Hard or soft taco shells (about 8 shells for 4 servings)
- 1 cup shredded lettuce
- 1 medium tomato, diced
- 1 cup shredded cheese (cheddar or blend)
- 1/2 cup sour cream
Instructions
- Brown the Meat: In a skillet over medium-high heat, add the ground beef. Cook, stirring occasionally, until the meat is fully browned and develops a flavorful crust, about 7-8 minutes. Drain excess fat from the pan to prevent greasiness.
- Add Seasoning and Water: Sprinkle the taco seasoning evenly over the browned beef. Pour in 1/4 cup water, stirring to combine thoroughly so the beef is evenly coated with seasoning.
- Simmer Until Thickened: Reduce the heat to medium-low and let the beef mixture simmer, stirring occasionally, until the sauce thickens and clings to the meat, about 5-7 minutes.
- Warm the Shells: While the beef simmers, warm your choice of hard or soft taco shells according to package instructions, either in the oven, microwave, or on a skillet.
- Prep Toppings: Wash and finely shred lettuce, dice the tomato, and shred the cheese if not pre-shredded. Arrange sour cream in a small bowl for serving.
- Assemble Tacos: Spoon the seasoned beef into each shell, then add desired toppings including lettuce, tomato, cheese, and a dollop of sour cream. Serve immediately for best flavor and texture.
Notes
- You can substitute ground turkey or chicken for a leaner option.
- If you prefer spicier tacos, add a pinch of cayenne pepper or chopped jalapeños with the seasoning.
- Leftover taco meat can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 3 days or frozen for up to 2 months.
- Warming taco shells properly helps prevent them from breaking while assembling.
- For gluten-free tacos, ensure taco shells are labeled gluten-free or use corn tortillas.
Keywords: ground beef tacos, taco recipe, easy tacos, Mexican tacos, seasoned beef tacos, weeknight dinner
