Ground Beef Tacos
AI-generated image
Gluten-free Tex-Mex

Ground Beef Tacos

Juicy, well-seasoned ground beef folded into warm corn tortillas with crisp lettuce, sharp cheddar, cool sour cream, and fresh lime. A dependable Tex-Mex dinner with bright, crunchy toppings and a deeply savory filling.

35 min 4 servings Medium
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How to prepare

1
Heat the vegetable oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the onion and cook for 4 to 5 minutes, stirring occasionally, until softened and lightly golden at the edges. Add the garlic and cook for 30 seconds, until fragrant.
2
Add the ground beef and cook for 6 to 8 minutes, breaking it apart with a wooden spoon, until no pink remains and the beef reaches 74°C throughout. Drain excess fat if the skillet is oily.
3
Stir in the chili powder, cumin, oregano, and tomato paste. Cook for 1 minute, stirring constantly, until the spices smell toasted and the tomato paste darkens slightly.
4
Pour in the water and stir to coat the beef. Simmer for 3 to 4 minutes, stirring once or twice, until the sauce thickly clings to the meat. Remove from the heat and taste for seasoning.
Glossy seasoned beef filling ready for tacos AI-generated image
5
Warm the corn tortillas in a dry skillet over medium heat for 20 to 30 seconds per side, stacking them in a clean towel so they remain soft and pliable.
6
Fill each tortilla with the beef, shredded lettuce, grated cheddar, and sour cream. Serve immediately with lime wedges for squeezing over the tacos.
Ground beef tacos topped with lettuce, cheddar, sour cream, and lime AI-generated image

Why this recipe works

Toasting the spices briefly in the beef’s cooking fat makes the filling more aromatic, while tomato paste adds concentrated savoriness and lime keeps the rich meat lively.

Storage and reheating

How to store it

Refrigerate cooked beef and toppings separately in airtight containers for up to 3 days. Store tortillas sealed at room temperature or refrigerate according to the package directions.

How to reheat it

Reheat the beef in a covered skillet over medium-low heat with 1 tablespoon of water, stirring until steaming hot throughout, or microwave it in short intervals. Warm tortillas separately and add fresh toppings after reheating.

Nutrition / serving

695kcal
38.46 gprotein
45.80 gcarbs
41.22 gfat
P
Pantryvale editorial kitchen
Recipe prepared for publication with complete ingredients and ordered cooking steps.
Published 15 Aug 2026 · updated 15 Aug 2026