Beef Tacos Homemade Seasoning (Printable)

Ground beef with bold homemade spices, warm tortillas, and fresh garnishes for a flavorful meal.

# What You'll Need:

→ Taco Seasoning

01 - 1 tablespoon chili powder
02 - 1 teaspoon ground cumin
03 - 1 teaspoon paprika
04 - 1 teaspoon garlic powder
05 - 1 teaspoon onion powder
06 - 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
07 - 1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes (optional)
08 - 1 teaspoon fine sea salt
09 - 1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper

→ Beef Filling

10 - 1 tablespoon olive oil
11 - 1 small onion, finely diced
12 - 2 cloves garlic, minced
13 - 1 pound ground beef
14 - 2 tablespoons tomato paste
15 - 1/3 cup water

→ For Serving

16 - 8 small corn or flour tortillas, warmed
17 - 1 cup shredded lettuce
18 - 1 cup diced tomatoes
19 - 1/2 cup shredded cheddar cheese
20 - 1/4 cup sour cream
21 - 1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro
22 - Lime wedges

# How to Make It:

01 - Combine all seasoning ingredients in a small bowl and mix thoroughly. Set aside.
02 - Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat, then add diced onion and cook for 2 to 3 minutes until softened.
03 - Incorporate minced garlic into the skillet and cook for 30 seconds until fragrant.
04 - Add ground beef, breaking it apart with a spoon. Cook for 5 to 7 minutes until browned and thoroughly cooked, draining excess fat if needed.
05 - Stir in tomato paste and prepared taco seasoning, cooking for 1 minute to combine flavors.
06 - Pour in water, stir, and allow to simmer for 2 to 3 minutes until the mixture thickens. Adjust seasoning to taste.
07 - Heat tortillas in a dry skillet or microwave until warm and pliable.
08 - Spoon beef mixture into tortillas and top with lettuce, tomatoes, cheddar cheese, sour cream, cilantro, and a squeeze of lime.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • Your kitchen smells incredible while these cook, and the seasoning hits different when you blend it yourself.
  • Thirty minutes from craving to eating, and people always ask if you made the spice mix from scratch.
02 -
  • Don't skip draining the beef fat or your tacos become greasy; even a minute extra of simmering helps the flavors tighten up.
  • Toast your spice mix for 30 seconds in a dry pan before mixing if you want deeper flavor—it's not required but it's a small move that lands hard.
03 -
  • Make a double batch of taco seasoning and store it in a jar—it stays fresh for months and you'll find yourself reaching for it constantly.
  • Toast your whole spices in a dry pan for 30 seconds before grinding if you want restaurant-quality depth that'll make people ask what you did differently.

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