What Percent of Beef Should I Use for Tacos

These easy ground beef tacos will make any day of the week a fiesta! Lean ground beef is seasoned with fragrant dried Mexican spices like chili powder, cumin, coriander, and oregano for maximum flavor.

These ground beef tacos definitely deserve a spot in the dinnertime rotation. The savory ground beef is seasoned with robust Mexican spices that add an instant blast of flavor. The best part is that it only takes 15 minutes to make the flavorful filling.

Making your own seasoning mix gives you the advantage of creating a healthier blend that you can easily customize to your taste buds. Using lean ground beef is the perfect base for infusing herbs and spices. The hardest part will be choosing which toppings to add to your warm flour tortillas or crunchy taco shells.

How to make ground beef tacos

• Combine paprika, cumin, salt, pepper, coriander, oregano, garlic, onions, and chili powder.
• Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat with oil.
• Add the ground beef to a hot skillet and break it into smaller pieces, cooking until no longer pink.
• Add the taco seasoning blend, stir, and cook for 1 minute.
• Taste the meat and season as desired.
• Serve taco filling warm with tortilla and toppings.

What ground beef is best for tacos?

There are different types of ground beef available at the grocery store. First, select a grind with between 80 to 90% lean meat, either ground chuck, round, or sirloin. This type also works well for beef enchiladas too. The higher the percentage of fat, the more flavor, and the meat won't taste as dry. However, select the ratio based on your taste and nutrition preference.

How do you brown taco meat?

The key to browning taco meat is to add the beef into a hot oiled skillet and then break it into smaller-sized pieces. Don't move it around too much to ensure maximum contact time with the surface of the pan.

The browning adds an extra layer of flavor to the beef right before the seasonings go in. I like to use a cast iron skillet because it retains heat really well, but a stainless steel pan or nonstick skillet will work too.

How much ground beef is in a taco?

It's about a ¼ cup (2 ounces) of meat for smaller tacos, 4 to 5-inch tortillas. If you're using larger 6 to 8-inch size tortillas, or filling hard shell tacos, plan for a ½ cup (4 ounces) of meat. For 1-pound of 80 to 90% lean ground beef, cooking will yield about 13 to 15 ounces of meat, or 8 small or 4 large tacos.

Can other types of meat or vegetables be used?

Yes! You can substitute ground turkey, chicken, or pork for beef. Firm tofu, butternut squash, sweet potatoes, or zucchini are tasty vegetarian fillings. Cut into smaller ¼-inch to ½-inch sized pieces and saute before adding the seasoning.

What seasonings do you use?

This homemade taco seasoning combines ground cumin, coriander, garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, and chili powder. Kosher salt and black pepper add a standard savory base to the seasoning. This blend is mild in spice level, so other types of dried chilis like cayenne, chipotle, or crushed red pepper can be added to kick it up!

Other toppings you can add

• Shredded iceberg lettuce
• Sour cream or crema
• Guacamole
• Pineapple salsa
• Homemade salsa
• Pico de Gallo
• Shredded cheddar or Monterey jack cheese

More Mexican recipes

• Chicken Fajitas
• Mexican Chicken and Rice
• Fish Tacos

Is there a taste difference between ground round, chuck, or sirloin?

Yes! Because they come from different primal cuts of the cow, the flavor and texture vary. Chuck is from the shoulder with a rich flavor, highest fat, most tender, and moist. Sirloin comes from the midsection and has less fat, with a tender texture. Round is from the rump and upper leg and tends to have a chewy texture with a moderate amount of fat.

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• ▢ 1 teaspoon paprika, sweet or smoked
• ▢ ¾ teaspoon cumin
• ▢ ¾ teaspoon kosher salt
• ▢ ½ teaspoon black pepper
• ▢ ¼ teaspoon coriander
• ▢ ¼ teaspoon dried oregano
• ▢ ¼ teaspoon garlic powder
• ▢ ¼ teaspoon onion powder
• ▢ ¼ teaspoon chili powder
• ▢ 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
• ▢ 1 pound ground beef, 80 to 90% lean beef
• ▢ 8 tortillas flour or corn, 4 ½ to 6-inch in size

• In a small bowl combine paprika, cumin, salt, pepper, coriander, oregano, garlic powder, onion powder, and chili powder.

• Heat a large skillet over medium-high oil. Add vegetable oil, once hot add the ground beef.

• Saute the beef, breaking up with a spoon into smaller pieces. Cook until no longer pink, 4 to 5 minutes.

• Add the taco seasoning mixture, stir to combine and cook for 1 minute.

• Taste the beef and add more seasoning as desired.

• Serve tacos with warmed tortillas and desired toppings.

• Topping Suggestions: Shredded lettuce, guacamole, Pico de Gallo, shredded cheese, cilantro, sour cream.
• Serving Size: 8 small tacos or 4 large tacos.
• For a thicker taco seasoning sauce: Add 2 tablespoons flour, 1 tablespoon cornstarch, or 1 tablespoon arrowroot powder to the taco seasoning blend. Once the meat is browned, add the seasoning and ¾ cups of water, stir and bring to a boil. Reduce heat to a simmer and cook for 5 minutes, stirring occasionally until the sauce thickens.

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Nutrition Facts

Ground Beef Tacos

Amount Per Serving

Calories 218 Calories from Fat 117

% Daily Value*

Fat 13g 20%

Saturated Fat 5g 25%

Cholesterol 40mg 13%

Sodium 269mg 11%

Potassium 207mg 6%

Carbohydrates 12g 4%

Fiber 1g 4%

Protein 11g 22%

Vitamin A 140IU 3%

Calcium 33mg 3%

Iron 1.6mg 9%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

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Filed under: 30-Minute Meals Beef Beef Main Cinco de Mayo Dairy Free Family Friendly Gluten Free Main Dish Mexican One Pan/Pot Stovetop Summer

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I'm a culinary school graduate, cookbook author, and a mom who loves croissants! My passion is creating recipes and sharing the science behind cooking to help you gain confidence in the kitchen.

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