Description
These ground beef tacos are a quick and flavorful weeknight favorite, inspired by classic 90s taco flavors. Seasoned with a homemade blend of cumin, smoked paprika, garlic powder, and chili powder, the beef is cooked on the stovetop and served with fresh toppings like pico de gallo, avocado, sharp white cheddar, and pickled onions. Perfect for a simple, delicious meal in under 30 minutes.
Ingredients
Scale
Beef and Seasonings
- 1 pound 85% to 93% lean ground beef
- 1 teaspoon ground cumin
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon chili powder
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon freshly cracked pepper
Pico de Gallo
- 1 pint cherry tomatoes, quartered
- ½ sweet onion, diced
- ¼ cup cilantro, chopped
- ½ lime, juiced
- Pinch of salt and pepper
Additional Taco Ingredients
- Corn or flour tortillas, warmed
- Hard shells or tortilla chips (optional)
- Sharp white cheddar cheese, freshly grated
- Avocado, diced
- Fresh cilantro
- Quick pickled onions
Instructions
- Heat the Skillet: Place a skillet over medium heat. Since the ground beef is relatively fatty, no oil is usually needed, but if desired, add 1 teaspoon of olive oil or preferred cooking oil to prevent sticking.
- Cook the Ground Beef: Add the ground beef to the hot skillet and break it apart with a wooden spoon. Stir and break the meat often until it starts to brown evenly.
- Add Seasonings: Sprinkle in the cumin, smoked paprika, garlic powder, chili powder, salt, and freshly cracked pepper. Stir well to evenly coat the beef with the spices and continue cooking until the beef is just browned and cooked through.
- Optional Sauce Addition: If you prefer a saucier beef mixture, stir in a tablespoon of beef or vegetable stock, or a small amount of tomato sauce, and allow to warm through for an extra juicy texture.
- Prepare Pico de Gallo: In a bowl, combine the quartered cherry tomatoes, diced sweet onion, chopped cilantro, lime juice, and a pinch of salt and pepper. Mix well to create a fresh, vibrant pico de gallo topping.
- Warm the Tortillas: Heat the corn or flour tortillas in the oven for a few minutes until warm and pliable. Alternatively, warm hard taco shells if using.
- Assemble the Tacos: Spoon the seasoned ground beef into the warmed tortillas. Top with pico de gallo, freshly grated sharp white cheddar cheese, diced avocado, fresh cilantro leaves, and quick pickled onions to your liking.
- Optional Peppers and Onions: For added vegetables, heat 1 to 2 teaspoons of olive oil in the skillet over medium heat. Add 1 diced onion, 1 diced bell pepper, and a few minced garlic cloves with a pinch of salt. Cook, stirring occasionally, until softened (about 5 minutes), then proceed with browning the beef as above.
Notes
- These tacos are a nostalgic nod to classic 90s flavors made from scratch with homemade seasoning blends.
- Adjust the seasoning amounts according to your spice tolerance and taste preferences.
- For a saucier taco filling, incorporate broth or tomato sauce as suggested.
- Additional vegetables like bell peppers and onions can be added for extra flavor and nutrition.
- Serve with a variety of toppings to customize each taco to your liking.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 taco with toppings
- Calories: 320
- Sugar: 3g
- Sodium: 480mg
- Fat: 20g
- Saturated Fat: 7g
- Unsaturated Fat: 11g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 18g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 22g
- Cholesterol: 65mg
