Beef Tacos

Total Time: 45 minutes | Prep: 15 minutes | Cook: 30 minutes | Serves: 6-8

Master the Art of Street-Style Tacos: Perfect Beef Tacos Recipe! This Mexican favorite brings together perfectly seasoned ground beef with fresh, crisp toppings, all wrapped in warm corn tortillas. While street vendors guard their seasoning secrets, this recipe captures that authentic taco truck flavor right in your own kitchen.

Why This Recipe Works
The secret to perfect beef tacos lies in properly seasoning the meat and balancing textures with fresh toppings. We’ll create deeply flavored ground beef and learn how to assemble tacos that deliver the perfect bite every time.

Ingredients

For the Beef:

2 pounds ground beef (80/20)
1 onion, finely diced
4 cloves garlic, minced
2 tablespoons chili powder
1 tablespoon ground cumin
1 tablespoon paprika
1 teaspoon dried oregano
1/2 teaspoon cayenne (optional)
Salt and pepper to taste

For Assembly:

16-20 corn tortillas
2 cups shredded lettuce
2 cups diced tomatoes
1 cup finely diced onion
1 cup chopped cilantro
2 limes, cut into wedges
1 cup crumbled queso fresco
Sliced jalapeños (optional)

For the Quick Salsa:

4 ripe tomatoes, diced
1/2 onion, finely chopped
1 jalapeño, minced
1/4 cup cilantro, chopped
Lime juice
Salt to taste

Step-by-Step Instructions

Season the Beef
Mix all spices together. Brown beef with onion and garlic, add spice mixture, cook until fragrant.
Prepare Toppings
Chop all vegetables and arrange on serving platter. Mix salsa ingredients.
Warm Tortillas
Heat tortillas on a griddle or dry skillet until soft and pliable.
Assembly
Double-stack tortillas, fill with beef and desired toppings.

Pro Tips