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Dinner

Easy Weeknight Ground Beef Tacos

These juicy ground beef tacos are the perfect solution for a quick and flavorful Taco Tuesday at home.

By Daily Recipes Book· 🌍 Mexican· July 14, 2026
Easy Weeknight Ground Beef Tacos
dailyrecipesbook.com
Prep
10 minutes
Cook
15 minutes
Total
25 minutes
Serves
4

There is nothing quite like a classic taco night to bring the whole family together. This recipe focuses on keeping the beef moist and packed with savory spices, which makes them taste so much better than the store bought kits.

My best advice is to let the meat simmer for a few extra minutes once you add the water. This lets all those spices soak into the beef so every single bite is delicious.

Ingredients

  • 1 pound lean ground beef
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1 small onion, finely diced
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 tablespoon chili powder
  • 1 teaspoon ground cumin
  • 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
  • 1/2 cup water
  • 8 small flour or corn tortillas
  • 1 cup shredded lettuce
  • 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
  • 1/2 cup sour cream

Instructions

  1. 1

    Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat.

  2. 2

    Add the onion and cook until it is soft and translucent, which usually takes about five minutes.

  3. 3

    Add the ground beef to the skillet and cook until it is fully browned, breaking it up with a wooden spoon as you go.

  4. 4

    Drain any excess grease from the pan.

  5. 5

    Stir in the garlic, chili powder, cumin, paprika, salt, and pepper.

  6. 6

    Pour in the water and turn the heat to low.

  7. 7

    Let the mixture simmer for about five minutes until most of the liquid has evaporated and the meat is coated in a thick sauce.

  8. 8

    Warm your tortillas in a dry pan or the microwave.

  9. 9

    Spoon the beef into the tortillas and top with lettuce, cheese, and a dollop of sour cream.

💡 Tips

You can store leftover meat in an airtight container in the fridge for up to three days. If you like a bit of heat, feel free to add a pinch of cayenne pepper or some diced jalapeños while the meat is browning.

#tacos#ground beef#dinner#easy dinner#family friendly

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