Easy Beef Tacos

Recipe Ingredients

Only 6 beef tacos ingredients are needed to make this fast and flavorful supper.

Ground Beef: After trying several varieties of ground beef, our test kitchen recipe developers settled on using 80% lean for the best flavor without breaking the bank.

Thick and Chunky Salsa: We chose a thick and chunky variety for this recipe to bulk up the ground beef with visible pieces of veggies. Choose a medium or hot variety to add spiciness.

Crunchy Taco Shells: We’ve perfectly-sized the filling to fill 10 crispy taco shells with enough room for the toppings, but feel free to use whatever type of taco shells or tortillas you like.

Other Ingredients You’ll Need: Lettuce, a tomato and shredded cheddar cheese. 

Cookware You’ll Need

Here is a quick rundown of the equipment you’ll need to make this beef taco recipe.

10-Inch Skillet: Either a regular finish or a nonstick skillet will work well for this recipe. We found there’s enough fat in the meat to prevent it from sticking while it browns.

Colander and Bowl: Use a large colander set in a heatproof bowl to drain the ground beef. Later when the grease is cool and solidified, you can discard it.

Silicone Cooking Spoon: We love silicone spoons because they won’t scratch your pans.

Taco Holders: Not essential, but nice to have as they hold the shells upright for serving without tipping over.

Other Equipment You’ll Need: Both dry and liquid measuring cups, cookie sheet, sharp knife and a cutting board.

How to Make Tacos with Ground Beef

Here are the simple steps for how to make beef tacos with ground beef.

1. Cook and Season the Taco Meat

Cook the ground beef until it is brown, inside, and out. Drain by pouring beef into a colander sitting in a heatproof bowl.

Return beef to the pan and stir in the salsa; let simmer to combine the flavors.

2. Heat the Taco Shells

Our experts find that warming the shells according to the package directions brings out their flavor and makes the tacos easier to eat.

3. Fill the Shells and Serve

Spoon about 1/4 cup taco meat into each shell. Divide the lettuce, tomato, and cheese evenly among the shells. Serve immediately so the shells won’t get soft from the taco meat and toppings.

Possible Variations

With just a simple addition or substitution, you can change up this beef tacos recipe to make it your own.

Change the Meat: Use ground chicken, turkey, or even bulk chorizo sausage instead of the ground beef. Spray the skillet with cooking spray before cooking these meats, as they can stick to the pan.

Add Some Heat: Stir in a 4-oz can of medium or hot diced green chiles with the salsa.

Create Taco Bowls: Serve the taco meat on beds of shredded lettuce or rice, rather than in the taco shells. “We made taco bowls. They were Aaawwsome! Added garden onions and black olives.” Twinkles2016

Looking to switch up your taco night? Give chicken ranch tacos a try. Baked chicken tacos are baked in the oven until the cheese is all melty. Check out Betty’s huge collection of taco recipes to make every taco Tuesday unique. 

Taco Toppings

Serve up any of these delicious taco toppings or great sides with easy beef tacos and make it a meal to remember.

Toppings

• Guacamole

• Sliced black or green pimiento-stuffed olives

• Sauces such as taco, queso, guacamole, pico de gallo, sour cream, ranch or sriracha

• Fresh veggies including diced bell peppers or onions, sliced chiles or roasted corn

Side Dishes

• Spanish Rice: This chili powder and garlic seasoned rice with tomatoes is the perfect side for tacos.  

• Cheesy Refried Beans: A natural choice since the mild flavor goes well with tacos. Place canned refried beans in a microwavable bowl; sprinkle with shredded cheddar cheese. Microwave on Medium-high (70%) about 2 minutes or until heated through.

• Basil-Corn Salad: The bright textures and flavors of this dish taste great next to the taco meat-filled taco shells.

Storing and Reheating

Here is the best way our experts have found to store and reheat beef tacos.

Refrigerator

Place the taco meat and toppings in separate air-tight containers. Store in refrigerator up to 3 days.

Freezer

We do not recommend storing leftover beef tacos in the freezer as the meat will lose its flavor and the shells and toppings will become soggy.

Reheating

Heat taco shells as directed on package. Spoon taco meat into a small microwavable bowl. Cover loosely and microwave on Medium-High (70%) 30 seconds to 1 minute or until an instant-read food thermometer inserted in the center of the taco meat reaches at least 165°F. Fill shells as directed in Step 3.

Why Betty Users Love This Recipe

Our fans give this beef taco recipe high praise for being a great weeknight dinner recipe.

We’re not surprised that many of our community members mention this recipe was loved by their entire family—both kids and adults alike. Hunter3 tells us, “So easy to make and the whole family love it including my 8-yr old.” Our fans also tell us that the flavor is surprisingly tasty—even with just a few ingredients.

We’ve heard from reviewers that they praise the recipe for being straightforward, easy to follow, and quick to prepare. They love that it is a convenient option for those busy days—we’re totally with you on that! They have success making modifications to the recipe, changing up the toppings, cheese or salsa and still getting delicious results.