Beef Tacos

Colorful beef tacos in crispy shells filled with seasoned ground beef, fresh lettuce, diced tomatoes, shredded cheese, and sour cream, arranged on a wooden serving board with lime wedges and salsa bowls

20 minutes

4 servings

Easy

High-ProteinTex-MexFamily-FriendlyCustomizable

Ingredients

1 lb ground beef (80/20)

1 packet taco seasoning (1 oz)

3/4 cup water

8 hard taco shells or soft flour tortillas

1 cup shredded cheddar cheese

1 cup shredded lettuce

2 medium tomatoes (diced)

1/2 cup diced white onion

1/2 cup sour cream

1/4 cup fresh cilantro (chopped)

1 lime (cut into wedges)

1/4 cup salsa

2 tablespoons vegetable oil

Nutrition Facts

Per 4 servings

Calories485 kcal

Protein28 g

Carbohydrates32 g

Fat26 g

Fiber4 g

* Nutritional information is approximate and may vary based on ingredients and preparation methods.

Instructions

Cook the Seasoned Beef

Heat vegetable oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the ground beef and cook, breaking it up with a wooden spoon, for 5-7 minutes until browned and no longer pink. Drain excess fat from the pan. Add the taco seasoning packet and water, stirring well to combine. Reduce heat to medium and simmer for 3-5 minutes until the liquid has reduced and the mixture has thickened.

Pro Tip:

Don't skip draining the fat - it prevents soggy tacos and makes the seasoning stick better

Ground beef browning in a skillet with taco seasoning, creating a flavorful, slightly saucy mixture

Prepare Toppings and Warm Shells

While the beef cooks, prepare all fresh toppings: dice tomatoes, shred lettuce, dice onion, and chop cilantro. Place each topping in separate small bowls for easy assembly. Warm the taco shells according to package directions - either in a 350°F oven for 3-5 minutes for hard shells, or wrapped in damp paper towels in the microwave for 30 seconds for soft tortillas. Keep warm until ready to serve.

Pro Tip:

Warm shells are easier to fill and taste much better than cold ones

Colorful array of fresh taco toppings in small bowls - diced tomatoes, shredded lettuce, cheese, and sour cream with warm taco shells

Assemble and Serve Tacos

Set up a taco assembly station with warm shells, seasoned beef, and all prepared toppings. Fill each taco shell with 2-3 tablespoons of seasoned beef, then let everyone customize with their favorite toppings: shredded cheese, lettuce, diced tomatoes, onions, sour cream, cilantro, and salsa. Serve immediately with lime wedges for squeezing over the tacos. Provide extra napkins - these are meant to be eaten with your hands!

Pro Tip:

Don't overfill the shells - it makes them harder to eat and more likely to break