Go Back
Taco holders holding assembled Ground Beef Tacos.

Ground Beef Tacos with Homemade Taco Seasoning

Afton Cyrus
Author Adam Rubin and illustrator Daniel Salmieri know that Dragons Love Tacos! If you love tacos, too, you’ll want to try this Ground Beef Tacos recipe with Homemade Taco Seasoning. Mix up a big batch of the seasoning, and you’ll be ready for a taco party (with or without dragons) any time!
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 25 minutes
Cook Time 30 minutes
Total Time 55 minutes
Course Main Course
Cuisine American
Servings 12 tacos

Good To Know

  • The toppings suggested below are the ones that dragons love, but you can top your tacos with whatever you like best! Sour cream, taco sauce, chopped avocado, and/or chopped cilantro would all be delicious, and if you like things spicy (unlike dragons!), add a dash of hot sauce or some pickled jalapeños.
  • Chili powder (ending in an i) is different from chile powder (ending with an e)! Chili powder is a blend of dried, ground chile peppers, spices, and seasonings, and has a mild spiciness. Chile powder, on the other hand, is made from only ground chile peppers, and can be very hot! Make sure to use mild chili powder (with an i!) in this dish.
  • This recipe makes a big batch of homemade taco seasoning that you can use to make tacos easily any time! Just use a heaping ¼ cup of the seasoning per pound of meat (this recipe makes enough for 3 batches total).

Equipment You'll Need

  • Small serving bowls and spoons (for taco toppings)
  • Pint jar with lid (or other similar-sized container with lid)
  • ¼-cup dry measuring cup
  • 12-inch nonstick skillet
  • Wooden spoon

Measure Your Ingredients

Toppings (choose from these or use others that you like!)

  • chopped tomatoes
  • shredded iceberg or romaine lettuce
  • shredded cheese
  • mild salsa
  • other toppings of your choice

Homemade Taco Seasoning

  • 6 tablespoons chili powder (see note)
  • 2 tablespoons ground cumin
  • 2 tablespoons cornstarch
  • 1 tablespoon paprika
  • 1 tablespoon table salt
  • 1 ½ teaspoons garlic powder
  • 1 ½ teaspoons onion powder
  • 1 ½ teaspoons dried oregano

Ground Beef Taco Filling

  • 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
  • 1 small onion, peeled and chopped fine
  • 2 tablespoons tomato paste
  • ¼ cup taco seasoning
  • 1 pound 85% lean ground beef or plant-based ground beef
  • ½ cup beef, chicken, or vegetable broth
  • 12 hard taco shells, toasted

Let's Cook!
 

Set up your taco bar:

  • chopped tomatoes, shredded iceberg or romaine lettuce, shredded cheese, mild salsa, other toppings of your choice
    Prepare everyone’s favorite taco toppings. Set them out in small bowls with spoons on a countertop or at the table.

Make the taco seasoning:

  • 6 tablespoons chili powder, 2 tablespoons ground cumin, 2 tablespoons cornstarch, 1 tablespoon paprika, 1 tablespoon table salt, 1 ½ teaspoons garlic powder, 1 ½ teaspoons onion powder, 1 ½ teaspoons dried oregano
    In a pint jar or other container with a lid, combine all of the taco seasoning ingredients. Put the lid on the jar or container and shake the mixture until it’s well combined.
  • Measure out a generous ¼ cup of the taco seasoning to use with the taco filling. Save the rest in the jar for the next time you want to make tacos. (It will make 2 more batches! Make sure to label the jar or container so you remember what it’s for.)

Make the taco filling and assemble your tacos:

  • 1 tablespoon vegetable oil, 1 small onion, peeled and chopped fine
    In a 12-inch nonstick skillet, heat the oil over medium heat until it’s shimmering, 2 to 3 minutes. Add the onion and cook, stirring occasionally with a wooden spoon, until it’s softened, about 5 minutes.
  • 2 tablespoons tomato paste, ¼ cup taco seasoning
    Add the tomato paste and the heaping ¼ cup taco seasoning mixture and cook, stirring often, until the onions are coated and the spices are fragrant, about 1 minute.
  • 1 pound 85% lean ground beef or plant-based ground beef
    Carefully add the beef to the skillet. Use the wooden spoon to break the meat into small pieces and mix it with the onions. Cook, stirring occasionally, until the beef is no longer pink, about 5 minutes.
  • ½ cup beef, chicken, or vegetable broth
    Stir in the broth and bring the mixture to a simmer (small bubbles will gently break all over the surface). Reduce the heat to medium-low and cook, stirring often, until the liquid has thickened and mostly evaporated but the mixture is still juicy, 8 to 10 minutes. (This is a good time to toast your taco shells! The package will have directions.) Turn off the stove.
  • 12 hard taco shells, toasted
    Taste a spoonful of the filling (make sure to cool it down first!) and season the filling with a little extra salt, if desired. Spoon the taco filling into the taco shells and top with your favorite toppings. Just look out for any dragons that might have tried the spicy salsa!
Keyword Ground Beef Tacos