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Flavorful Ground Beef Taco Night Recipe

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A quick and easy ground beef taco recipe perfect for busy weeknights, packed with bold flavors and family-friendly ingredients.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 lb (450 g) ground beef (80/20 preferred)
  • 1 small onion, finely chopped
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 tbsp olive oil
  • 1 tsp chili powder
  • 1 tsp ground cumin
  • 1/2 tsp smoked paprika
  • 1/2 tsp dried oregano
  • Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
  • 1/4 cup (60 ml) water or beef broth
  • 8 taco shells or small tortillas
  • 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
  • Optional fresh toppings: chopped lettuce, diced tomatoes, sliced avocado or guacamole, sour cream or Greek yogurt, fresh cilantro

Instructions

  1. Heat the skillet over medium-high heat and add 1 tablespoon of olive oil. Warm for 1-2 minutes until shimmering but not smoking.
  2. Add the finely chopped onion and cook for 3-4 minutes until softened and translucent. Add minced garlic and cook for another 30 seconds, stirring constantly.
  3. Add ground beef to the skillet. Break into small chunks and cook for 6-8 minutes until fully browned with slightly crispy edges.
  4. Sprinkle chili powder, ground cumin, smoked paprika, dried oregano, salt, and pepper over the beef. Stir well to coat evenly.
  5. Pour in 1/4 cup water or beef broth. Reduce heat to medium-low and simmer for 5 minutes, stirring occasionally until mixture thickens slightly.
  6. Warm taco shells or tortillas according to package instructions.
  7. Spoon beef mixture into shells, top with shredded cheddar cheese and desired fresh toppings. Serve immediately.

Notes

If beef mixture feels dry, add more water or broth. For cheesier tacos, add extra cheese and broil 1-2 minutes watching closely. Avoid overcrowding pan to get crispy edges. Taste and adjust seasoning as you go. Drain excess fat for lighter tacos or leave some for juiciness.

Nutrition

Keywords: ground beef tacos, taco night, easy dinner, family meal, quick tacos, cheesy tacos, taco recipe