These 20-minute Ground Beef Soft Tacos are just as good, if not better, than any drive-thru taco. Perfect for busy weeknights, they're made with a homemade seasoning that leaves the store-bought packets in the dust.
Recipe at a Glance
- Time: 20 minutes
- Simple Ingredients: ground beef, seasoning, tomato paste, tortillas, cheese, and your favorite taco toppings
- Ease: Easy - minimal prep, minimal to no chopping
Ingredients & Substitutions
Ground Beef - I used 85% lean ground beef for this recipe. Higher fat will give you moister and taco meat. If you want to skip draining the excess fat, use 90% lean or higher.If you're looking to swap the protein, you can also do Ground Turkey Soft Tacos and Ground Chicken Tacos.
Spices - You'll need chili powder, garlic powder, cumin, paprika, oregano, onion powder, salt, and pepper. Store-bought works, but homemade really does taste better!
Tomato Paste - If you don't have it and don't want to buy it, you can skip it. If you are using store-bought taco seasoning, don't use tomato paste. The premade stuff already has tomato powder in it.
Tortillas - I like using soft shell flour tortillas for this recipe since they are sturdier and are better able to soak up the juices. Warm them in a dry skillet for 30-60 seconds per side or microwave for 20-30 second intervals until warm. If you prefer using corn tortillas, I suggest making these Crispy Baked Ground Beef Tacos!
Cheese - A finely shredded Mexican blend melts perfectly for that classic taco vibe.
Full ingredient list with quantities in the recipe card below
How to Make Soft Shell Beef Tacos
Step 1 | Brown the Beef
Heat a skillet over medium-high heat. Cook the ground beef until browned and break it apart. Drain the excess fat.
Step 2 | Mix the Seasoning
Combine chili powder, garlic powder, cumin, smoked paprika, salt, onion powder, and oregano in a small bowl.
Step 3 | Add Taco Seasoning
Add the seasoning, tomato paste, and ½ cup of water to the beef. Stir and cook for 2-3 minutes until the liquid reduces and the beef is well coated.
Step 4 | Assemble
Warm the tortillas and assemble the soft shell tacos with shredded lettuce, diced tomatoes, and cheese-or any toppings you like!
Tip
Make it Spicy: Add hot sauce to the taco meat, or mix in ½ teaspoon cayenne or chipotle chili powder for extra heat.
Make It Ahead of Time!
Prep: Cook the ground beef and season with spices and tomato paste. Chop your toppings and have everything ready to go.
Store: Refrigerate beef for up to 2 days or freeze for 3 months. Store tortillas and toppings separately.
Cook: Reheat beef on the stovetop or in the microwave. Warm tortillas, assemble, and enjoy!
Taco Toppings
- Pico de gallo
- Guacamole
- Queso
- Pickled veggies (jalapeños, red onions)
- Refried beans
- Hot sauce
- Sour cream
Sides
- 15-minute No Fail Queso Dip - Creamy, cheesy, and perfect for dipping!
- Guacamole and Chips - Fresh, flavorful, and a must-have with tacos.
- Mexican Rice - A classic side that pairs perfectly with seasoned beef tacos.
- Refried Beans - Creamy and savory, great as a side or taco filling.
- Street Corn Salad - Fresh, tangy, and topped with cotija cheese for a burst of flavor.
Common Questions
Make your soft tacos with ground beef that has a higher fat content (80-85%). You can also use a 5 Blade Meat Masher. It helps break the meat down into small, even pieces as it cooks.
Higher fat ground beef (80-85%) will give you juicier, more flavorful taco meat, while leaner ground beef (90-95%) is less greasy.
I do 2oz of meatper taco, so a pound of meat will make 8 tacos
Skillet: Place in a skillet over medium heat, warm for 1-2 minutes per side.
Oven: Place on a baking sheet (overlapping is fine) and warm at 375°F for about 5 minutes.
Microwave: Wrap in a damp paper towel and heat for 60-90 seconds, flipping halfway through.
To Keep Warm: Wrapped in a clean kitchen towel.
Microwave: Add a splash of water, cover, and heat until warm.
Skillet: Warm over medium heat with a splash of water or broth, stirring until hot.
Tried this recipe? Let everyone know how it turned out! Your feedback and tips help others decide if they should make it.
Better-Than-Takeout Soft Tacos
Ingredients
Homemade Taco Seasoning
- 1 tablespoon chili powder
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon ground cumin
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- ½ teaspoon table salt
- ½ teaspoon onion powder
- ½ teaspoon oregano
Ground Beef Tacos
- 1 pound ground beef 85% lean
- 1 batch Homemade Taco Seasoning
- 2 tablespoons tomato paste
- ½ cup water
- 8 tortillas flour or corn
- 1 cup shredded Mexican cheese
- shredded lettuce
- diced tomatoes
Instructions
- Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the ground beef and cook until fully browned, breaking it apart with a spoon. Drain any excess fat.
- While the beef cooks, mix together the spices for Homemade Taco Seasoning.
- Once the beef is cooked and drained, turn the heat down to medium. Add the seasoning mixture, tomato paste, and ½ cup water to the skillet. Stir well and cook for 2-3 minutes, until the liquid reduces and the beef is coated in the seasoning.
- Heat the tortillas in a dry skillet over medium heat for 20-30 seconds on each side or microwave them for 10-15 seconds until warm.
- Spoon the seasoned beef into each tortilla. Add your toppings-shredded lettuce, diced tomatoes, and shredded cheese.
Notes
Nutrition
The nutritional information provided is an estimate and may vary based on the ingredients used.
More Taco Recipes
- Crock Pot Shredded Beef Tacos - Simple and easy to make! After several rounds of testing, I discovered the secrets to make these beef tacos super flavorful.
- Buffalo Chicken Tacos - Combine your taco and wing nights with these Buffalo Chicken Tacos.
- Shredded Chicken Soft Tacos- Craving something flavorful and easy to make? These chicken tacos with shredded chicken are quick to prepare and bursting with fresh, vibrant flavors.
- Crispy Refried Bean Tacos- This is a great recipe to make when you don't feel like cooking. Crispy Refried Bean Tacos only have 5 ingredients and 4 simple steps.
- Slow Cooker Carnitas Tacos- The pork is cooked in a slow cooker then broiled in the oven, so the edges get crispy with the middle stays juicy and flavorful.
Did you make this recipe? Let me know!