These 20-minute Ground Beef Soft Tacos are easy to make and perfect for weeknights. The homemade taco seasoning is way better than the store-bought stuff.
Recipe at a Glance
- 20 Minutes & Minimal Prep - The only thing you have to chop is the diced tomatoes.
- Simple Ingredients - ground beef, seasoning, tomato paste, tortillas, cheese, and toppings
- 2 Easy Side Options - 15-minute No Fail Queso Dip & Guacamole and Chips
Ingredients & Substitutions
- Ground Beef - I used 85% lean ground beef for this recipe. 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 tastes better!
- Tomato Paste - Adds that classic Tex-Mex flavor. If you don't have it, skip it.
- Tortillas - Use flour or corn. Warm them in a dry skillet for 30–60 seconds per side or microwave for 20–30 seconds intervals until warm. If you do use 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!
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!
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.
Have you tried this recipe yet? I'd love to know how it turned out! Leave a ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ review below or tag @MeganVsKitchen on social.
Beef 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.
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