Classic, flavorful ground beef taco filling coming right up 🌮 — easy, juicy, and way better than the packet stuff.
Ingredients (serves 4)
- 1 lb (450 g) ground beef
- 1 tablespoon olive oil (optional, if beef is lean)
- 1 small onion, finely chopped (optional but recommended)
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
Seasoning
- 1 tablespoon chili powder
- 1 teaspoon ground cumin
- ½ teaspoon paprika (smoked if you have it)
- ½ teaspoon oregano
- ¼–½ teaspoon cayenne (optional, for heat)
- Salt & black pepper to taste
For moisture
- ½ cup water or beef broth
Instructions
- Brown the beef
- Heat a skillet over medium-high heat.
- Add ground beef (and oil if needed) and cook, breaking it up, until browned.
- Drain excess grease if needed.
- Add aromatics
- Add onion and cook 2–3 minutes until soft.
- Stir in garlic and cook 30 seconds until fragrant.
- Season
- Add chili powder, cumin, paprika, oregano, cayenne, salt, and pepper.
- Stir well so the beef is evenly coated.
- Simmer
- Pour in water or broth.
- Reduce heat to medium-low and simmer 5–7 minutes, stirring occasionally, until saucy but not soupy.
- Taste & adjust
- Add more salt, spice, or a squeeze of lime if desired.
🌮 Tips & Variations
- Juicier tacos: Add 1–2 tablespoons tomato paste with the seasonings.
- Street-style: Skip the broth and cook until slightly crispy.
- Spicy: Add chopped chipotle in adobo or hot sauce.
- Mild: Cut chili powder in half and skip cayenne.
Perfect for tacos, burritos, nachos, taco salad, or stuffed peppers.
If you want, I can give you a quick 5-ingredient version, a low-carb taco bowl, or a copycat fast-food style filling — just say the word.
