The beef taco recipe world is one that I love to explore, and I have come across 11 very easy and really tasty ones to share with you. If you and I are in the same boat and enjoy a classic taco, the must-have recipe for you (and me) is the straightforward ground beef mixture.
It is one I would call a recipe “inspired by” rather than a recipe “to follow,” since this taco involves such basic taco components as ground beef, cumin, and chili powder. Most beef taco recipes I have seen are for a version of this taco.
Beef tacos take many forms throughout Mexico and beyond, and it’s them I think of when trying to get a “beef taco” in my head. That’s why I’m also sharing: 1.
Barbacoa Beef Tacos 2. Beef Birria Tacos 3.
Korean Beef Tacos
The 11 Best beef tacos recipes
1. Classic Ground Beef Tacos Recipe
A Classic Ground Beef Tacos Recipe features ground beef that is perfectly seasoned, along with onions, garlic, taco seasoning, and tomato paste. It’s a quick and satisfying dish, ideal for a delicious dinner in minutes.
Ingredients
Ground beef (1 pound)
Onion, diced (1 small)
Garlic, minced (2 cloves)
Taco seasoning (2 tablespoons)
Tomato paste (2 tablespoons)
Water (1/2 cup)
Olive oil (1 tablespoon)
Instructions
1. In a large skillet over medium heat, warm the olive oil. Add the onion, which has been diced, and the garlic, which has been minced. Sauté these until the onion, which wasn’t previously translucent before this step, is now translucent.
2. In the skillet, add the ground beef and brown it, breaking it apart with a spatula as it cooks.
3. Combine the taco seasoning and tomato paste, then stir in the water. Let the mixture simmer for about 5 minutes, stirring occasionally. It should thicken to your desired consistency.
4. Taco shells are the best service for the beef, they say. Topping them is just a matter of personal flair. We have seen some with melted cheese, which is a good idea (probably should top with melted cheese more often). We like cheese; we like tacos; we like melted cheese on tacos. And then you, um, eat.
2. Barbacoa Beef Tacos Recipe
Find my Barbacoa Beef Tacos recipe, which calls for tender beef chuck roast that is infused with garlic, chipotle peppers in adobo, ground cumin, oregano, fresh lime juice, and beef broth. Serve in warm tortillas for a most delightful earthy experience.
Ingredients
3 pounds beef chuck roast, cut into large pieces
3 cloves garlic, minced
2 chipotle peppers in adobo sauce, chopped
1 tablespoon ground cumin
1 tablespoon dried oregano
1/2 cup fresh lime juice
1 cup beef broth
Instructions
1. Salt and pepper the pieces of beef. In a slow cooker, mix the beef with garlic, minced to a paste; chipotle peppers; cumin; oregano; lime juice; and beef broth.
2. If you are using a slow cooker, cover and cook on low for 8–10 hours or on high for 4–6 hours. At the end of the cooking time, the beef should be very tender and shreddable.
3. Take the beef from the slow cooker and shred it with two forks. Return the shredded beef to the slow cooker, mixing it with the sauce. Let it absorb the flavors for a few minutes, and then serve it in tacos.
4. Serve the barbacoa beef in corn tortillas, warmed so they are pliable. Top with any or all of the following: diced onions, chopped cilantro, lime juice.
3. Beef Birria Tacos Recipe
Unearth the powerful tastes of Beef Birria Tacos. They star tender beef chuck roast and the aromatic guajillo chilies that give them a deep-red sauce.
If onion, garlic, and cumin formed a band in a taco, no one would mess with them. They simmer in the sauce, and then the sauce simmers in the beef broth, and what you have next is the perfect savory street taco experience.
Ingredients
2 pounds beef chuck roast, cut into large chunks
2 dried guajillo chilies, stemmed and seeded
1 onion, chopped
4 garlic cloves
2 cups beef broth
1 teaspoon cumin
Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
1. In a sizable saucepan, bring 2 cups of water to a rolling boil. Immerse the sun-dried guajillo chiles in the bubbling water and allow them to steep for 15 minutes, until they have returned to their original, plump state.
2. In a blender, mix the soaked chiles, onion, garlic, cumin, and 1 cup of beef broth. Blend until smooth to create the sauce.
3. Salt and pepper the beef chunks and sear them in a large pot over medium-high heat. Pour the sauce over the seared beef, add the rest of the beef broth, and bring to a simmer. Cover and cook on low heat for about 3 hours until the beef is tender and shreds easily.
4. Warm tortillas are filled with beef and topped with onion, cilantro, and a squeeze of lime; the tacos can be briefly cooked in a skillet to give them a crispy exterior.
4. Korean Beef Tacos Recipe
Savor the blend of flavors in Korean Beef Tacos, made with thinly sliced flank steak that is marinated in soy sauce, sesame oil, and ginger. Top with your choice of toppings for a delicious meal.
Ingredients
1 pound flank steak, thinly sliced
1/4 cup soy sauce
2 tablespoons sesame oil
1 tablespoon brown sugar
2 garlic cloves, minced
1 tablespoon rice vinegar
1 teaspoon ginger, grated
Instructions
1. In a medium bowl, combine the soy sauce, sesame oil, brown sugar, minced garlic, rice vinegar, and grated ginger.
2. Thinly slice the flank steak and add it to the marinade, making sure each slice is thoroughly coated. Cover and refrigerate for no less than half an hour.
3. Preheat a frying pan over medium-high heat. Add the marinated beef slices and cook until browned and cooked through, about 3-4 minutes per side.
4. Serve the warm tortillas with the cooked beef, adding any of the authentic Korean toppings like kimchi, sliced green onions, and sesame seeds to your tortillas.
5. Carne Asada Beef Tacos Recipe
I offer a speedy recipe for juicy Carne Asada Beef Tacos, starring skirt or flank steak, which is marinated in a blend of minced garlic, lime juice, orange juice, soy sauce, olive oil, and spices. My taco night selection couldn’t be more delightful.
Ingredients
1 ½ pounds skirt steak or flank steak
3 cloves garlic, minced
¼ cup fresh lime juice
¼ cup orange juice
1 tablespoon soy sauce
1 tablespoon olive oil
Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
1. A bowl is where you combine minced garlic, lime juice, orange juice, soy sauce, olive oil, salt, and pepper to make the marinade.
2. Put the steak in a big resealable bag, pour the marinade onto the steak, seal the bag, and place it in the fridge for at least 2 hours or overnight for a bigger flavor boost.
3. Prepare a grill or a grill pan and heat it over high heat. Take the steak from the marinade and place it on the grill; do not overcrowd the grill. Grill the steak for about 3 to 5 minutes per side or until it reaches your desired doneness.
4. Allow the steak to rest for a few minutes. Cut it thinly against the grain. And then serve it in tortillas, your choice of toppings—and I do mean your choice. Chopped onions are nice. Cilantro imparts an herby brightness. And nothing, I repeat, nothing, beats a squeeze of lime.
6. Spicy Beef Tacos Recipe
Uncover my recipe for Spicy Beef Tacos that showcases ground beef, taco seasoning, and pepper flakes, along with diced onions and garlic, creating a jaw-dropping flavor profile that bursts forth when you take that first bite. Long-cooked onions melted together with the high heat of browned ground beef create a deeply savory taco filling.
Ingredients
1 pound ground beef
2 tablespoons taco seasoning
1 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
1/2 cup diced onions
2 cloves garlic, minced
1/2 cup tomato sauce
12 small corn tortillas
Instructions
1. In a big frying pan over medium heat, cook the ground beef until it is browned. Pour off any excess fat.
2. Add the onions, diced, and the garlic, minced, to the skillet and sauté until the onions are soft.
3. Combine the taco seasoning, crushed red pepper flakes, and tomato sauce. Allow to cook for 5 minutes.
4. Warm corn tortillas are the vessel for the spicy beef filling. Use your choice of garnishes to top the tacos. Options include: chopped cilantro, diced tomatoes, and shredded cheese.
7. Beef Fajita Tacos Recipe
Discover the tastes of Beef Fajita Tacos, made with tender skirt or flank steak, vibrant red and green bell peppers, and onions. This recipe mixture combines lime juice and olive oil for a zesty, delicious meal.
Ingredients
1 pound skirt or flank steak, thinly sliced
2 tablespoons olive oil
1 red bell pepper, sliced
1 green bell pepper, sliced
1 onion, sliced
2 tablespoons lime juice
Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
1. The beef slices should be marinated in olive oil, lime juice, salt, and pepper for at least 30 minutes.
2. In a big frying pan over high heat, cook the beef that has been marinated until it is browned and cooked all the way through, which should take about 5 to 7 minutes.
3. Add the sliced bell peppers and onion to the skillet and sauté until they are tender, about 5 minutes.
4. Warm tortillas are the ideal carriers for the beef and vegetable combination. Top them with whatever you like—sour cream, cheese, or salsa—and you’ve got dinner on the table.
8. Shredded Beef Tacos Recipe
My Shredded Beef Tacos feature slow-cooked beef chuck roast infused with cumin, smoked paprika, and aromatic onions. These tacos deliver a satisfying meal.
They are the perfect vehicle for an impressive blend of flavors. Here is how to make them.
Ingredients
2 pounds beef chuck roast
1 tablespoon vegetable oil
1 onion, chopped
3 cloves garlic, minced
2 teaspoons ground cumin
1 teaspoon smoked paprika
1 cup beef broth
Instructions
1. In a large skillet, heat the vegetable oil over medium-high heat. Beef chuck roast should be seasoned with salt and pepper and then seared in the skillet, being sure to get a good brown on all sides. It takes about 5 minutes per side. After searing, remove the beef and set it aside.
2. In the same skillet, add the onion that has been finely chopped and sauté until it is clear, about 5 minutes. Add the garlic that has been minced, the ground cumin, and the smoked paprika, and sauté for about 1 minute more, until you can smell all those good aromas coming together.
3. Put the seared meat, the sautéed onion mixture, and the beef broth in a slow cooker. Cover it up and cook on low for 6-8 hours, or until the meat is tender and shreddable with a fork.
4. Take out the beef, pull it apart with two forks (to shred it), and put it back in the slow cooker so it can soak up the juices. Now it’s ready to be served taco-style, in your choice of shell, with all manner of luscious toppings.
9. Chipotle Beef Tacos Recipe
Under the title Chipotle Beef Tacos, I present a delightful dish that showcases ground beef and combines it with chipotle peppers in adobo sauce, cumin, and smoked paprika. The warm corn tortillas that hold the beef and toppings are so delightful that they might make one forget about any taco before them.
And the toppings—freshly diced onions, a little bit of cilantro, and some crumbled queso fresco—make for the ideal finishing touches.
Ingredients
1 pound ground beef
2 tablespoons chipotle peppers in adobo sauce, minced
1 teaspoon ground cumin
1 teaspoon smoked paprika
Salt and pepper to taste
Small corn tortillas
Toppings of choice (such as diced onions, cilantro, lime wedges, and crumbled queso fresco)
Instructions
1. In a vast skillet set over medium heat, cook the ground beef until fully browned, breaking it up with a spoon as it cooks, to ensure all of the beef gets a chance to meet the heat. If there are any moisture or juices that could end up soggifying your dish later, drain them off.
2. Add the chipotle peppers, ground cumin, smoked paprika, salt, and pepper to the beef. Mix well and allow to cook for an additional 2 to 3 minutes to allow the flavors to meld.
3. Heat the corn tortillas in a dry skillet or directly over a flame until flexible.
4. The chipotle beef should be served on the tortillas, with your choice of toppings added next.
10. Tex-Mex Beef Tacos Recipe
I am thrilled to share my recipe for Tex-Mex beef tacos. Each taco shell is a compact and delightful handheld treat.
– Seasoned ground beef with spices and other seasonings
– Cheddar cheese
– Crisp lettuce
– Diced tomato
– A dollop of sour cream
Ingredients
1 pound ground beef
1 packet taco seasoning mix
8 taco shells
1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
1 cup shredded lettuce
1 tomato, diced
1/2 cup sour cream
Instructions
1. In a big skillet over medium heat, cook the ground beef until it’s brown, crumbling it with a spatula as it cooks. Drain off any excess fat.
2. To the skillet, add the mix for taco seasoning and 2/3 cup of water. Combine everything and heat it until it simmers. Once it starts to simmer, reduce the heat and let it sit for about 5 minutes, or until it is thickened to your liking.
3. As the beef cooks, warm the taco shells as directed on the package.
4. The tacos are assembled by taking the beef mixture and dividing it among the taco shells. Shredded cheddar cheese is the next layer, followed by shredded lettuce, diced tomato, and a dollop of sour cream.
11. Beef and Bean Tacos Recipe
Tacos de Res y Frijoles Negros son una comida rápida y rica que permite usar carne molida de res y mezclarla con cualquier tipo de frijol. En esta receta, utilizamos frijoles negros.
Pero en el México que conocÃ, se usan todo tipo de frijoles (bayo, pintos, etc.) en los tacos y las quesadillas.
Ingredients
1 pound ground beef
1 tablespoon taco seasoning
1 can (15 oz) black beans, drained and rinsed
1 cup salsa
8 taco shells
1 cup shredded cheese
Optional toppings: shredded lettuce, diced tomatoes, sour cream, chopped cilantro
Instructions
1. In a medium skillet over medium heat, cook the ground beef until completely browned, breaking it up with a spoon as it cooks. Drain off excess fat.
2. Combine black beans, taco seasoning, and salsa, and cook them over medium heat in a covered skillet until hot, about 3 to 5 minutes. Stir occasionally and add a splash of chicken or vegetable broth if the mixture seems too thick.
3. Spoon the beef and bean mixture into the taco shells and top with shredded cheese and your choice of optional toppings. Serve immediately.
