Three Ground Beef Tacos With Homemade Taco Seasoning are topped with lettuce, tomato, sour cream, and jalapeño slices on a plate above a jar of homemade seasoning. Text reads “Ground Beef Tacos & Homemade Taco Seasoning.”. - 1

<img loading=“lazy” src=“https://www.errenskitchen.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/Ground-Beef-Tacos-with-Taco-Seasoning-2-683x1024.jpg" onerror=“this.onerror=null;this.src=‘https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhe7F7TRXHtjiKvHb5vS7DmnxvpHiDyoYyYvm1nHB3Qp2_w3BnM6A2eq4v7FYxCC9bfZt3a9vIMtAYEKUiaDQbHMg-ViyGmRIj39MLp0bGFfgfYw1Dc9q_H-T0wiTm3l0Uq42dETrN9eC8aGJ9_IORZsxST1AcLR7np1koOfcc7tnHa4S8Mwz_xD9d0=s16000';" alt=“A hand holds a seasoned Ground Beef Taco with cheese, sour cream, and jalapeños. Below, smaller images show Ground Beef Tacos With Homemade Taco Seasoning and toppings. Text reads: “Erren’s Kitchen Ground Beef Tacos & Homemade Seasoning. - 2”>

<img loading=“lazy” src=“https://www.errenskitchen.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/Ground-Beef-Tacos-with-Taco-Seasoning-1-683x1024.jpg" onerror=“this.onerror=null;this.src=‘https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhe7F7TRXHtjiKvHb5vS7DmnxvpHiDyoYyYvm1nHB3Qp2_w3BnM6A2eq4v7FYxCC9bfZt3a9vIMtAYEKUiaDQbHMg-ViyGmRIj39MLp0bGFfgfYw1Dc9q_H-T0wiTm3l0Uq42dETrN9eC8aGJ9_IORZsxST1AcLR7np1koOfcc7tnHa4S8Mwz_xD9d0=s16000';" alt=“Four ground beef tacos with homemade taco seasoning are topped with lettuce, cheese, sour cream, tomato, and sliced jalapeños on a white surface. A hand holds one taco. Text reads: “Ground Beef Tacos With Homemade Taco Seasoning. - 3”>

<img loading=“lazy” src=“https://www.errenskitchen.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/Taco-Seasoning-683x1024.jpg" onerror=“this.onerror=null;this.src=‘https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhe7F7TRXHtjiKvHb5vS7DmnxvpHiDyoYyYvm1nHB3Qp2_w3BnM6A2eq4v7FYxCC9bfZt3a9vIMtAYEKUiaDQbHMg-ViyGmRIj39MLp0bGFfgfYw1Dc9q_H-T0wiTm3l0Uq42dETrN9eC8aGJ9_IORZsxST1AcLR7np1koOfcc7tnHa4S8Mwz_xD9d0=s16000';" alt=“A glass jar filled with homemade taco seasoning for Ground Beef Tacos With Homemade Taco Seasoning, a spoon inside. The label reads “Homemade Taco Seasoning” and “Erren’s Kitchen,” with www.errenskitchen.com at the bottom. - 4”>

<img loading=“lazy” src=“https://www.errenskitchen.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/Ground-Beef-Tacos-4-683x1024.jpg" onerror=“this.onerror=null;this.src=‘https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhe7F7TRXHtjiKvHb5vS7DmnxvpHiDyoYyYvm1nHB3Qp2_w3BnM6A2eq4v7FYxCC9bfZt3a9vIMtAYEKUiaDQbHMg-ViyGmRIj39MLp0bGFfgfYw1Dc9q_H-T0wiTm3l0Uq42dETrN9eC8aGJ9_IORZsxST1AcLR7np1koOfcc7tnHa4S8Mwz_xD9d0=s16000';" alt=“A hand holds a taco filled with ground beef, shredded cheese, sour cream, cilantro, jalapeño, and tomato. Text below reads: “Quick & Easy Ground Beef Tacos With Homemade Taco Seasoning – Eren’s Kitchen. - 5”>

A hand holding a ground beef taco filled with homemade seasoning, shredded cheese, lettuce, tomato, jalapeño slices, cilantro, and sour cream, against a white background. - 6 Three smoky tacos filled with seasoned ground beef, shredded lettuce, diced tomatoes, cheese, and sour cream, garnished with cilantro. A small bowl of red salsa with a spoon is on the side of the white plate. - 7 A white plate with four smoky ground beef tacos topped with shredded lettuce, cheese, sliced jalapeños, cherry tomatoes, cilantro, and sour cream. Served with a small cup of red salsa and lime wedges—perfect with homemade seasoning. - 8 Two hard shell ground beef tacos filled with homemade seasoning, shredded cheese, lettuce, sour cream, jalapeño slices, cilantro, and salsa. A small metal cup of red sauce and lime wedges are in the background. - 9 Three Ground Beef Tacos With Homemade Taco Seasoning are topped with shredded lettuce, cherry tomatoes, sour cream, and cilantro, served with salsa, jalapeño slices, and lime wedges. Text reads “Ground Beef Tacos & Homemade Taco Seasoning.”. - 10 Four ground beef tacos with homemade seasoning, topped with lettuce, diced tomatoes, shredded cheese, sour cream, jalapeños, and cilantro on yellow corn tortillas. Served with lime wedges and red sauce on a white surface. - 11

Make easy Ground Beef Tacos With Homemade Taco Seasoning! Smoky, bold, and ready in 30 minutes for the perfect weeknight dinner.

in this article:

  • Know Before You Scroll
  • Step By Step Instructions
  • Perfect Pairings
  • Ground Beef Tacos With Homemade Seasoning
  • Erren’s Top Tips
  • Storage & Freezing Instructions
  • FAQs

Know Before You Scroll

Ground Beef Tacos With Homemade Taco Seasoning - 12

Serves

4 people

Prep Time

10 mins

Cook Time

20 mins

Total Time

30

Flavor Profile

Bold, smoky, a little spicy, and super savory. This homemade taco seasoning brings deep chili, cumin, and paprika flavor with a subtle kick of heat. The ground beef tacos? Juicy, cozy, and taco-truck delicious.

Difficulty Level

Easy. This is a no-stress, weeknight kind of recipe—just mix, stir, and sizzle.

Equipment Needed

Small mixing bowl, measuring spoons, airtight 4-ounce spice jar, large skillet, spatula, knife, cutting board, paper towels (if microwaving tortillas).

Top Tip

Make a double (or triple!) batch of the taco seasoning to keep on hand for fast flavor boosts—think veggies, soups, or scrambled eggs.

Time-Saving Tips

Buy pre-chopped onion and pre-shredded cheese for lightning-fast taco assembly. And yes, pre-warmed tortillas in a tortilla warmer are chef’s kiss .

Ingredient Swaps

No smoked paprika? Add a dash of chipotle powder. No ground beef? Swap in ground turkey, chicken, or even lentils for a plant-based twist.

Make Ahead Note:

The seasoning blend keeps for up to 6 months in an airtight jar. Store in a cool, dry spot and shake before using to wake up the spices.

A white plate with four smoky ground beef tacos topped with shredded lettuce, cheese, sliced jalapeños, cherry tomatoes, cilantro, and sour cream. Served with a small cup of red salsa and lime wedges—perfect with homemade seasoning. - 13

Let’s talk about tacos — the kind that are bold, smoky, juicy, and packed with big flavor in every bite. This ground beef taco recipe is your new weeknight MVP. We’re making a homemade seasoning blend (no store-bought packets here!) that’s super easy but seriously delivers on the flavor.

I used to be a ride-or-die store-bought taco seasoning kind of girl. But once I mixed up a batch of this homemade taco spice blend, it was game over .

A glass jar filled with a reddish-brown homemade seasoning, perfect for smoky tacos, with a metal spoon partially submerged in the blend. The jar is set against a plain white background. - 14 A hand holding a ground beef taco filled with homemade seasoning, shredded cheese, lettuce, tomato, jalapeño slices, cilantro, and sour cream, against a white background. - 15

JUMP TO RECIPE

The complete printable recipe is available at the bottom of this post (simply click the button above). For a detailed, step-by-step guide with photos and helpful tips, keep reading!

Step By Step Instructions

1

Prepare the Taco Seasoning

To start, grab a small mixing bowl — something cereal-sized is perfect. Add in 1 tablespoon of chili powder, 1 teaspoon of ground cumin, 1 teaspoon of smoked paprika, ½ teaspoon each of garlic powder, onion powder, and dried oregano, ¼ teaspoon of cayenne pepper (more if you like heat), ½ teaspoon of salt, and ¼ teaspoon of black pepper. Stir everything together until well combined.

A white plate filled with a reddish-brown homemade seasoning blend, with a gold spoon scooping some of the mixture. Perfect for smoky tacos or ground beef tacos, the blend contains visible herbs and spices on a white marble surface. - 16

This spice mix makes about 4 ounces total, and you’ll only a tablespoon for the beef — which means plenty of extra seasoning ready to go when you need it. Store the leftover blend in a 4-ounce spice jar or an airtight container, and boom, future taco night just got easier.

2

Soften The Onions

Now for the ground beef mixture – Heat a large skillet over medium heat and add 1 tablespoon of oil — avocado or olive oil works great here. Toss in one finely chopped small onion and sauté it until it’s soft and just starting to get golden and delicious.

Chopped onions sautéing in oil in a metal pan, being stirred with a wooden spatula—the perfect start for smoky tacos or a flavorful homemade seasoning. - 17

3

Brown the Ground Beef

Now add 1 pound of ground beef. Use a wooden spoon or spatula to break up the meat into small crumbles as it cooks.

Ground beef and chopped onions sauté in a skillet with a wooden spatula, as the meat turns from raw to browned—perfect as the savory base for Ground Beef Tacos or adding your favorite homemade seasoning. - 18

4

Season & Simmer

Let it brown for about 5 to 7 minutes, stirring occasionally, until fully cooked and no longer pink. If there’s excess grease, go ahead and drain it off. Sprinkle 1 tablespoon of the taco seasoning over the cooked beef. Pour in ¼ cup of water and stir everything together until the seasoning is evenly distributed. Turn the heat down and let it simmer for 3 to 5 minutes. The water will cook down and turn into a thick, flavorful coating that clings to every bite of beef. Dreamy.

Ground beef cooked in a skillet with smoky homemade seasoning, being stirred with a wooden spatula—perfect for flavorful ground beef tacos. - 19

If the mixture is dry, you can add an extra splash of beef broth, chicken broth, or even water to bring back some moisture. For extra flavor, you could also use a bit of tomato sauce, salsa, or a drizzle of olive oil. Just add a little at a time until you reach the desired consistency!

5

Warm the Tortillas

While the beef is finishing up, grab 8 small corn or flour tortillas and get them warm and soft. You can toast them in a dry skillet for about 20 to 30 seconds per side, or wrap them in a damp paper towel and microwave for about 30 seconds. Warm tortillas = happier taco experience. Always.

A close-up of a single, round, golden-brown flatbread with unevenly toasted spots, placed on a plain gray surface—perfect for serving smoky ground beef tacos. - 20

6

Now it’s taco time!

Now for the fun part! Spoon the seasoned beef into your warm tortillas, then pile on the toppings. Shredded lettuce, diced tomatoes, cheddar or Mexican blend cheese, sour cream, salsa, jalapeños, fresh cilantro — go wild or keep it classic. There’s no wrong way to taco.

Four plates show the step-by-step assembly of smoky tacos: seasoned ground beef with homemade seasoning, topped with diced tomatoes and lettuce, then shredded cheese, and finally sour cream and fresh herbs. - 21

7

Serve And Enjoy

And that’s it, you’re ready to serve these delicious Ground Beef Tacos With Homemade Taco Seasoning! Super flavorful, quick, and easy tacos with homemade seasoning. Big taco energy, minimal effort. Yes, please. 🌮

Three smoky tacos filled with seasoned ground beef, shredded lettuce, diced tomatoes, cheese, and sour cream, garnished with cilantro. A small bowl of red salsa with a spoon is on the side of the white plate. - 22

Perfect Pairings

  • Salsa Roja
  • Easy Homemade Refried Beans
  • Easy Guacamole

Rate This Recipe

Four ground beef tacos with homemade seasoning, topped with lettuce, diced tomatoes, shredded cheese, sour cream, jalapeños, and cilantro on yellow corn tortillas. Served with lime wedges and red sauce on a white surface. - 23

Ingredients

For the Taco Seasoning
  • ▢ 4 teaspoons garlic granules or powder
  • ▢ 2 teaspoons onion powder
  • ▢ 2 teaspoons paprika
  • ▢ 8 teaspoons teaspoons chili powder
  • ▢ 2 teaspoons smoked paprika
  • ▢ 8 teaspoons ground cumin
  • ▢ 1 teaspoon cayenne pepper (adjust to taste)
  • ▢ 2 teaspoons dried oregano (preferably Mexican oregano)
  • ▢ 2 teaspoons sea salt (reduced from 4 teaspoons)
  • ▢ 2 teaspoons freshly ground black pepper
For the Taco Filling
  • ▢ 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • ▢ 1 small onion (finely chopped)
  • ▢ 1 pound ground beef (80/20 recommended)
  • ▢ 1 tablespoon taco seasoning (recipe above)
  • ▢ ¼ cup water
  • ▢ 8 small corn or flour tortillas
Optional Toppings
  • ▢ Shredded lettuce
  • ▢ Diced tomatoes
  • ▢ Shredded cheese (cheddar or Mexican blend)
  • ▢ Sour cream
  • ▢ Salsa or hot sauce
  • ▢ Sliced jalapeños
  • ▢ Fresh cilantro

Instructions

For the Taco Seasoning
  • In a small bowl, mix all the spices together until well combined. You’ll only need a bit for the recipe, so save the rest in a 4oz spice jar for future use
For The Ground Beef Filling
  • Heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat.
  • Add the chopped onion and cook for 3 to 4 minutes, stirring occasionally, until soft and translucent.
  • Add the ground beef to the skillet. Break it apart with a spatula and cook for 5-7 minutes, stirring occasionally, until browned and no longer pink. Drain excess grease if needed.
  • Sprinkle 1 tablespoon of homemade taco seasoning evenly over the meat. Pour in ¼ cup of water and stir well to combine.
  • Lower the heat and let the mixture simmer for 3-5 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the liquid reduces and coats the beef evenly.
Warm the Tortillas
  • Heat a dry skillet over medium heat.
  • Warm each tortilla for 20-30 seconds per side until soft and slightly golden. Alternatively, wrap them in a damp paper towel and microwave for 30 seconds.
Assemble the Tacos
  • Spoon the seasoned beef mixture into each warm tortilla. Add your favorite toppings like lettuce, tomatoes, cheese, and sour cream.

Tips

Erren’s Top Tips

Storage & Freezing Instructions

Two hard shell ground beef tacos filled with homemade seasoning, shredded cheese, lettuce, sour cream, jalapeño slices, cilantro, and salsa. A small metal cup of red sauce and lime wedges are in the background. - 24

Can I use this taco seasoning with chicken or veggies?

Absolutely. This blend works great on ground chicken, shredded chicken, tofu, roasted cauliflower, sweet potatoes — it’s super versatile

How much taco seasoning should I use per pound of meat?

Use 1 tablespoon of seasoning per 1 pound of meat. You can adjust up or down depending on your taste preference.

Is this taco seasoning gluten-free?

Yes! There are no fillers, flour, or anti-caking agents — just pure spices. Perfect for gluten-free diets.

Can I reduce the salt or make it salt-free?

Totally. If you’re watching sodium, feel free to lower or omit the salt and season your taco meat to taste later in the cooking process.

Is this recipe spicy?

It has a subtle heat from cayenne pepper, but it’s not overwhelming. If you like things milder, just scale back the cayenne or leave it out.

What kind of tortillas should I use — corn or flour?

Either works! Corn tortillas give a more traditional flavor and are naturally gluten-free, while flour tortillas are soft, pliable, and easy to fold.

Do I need to drain the beef after cooking?

If your beef is on the fattier side (like 80/20), go ahead and drain off any excess grease before adding the seasoning and water.

Four ground beef tacos with homemade seasoning, topped with lettuce, diced tomatoes, shredded cheese, sour cream, jalapeños, and cilantro on yellow corn tortillas. Served with lime wedges and red sauce on a white surface. - 25

Ground Beef Tacos With Homemade Seasoning

Ingredients

For the Taco Seasoning

  • 4 teaspoons garlic granules or powder
  • 2 teaspoons onion powder
  • 2 teaspoons paprika
  • 8 teaspoons teaspoons chili powder
  • 2 teaspoons smoked paprika
  • 8 teaspoons ground cumin
  • 1 teaspoon cayenne pepper adjust to taste
  • 2 teaspoons dried oregano preferably Mexican oregano
  • 2 teaspoons sea salt reduced from 4 teaspoons
  • 2 teaspoons freshly ground black pepper

For the Taco Filling

  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1 small onion finely chopped
  • 1 pound ground beef 80/20 recommended
  • 1 tablespoon taco seasoning recipe above
  • ¼ cup water
  • 8 small corn or flour tortillas

Optional Toppings

  • Shredded lettuce
  • Diced tomatoes
  • Shredded cheese cheddar or Mexican blend
  • Sour cream
  • Salsa or hot sauce
  • Sliced jalapeños
  • Fresh cilantro

Instructions

For the Taco Seasoning

  • In a small bowl, mix all the spices together until well combined. You’ll only need a bit for the recipe, so save the rest in a 4oz spice jar for future use

For The Ground Beef Filling

  • Heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat.
  • Add the chopped onion and cook for 3 to 4 minutes, stirring occasionally, until soft and translucent.
  • Add the ground beef to the skillet. Break it apart with a spatula and cook for 5-7 minutes, stirring occasionally, until browned and no longer pink. Drain excess grease if needed.
  • Sprinkle 1 tablespoon of homemade taco seasoning evenly over the meat. Pour in ¼ cup of water and stir well to combine.
  • Lower the heat and let the mixture simmer for 3-5 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the liquid reduces and coats the beef evenly.

Warm the Tortillas

  • Heat a dry skillet over medium heat.
  • Warm each tortilla for 20-30 seconds per side until soft and slightly golden. Alternatively, wrap them in a damp paper towel and microwave for 30 seconds.

Assemble the Tacos

  • Spoon the seasoned beef mixture into each warm tortilla. Add your favorite toppings like lettuce, tomatoes, cheese, and sour cream.

Video

Notes

Erren’s Top Tips

Storage & Freezing Instructions

Thank you for visiting Erren’s Kitchen!