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    Home ≫ Main Dish

    Ground Beef Tacos

    Updated January 9, 2022. Originally Posted April 26, 2020 By Nikole This post may contain Amazon affiliate links.

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    tacos with text overlay of recipe name

    Don't wait for Tuesday to have tacos...try these Ground Beef Tacos as a quick and easy way to throw together a tasty and comforting dinner on any night! This recipe is packed with the Tex-Mex flavors we all know and love with the addition of papas or potatoes.

    several tacos on a white platter

    Why This Recipe Works

    It's quick and easy! If you're looking for a tasty meal that can be ready in 30 minutes, then this recipe won't disappoint! This is a basic recipe that any beginning home cook can make! It was one of the first recipes I learned to make and it's also one of the most requested by my family!

    It's made with easy to find pantry ingredients. Even though this recipe is made with basic ingredients, that doesn't mean it's lacking in flavor! The beauty of this recipe is that it's made with familiar ingredients, but has extraordinary taste! Delicious food shouldn't be hard to make or hard to find!

    It's a comfort food the whole family will love. Tacos will be a staple at your house. It's one of those dishes that no one ever seems to get tired of. The great thing about this recipe is that it's made with my Easy Taco Seasoning, a homemade spice mix you make yourself! You can make it as spicy or mild as you like.

    What Goes Into This Recipe

    ground beef, potatoes, spices, onions, potato, garlic and corn tortillas

    How to Make Ground Beef Tacos

    Chop potatoes into half inch cubes. Boil in salted water until tender enough to be pierced with a fork, but not mushy. Drain potatoes in a colander and set aside.

    chopped potatoes on a cutting board

    In a teaspoon of oil, cook chopped onions  until soft. Add chopped garlic and cook for one minute.

    chopped onions in a skillet

    Crumble ground beef over onions and cook until no longer pink.

    ground beef being cooked in skillet

    Sprinkle Easy Taco Seasoning over cooked meat. Mix thoroughly. Add cooked potatoes. Gently mix potatoes into meat.

    adding seasoning and potatoes o ground beef

    Adjust salt and pepper to taste. Add more seasoning if desired.

    cooked taco meat in a skillet

    Expert Tips for Making Ground Beef Tacos

    Skip the potatoes. If you don't have any potatoes on hand, then by all means you can leave them out. You can also substitute a can of drained and rinsed black or pinto beans in place of the potatoes.

    You choose the shell. I love these tacos with warmed corn tortillas. Just place them on the skillet or over the flame of a gas stove and warm them until pliable. You can also use flour tortillas if that's more your thing. We love this taco meat with crunchy taco shells too. Just warm them up according to the box directions!

    If you're in more of a salad mood, serve this meat on top of a bowl of lettuce! It's a delicious lighter version of tacos!

    Try ground turkey instead of beef. This recipe will work with ground turkey too.

    Want it faster? Cook onions, garlic, and beef at the same time.

    Store leftovers in a covered container in the refrigerator for up to three days.

    close up of tacos on a platter

    More Easy Tex Mex Recipes to Try

    Easy Homemade Mexican Guacamole

    Taco Sauce

    Turkey Taco Soup

    Beef Chili Recipe

    Beef Burritos

    call to action photographic

     

    several tacos on a white platter with a bowl of salsa in the background

    Ground Beef Tacos

    Recipe by Nikole Berg
    Don't wait for Tuesday to have these tasty Ground Beef Tacos-the perfect weeknight dinner the whole family will love!
    5 from 1 vote
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe
    Prep Time 10 mins
    Cook Time 20 mins
    Total Time 30 mins
    Course Dinner
    Cuisine Mexican/Tex-Mex
    Servings 12 taocs
    Calories 295 kcal

    Ingredients
     
     

    • 1 baking potato large, chopped into ½ inch pieces
    • 1 teaspoon salt
    • 2 pounds ground beef or sirloin
    • 1 tablespoon oil mild flavored like canola
    • ½ cup onion chopped
    • 2 garlic cloves chopped
    • 2-3 tablespoon Easy Taco Seasoning or store bought taco seasoning packet
    • 12 corn tortillas small flour tortillas, crunchy taco shells

    Topping Ideas

    • 2 cups grated cheese cheddar, Monterey Jack, pepper jack, colby
    • 2 cups lettuce shredded
    • tomato chopped
    • jalepeños fresh or pickled
    • black olives
    • sour cream
    • black olives
    US Customary - Metric

    Instructions
     

    • Peel and dice potato into half inch cubes. Add the potatoes to a medium saucepan and fill with cold water until covered. Bring to boil, add salt then cook over medium heat until fork tender, but not mushy. Drain and set aside.
    • Heat oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add chopped onion and cook until softened, about 8 minutes. Add minced garlic, cook 1 minute more.
    • Crumble ground beef into pan with onion and garlic. Brown meat until no longer pink. If fatty, drain fat.
    • Turn heat to medium. Sprinkle 2-3 tablespoons of Easy Taco Seasoning over cooked meat. Stir well. If mixture seems dry, add a couple splashes of water to the pan. If using store bought taco seasoning, follow package directions. Add cooked potatoes and gently mix in. Taste and adjust seasoning.
    • Turn heat to low and prepare the tortillas or taco shells.
    • Add your favorite toppings and enjoy!

    Notes

    Skip the potatoes. If you don't have any potatoes on hand, then by all means you can leave them out. You can also substitute a can of drained and rinsed black or pinto beans in place of the potatoes.
    You choose the shell. I love these tacos with warmed corn tortillas. Just place them on the skillet or over the flame of a gas stove and warm them until pliable. You can also use flour tortillas if that's more your thing. We love this taco meat with crunchy taco shells too. Just warm them up according to the box directions!
    If you're in more of a salad mood, serve this meat on top of a bowl of lettuce! It's a delicious lighter version of tacos!
    Try ground turkey instead of beef. This recipe will work with ground turkey too.
    Want it faster? Cook onions, garlic, and beef at the same time.
    Store leftovers in a covered container in the refrigerator for up to three days.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 295kcalCarbohydrates: 16gProtein: 22gFat: 16gSaturated Fat: 7gCholesterol: 69mgSodium: 375mgPotassium: 410mgFiber: 2gSugar: 1gVitamin A: 249IUVitamin C: 2mgCalcium: 173mgIron: 2mg
    Keyword dinner recipes, easy, Mexican Food
    Tried this recipe?Click here to leave a helpful tip!

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    About Nikole

    Nikole is the creator and photographer behind The Travel Palate, a food and travel blog featuring quick and flavorful recipes and getaway guides. Nikole hopes to inspire your inner foodie whether you're in the kitchen or traveling on your next adventure.

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Linda C

      February 25, 2019 at 4:19 am

      I have not tried this recipe as we just had tacos the other night. I wanted to post my way of holding the shell together better. Before filling the shell, put cheese inside the bottom of your taco shell. Put into the microwave for 25 seconds to melt the cheese. Once melted, add your fixins. Adding this cheese and melting it holds the taco shell together better so it wont break as easy. Enjoy

      Reply
      • Nikole

        February 25, 2019 at 2:42 pm

        Thank you Linda for adding a useful tip! I hope folks find it helpful!! Isn't taco night the best?!

        Reply
    2. Courtney

      September 25, 2018 at 2:17 pm

      Perfect for #tacotuesday! Love the addition of potato to your taco meat!

      Reply
      • Nikole

        September 25, 2018 at 3:53 pm

        Thanks Courtney! It makes it so yummmy!

        Reply
    3. Patty

      September 24, 2018 at 10:26 am

      I love how your tacos sound easy to make and so flavorful, I really want to try making them, thanks for sharing!

      Reply
      • Nikole

        September 24, 2018 at 5:13 pm

        Thanks for checking them out Patty!

        Reply
    4. Beth

      September 24, 2018 at 10:25 am

      I love the idea of the potato in the meat mixture! I grate potato for my meat mixture for taquitos, but have never used them for tacos!

      Reply
      • Nikole

        September 24, 2018 at 5:37 pm

        It makes tacos even more budget friendly!

        Reply
    5. Julie @ Running in a Skirt

      September 24, 2018 at 9:35 am

      Sometimes simple recipes really are the best! I love how this is such a great dinner for a busy night. Perfect for the family.

      Reply
      • Nikole

        September 24, 2018 at 5:12 pm

        This is my favorite go-to weeknight dinner recipe!

        Reply
    6. Jacqueline

      September 24, 2018 at 3:00 am

      I love tacos too although we don't have them as often as I would like! Your tacos look absolutely delicious and I like the idea of making my own taco spice!

      Reply
      • Nikole

        September 24, 2018 at 5:11 pm

        Sometime I think I eat them too often!

        Reply

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    Welcome! I'm Nikole and here at The Travel Palate, I focus on creating quick and easy meals that don't sacrifice flavor for convenience. Join me in the kitchen to celebrate easy American cooking that's globally inspired. About The Travel Palate

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