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Easy Ground Beef Tacos in 20 Minutes : Easy Ground Beef Tacos You’ll Love in 20 Minutes

Easy Ground Beef Tacos in 20 Minutes

A quick and flavorful ground beef taco recipe that’s ready in under 20 minutes. Perfect for busy weeknights with family-friendly toppings and customizable options.
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Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 15 minutes
Total Time 20 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Course: Main Dish
Cuisine: Mexican
Calories: 320
Ingredients Equipment Method Nutrition Notes

Ingredients
  

Ground Beef
  • 1 lb lean ground beef 85/15 or 90/10 works best
  • 1 tbsp olive oil or neutral oil
  • 1 small yellow onion finely chopped
  • 2 cloves garlic minced
  • 1 tbsp chili powder
  • 1½ tsp ground cumin
  • 1 tsp smoked paprika
  • ½ tsp dried oregano
  • ½ tsp salt or to taste
  • ¼ tsp black pepper
  • ½ cup beef broth, chicken broth, or water
  • 8 -10 taco shells hard or soft tortillas
Toppings
  • shredded lettuce iceberg or romaine
  • diced tomatoes
  • shredded cheese cheddar, Monterey Jack, or a Mexican blend
  • sour cream or plain Greek yogurt
  • salsa of your choice
  • fresh cilantro, chopped
  • sliced avocado or guacamole
  • lime wedges for squeezing

Equipment

  • Large skillet,
  • Wooden spoon
  • Small Bowls

Method
 

  1. Awaken the Aromatics: Get a large skillet warm over medium high heat. Add your olive oil. Once it shimmers, add the finely chopped onion. Let it cook for about 2 to 3 minutes, stirring occasionally, until it gets soft and translucent. Now, add the minced garlic and cook for just another minute until you can smell that incredible, fragrant aroma. Don’t let it burn; we want it to be sweet, not bitter.
  2. Sizzle and Brown the Beef: Add the ground beef to the skillet. You should hear a satisfying sizzle. Use a wooden spoon to break the beef apart into small crumbles. Let it cook until it’s browned all over, which should take about 5 to 7 minutes. If you're using beef with a higher fat content, this is the time to carefully drain off any excess grease.
  3. Bloom the Spices: Sprinkle the chili powder, cumin, smoked paprika, oregano, salt, and pepper directly over the browned beef. Stir everything together for about a minute. This step, called blooming, toasts the spices and unlocks their deepest, most soulful flavors. The kitchen should smell absolutely incredible right now.
  4. Simmer and Thicken: Pour in the beef broth or water. Give it a good stir, scraping up any delicious browned bits from the bottom of the pan. Bring the mixture to a gentle simmer. Let it cook for another 3 to 5 minutes, allowing the sauce to thicken slightly and for all those beautiful flavors to meld together into one cohesive, delicious taco filling.
  5. Assemble Your Masterpiece: While the meat simmers, warm your tortillas according to the package directions. Set out all your toppings in small bowls. Call the family to the table. Let them build their own joy. Spoon the warm, savory beef into the shells, and let everyone pile on their favorite toppings.

Nutrition

Calories: 320kcalCarbohydrates: 15gProtein: 25gFat: 18gSaturated Fat: 6gCholesterol: 75mgSodium: 400mgPotassium: 450mgFiber: 2gSugar: 3gVitamin A: 1000IUVitamin C: 20mgCalcium: 200mgIron: 3mg

Notes

This recipe is more than just a quick meal; it’s a reclamation of the dinner hour. It’s proof that you don’t need hours to make something that feels intentional and deeply satisfying.
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