Dinner in a hurry never tasted so good! Savory, zingy and satisfying Ground Beef Tacos — who doesn’t love soft tacos? They’re affordable and so much better than takeout. Everyone will want seconds!

Ground Beef Taco Meat, sour cream, grated Cheddar, and pico de gallo in the center of a flour tortilla to make Ground Beef Tacos (Soft Tacos).

Ground beef in tacos may not be authentic or traditional anywhere else, but here in the Midwest, ground beef tacos are an everyday staple.

Some people simply brown ground beef with salt and pepper and achieve their signature soft taco flavor with the toppings and condiments they choose.

Others, like us, season the ground beef with some oh-so-familiar cumin-forward taco seasoning. If you haven’t made my easy three-ingredient ground beef taco meat recipe yet, you have to give it a try. But this recipe also works with taco seasoning packets.

Whatever your personal taco style might be, this easy, versatile recipe for ground beef tacos will get dinner on the table quickly and earn ooohs, aaahs, and rave reviews from the ones you share it with. Enjoy!

In This Post:

Ingredient Tips and Info

Flour Tortillas, burrito size – We choose the burrito size so there is plenty of room for filling and rolling the tacos. Use the size you like best, though.
Ground Beef Taco Meat (or browned ground beef) – My ground beef taco meat is seasoned with my nutritious, delicious, homemade taco seasoning, which has no fillers, MSG, preservatives, or unnecessary additives.
Shredded Lettuce
Sour Cream
Cheddar Cheese, freshly grated – We like extra sharp Cheddar, but have also used Monterey Jack, Colby Jack or even Pepper Jack with delicious results.
Pico de Gallo – My homemade pico de gallo is so easy to toss together while the taco meat is cooking. Do you need pico de gallo? Maybe not. We use it as a scrumptious, zingy, fresh salsa rather than buying jarred. I just can’t go back after enjoying the bright freshness of this salsa fresca, but jarred sauce will work. Definitely use what your family enjoys most.

Make It Ahead

It’s easy to have all the components for these tasty soft tacos made ahead and in the fridge. Even on crazy days when everyone is going in different directions at dinner time, they can have a nutritious and fresh meal-on-the-go.

I keep ground beef taco meat in one-pound packages in my freezer. It can be reheated in minutes, even from frozen.

And it’s a good idea to have one pound in the fridge, along with prepared pico de gallo, through the week so those meals on the run can come together quickly.

Assemble a quick and easy ground beef taco for anyone scurrying out the door at dinnertime or pack one into a lunch box to put a smile on the face of someone you love.

They’re affordable, nutritious and in a pinch, can be a pretty balanced and complete meal. Using my whole-food recipes for pico de gallo, taco seasoning, and taco meat, you can be assured you’re providing a healthier alternative to takeout.

Possible Recipe Variations

You can definitely customize your tacos to fit your own personal tastes and preferences. My recipe/formula features ingredients we almost always have on hand, and you should make your ground beef tacos the “perfect way” for your own family. Here are a few ideas.

Use different shells or tortillas. Grab hard shell taco shells or corn tortillas if that’s your preference. Try chalupa shells for a restaurant experience at home.
Add different veggie toppings. Maybe you don’t want pico de gallo. No worries. You can add chopped onions, tomatoes, avocado, parsley, coleslaw, corn, shredded cabbage or sliced radishes.
Add beans. Black beans, pinto beans or refried beans are always welcome additions to tacos.
Switch up the condiments. Use store bought salsa or try my out-of-this-world Pineapple Salsa. Try some Mexican crema. Drizzle on some of my creamy Southwest Dressing or Avocado Ranch.

The possibilities are as limitless as your imagination, creativity, and palate will allow. Make these your own, Friend. Happy Taco Tuesday!

What to Serve with Soft Tacos

Slow Cooker Charro Beans in a white ceramic bowl and garnished with sour cream, diced tomatoes, green onion, parsley and queso fresco

easy broccoli cauliflower salad recipe - salad in a round, white ceramic bowl ona concrete counter with a turquoise and white checked napkin

slow cooker creamed corn in a blue stoneware bowl on a barnboard table

How to Make Ground Beef Tacos

Make Ground Beef Taco Meat (recipe in the notes section of the recipe card) or brown ground beef.
Make Pico de Gallo ( recipe in Notes section of recipe card.) while taco meat cooks.
Grate the cheese.
Stack all 6 tortillas and warm them in the microwave for about 15 seconds. You want them to be pliable and easy to roll. Be careful not to overcook them.
Lay out all six tortillas and add 1/4 cup of shredded lettuce in the center of each.
Sprinkle 1/3 cup of warm ground beef taco meat (or browned ground beef) on top of the lettuce.
Dollop 1 1/2 Tablespoons of sour cream over the meat on each taco.
Add a heaping Tablespoon of freshly grated Cheddar cheese next.
Finish filling the tacos by adding 2 Tablespoons of pico de Gallo to the top.
Fold in the sides and then roll the tacos closed.

The Recipe Card

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