Easy Ground Beef Street Tacos

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These easy ground beef street tacos are absolutely delicious and packed in flavor. They come together with just a few ingredients and they make for the most delicious, family friendly weeknight dinner. While this is not traditional, this recipe uses ground beef, which is inexpensive and quick to cook so that this meal is able to come together in under 20 minutes, making it the perfect meal for our busy lifestyle!

This is a top view of my easy ground beef street tacos on a plate topped with cilantro and onions and served with a wedge of lime.

Why you’ll love this taco recipe:

Easy to make and requires just a few ingredients.
Ready in under 20 minutes making it a perfect weeknight dinner.
Balanced and fresh ingredients that don’t compromise on flavor.

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Why you’ll love this taco recipe:
Ingredients
Instructions
Substitutions
Variations
Equipment
Storage
Top tip
FAQ
Dinner
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FOOD SAFETY

Ingredients

Lean Ground Beef: I used 90% Lean Ground Beef but you’re welcome to use 95%. While ground beef is not traditional, it is easy and quick to cook.
Avocado Oil: I used avocado oil because it has a high smoke point as is great for cooking.
Mild Siete Taco Seasoning: I am a huge fan of the Siete brand but you’re welcome to use your favorite taco seasoning.
Corn Tortillas: I used corn tortillas but you are welcome to use flour street tacos or almond flour tacos if preferred.
Medium Onion, Chopped: I use fresh chopped onions to garnish this non-traditional street taco but feel free to skip if you’re not a fan.
Limes, Quartered– I squeeze the fresh lime juice on top.
Fresh Cilantro to Garnish– This adds a nice herby flavor, color and freshness to the taco!
Optional: Hot Sauce– This is optional but highly recommended. I love using the Yellow Bird Serrano Hot Sauce for this recipe.

See recipe card for quantities.

Instructions

This features me chopping my onions and slicing my lemons

Start by preparing your toppings. Chop your onions, quarter your lime and wash your cilantro if using.

this shows me adding oil and ground beef to my cast iron skillet

Add your avocado oil to a large cast iron skillet on medium high heat. Then add in your lean ground beef. Use a meat masher or wooden utensil to break the meat apart.

this shows me adding taco sesoning and cooking my ground beef.

Add your taco seasoning and cook for 7-10 minutes or until your ground beef reaches an internal temperature of 165 F.

this shows me charring my tortillas and topping my street tacos.

Place your tortillas over an open fire for 10-15 seconds per side to quickly heat and char your tortillas.
Load your tortillas with the ground beef followed by your chopped onions and cilantro. Squeeze the lime on top for some additional flavor and then top with hot sauce if using. Serve and enjoy!

Hint: If you don’t have a gas stove, feel free to heat your tortillas on a skillet on high heat when you’re ready to serve.

This is a side view close up of my beef street tacos.

Substitutions

Corn Flour– Use wheat or white tortillas instead if desired.
Vegetarian/Vegan – Use ground lentils or tempeh to make this dish vegetarian or vegan.

This recipe is already gluten-free and dairy-free as is.

Variations

Deluxe – add guacamole, jalapenos, cheese and any other toppings you’d like to make these tacos deluxe.
Kid friendly – depending on your child’s taste buds, you may need to skip the hot sauce to make this recipe kid-friendly!

You may even want to try my sheet pan chicken tacos for a more kid-friendly variation of this dish.

Equipment

All you need to make these easy ground beef tacos are a large pan. I really like to use my cast iron skillet for this dish but it is not necessary.

If you’re in the market for an affordable cast iron, I have the Lodge Cast Iron Skillet and it has worked great for us for years!

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Storage

If you have leftover cooked ground beef, store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. Reheat it in a skillet or microwave before using. Store leftover assembled tacos without toppings in an airtight container in the refrigerator, but be aware that the tortillas may become soggy. Assemble toppings just before serving leftover tacos.

Top tip

Don’t forget the fresh lime wedges for squeezing over the tacos just before serving, as they add a burst of acidity that balances the richness of the beef.

FAQ

How do I prevent the tacos from getting soggy?

One way to prevent soggy tacos is to use warm, freshly cooked tortillas and to drain excess liquid (if there is any) from the ground beef before assembling the tacos.

Can I make these tacos ahead of time?

While it’s best to assemble tacos just before serving to prevent them from getting soggy, you can prepare components in advance. Cook and season the ground beef ahead of time and store it in the refrigerator. Then, reheat it just before serving. Similarly, prepare your toppings in advance and store them separately until you’re ready to assemble the tacos.

What type of tortillas should I use?

Traditional street tacos are typically served on small corn tortillas, but you can use flour tortillas if you prefer. Warm the tortillas before assembling the tacos to make them more pliable and flavorful.

Dinner

Looking for other easy dinner recipes like this? Try these:

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