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Easy Ground Beef Tacos

My go-to 'emergency' dinner. These savory, budget-friendly tacos are miles better than any drive-thru. By using a quick homemade spice blend and a professional 'saucy' technique, you get tender, flavorful meat every single time in just 20 minutes.
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Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 15 minutes
Total Time 20 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: Mexican-American
Calories: 280
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

THE BEEF & AROMATICS
  • 1 lb ground beef 80/20 or 85/15 for the best flavor.
  • 1 small yellow onion Diced fine.
  • 3 cloves garlic Minced fresh.
  • 2 tbsp tomato paste My 'Chef's Secret' for deep umami flavor.
  • 0.5 cup beef broth Or water; keeps the meat juicy.
THE SOFIA SPICE BLEND
  • 1 tbsp chili powder
  • 1.5 tsp ground cumin
  • 1 tsp paprika
  • 0.5 tsp dried oregano
  • 0.25 tsp cayenne pepper Adjust for your heat preference.

Equipment

  • Large skillet
  • Wooden spoon

Method
 

  1. Brown the beef and onions in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Break the meat up with a spoon and cook until golden-brown edges appear (about 5-6 minutes). Drain excess fat.
  2. Push the meat to the side and add the garlic and tomato paste. Cook for 30 seconds until fragrant, then stir in all the dry spices to toast them briefly.
  3. Pour in the beef broth. Scrape the bottom of the pan to release those flavorful brown bits (the fond).
  4. Reduce heat to medium-low and simmer for 8-10 minutes until the liquid reduces into a thick, glossy coating on the meat.
  5. Warm your tortillas and assemble! For your photos, capture a 'Single Bite' shot by lifting a loaded taco towards the camera, showing off that juicy meat and fresh toppings.

Notes

Sofia's Real Tips: 1. Always warm your tortillas (gas flame or dry skillet) for better texture. 2. Use tomato paste and broth—it's the secret to 'restaurant-style' taco meat that isn't dry. 3. Zero-waste hack: Leftover meat is incredible for breakfast tacos with scrambled eggs. 4. If it's too spicy, add a dollop of Greek yogurt or sour cream to neutralize the heat.