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These Ground Beef Street Tacos are loaded with bold flavor and ready in just 25 minutes! Make these easy ground beef tacos for the perfect easy dinner for taco night or your next fiesta!
If you’re looking for an easy, flavorful weeknight dinner, these Ground Beef Street Tacos are a total win. They bring all the flavor and taste of authentic street tacos with the seasoned taco meat, warm tortillas, and fresh toppings. Which makes it a quick recipe to make on busy weeknights.
My family loves customizing their tacos with cilantro, onion, lime, and a little hot sauce. It’s one of those meals that feels festive and comforting all at once! These ground beef tacos are kid approved and make taco night even better. For even more taco night favorites, check out Ground Beef Tacos Recipe or Mini Tacos.
Ingredients
- Ground Beef – We used lean ground beef. Substitute with pork or ground turkey
- Minced Garlic – Learn How to Mince Garlic Cloves
- Spices – We used chili powder, cumin, paprika, oregano, salt and black pepper. But you can also use Taco Seasoning Recipe
- Limes – For the best flavor, use fresh lime
- Assemble the Tacos – Street Corn Taco Size Tortillas, salsa verde, chopped onion, Cotija Cheese, and Fresh Cilantro.
Scroll to the recipe card for the full recipe details.
How to Make Ground Beef Street Tacos
Step 1 – In a large pan over medium high heat, add the ground beef and cook, breaking it apart with a wooden spoon, until it begins to brown, about 5-6 minutes. Remove excess fat to prevent soggy tacos.
Step 2 – Add the minced garlic, chili powder, cumin, paprika, oregano, salt, and black pepper to the beef. Stir well to coat the meat evenly.
Step 3 – Pour in the water and reduce the heat to low. Let the mixture simmer for about 5 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the liquid has mostly evaporated and the beef is fully cooked.
Step 4 – Squeeze ½ of a lime over the beef mixture and cut the remaining lime into wedges for serving.
Step 5 – While the beef is finishing, warm the corn tortillas in a dry skillet over medium heat for 30 seconds per side, or until soft and pliable.
Step 6 – Divide the seasoned ground beef among the tortillas. Top each taco with salsa verde, diced onion, chopped cilantro and cheese (if using).
Step 7 – Serve immediately with lime wedges on the side for squeezing over the tacos before eating. Enjoy!
Ground Beef Street Tacos
Ingredients
For the Beef:
- 1 pound ground beef
- 2 cloves Garlic minced (or 2 teaspoon pre-minced garlic)
- 1 tablespoon chili powder
- 1 teaspoon ground cumin
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- ½ teaspoon oregano
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- ¼ cup water
- 2 Limes divided
For Assembly:
- 12 corn tortillas street taco size
- ¼ cup Salsa Verde
- 1 white onion finely diced
- 1 cup Cotija Cheese optional
- ½ cup fresh cilantro chopped
Instructions
- In a large skillet over medium-high heat, add the ground beef and cook, breaking it apart with a spoon, until it begins to brown, about 5-6 minutes.
- Add the minced garlic, chili powder, cumin, paprika, oregano, salt, and black pepper to the beef. Stir well to coat the meat evenly.
- Pour in the water and reduce the heat to low. Let the mixture simmer for about 5 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the liquid has mostly evaporated and the beef is fully cooked.
- Squeeze ½ of a lime over the beef mixture and cut the remaining lime into wedges for serving.
- While the beef is finishing, warm the corn tortillas in a dry skillet over medium heat for 30 seconds per side, or until soft and pliable.
- Divide the seasoned ground beef among the tortillas. Top each taco with salsa verde, diced onion, chopped cilantro and cheese (if using).
- Serve immediately with lime wedges on the side for squeezing over the tacos before eating. Enjoy!
Recipe Video
Recipe Notes
- Lean Ground Beef – If the beef releases a lot of fat while cooking, drain it before adding the seasonings.
- Adding Water – To prevent the beef from drying out, keep an eye on the simmering time after adding water. The mixture should be moist but not watery by the time it’s done.
- Heating Tortillas – Warming the tortillas in a skillet adds a bit of char and enhances their flavor. If you want them softer, wrap the tortillas in a damp paper towel and microwave them in 15-second intervals. Use two tortillas per taco for extra sturdiness.
- Add Shredded Cheese – Melt shredded cheddar or Monterey Jack over the beef for amazing flavor.
- Chipotle Style – Add chipotle peppers in adobo for smoky spice.
- Low Carb Variation – Serve over lettuce wraps instead of tortillas.
- Add Heat – Serve with jalapeños or a drizzle of hot sauce.
Nutrition Facts
Serving Recommendations
These street tacos are delicious served with Mexican Rice, Crockpot Refried Beans or Slow Cooker Black Beans.
Add your favorite toppings such as Easy Fresh Pico De Gallo, Guacamole Recipe, sour cream and Copycat Chipotle Queso Blanco with a side of tortilla chips for the perfect Taco Tuesday meal.
FAQ’s
You should be able to find street taco size shells at the grocery store. We used white corn tortillas but you can also use flour tortillas.
To prevent the taco shells from getting soggy, we recommend storing all the taco toppings, ground beef and shells separately in an airtight container. Store the leftovers in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.
We recommend freezing the ground beef in a freezer safe container for up to 3 months. This makes it easy to enjoy these street tacos anytime. See How to Freeze Ground beef AFTER you brown it for tips and tricks.
More Easy Street Taco Recipes
Easy Mexican
Carne Asada Street Tacos
Main Dish
Easy Crock Pot Street Tacos recipe
Quick and Easy Chicken
Chicken Street Tacos
We love to hear from you! If you make Ground Beef Street Tacos Recipe, please leave us a comment or a star review.
These Street Tacos were perfect to serve for Taco Tuesday! Packed with flavor and so easy to make.