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Ground Beef Tacos
Seasoned ground beef in tortillas with whatever toppings you have. The most basic pantry meal there is, and one of the best.
Allergens: Contains dairy if using cheese or sour cream. Flour tortillas contain wheat. Use corn tortillas for gluten-friendly.
Ingredients
- 1 lb ground beef
- 8 tortillas (flour or corn)
- 1 small onion, diced
- 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
Optional Extras
- 1 packet taco seasoning
- Or: 1 tsp chili powder + 1/2 tsp garlic powder + 1/2 tsp cumin
- Shredded cheese
- Sour cream
- Salsa
- Diced tomato
- Shredded lettuce or cabbage
- Hot sauce
- Salt and pepper
Equipment
- Skillet or frying pan
- Spatula
- Knife and cutting board
Instructions
- Heat oil in a skillet over medium heat. Add diced onion and cook for 2-3 minutes until soft.
- Add ground beef. Break it apart with your spatula as it cooks. Cook until no pink remains, about 5-7 minutes.
- Drain off excess grease by tilting the pan and spooning it out.
- If using taco seasoning, add it now with 1/4 cup water. Stir and simmer for 2-3 minutes until the liquid is mostly gone. If using individual spices, add chili powder, garlic powder, cumin, and salt now and stir for 1 minute. If you have no seasoning at all, just add salt and the beef still tastes good.
- Warm tortillas in a dry skillet for 30 seconds each side, or wrap in a damp paper towel and microwave for 20 seconds.
- Spoon beef into tortillas and add whatever toppings you have.
Notes
- No taco seasoning? Chili powder and garlic powder get you most of the way there. If you don't have those either, just salt the beef. It still makes a good taco.
- Stretch it with beans. Add a can of drained black beans or pinto beans to the beef. One pound of meat plus one can of beans makes enough for 12+ tacos.
- Corn tortillas are naturally gluten-free. If someone in your household avoids gluten, use corn instead of flour.
- Leftovers: The seasoned beef keeps in the fridge for 4 days. Reheat and make tacos, burrito bowls, or nachos.