Are you ready to take your taco night to the next level? Dive into the delicious world of homemade Cooks Ground Beef Tacos, where every bite is bursting with flavor and fun! In just 25 minutes, you can whip up a mouthwatering meal that will have your family and friends begging for seconds. With a perfect blend of seasoned beef, fresh toppings, and crispy taco shells, this recipe is sure to become a weeknight favorite. Get ready to impress your taste buds and elevate your taco game—read on to discover how to create these irresistible tacos at home!
Prep Time: 10 mins
Cook Time: 15 mins
Total Time: 25 mins
Cuisine: Mexican
Serves: 4 servings
Ingredients
- 1 lb ground beef
- 1 packet taco seasoning
- 8 taco shells
- 1 cup shredded lettuce
- 1 cup diced tomatoes
- 1 cup shredded cheese
- 1/2 cup sour cream
Instructions
- Place a large skillet over medium-high heat and add the ground beef. Break the beef into small crumbles using a wooden spoon or spatula.
- Cook the ground beef for 6-8 minutes, stirring frequently, until the meat is completely browned and no pink remains. Drain excess fat from the skillet using a colander.
- Return the drained beef to the skillet and sprinkle the entire packet of taco seasoning over the meat. Add 3/4 cup of water and stir thoroughly to combine.
- Reduce heat to medium-low and simmer the seasoned beef for 3-4 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the sauce thickens and coats the meat evenly.
- While the beef is simmering, preheat taco shells in the oven at 350°F for 3-5 minutes to ensure they are warm and crisp.
- Prepare the taco toppings by chopping fresh lettuce, dicing tomatoes, and having shredded cheese and sour cream ready.
- Carefully fill each warm taco shell with the seasoned ground beef, distributing the meat evenly.
- Top each taco with shredded lettuce, diced tomatoes, shredded cheese, and a dollop of sour cream.
- Serve immediately while the beef is hot and the shells are crisp. Enjoy your homemade ground beef tacos!
Tips
- Choose Quality Beef: Opt for lean ground beef (80/20) for a perfect balance of flavor and fat. This will help reduce excess grease while still keeping your tacos juicy.
- Customize Your Seasoning: Feel free to add extra spices like chili powder, cumin, or garlic powder to the taco seasoning for a personalized kick!
- Don’t Skip the Simmer: Allow the seasoned beef to simmer for a few minutes. This step helps the flavors meld together, resulting in a more flavorful filling.
- Warm Your Taco Shells: Preheating your taco shells in the oven not only makes them crispy but also enhances the overall texture of your tacos.
- Get Creative with Toppings: While lettuce, tomatoes, and cheese are classic, consider adding avocado, jalapeños, or salsa for an extra layer of flavor.
- Assembly Line: Set up a taco assembly line with all your toppings laid out so that everyone can customize their tacos just the way they like them.
- Serve Immediately: Tacos are best enjoyed fresh, so serve them right away to keep the shells crunchy and the beef hot.
- Leftover Beef: If you have any seasoned beef left, it makes a great filling for burritos or nachos the next day!
Nutrition Facts
Calories: 630kcal
Carbohydrates: 32g
Protein: 35g
Fat: 44g
Saturated Fat: 18g
Cholesterol: 125mg
