Ground Beef with Homemade Taco Seasoning Mix Recipe

Ground Beef with Homemade Taco Seasoning Mix Recipe

Cook Time: 15 minutes

Ingredients

  • 2 teaspoons dried minced onion
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1 teaspoon chili powder
  • teaspoon cornstarch
  • teaspoon ground cumin
  • teaspoon red pepper flakes (Optional)
  • teaspoon cayenne pepper (Optional)
  • teaspoon dried minced garlic
  • teaspoon dried oregano
  • 1 pound ground beef
  • cup water

Directions

Step 1: Gather all ingredients.

Step 2: In a bowl, combine dried minced onion, salt, chili powder, cornstarch, ground cumin, red pepper flakes, cayenne pepper (if using), dried minced garlic, and dried oregano. Set the seasoning mix aside.

Step 3: Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the ground beef to the skillet and cook, stirring frequently, until it is browned and crumbly, about 7 to 10 minutes.

Step 4: Drain any excess grease from the skillet and discard it.

Step 5: Pour the water and seasoning mix over the browned ground beef. Stir well to combine.

Step 6: Bring the mixture to a simmer and cook for about 5 minutes, or until the mixture has thickened slightly.

Nutrition Facts (per serving)

  • Calories: 107
  • Fat: 7g
  • Carbohydrates: 1g
  • Protein: 10g
  • Saturated Fat: 3g
  • Cholesterol: 36mg
  • Sodium: 328mg
  • Dietary Fiber: 0g
  • Vitamin C: 1mg
  • Calcium: 9mg
  • Iron: 1mg
  • Potassium: 134mg

Ground Beef with Homemade Taco Seasoning Mix Recipe

Comments

Pam Young

10/06/2025 01:52:54 PM

This was awesome!! I've been using the store bought seasoning for as long I've been cooking and I won't be buying that anymore. I didn't change a thing except using garlic powder as I didn't have dried "minced" on hand. It was the perfect mix of flavors. Not too spicy, even with the cayenne. Thank you!!

Aileen Lisette

06/29/2022 11:19:38 PM

Simple and tasty. I also used only 1/2 tsp of salt. 1 tsp was too salty in my opinion. Instead of making tacos, I made beef enchiladas. After the seasoned meat was done (I did not add water), I mixed it with 1/2 c of sour cream, 1 c of pureed salsa and 1/2 c of mild cheddar cheese. I put some refried beans on top of the beef to make 8 enchiladas. I then poured some of the salsa on top of the rolled up tortillas and sprinkled Mexican Cheese Mix on top of them. Baked uncovered at 350 for 20 minutes and my guys couldn't stop raving about it. This is definitely a keeper!

Rowdy Roddy

05/14/2017 02:06:10 AM

Great beginnings with a lot of ad lib to it. Never go back to store bought. Used real onion and garlic. Swapped out the chili flakes for 1/2 finely diced jalapeno. Sauteed the onion, garlic and jalapeno with the ground beef. Added some hot sauce to the 1/2 cup water and voila, better than restaurant quality. The fresh ingredients made it so good! Added extra flavour and a heat that snuck up on you but was not overpowering. Just flavour packed.

Yagatov

02/13/2025 12:01:26 AM

Good, simple, my first self-made Tacos! These are delicious! This recipe makes commercial tacos from the Taco Joint taste rather severely tastless. I added one plug of Jimmy Dean "HOT" breakfast sausage to the 2 lbs ground beef: a good addition. I added finely-chopped white onions to the meat as I stir-fried it, along with 1 tsp minced jalapeno pepper. Found a bottle of "Taco Sauce" in the refrigerator, which made it better.Sprinkled tacos with fresh lemon juice while assembling them. Season was GREAT! Add more pepper. :-)

Ann Ballentine

01/23/2018 11:00:22 PM

I made the taco seasoning but made a couple of changes. Instead of the minced dried onions I used real onions finely minced. I also added real chopped garlic instead of dried garlic. I cooked the ground beef and added onions and cooked it then added the half cup of water. I added the ground beef to fresh lettuce, tomatoes, sour cream, cheese and red taco sauce. They were delicious my husband filled three soft taco shells. Easy to make great for a week no

CdnMorganGal

11/06/2018 04:02:28 AM

Very good! Will definitely become part of our regular meals. I halved the salt and cayenne pepper . Next time will make it 3/4 strength. Didn't have any cumin. Didn't use the cornstarch. Added cooked rice to absorb some of the liquid and then used the meat/rice mixture inside burritos with added cheese, tomatoes, green onion and shredded lettuce. YUM!

Luke Zed

08/27/2018 08:25:21 AM

This recipe is a winner! I also used it as a rub(minus the water) on a sirloin steak to make carne asada and it was quite tasty. Recipe works for steak and ground beef. My friends were quite impressed with it, too. You can minus the cayenne pepper if sensitive to spicy things.

Lindsey Webster

12/05/2018 02:41:37 PM

Great recipe to follow...I doubled the recipe, but felt that I still needed to add more cumin. I like a lot of flavor in my food! I also sauteed green pepper and onion with cumin, salt, and pepper, and added it to the meat. It was a great addition!

SilkyMeal7396

02/21/2025 12:45:19 AM

I didn’t have cayenne pepper, so I added a tablespoon of salsa. I flattened a brick of cream cheese, spread salsa over it, piled the seasoned ground beef over it, sprinkled shredded cheddar on top, and served it with nachos. It was a great quick meal and a party snack too.

FriskyBrew8324

11/10/2024 04:35:49 PM

Yummy! I subed 1/2 fresh red onion. 1/4 added to the beef the other for the nacho topping. Also added 1/4 tsp of Tajin spice. 1 shot 1800 Taquila. Under cook befor adding to the nachos. Have fun enjoy cooking!

PinchofThis

03/05/2019 05:54:59 PM

Kids & partner approved. Only substitutions I made was to skip the cornstarch and trade 8oz can of tomato sauce for the water. We served with yellow rice and typical taco fixins (lettuce, tomatoes, avocado, shredded cheese).

Christine Votel

08/03/2025 05:42:31 PM

I used garlic powder instead of minced and added smoked paprika to the mix. I make a pint jar at a time and always have it on hand. We prefer to leave the salt out.

Tamra

07/23/2025 09:56:49 PM

I would not add the salt. I found it pretty salty but other than that it was very tasty.

Fran Williams

05/05/2025 11:57:47 PM

I followed the directions fully except I used fresh chopped garlic rather than dried. The flavors were good, and no preservatives!

GILLYWOMBAT

04/26/2025 12:59:03 AM

We love tacos,and this is our family go to recipe...I used less cayenne and pepper because I'm sensitive to some spices however even after tweaking the recipe it turned out great so I stuck to it,I also make enchiladas using the same recipe I just add red and green peppers and kidney beans... delicious 😋

Maria Diaz

04/17/2025 09:51:25 AM

This is officially my new favorite.

William Hill

03/10/2025 03:17:16 PM

Made it once — planning round two immediately.

ckmouse

02/12/2025 11:33:18 PM

I like to control the amount of sodium in my food and try to avoid preservatives, so was happy to find this. I have used prepared seasoning when time was an issue, but I think I will make some of this in bulk to have on hand. I didn't have minced garlic, so used garlic powder. I didn't include the red pepper flakes, and substituted chipotle chili powder for regular because we like spicy. Everyone was happy, so this is a keeper. **Note to myself - when making in bulk, use about 2 Tbs of seasoning mix.

SpeedyHerb3819

01/21/2025 06:40:22 AM

I've read through the provided beef taco recipe and have some thoughts on the seasoning levels: **Pros**: * **Balanced Flavor Profile**: The combination of cumin, chili powder, garlic powder, and onion powder creates a well-rounded and complex flavor profile. It's not too spicy or overwhelming, which is great for those who prefer a more subtle seasoning. * **Versatility**: The recipe allows for customization with additional spices like smoked paprika, chipotle powder, or cayenne pepper. This flexibility makes it easy to adjust the seasoning to your personal preference or dietary needs. * **Homemade Seasoning**: Using a homemade taco seasoning mix adds a layer of depth and freshness that you can't get from store-bought packets. It also allows you to control the seasoning levels and quality. **Suggestions for Adjusting Seasoning**: * **More Heat**: If you enjoy spicy food, consider adding a pinch of chipotle powder or a sprinkle of cayenne pepper to the mix. * **More Smokiness**: To enhance the smokiness, add a teaspoon of smoked paprika to the mix. * **More Citrus**: Adding a squeeze of fresh lime juice or a tablespoon of orange zest can bring a refreshing citrus flavor to the tacos. * **More Texture**: For a bit of crunch, sprinkle some chopped fresh cilantro or a handful of shredded cheese on top of the cooked beef. **Additional Tips**: * **Cook the Beef Thoroughly**: Make sure the beef is cooked to your desired temperature to prevent foodborne illness. * **Rest the Beef**: Let the cooked beef rest for a few minutes before serving to allow the juices to redistribute and make the beef more tender. * **Serve with Fresh Ingredients**: Add fresh toppings like shredded lettuce, diced tomatoes, sliced onions, and avocado for added flavor and texture. Overall, I think this beef taco recipe is a solid starting point with a balanced flavor profile. With a few adjustments, you can tailor it to your taste preferences and create a delicious meal that everyone will enjoy.

DizzyWrap4329

12/11/2024 06:54:09 PM

To drain or not to drain doesn't translate to the only solution. Have you tried adding oatmeal to soak up the flavor rather than dump it out (fyi this is why you season after you drain for those many that asked) Or a can of tomato sauce and a long simmer does wonders to the flavor profile. Besides, it's cheap to extend your servings. Mom always said, waste not want not.