Tacos are one of my favorite Mexican-style dishes. My kids also love them but we hardly ever eat them anymore because the pre-packaged taco seasoning is hard on their tummies – it makes them feel sick (and my husband, too, actually). So I decided to take matters into my own hands and I opened my copy of Joy of Cooking, knowing there was probably a solution inside. There was! And let me tell you, there is no going back to the store-bought taco seasoning after making your own. These tacos were terribly delicious and are now in my tried-and-true binder of go-to meals. I love success stories like this!
Ground Beef Tacos
Printable Version
Printable Version with Picture
*Serves 4
INGREDIENTS:
2 tablespoons canola oil
3/4 cup chopped onion
1 pound ground beef or ground turkey
1 to 3 garlic cloves
1 tablespoon chili powder
2 teaspoons ground cumin
2 teaspoons ground coriander
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon pepper
1 (8-ounce) can tomato sauce
1 jalapeno, seeded and minced fine (alternately, you can add hot pepper sauce to taste or canned jalapenos OR just leave out the heat altogether, although I think the meat really needs a little kick and adding the jalapeno without seeds didn’t make the dish overly spicy)
Taco shells
Additional taco garnishes
DIRECTIONS:
In a large skillet over medium heat, add the oil and chopped onion. Cook, stirring often, until the onion is softened, about 4-5 minutes. Add the ground beef and cook, breaking up the meat into smaller chunks, until it is cooked through, about 5 minutes. Off the heat, drain the grease from the meat.
Return the skillet to the heat and stir in the garlic, chili powder, cumin, coriander, salt and pepper. Cook for about 30 seconds and then add the tomato sauce and jalapeno. Turn the heat to low and simmer the meat mixture for about 10 minutes, stirring occasionally. Serve in taco shells with your choice of toppings.
Recipe Source: adapted from the Joy of Cooking
{ 49 comments… read them below or add one }
Looks great! Taco night is the best night~!
This sounds really good! Our daughter’s fave food is tacos and I always only use about 1/2 the pack of seasoning because I too think it’s too strong and ick. I will definitely try this out though!
the taco seasoning packets are pretty foul. plus, i don’t think they ever contain coriander, which i agree is a delicious component. all hail <>joy of baking<>.
I am always surprised at myself that I don’t own “The Joy of Cooking”. I really have to make this my next purchase.There is nothing like homemade seasonings instead of the packets. I found this out with an amazing batch of chili one day and the next time I made tacos hunted down a recipe as well. I will never go back to the packages.
I haven’t made taco’s in a long while because of those nasty taco seasoning packets. I will definitely have to try these, because I miss tacos…. Thanks!
Thanks everyone for commenting. It looks like I’m officially the last person on the planet to try a homemade taco meat/seasoning! You are all in trouble for not informing me of the benefits earlier.
Sarah, I whole-heartedly support you making the Joy of Cooking your next person. It is so worth it.Natalie – what a sweet comment! Thank you. You made my day. I commented on your blog, too!
Hi!My name is Natalie, and I found your blog a little while ago, and I have been a HUGE fan ever since! The recipes you make always sound so delicious, and very do-able at the same time. I have four young kids and a husband who loves to eat good food. But I’m really not a great cook. However, your blog gives me hope that I can be. I especially appreciate that you leave your own practical tips for your recipes. I made the German Chocolate brownies. SO good! I hope you don’t mind if I link you on my blog. Everytime your blog is updated, I get so excited to see what you’re cooking next!
I’m glad you discovered that you don’t have to use package seasoning! They’re so much better when it’s homemade
I found a seasoning recipe online awhile ago, and I always have some made up in a jar that I keep with my spices. We never like the whole packet of taco seasoning, and I got tired of having half empty packages in the cabinet. The homemade one is better, and easier because it’s just in a jar! I’ll have to try this recipe because it sounds wonderful!
Love that idea Deborah! (I may mix some of this up and keep it in a little spice container in my spice drawer) OH I LOVE GOOD IDEAS!! Yay!!!
Mel ~ yum, yum, yum. This is delicious and tasts so much more ‘natural’ than the packages, if that makes sense. I one time started to make tacos and when I went to grab the package of seasoning, realized I didn’t have one…so I spiced the meat up (made it up as I went along) and it was really good but I totally forgot what I used besides chili powder, so I’m so glad to have found this recipe. This is awesome. (I didn’t add the tomato sauce cuz I was using it for taco salad…you know the whole ‘tortilla bowl I just finished raving about?) so I wanted a dry meat. Delicious. I will add the tomato sauce next time if I can convince myself to eat a taco and not HAVE to have it in a bowl instead
mia – I like the natural taste of this spice mixture, too. And hey, there’s nothing wrong with preferring your tacos in a bowl!
Thanks for a great quick taco seasoning. This was so yummy and I had all the seasoning in the cabinet. It was a HUGE hit!
Thanks, Sonya – I’m so glad you liked this version of homemade tacos!
I just made this last night and it was AMAZING!! I also made your Balsamic Black Bean Salsa which was just perfect. Thanks for the great recipes! BTW- I’m starting a “best recipes from other blogs” section on my blog- these will go in there!
Double Dipped Life – glad you liked these! Thanks for adding them to your Best Recipes section!
3 yr old girl: “Mom! This is YUM!”
4 yr old boy: “Mom, this is REALLY YUM! Thanks for dinner, Mom.”
In other words, this is a hit. Both of those comments were made after just one bite.
Alicia – GREAT compliments from the kiddos. I hope they think you are the best mom in the world.
This has become my go-to taco meat recipe. It is so, so flavorful. We really like it with half meat and half beans (black or pinto). Sometimes if I have a crazy afternoon, I make it in the morning and stick it in the crock pot for the day. It really adds to the flavor.
Thanks for introducing me to packet-free tacos (see, you’re not the last one)!
Danielle – I’m glad this has become your go-to taco meat recipe (it is mine, too). I love the addition of beans!
I love enjoy looking at your web site and have loved everything I have tried, which is amazing and almost unbelievable. Anyway. I am becoming a good cook and have outgrown Better Homes and Garden. Can you tell me more about The JOY of Cooking?
Hi Crystalyn – I would definitely recommend the Joy of Cooking to anyone who is semi-serious in the kitchen. It has recipes from beginner to extremely advance and many of the more intense recipes include simple drawings/illustrations. It is definitely a must-have. It has a section for everything – all the main categories plus a buffet section and other unique sections.
YUM!!! made this last night and it is WAY better tasting than packaged stuff..This will be my ONLY taco meat from now on..
Glad you liked it, Diana!
Made this last night and I have to agree that the seasoning was far better than packaged taco seasoning. It also turned out better than the way I usually make my tacos. I plan to play around with the seasoning to suit our preferences but this is definitely my new “go-to” recipe for tacos!!! Thanks so much!
I made this a few days ago and loved it. I will never buy packaged taco seasoning again! This is so easy, and TASTY! We ran out of taco shells and had extra meat, so we baked some tortillas in the oven, and made tostadas. I have a feeling I will be making these again and again!
Thanks, Kimiko!
Thanks, Kina!
I have not had Tacos for years. Thanks for the reminder, will have to try your recipe very soon.
Made these a while back and loved them. Making them for dinner again tonight!! For a bit of spice and oh-so-yummy-goodness, we added some pickled jalapenos on top.
I like the fact that these are completely from scratch and you know what exactly is going into your body! I felt much better about feeding these to my kids than from the spice bag, and they are so much tastier IMHO.
Made these a few weeks ago and now they are a staple. I need to pull out my Joy of Cooking book more often! Thanks!
Thanks, Lauren!
Thank you thank you thank you!
I had boughten a big huge taco seasoning tub at Sams Club and I don’t know if it is the humidity here or what, but last time I made tacos with it they turned out horrible! My nose now turns up at the thought of any packaged taco seasonings, and I figured knowing you there would probably be a recipe on your blog and here it was. These turned out so great! I didn’t add the jalapeno just for my kids sake, and I also didn’t have any coriander so I substituted parsley instead. (good ol’ google search for substitutes) They turned out wonderful- I will definitely be using this from now on
Nicole – glad that this taco recipe easily replaced the prepackaged taco seasoning!
I make killer tacos, and I have never used seasonings:
fry ground round with finely diced white onion, salt and pepper.
chop up lettice, add diced green onion, both white and green parts, toss.
remove the skin from tomatoes and dice.
add your favorite salsa, mine is pace picante, top with parmesan cheese.
the key is the taco shell: first, soften the tortillas wrapped, in the microwave. Heat a large frying pan, and add a heaping tablespoon of Crisco solid (Yes, Crisco, it crisps the tortillas up fast with nice bubbles of blisters while leaving the insides soft – fold the tortillas and use tongs, cooking just a few seconds on each side – you can do three at a time – remove each batch to a plate covered with paper towels, and put a dish towel over the top. Add Crisco as needed, per batch. I hope you try this, somehow you can eat and eat and not get full – my husband puts 9 away!
Another great recipe! I am slowly cooking my way through your Best Recipes List and I have found another keeper. I thought the tomato sauce would be too overpowering, but it was a nice flavor and made the meat nice and juicy. My kids loved these and I will go to this recipe for our next taco night! Thanks!
Sorry – I forgot to add this — I didn’t have coriander, so I threw in a little paprika and I omitted the jalepeno since my kids aren’t too keen on spicy. Wonderful recipe!
Hey there! I tried another one of your wonderful recipes! This one was so good. Very easy and with home ingredients on hand. I love the seasonings. In the past I bought the taco mix envelope seasonings but this is so much better! Thanks for this recipe!
Silly question. Do you drain your meat/onion mixture? I usually do when making tacos and spaghetti sauce, but I know a lot of recipes do not have this as an instruction.
Thanks!!
Hi Stacy – that is definitely not a silly question! I actually need to edit the recipe, because, yes, I do drain my meat/onion mixture if I am not using extremely lean ground beef.
I’m glad I found this site. I NEVER use the prepared prepackaged taco seasoning. I prefer to use my own ‘blend’, which includes chopped onions and fresh garlic, salt, pepper, and cumin. I love the idea of making my own tortilla bowls, too. Little ones love the idea of eating the bowl. Mexican dishes are a favorite in my family, including our own Mexican casseroles and Mexican lasagna (or stuffed shells, depending on what I have on hand).
I love this recipe so much. I believe it was the second recipe I tried from your site. We make it often. I add 1 can of kidney beans and 1 cup of the Costco organic frozen sweet corn. I have fallen in love with jalapeños since finding your site. They really add so much to all the recipes I’ve tried with jalapeños. We actually usually eat these as burritos instead of tacos. I use the raw tortillas from Costco that you dry fry. I think this is one of my favorite meals we make (there are many). My biggest question for you is have you tried making homemade tortillas? I would love to start making my own so I could use a different oil other than the canola that are in the costco ones (or I would use organic canola). Anyway, we love this meal like so many of your others!
Made it as per specifications and the boys LOVED it. They kept eating till the meat was gone! I did put in a scotch bonnet
so the kick was substantial!
This was so easy and so awesome! I would say it maybe takes 5 more minutes than using the mix and it’s way worth it. I used ground turkey and it was so good, I don’t even feel the need to try ground beef. Thanks!
I just tried this recipe for our taco night dinner tonight and it is just fantastic. It is now my go to recipe! I just trashed my last 2 prepackaged taco mixes. Thank you for another great / fast recipe.
These tacos are absolutely amazing! I did add jalapenos but left out the onions. I’m new to cooking, and these tacos were fun and easy to make! So thankful to have stumbled across this site! Excited to try your other recipes. Thanks for sharing, Mel!
Another great recipe! I omitted the pepper in the end because I didn’t want hubby to have to sweat it out. Everything else was perfect!
Made these for dinner tonight and they were sooooo good. I will never buy the packaged taco seaoning again!!!!
These tacos are the best! Well seasoned the right amount of GB to go inside the hard shell…..ummmmmmmmmmm……mhhmmmmmmmmmmmm DELICIO’S
I’ve made these probably 6 times in the past couple months and they are spectacular every time!! Thanks so much for posting the recipe; I never would have thought to add tomato sauce to my tacos and I stopped using those disgusting packets years ago — too much MSG, chemicals and garbage in them anyway. These are absolutely delicious! I do add some cayenne pepper for a kick… just fantastic! Thanks again
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