The Best Ground Beef or Turkey Tacos {20-Minute Meal}
Made with a from-scratch taco seasoning that will revolutionize your family taco night, these simple skillet ground beef tacos are perfect!
Tacos are a family favorite around here.
But, much to my family’s dismay, good ol’ classic ground beef tacos don’t appear as often as they would like.

I can always tell when I’ve been experimenting with too many new recipes. My family will turn their long, sad faces toward me and ask: “can we please have tacos…or spaghetti tonight??”
Ugh. Fine.
I can take the hint that we need to go back to the basics every once in a while.
And to be honest, I’m usually happier for it, too, even though I grumble just to make a point.
Homemade Taco Seasoning
How can you complain about a simple weeknight meal, like these perfect ground beef tacos (can totally use ground turkey, too!) that are made from scratch and still on the table in less than 30 minutes.
These homemade tacos really are the best-ever.
They are the only ground beef tacos I’ve made over the last, probably, ten years, because…well, why change a good thing?
You can even feel good about ditching the prepackaged taco seasoning, because a) you can always come back to it later, and b) these tacos are just as fast and easy (and dare I say, more delicious).
As we all know, the great thing about ground beef tacos is that the sky’s the limit as far as how you serve them and what you serve them with.
We are in the camp of crunchy taco shells all the way.
When I feel like it (and think my family won’t revolt), I change up this already simple taco meal and use the meat over a giant taco salad (similar to this chopped taco salad – that homemade dressing is so delicious, it makes me weep).
And one of our favorite rebellious taco moves is to make taco quesadillas instead of the so-last-summer tacos my kids love.
It’s as simple as it sounds – slap a tortilla on a griddle or in a hot skillet, cover it with taco meat, cheese, and another tortilla, and cook until golden and that cheese is all melty.
Once the taco quesadilla is cut into slices, we pile all adornments (lettuce, tomatoes, sour cream, avocados…you know) right on top and dig in with a fork.
Super yummy.
So clearly, the options are endless with this classic ground beef taco recipe! It’s a favorite, favorite. Hope you love it, too!
What to Serve With This
- Fresh fruit, or this Honey Lime Fruit Salad
- Mexican Rice
The Best Ground Beef (or Ground Turkey) Tacos
Ingredients
- 1 pound ground beef or ground turkey
- ½ to ¾ cup chopped white or yellow onion
- 1 to 3 garlic cloves, finely minced, or 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 tablespoon chili powder
- 2 teaspoons ground cumin
- 2 teaspoons ground coriander
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ to ½ teaspoon black pepper
- 1 (8-ounce) can tomato sauce
- 1 jalapeño, seeded and finely minced (optional)
- Taco shells
- Taco toppings of choice
Instructions
- In a large skillet over medium heat, add the ground beef or turkey, onion, and a pinch of salt and pepper. Cook, stirring often and breaking the meat into small pieces, until the meat is cooked through, 5-7 minutes.
- Off the heat, drain any excess grease, if needed.
- Return the skillet to the heat and stir in the garlic, chili powder, cumin, coriander, salt and pepper. Cook for about 30 seconds until the mixture smells fragrant.
- Add the tomato sauce and minced jalapeños, if using. Simmer the mixture for about 5-10 minutes, stirring occasionally. Season to taste with additional salt and pepper, if needed.
- Serve in taco shells with your choice of toppings (makes great taco salad, too!).
Recommended Products
Recipe Source: adapted from the Joy of Cooking
Recipe originally published April 2008; updated with new photos, commentary and recipe notes.
Made this for a party and I tripled it. Made it the night before and warmed it the next day in the crockpot at the party. It stayed delicious and did not require anything to keep it at it’s peak while on the “warm” setting during the party. Many people asked for the recipe and my picky eater asked me to make it for dinner tonight. That’s the true test in my book!!
This recipe is delicious, and super savory! I added a little shake of ground cinnamon to and finished with a bit of fresh, chopped cilantro. My husband Loved it! I’m definitely going to try the quesadilla suggestion next time!
Love the tacos. Made them for the first time tonight. The best I’ve ever had. I used grass fed beef . Delicious!
Honestly, having tried your recipe, I cannot image why anyone would use a pkg. taco seasoning mix. I (secretly) LOVE tacos and was on a quest for the perfect filling. Yours most definitely fits the bill for me. No crazy (not a fan) chipotle, just good ole fashioned and so much better ground meat filling. I’ve tried other recipes, but yours in my opinion is the one. I use this for tacos and quesadilla’s as well. Thanks Mel!
Thank you!
The best ground beef or ground turkey tacos 20 minute meal was EXCELLENT! I love you!
Seriously the best and easiest tacos! I make them at least monthly. Thanks for the amazing recipes Mel!
Thanks, Aubree!
Can you make this ahead of time and freeze it without diminishing quality and taste?
Yes, I freeze the prepared taco meat quite a bit.
Made it for the first time a few months ago while my fiance was out of town for work. Made it a few weeks later. Our tacos ended up being a taco salad since our crunchy taco shells broke, but that is fine. The recipe is perfect and we love it, I make it about once a week now. Love that it is really easy to make and simple ingredients. I was going to buy taco seasoning at the store but I thought I would try this recipe first and will never buy taco seasoning again!! Thanks for the great recipe:)
Hello, this is our absolute favorite taco recipe I’ve made it several times for my family and the last couple batches I’ve made extra for taco salads and enchilada filling. Looking forward to enjoying more of your recipes! Thanks!
Wanting to make tomorrow night! Like flavor and spice, but not a lot of heat. Should I make adjustments?
I don’t find these spicy, but a lot will depend on the brand of chili powder you use.
Easy, super flavorful and the leftovers make a delicious “taco” salad the next day.
Could I use shredded chicken instead of ground beef?
Could definitely try!
Hi could you use El Pato, the tomato sauce in the yellow can , in place of regular tomato sauce in this recipe? Thanks so much!
Hi London – I haven’t ever used that, but if it’s similar to the tomato sauce in the pasta/tomato canned goods aisle, I’m sure it would work fine!
Ok!!! I have to be totally honest!!!! I’m not buying anymore taco seasoning ever again!!! This is so much better and I know exactly what goes in it and what we’re eating. Just made it last week and my boyfriend is asking for me to make it again this week. FYI. That’s never happened! Thank you for a fabulous easy yummy recipe!!!
Really good! I added some dried oregano. I sautéed the onions and jalapeño in about a TBSp of oil. Then cooked herbs (with big dash I’d oregano) and garlic to bring out flavors of herbs just before adding the beef. I used Costco ground organic beef. Finally added the tomato sauce. Totally make again. Everyone loved
These were great! I added 2 large bell peppers to the meat to get in some extra veggies with no complaints.
A gallon of milk a day?? Wow I can’t imagine feeding your family. I have two little boys and few like I’m constantly making them food but I can’t complain. So you must double or triple this taco recipe or any recipe you make that feed your family? I would be interested to hear how you grocery shop for your big family.
Love this recipe! Loathed tacos growing up (nasty seasoning packet) so took a while to try yours (silly me) and now entire family cheers when we are having this! Made again last night and was SO great to have a meal so quick that everyone adores! Thank you Mel!
The beef version of these tacos has quickly become a family favorite! So easy for a weeknight meal yet very flavorful. We love to eat tacos the first night and make quesadillas with the leftovers. Thank you for a great recipe!
Not sure homemade is best way to describe… it was slightly bland .. I suggest when using turkey to use both dried and fresh seasonings to boost flavor and also never call homemade when it is actually home assembled…
Pretentious – attempting to impress by affecting greater importance, talent, culture, etc., than is actually possessed.
Couldn’t agree more, Jeff.
Maybe you should use better quality spices. I recommend Morton & Bassett. Out of curiosity, what would you consider “home made” taco filling?
Perhaps she has a herd of cattle in her backyard, a vegetable and herb garden, and dehydrator so she can get the perfect blend of dried and fresh.
I love this recipe. My favorite thing to do is brush pita bread with olive oil, sprinkle with salt, and toast in a pan using the taco meat as filling. Also stuffing them with lettuce, sharp cheddar and diced tomatoes with a dollop of sour cream. If I have time I make a simple lime crema mixing lime zest, lime juice and salt into the sour cream. Its divine and simple to make after working all day.
So good! And so perfect for those of us who can’t/don’t want to get their hands on taco mix packages. Made this into a salad with the Mexican rice recipe as a base and they tasted so good together!
Best. Tacos. Ever.
Seriously!!!!
This recipe is so good! So much better than a taco packet. We adjusted the recipe slightly by adding extra meat, the stem ends of cilantro, and beans. We replaced salt with Tony Chachere’s, and jalapenos with crushed red pepper. We will probably also add some corn the next time we make it. Another amazing recipe to add to my arsenal!
Best quick taco meat we’ve had. We used ground turkey. I added a couple tablespoons of water with the tomatoe sauce because there didn’t seem to be enough liquid to simmer for ten minutes.
Recommendations for taco shells? Whenever I buy crunchy ones they seem stale.
I usually just snag ones from my grocery store but I always heat them in the oven and try to use them right away (I agree, they get a little stale once they’ve cooled)
Delicious! We used half beef and half turkey. Super flavorful and tasty. I used the meat in taco salad! Highly recommend!
Hi, Mel. I’ve made many of your recipes. Many. And loved many of your recipes. But my 17 year old son LOVES this taco recipe. He’s in Iceland with his father. He texted me, from Iceland, and asked me if I could have these tacos ready when he comes home. I assured him I would. Thanks so much!
This made my day! Thanks, Linda!
Really the best taco meat!!
You must double or triple this. My husband, son and I could polish this off almost instantly.
Omg really good! Made with turkey, hi Dad you know a bit more salt but overall the recipe was really good I personally love my tacos were really spicy so I added some cayenne pepper to the recipe as well and that is what really made this stellar great job for getting out the recipe to us and I can’t wait to meet this again
Can I cook this in the Instant Pot or Slow Cooker? Has anyone tried that? LEt me know.
Thank you.
Brown the meat and onion, then place in slow cooker on low 6-7 ot high for 2-3 hours
Hi Mel – can’t wait to try these tacos! Recently, I saw a recipe that suggested adding about a 1/2 teaspoon of baking soda to the ground beef a few minutes before browning – I tried it and it really makes the meat’s texture much more tender – I use the tip all the time now! Works well with beef, turkey and chicken – have you ever tried it?
I haven’t, but that sounds interesting!
I’ve read about using baking soda in ground beef recipes in cook’s illustrated. It has something to do with helping it retain moisture.
2 teaspoons ground coriander in tacos yuck.
Tomatoes sauce in tacos yuck yuck.
Leave them out
Not tacos more like tackos
Are you for real? How bout you try them before rudely commenting.
I will never understand a person leaving a rude comment about a recipe that has been tested and is being generously shared — FREE OF CHARGE — to anyone who is interested. If it doesn’t appeal to you, just quietly move on to something else. Does being deliberately mean make you feel better about yourself?
There always has to be one. Sound like a kid.
They’re delicious- just making them the second time in a week. As people say- try them, leave helpful comments or move on but this is just rude.
Amazing as always, used turkey and it was a smashing success!!! Thanks…this is my go to from now on
Funny, I was just looking for this recipe two nights ago and the link was broken. I actually went to the internet wayback machine to find a cached version. Glad it’s back, they are tasty!
Do you double or triple the recipe for larger meat quanties. Like 3lbs. Should i triple it
Yes, I double or triple all ingredients if I do the same for the meat.
It looks like I wasn’t the only one wondering what was going on last night when I was trying to find this recipe for Taco Tuesday. And I laughed when one of the other commenters had the same name as me. I guess we share more than a name, our love for Mel’s taco recipe on Tuesdays.
Sorry Carrolee! (so funny about your name twin commenting)
LOVE this recipe!! It’s my go-to for any taco-ish recipe. I also use the seasoning measurements for any recipe that calls for a packet of seasoning!! Thanks, Mel, for making it so easy to use less processed/high-sodium packages!!
Also, the quesadillas sound so fun!!! I’ll definitely have to try that!!
I hadn’t made ground beef tacos for years until I tried these. Now we make them about every other week. We love the flavor of the beef, and it’s so quick and easy it is to make, which is a huge bonus when I forget to start dinner on time.
Yes!!! I’ve been making these since you posted them on your old website back in 2008. In fact this was the first recipe I tried of yours. I have never made another taco meat and I’ve given your recipe out so many times because they are that good! We just had tacos Sunday night. I’m so happy you’ve updated the recipe so I can easily send the link to my friends. My son who is the pickiest eater will even eat this taco meat!
So happy to hear this, Sara!
Mel, I use tons of your recipes but don’t comment often (you have plenty to read through!!!) but I have to laugh… I was making tacos yesterday for dinner and was completely confused and lost when I couldn’t get to your taco recipe on here… I had to wing it and estimate the amount of spices (not too hard based on how many times I’ve made this, but I like accuracy and cooking by recipes too much, I’m afraid!) So it was good for me to have to loosen up and they came out great, but I’m still glad to see this back here for reference and passing on to others! Also I no longer think I or you are crazy, I was searching and re-searching the site going, “but WHY would she take away the taco recipe!? It must be here!”
Yikes, sorry, Cara! The recipe was offline for a few hours while I updated it. Glad your tacos still came out fantastic! 🙂
This is a GREAT recipe. It makes an appearance monthly at my house!
Well, you’ve helped me decide on tomorrow’s supper. YUM! I love tacos!
Tacos were already on the menu tonight. I’m going to try this version and save the store bought taco seasoning for when my husband makes dinner.
We make these all the time!! Love them!!
Hooray! I almost had a heart attack last night when I couldn’t find this recipe on my fave website! And this morning I find an updated version! Made. My. Day. I am planning on making tacos for a crowd this weekend. Do you have any thoughts on how to keep soft tortillas warm in a buffet line? And any other taco-serving-to-a-crowd wisdom you wish to share? Oh, and I’m sorry for the frantic email I sent you last night… =) Thanks again, for helping rescue our family from dinner boredom and from processed food cooking! Our eating has totally revolutionized since my sister, Cathy, directed me to your site!
Sorry about that Carolee! The recipe was offline for a few hours while I was updating it. My friend, Mercedes, from Mexico, always warms her tortillas (corn and flour) up in a gallon-size ziploc bag (opened) in the microwave. Keeps them soft without drying them out. And then she wraps them in foil – not fancy, but you could serve them like that! Good luck!
I love this Taco Recipe and your homemade taco seasoning recipe… they both appear regularly at my house. I love being in the “Gallon plus” of milk a day club .. I have been in it for many years and the conversations at the grocery check out line when I weekly load up my cart with 8-9 gallons of milk are the thing I like best about going to the grocery store… worth even skipping self check out for. Welcome to the “Gallon a day club” It’s expensive, but totally worth the ride!!
🙂
This is one of the first recipes I tried from your website and I’m still making it often 5+ years later. I double it and freeze half for those days when I don’t even have 20 minutes to make dinner. I can have dinner ready in 10 minutes that way!
looks good