Mexican-inspired · Easy
Easy Skillet Beef Tacos
A skillet of lightly spiced ground beef for warm tortillas, crunchy lettuce, and fresh toppings.
- Prep
- 15 mins
- Cook
- 15 mins
- Total
- 30 mins
- Servings
- 4
About this recipe
The filling for these tacos is cooked in one skillet with onion, warm spices, tomato paste, and just enough water to make it saucy rather than loose. While it simmers, warm the tortillas and prepare the toppings so the crisp lettuce and fresh tomato stay separate until serving.
Simple Home Dish
Easy Skillet Beef Tacos
- Prep
- 15 mins
- Cook
- 15 mins
- Total
- 30 mins
- Servings
- 4
Ingredients
- 1 lb ground beef (85–90% lean)
- 1 small onion, finely diced
- 2 garlic cloves, minced
- 2 teaspoons chili powder
- 1 teaspoon ground cumin
- 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
- 2 tablespoons tomato paste
- 1/2 cup water
- 8 small corn or flour tortillas
- 1 cup shredded lettuce
- 1 cup diced tomatoes
- 1/2 cup shredded cheddar
- 1 lime, cut into wedges
Instructions
- Cook beef and onion in a large skillet over medium-high heat for 6–8 minutes, breaking the beef into small pieces. Carefully spoon off excess fat.
- Add garlic, chili powder, cumin, paprika, salt, and tomato paste. Stir for 1 minute.
- Add water and simmer for 4–5 minutes until saucy rather than watery. Check the beef reaches 160°F. Taste and adjust seasoning.
- Warm tortillas in a dry skillet. Divide beef among them and add lettuce, tomatoes, cheese, and a squeeze of lime.
Cooking tips
Storage & reheating
Refrigerate beef and toppings separately within 2 hours. Use beef within 3–4 days and reheat to 165°F. Freeze beef filling for up to 2 months.
Variations
Replace half the beef with a drained 15 oz can of black beans. Stir in the beans with the water and heat through.
Frequently asked questions
Can I use ground turkey?
Yes. Cook ground turkey to 165°F and add a teaspoon of oil if the skillet seems dry.