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–+ servings
Three crispy shell tacos filled with seasoned ground beef, lettuce, shredded cheese, and salsa for Taco Tuesday Recipes.

Taco Tuesday Recipes: Tasty Tacos to Make at Home

Taco Tuesday is a great tradition for busy home cooks. This recipe gives you a simple, flavorful ground beef filling that you can customize with your favorite toppings for a satisfying family dinner or casual gathering.
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Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 15 minutes
Total Time 25 minutes
Servings: 6 people
Course: Dinner
Cuisine: Mexican-American
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

For the Taco Filling
  • 1 tablespoon grapeseed or olive oil
  • 1 small onion, finely chopped to yield about a cup
  • 1 packet taco seasoning (about 3 tablespoons) See notes above for homemade seasoning option.
  • to taste kosher salt
  • 1 pound ground beef See notes above for variations.
  • 1/2 cup crushed tomatoes or tomato sauce
  • 1/2 cup water
  • 2 teaspoons white balsamic, cider (or other) vinegar
For Serving
  • As desired tortillas (hard shell, soft, or preferred type)
  • As desired shredded cheddar, Monterey Jack, or a blend
  • As desired shredded Romaine lettuce
  • As desired salsa (homemade or purchased)
  • Optional sour cream
  • Optional diced avocado

Equipment

  • Large skillet
  • Spatula

Method
 

  1. Heat the oil in a large skillet over medium heat until hot and shimmering. Add the onion and cook, stirring occasionally, until softened, about 4 minutes.
  2. Add the spice packet and cook, stirring constantly, until fragrant, about 1 minute.
  3. Add the ground beef and cook, stirring often, until it is no longer pink, about 5 minutes. Use a spatula to break up the meat into smaller pieces as needed.
  4. Add the tomatoes or tomato sauce, water, and vinegar. Bring the mixture to a simmer.
  5. Reduce the heat to medium-low and simmer, uncovered, stirring frequently, until the liquid has reduced and thickened. The mixture should not be completely dry, about 10 minutes.
  6. Taste the meat and adjust seasonings with salt if necessary. You can prepare this filling up to 5 days in advance and reheat it slowly before serving.
  7. If you are using hard taco shells, toast them in the oven or toaster oven at 350ºF for about 2 minutes.
  8. If using flour tortillas, wrap them in foil and place them in a 350ºF oven for 15 minutes, or until warm. You can also toast them in a toaster.
  9. Remove the warmed tortillas from the oven and transfer them to a tea towel to keep them warm. Place the cheese, lettuce, salsa, sour cream (if using), and avocado (if using) in separate bowls. Assemble your tacos as you prefer.

Notes

This recipe focuses on ground beef, but you can substitute ground chicken or turkey for a different flavor profile. The taco seasoning packet can be replaced with your preferred homemade blend for better control over sodium and spice levels.

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