These savory, spicy Ground Beef Tacos pack a big punch of flavor, and are a family favorite! This is a classic, American-style beef taco recipe with the seasoning kicked up a few notches past what you’re typically going to be eating from a packet of dry seasoning mix.

Ground Beef Tacos

Ground beef tacos are a classic, crowd-pleasing meal that’s quick to prepare and packed with bold flavors. This version uses a combination of taco seasoning, chili lime seasoning, and a mix of jalapeño salsa, green chiles, and Rotel to create a rich, savory filling. Baking the tacos with cheese inside the shells ensures a crispy texture and a gooey, melty bite. Whether you’re making a weeknight dinner or feeding a group, these tacos are a guaranteed hit.

Using lean ground beef keeps the filling flavorful without being too greasy. The combination of El Pato Jalapeño Salsa, green chiles, and Rotel adds just the right amount of spice and tang, making every bite satisfying. Simmering the beef mixture allows the flavors to meld, creating a deeply seasoned filling that pairs perfectly with crunchy taco shells.

Baking or air-frying the tacos after assembly gives them an irresistible texture. The cheese at the bottom helps prevent sogginess, while the top layer of cheese melts into the meat for extra richness. This method also makes them easy to serve, as they hold their shape well.

Finish these tacos with your favorite toppings, like shredded lettuce, diced tomatoes, sour cream, or fresh cilantro. They’re versatile, easy to customize, and perfect for taco night.

Make some Pressure Cooker Mexican Rice on the side, and you’re on your way to an amazing meal. Oh, and don’t forget a Classic Margarita, which goes great with any spicy food.

Why You’ll Love These Tacos

• Easy to Make – Simple steps and minimal prep time make this a great weeknight meal.
• Packed with Flavor – A blend of seasonings, salsa, and chiles creates a bold, savory filling.
• Crispy & Cheesy – Baking the tacos ensures a crunchy shell and melty cheese inside.
• Customizable – Use different toppings to suit your taste.
• Great for a Crowd – Easily double the recipe for gatherings.

Make some Smoked Salsa to serve with these tacos!

Ground Beef Tacos Shopping List

Wondering if you have to hit the store? Here’s the list of items you’ll need to make this recipe. For specific amounts, please refer to the printable recipe card at the bottom of the post.

• Lean Ground Beef
• Homemade Taco Seasoning
• El Pato Jalapeño Salsa
• Mild Green Chiles
• Rotel
• Shredded Mexican-Blend Cheese
• Hard Taco Shells

Add this taco meat to this 7-Layer Taco Dip!

How To Make Homemade Ground Beef Tacos

This is just the overview so you can see what you’re actually getting into here. When you are cooking, you’ll want to use the full recipe at the bottom of the page.

1. Brown the Beef – Cook ground beef in a large skillet over medium heat until browned. Drain excess fat.
2. Simmer with Seasonings – Add taco seasoning, chili lime seasoning, jalapeño salsa, green chiles, Rotel, and water. Simmer for 15-20 minutes until thickened.
3. Prepare the Taco Shells – Preheat oven or air fryer to 325°F. Place taco shells in an oven-safe dish or air fryer basket.
4. Assemble the Tacos – Sprinkle cheese at the bottom of each shell, add taco meat, then top with more cheese.
5. Bake or Air Fry – Cook at 325°F for 10 minutes, until the cheese is melted and shells are crisp.

Try our awesome Smoked Chicken Tacos, too!

Can You Use An Air Fryer For This Recipe?

My air fryer is one of my favorite appliances. It gets a ton of use around here!

Using an air fryer for tacos is a perfect match. It crisps up the taco shells and melts the cheese. If you’ve ever had a soggy taco, you know how important it is to avoid this. The air fryer is great for that!

I put the shells in the air fryer with cheese on the bottom, then meat, then more cheese. It is so, so good. You can use the same technique for crisping up nachos, too.

This also makes the tacos less messy for smaller hands too, as the cheese kind of keeps everything together.

How about some Grilled Rockfish Tacos with Garlic Lime Sauce?

FAQ

How do I store leftover tacos?

Store leftover taco meat in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. Keep the shells separate to maintain their crunch.

How do I reheat them?

Reheat taco meat on the stovetop or in the microwave. To reheat assembled tacos, bake at 325°F for 5-7 minutes or air fry for 3-4 minutes.

Can I make the beef mixture ahead of time?

Yes! Cook the beef mixture up to two days in advance and store it in the fridge. Reheat before assembling the tacos.

What can I use instead of ground beef?

Try ground turkey, chicken, or plant-based meat alternatives. Adjust seasoning to taste.

We love these Braised Beef Shank Tacos!

What Toppings Are Best On Crunchy Tacos?

What goes on a taco? After you’ve built your basic taco structure of shell, beef, seasoning, sauce, and cheese, there are plenty of veggies you can add to make your taco your own.

• Fresh diced tomatoes
• Sliced black olives
• Shredded lettuce
• Cooked or fresh onions
• Pickled Red Onions
• Black beans
• Refried beans
• Corn
• Lime juice
• Salsa
• Guacamole
• Sliced avocados
• Cilantro
• Jalapeños
• Banana peppers
• Sour cream

Nothing beats Smoked Quesabirria Tacos!

How to store leftover taco meat

Taco meat is quick and easy to prepare, so while you’re at it, make up a big batch and freeze the leftover seasoned beef for a quick and easy meal you can just pop out of the freezer for another day.

You can keep your cooked taco meat in the refrigerator for 3-4 days, or freeze in airtight containers or freezer bags for 2-3 months for best quality.

When ready to use, take out of the freezer and place in the refrigerator overnight to thaw. Heat in the microwave or stove top for a quick easy meal.

More Mexican-Inspired Recipes to try

I love love love these beef tacos, but pretty much all Mexican food is amazing. If you loved these tacos, you’re going to definitely want to come back and try some of these Mexican recipes.

• Taco Pizza
• Instant Pot Green Chicken Enchilada Casserole
• Traeger Chile-Lime Chicken
• Spicy Shredded Chicken Soft Tacos
• Chicken Taco Soup
• Grilled Shredded Pork Tacos
• Cheesy Chicken Enchiladas with Homemade Sauce