Ground Beef Tacos with Homemade Seasoning

Classic Ground Beef Tacos are another of those foods that we grew up enjoying. Whether it was in the school cafeteria once a week or something Mom made sure was on the table to feed a crowd, we looked forward to tacos. They were also a typical buffet item since guests could help themselves to their favorite toppings. We still see them on buffets in family style restaurants. It is always fun when we can make a classic into a low-carb meal and enjoy all those memories. The beef and toppings in a taco are low carb to begin with, and we have a quick and easy Tasty Low Carb Taco Shell recipe that will make this classic part of your low-carb lifestyle!

Homemade Seasoning

The key taste element in this recipe is a healthy homemade seasoning. We know the convenience of the “taco seasoning packet” is tempting when you are in a rush, but our seasoning blend will taste better and it is so much healthier. It contains no artificial ingredients and we control the flavor. You can experiment to get the perfect blend for your taste and keep a batch handy in a tightly sealed mason jar. It will last a very long time in your pantry.

We have a recipe for a small batch below and we do recommend about 2 tablespoons for each pound of ground beef you are using for your tacos. It is a blend of chili powder, garlic powder, onion powder, oregano, ground cumin, and smoked paprika. Of course, it also contains salt and cayenne pepper. Some recipes will also call for jalapeños or red pepper flakes to provide more heat. We like our blend since it produces a more classic flavor for our taco meat. I guess we all got used to the taco seasoning packet taste – this blend replicates that taste.

Toppings

We keep our toppings simple - fresh chopped tomatoes, medium cheddar cheese grated, and chopped iceberg lettuce. You can use red cabbage if you prefer a bit more crunch. The cheese can be Monterey Jack or a blend of Mexican cheeses. Tacos are a wonderful way to use up tomatoes that have been around for a while and you might also add toppings like chopped avocado, red onion, and Mexican cream for additional flavor. If you lightly fry our low-carb taco shells in oil and top open-faced like we have shown below you will have a delicious small Mexican pizza.

Preparation Tips

We found these handy stainless steel taco holders - they not only make a wonderful presentation but also work well to stuff your tacos without a lot of mess. You can purchase them by clicking the previous link.

Our biggest tip in cooking our taco recipe is to make sure you drain the fat after crumbling and cooking the ground beef. It sounds simple, but it is needed - nobody likes a greasy taco. Our other tip would be to experiment with your favorite ingredients. This recipe is a simple basic quick to the table dish - just what you want for snack foods. Expand on it and enjoy!

Authentic Mexican Ground Beef Tacos

Many of the Mexican restaurants in our area make a ground beef taco with a much different texture and taste to the beef. They have less fat and have a finer consistency of beef that you may see on a chili-dog. It definitely has a different flavor. If you identify with that style of taco meat you may want to experiment. The method of cooking this style is more complicated.

You start by covering the ground beef and seasonings with water in a stock pot and let them simmer for an hour. You will add water, if needed. Then add chopped onion and bell pepper and simmer for an additional 20 minutes. You then use a strainer and press out all the water into a bowl for 10-15 minutes. The liquid should be placed in a freezer for 15 minutes until the fat sits on top - the fat is then scraped off with a spoon and discarded. Heat the beef with some of the reserved liquid in a skillet to warm before serving. The remaining liquid can be used as a stock for soups or other dishes.

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Ground Beef Tacos with Homemade Seasoning

You can devour our Ground Beef Tacos either open-faced or with a traditional hand-held taco shell. This traditional snack meal is definitely low carb and so delicious. We keep ours simple, quick, and enjoy them often. Give our recipe a try and enjoy a classic snack meal staple with your friends and family. Kids will love them!

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