Ground Beef Tacos

I’ve already posted about ground beef tacos, and interestingly enough I pointed out that most people don’t need a taco recipe. Those spice packets are very delicious, easy, and practical.

And yet, here I am, posting another ground beef taco recipe. Why? Because:

1.     I forgot I already posted about ground beef tacos
2.     I love ground beef tacos and we ate them on Sunday (Mon, Tues, Wed…)
3.     We liked these better
4.     I am making a conscious effort to eat more tacos

As a Wisconsinite, I grew up with very delicious simple comfort food (and cheese).  My mom was an excellent cook and we were always excited about what she was making for dinner each night.  I used to love her ground beef taco recipe, and I would pile my tortilla high with ground beef and rice. Once a carb lover, always a carb lover.

But after moving to Texas, unfortunately your tongue gets used to a certain level of spice. I still would not call myself a real heat-lover, but in general my husband and I like our Mexican food with a decent amount of kick.  And, that’s just what these tacos are. A Wisconsin-meets-Texas taco.  Not crazy spicy, but enough kick to satisfy the Texan in us. My new go-to taco recipe for sure.

Recipe

• 2 lbs ground beef (I used 90% lean)
• ½ large sweet onion, diced
• 2-2.5 tablespoons chili powder (medium heat if you get a choice)
• 2 teaspoons ground cumin
• 2 tsp hot sauce
• 2 tsp course kosher salt (can reduce to 1.5 teaspoons if you like it less salty)
• 1 tsp oregano
• 1 tsp paprika
• ½ tsp black pepper
• ¼ tsp onion powder
• ½-3/4 cup water
• ¼ cup taco sauce

Brown the meat with the onions in a large skillet. Once brown, mix in the chili powder, cumin, hot sauce, S&P, oregano, paprika, and onion powder. To create a little sauce, add between a half cup and ¾ cup water, and let simmer for a minute or two.  Stir in the taco sauce, cover, and simmer on low for about 10-15 minutes (add more or less water or taco sauce if your beef is extra lean or fatty). Serve on tortillas. Or on salad. Or in a quesadilla. Or on nachos. We did all four.

PS - I looooooove my tacos on Food for Life's brown rice tortillas. Wowzer.