QUICK AND EASY TUTORIAL ON HOW TO MAKE TACOS AT HOME

Tacos: How to Make Tacos at Home for Less Than What It Would Cost to Order Out

Tacos are one of the most adaptable and fun foods to prepare at home. Soft or crunchy, beef, chicken, or vegetarian, tacos are an excellent way to experiment with flavor combinations when cravings strike. In this guide, we’ll walk you through how to make basic, yet delicious, tacos that will wow your family and friends.

Ingredients You’ll Need

For the Taco Filling:

1 lb ground beef (or chicken, turkey or beans for a vegetarian option)

1 tablespoon olive oil (or other vegetable oil)

1 medium onion, chopped

2 cloves garlic, minced

1 packet taco seasoning (or home made seasoning mix, see below)

1/2 cup water

Salt and pepper, to taste

For the Taco Toppings:

8 soft flour or corn tortillas

1 cup shredded lettuce

1 cup diced tomatoes

1 c cheddar cheese, shredded (or Mexican blend)

1/2 cup sour cream

1/2 cup salsa

Fresh cilantro (optional)

Lime wedges (for serving)

Jalapeño slices (optional for extra heat)

Taco Spice Blend (Optional):

1 tablespoon chili powder

1 teaspoon cumin

1 teaspoon paprika

1 teaspoon onion powder

1 teaspoon garlic powder

1/2 teaspoon salt

1/2 teaspoon black pepper

1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper (for heat, optional)

Step-by-Step Instructions

Make Taco Seasoning (Optional)

For taco seasoning, if using store-bought homemade taco seasoning, literally just mix all of the spices together in a small bowl. Set aside for later use.

Cook the Meat

Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add chopped onion and sauté for 3-4 minutes until softened. Stir in the garlic and cook 1 more minute, until fragrant.

Once warm, add the ground beef (or other protein of your choice) to the skillet. Cook, breaking it apart with a spoon, until the meat is browned and cooked through, 5 to 7 minutes.

Season the Meat

After cooking the meat, strain any excess fat (if needed). Mix in the taco seasoning mix (store bought or homemade). Add 1/2 cup water and stir to combine and correct the seasoning with salt and pepper as needed.

Warm the Tortillas

While the meat simmers, heat your tortillas. You can heat them on a dry skillet set over medium heat for 30 seconds per side, or wrap them in a damp paper towel and microwave them for 20 to 30 seconds.

Assemble the Tacos

When everything is ready, begin assembling the tacos. Put a snuggly warm tortilla on each plate, then a generous scoop of the seasoned meat. Everyone can then top them with their favorite toppings, such as shredded lettuce, diced tomatoes, cheese, sour cream, salsa and a squeeze of fresh lime juice.

Serve and Enjoy!

Serve the tacos right away; you want the filling hot and the tortillas warm. Top with anything else you want, such as jalapeños or cilantro for freshness.

Tips for the Perfect Tacos

Protein swap: Substitute the ground beef for ground chicken or turkey, or a vegetarian taco using beans. Grilled shrimp, fish or pulled pork are also great fillings.

Add some heat: If you want a little burn, include fresh jalapeño slices, hot sauce or spicy salsa.

Homemade tortillas: If you want to make the extra effort, homemade tortillas only enhance the flavor and texture of your tacos.

Taco bar: Create a taco bar with all the fixings, and let people make their own tacos. It’s perfect for family dinners or parties!

Conclusion

Making tacos at home is simple, fun and customizable. Whether you like flour or corn, soft or crunchy, filling them with beef, chicken or vegetarian toppings, this easy recipe will help you make mouthwatering tacos as fast as you can say taco. Tacos are crowd-pleasers for any occasion, a weeknight dinner, taco night with friends, you name it!