Description
This easy homemade taco seasoning recipe features a smoky chipotle-lime infusion, creating a flavorful ground beef mixture for quick weeknight tacos. It transforms a simple meal with a depth of flavor superior to store-bought mixes.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 pound ground beef (80/20 recommended)
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1/2 medium yellow onion, finely diced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tablespoon chili powder
- 1 teaspoon ground cumin
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1/2 teaspoon chipotle powder
- 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1/2 teaspoon fine sea salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 tablespoon tomato paste
- 1/2 cup vegetable broth
- 1 tablespoon fresh lime juice
- 1 teaspoon fresh lime zest, divided
- 1 teaspoon light brown sugar
- 2 tablespoons fresh cilantro, chopped, for garnish
Instructions
- Brown Ground Beef: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add ground beef, breaking it apart, until fully browned (6-8 minutes). Drain excess fat and set meat aside.
- Sauté Aromatics: Reduce heat to medium. Add diced onion and cook until softened (5-7 minutes). Add minced garlic and cook for 1 minute until fragrant.
- Bloom Spices: Stir in chili powder, cumin, smoked paprika, chipotle powder, dried oregano, salt, and pepper. Cook constantly for 30-60 seconds until fragrant.
- Simmer Sauce: Add tomato paste and cook for 1 minute. Pour in vegetable broth, lime juice, brown sugar, and 3/4 teaspoon of the lime zest. Bring to a simmer, scraping up browned bits from the pan.
- Combine and Thicken: Return cooked ground beef to the skillet. Reduce heat to medium-low and simmer for 8-10 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the sauce thickens and coats the meat.
- Garnish and Serve: Serve immediately, topped with remaining 1/4 teaspoon lime zest and chopped fresh cilantro.
Notes
The finished taco meat can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 3 days or frozen for up to 3 months. For meal prep, combine the dry spices ahead of time in a separate jar.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Tex-Mex
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 340 calories
- Sugar: 2g
- Sodium: 400mg
- Fat: 27g
- Saturated Fat: 9g
- Unsaturated Fat: 18g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 5g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 25g
- Cholesterol: 85mg
Keywords: Taco Seasoning, Homemade, Ground Beef, Weeknight Meal, Tex-Mex, Skillet, Smoky, Chipotle Lime, Easy, Stovetop