Best 20 Beef Tacos Recipes

BIRRIA DE RES TACOS (BEEF BIRRIA TACOS)

Steps:

• Fill a pot with water and bring to a boil. Add guajillo, ancho, and arbol chile peppers; boil for 5 minutes. Remove pot from heat and allow peppers to soak until cool. Drain, reserving 1/4 cup of the water.
• Preheat the oven to 325 degrees F (165 degrees C).
• Rinse meat and pat dry with paper towels. Season with salt and pepper.
• Heat oil in a Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Add meat and cook until browned on all sides, about 10 minutes. Remove from heat.
• Line a heavy cast-iron grill pan or griddle with aluminum foil and place over high heat. Arrange tomatoes in a single layer on top. Grill until tomato skin is burned on all sides and begins to peel, 3 to 5 minutes.
• Combine soaked chile peppers, cooked tomatoes, vinegar, garlic, 2 teaspoons black pepper, cloves, cinnamon, cumin, thyme, marjoram, oregano, and salt to taste in a blender. Pour in reserved 1/4 cup of chile water; blend until smooth.
• Strain chile sauce through a mesh strainer and pour over the browned meat in the Dutch oven, turning roast so it is completely covered with sauce. Cover the Dutch oven and place in the preheated oven.
• Bake, basting meat every 45 minutes with the sauce, until birria begins to fall apart, 3 to 4 hours. Remove lid and bake uncovered until birria is crispy on top, about 20 minutes. Remove from oven, cover with 2 layers of aluminum foil, and allow to rest in a warm area for 10 minutes.
• Meanwhile, warm tortillas on a griddle. Fill each tortilla with birria and top with chopped onion and cilantro.

BEEF BRISKET TACOS

Steps:

• In a large resealable plastic bag, combine the first five ingredients. Add brisket; seal bag and turn to coat. Refrigerate overnight., Transfer brisket and marinade to a 6-qt. slow cooker. Cook, covered, on low until tender, 8-10 hours. Remove meat; discard bay leaves. Reserve juices in slow cooker. When cool enough to handle, shred meat with two forks. Return to slow cooker., Using tongs, serve shredded brisket in tortillas. Add toppings as desired., Freeze option: Freeze cooled meat mixture and juices in freezer containers. To use, partially thaw in refrigerator overnight. Heat through in a saucepan, stirring occasionally. ,

SIMPLE SLOW-COOKED KOREAN BEEF SOFT TACOS

Steps:

• Put chuck roast into the crock of a slow cooker; add onion, brown sugar, soy sauce, garlic, jalapeno pepper, ginger root, rice vinegar, sesame oil, salt, and pepper.
• Cook on High for 8 hours (or on Low for 10 hours). Shred meat with a pair of forks and stir into the liquid in the slow cooker.
• Serve with corn tortillas and your favorite toppings.

BEEF SOFT TACOS

Steps:

• In a medium bowl combine the beef with the flour, salt, minced onion, paprika, chili powder, garlic powder and onion powder Use your hands to mix evenly.
• Heat skillet to med/low heat.
• Add beef mixture and water to the pan.
• Brown the beef, breaking it up as it cooks.
• Heat the tortillas in the microwave, wrapped in damp paper towels.
• Spread meat into tortillas, top with cheese, tomatoes, lettuce and sour cream.

SLOW COOKER BARBACOA-STYLE BEEF TACOS RECIPE BY TASTY

Steps:

• Cut the beef into 6-8 large chunks. Season all over with pepper and salt.
• Heat the oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Sear the beef, in batches if necessary, on all sides, until browned. Transfer the seared meat to a slow cooker.
• In a medium bowl, combine the chipotles, garlic, cumin, oregano, cloves, salt, pepper, beef broth, apple cider vinegar, and lime juice. Mix well.
• Pour the marinade over the beef in the slow cooker and add the bay leaves. Cover and cook on low for 8 hours, until the meat can be shredded easily.
• Remove and discard the bay leaves. Remove and shred the beef, then return to the slow cooker to marinate in the sauce for at least 10 more minutes, or until ready to serve.
• To serve, add the shredded beef to your choice of tortillas with your favorite toppings.
• Enjoy!

NO FUSS SHREDDED BEEF TACOS

Steps:

• Layer half the onion rings into the bottom of a slow cooker. Place chuck roast on top of onions.
• Pour diced tomatoes, beef broth, and coffee into the cooker over the roast; stir in diced green chiles, jalapeno peppers, garlic, chili powder, cumin, salt, and black pepper. Spread remaining onion rings over the mixture.
• Cover the cooker and cook on Low until beef is very tender, 6 to 10 hours.
• Transfer chuck roast to a bowl and shred meat. Return meat to sauce. Remove onions and serve with meat.

SPICY GROUND BEEF TACOS

Steps:

• Heat the vegetable oil in a large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Add the onion and cook, stirring occasionally, until tender, about 4 minutes. Add the tomato paste, Worcestershire sauce, chili powder, cumin, coriander, paprika, oregano and garlic powder; cook, stirring, until the onion is coated, about 1 minute.
• Add the beef, 1 teaspoon salt and a few grinds of pepper to the skillet. Cook, breaking up the meat, until no longer pink, about 5 minutes. Add the tomatoes, hot sauce and 1/4 cup water and bring to a simmer. Reduce the heat and cook, stirring occasionally, until the juices are slightly thickened, 5 to 7 minutes. Season with salt and pepper.
• Meanwhile, warm the taco shells as the label directs. Fill with the beef mixture and top with lettuce, cheese and/or pickled jalapenos.

BEEF TACOS

Steps:

• Heat oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add onion and jalapeno; season with salt and pepper. Cook, stirring occasionally, until softened, 4 to 5 minutes.
• Add garlic, chili powder, and cumin to skillet; stir until fragrant, about 1 minute. Add beef; cook, breaking up meat with a spoon, until no longer pink, about 5 minutes. Add tomatoes; simmer over medium-low heat, stirring occasionally, until thickened, 10 to 12 minutes. Season with salt and pepper, as desired.
• Meanwhile, warm tortillas in a dry skillet over medium heat or directly over a gas burner, about 30 seconds on each side. At the table, fill tortillas with beef mixture and desired garnishes.

BAKED BEEF TACOS

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 425°. In a large skillet, cook beef over medium heat 6-8 minutes or until no longer pink, breaking into crumbles; drain. Stir in taco seasoning and 1 can of undrained tomatoes; heat through., Meanwhile, in a bowl, mix beans, 1/2 cup cheese, cilantro, remaining can of undrained tomatoes and, if desired, pepper sauce. Spread onto bottom of a greased 13x9-in. baking dish., Stand taco shells upright over bean mixture. Fill each with 1 tablespoon cheese and about 1/3 cup beef mixture. Bake, covered, 15 minutes., Uncover; sprinkle with remaining cheese. Bake, uncovered, 5-7 minutes or until cheese is melted and shells are lightly browned. Sprinkle with green onions.

GROUND BEEF FOR TACOS

Steps:

• In a large skillet over medium heat, brown the ground beef with onion; drain fat.
• Stir in ketchup, taco seasoning, and cold water. Reduce heat and simmer for 20 minutes.

DELICIOUS BEEF TONGUE TACOS

Steps:

• Place the beef tongue in a slow cooker and cover with water. Add the onion slices, garlic, and bay leaf. Season with salt. Cover and cook on Low overnight or 8 hours. Remove the tongue and shred the meat into strands.
• Heat the oil in a skillet over medium heat. Cook the tomatoes and peppers in the hot oil until softened on all sides. Remove the tomatoes and peppers in a blender, keeping the oil on the heat; season with salt. Blend briefly until still slightly chunky. Cook the diced onion in the skillet until translucent; stir in the tomato mixture. Cook another 5 to 6 minutes. Build the tacos by placing shredded tongue meat into a tortilla and spooning salsa over the meat.

BEEF AND POTATO TACOS

Steps:

• Peel and very finely dice the potatoes. Russet potatoes (Idaho potatoes) can be used but are not recommended because they fall apart too easily. Put the diced potatoes in cold tap water to keep them from browning while you prepare the other ingredients.
• Add 1 TBSP of oil to a large skillet over medium heat. When the oil is hot, add the onions and cook for 2 to 3 minutes. Add the garlic and cook one minute longer. Add the ground beef and break up the meat into small chunks. Add 1 tsp kosher salt (or ½ tsp table salt) and ½ tsp of black pepper. Brown the ground beef then drain. Using a potato masher, smash the ground beef into a very fine crumb. Drain and discard the water from the potatoes. Reduce the heat to medium-low and add the drained potatoes to the ground beef. Add ½ tsp kosher salt (1/4 tsp table salt), ¼ tsp black pepper, and 1 TBSP dried oregano. To bring out the flavor of the oregano, rub it between your fingers before adding it to the beef/potato mixture. Stir to combine. Add 2 TBSP of water to the beef mixture, cover, and very gently simmer for 15 minutes. After 15 minutes, taste the meat mixture. The potatoes may not yet be fully cooked but you may need to adjust the seasoning. At this point, I normally add another ½ TBSP of oregano and little bit more salt and pepper. The meat mixture needs to be a little on the salty side and have a robust taste of oregano or the flavors will be very muted after frying the tacos. If the meat is sticking to the skillet or the mixture seems a little dry, add another tablespoon of water. Cover and continue to gently simmer for 5 minutes longer. Uncover, stir, remove from the heat, and allow to cool for a few minutes.
• I, personally, like these tacos in taco-size flour tortillas. My mother prefers them in fajita-size tortillas, which are smaller. Before filling the tacos, you need to warm the tortillas enough to make them pliable. I normally brush 5 tortillas on one side very lightly with water then place them in a stack on a clean kitchen towel then wrap the towel around the tortillas. Microwave the tortillas for 25 seconds (about 5 seconds per tortilla). This does not cook the tortillas or make them tough but provides enough heat for them to become pliable. You should adjust the cooking time for your own microwave. You can also do this in the oven (but it's a lot easier in the microwave).
• Place a warm tortilla in the palm of your hand and put a couple of spoonfuls of the meat mixture in the center of the tortilla. The tortilla should be comfortably full of meat but not overly full or you will not be able to close it properly. Be sure to re-cover the other tortillas with the kitchen towel so they stay warm. If you are using a taco-size tortilla, you will need 3 to 4 spoonfuls of the meat mixture per tortilla. Gently fold the tortilla into a half-moon shape and pin the edges with toothpicks. Place the filled tacos in a single layer on a sheet pan as you prepare them. When you run out of warm tortillas, you will need to heat more in the microwave (I always do 5 at-a-time so they stay warm).
• At this point, the tacos can be frozen and fried at a later date. Simple put a single-layer of tacos on a sheet pan and freeze for about 1 hour. I cover each taco in plastic wrap then place the tacos in a freezer bag. Before frying, defrost them in microwave (about 15 seconds per taco) or allow them to defrost in the refrigerator overnight.
• Heat several cups of oil (I prefer peanut oil) in a Dutch oven or electric fryer. The oil will need to be about 2 to 3 inches deep. Heat the oil to 350°F Depending on the size of your fryer, you should be able to get 2 to 3 tacos in the fryer at one time. You should not remove the toothpicks prior to frying. When frying, do not overlap the tacos. When they have browned on one side, flip them over and brown the other. It should only take a few minutes to brown both sides. When the tacos are deep brown, drain them upside-down on a rack to allow excess oil to drip out.
• After they have drained for a minute or two, carefully pull out the toothpicks (I use my fingers but needle-nose pliers do a good job for people with sensitive fingers). Fill the tacos with your choice of toppings.
• *Some brands of flour tortillas are thicker than others. Thicker tortillas work particularly well in this recipe. Thinner tortillas break apart too easily when eating them.

CRISPY BEEF TACOS

Steps:

• For the marinade: Whisk the oil, Worcestershire sauce, lime juice, chile powders, cumin, garlic powder, oregano, pepper, salt and thyme together in a large bowl. Add the beef, making sure every piece is evenly coated. Cover and refrigerate overnight.
• For the machaca: Heat the oil in a large pot over medium-high heat. Drain the beef, pat it dry and then sear in batches until browned on all sides. Remove to a plate. Add the water, tomatoes, cumin, oregano, hot sauce and some salt and pepper to the pot and bring to a boil, scraping the browned bits off the bottom of the pan.
• Return the beef to the pan and reduce the heat to low. Cover and simmer until the meat is fork tender, about 2 hours.
• Remove from the heat and pull out the meat, shredding it with forks. Return the meat to the pot and bring to a simmer over medium heat, uncovered. Reduce the liquid until very thick, almost dry, about 1 hour. Season with salt and pepper.
• For the tacos: Take a warm tortilla and fill with 3 tablespoons of the machaca beef. Fold the tortilla over and close with two toothpicks along the sides. Continue with the remaining tortillas.
• Fill a large heavy-bottomed saucepan with enough oil to fill the pan about a third of the way. Heat over medium heat until a deep-frying thermometer inserted in the oil reaches 350 degrees F. (If you don't have a thermometer, a cube of bread will brown in about 3 minutes.)
• Fry the tacos in batches until golden brown and the shell is hard, about 3 minutes on each side. Set aside on a tray lined with parchment paper. Remove the toothpicks and fill each taco with cheese, lettuce and tomato.

SLOW-COOKER PARTY BEEF TACOS

Steps:

• Cook ground beef in 2 batches. For first batch, spray 12-inch skillet with cooking spray. Add half of the ground beef and 1 chopped onion. Cook over medium heat 8 to 10 minutes or until beef is thoroughly cooked, stirring frequently. Drain.
• Stir in 1 package taco seasoning mix, 3/4 cup salsa and 1/2 cup water. Reduce heat to low; simmer 8 to 10 minutes or until most of liquid is absorbed.
• Cool first batch of beef mixture 15 minutes. Spoon into refrigerator or freezer container; cover tightly. Repeat to make second batch. Serve immediately, or refrigerate up to 24 hours or freeze up to 1 week.
• To serve immediately, place beef mixture in slow cooker; keep warm on Low setting. If beef mixture is frozen, thaw before heating. Place beef mixture in slow cooker; cover and cook on High setting for 1 hour or until hot. Reduce heat to Low to keep warm. To serve, spoon beef mixture into taco shells. Top with Layered Taco Toppings.
• To make Layered Taco Toppings, heat oven to 425°F. Spray 15x10x1-inch baking pan with nonstick cooking spray. Dry corn on paper towels; spread corn in sprayed pan. Bake at 425°F for 15 minutes. Stir; bake an additional 10 minutes. Cool 5 minutes or until slightly cooled.
• In ungreased 13x9-inch (3 quart) glass baking dish, layer lettuce, bell pepper, roasted corn, onions, tomatoes and avocado.
• In small bowl, combine mayonnaise and salsa; mix well. Spread over vegetables. Sprinkle with cheese and cilantro. Cover tightly; refrigerate at least 2 hours or overnight.

SPICY CORNED BEEF TACOS

Steps:

• In a small bowl, combine coleslaw mix, green onions and jalapenos. In another small bowl, whisk salad dressing and chili sauce until combined., In a large skillet, heat oil over medium heat. Add corned beef and diced potatoes; cook and stir until heated through, 8-10 minutes. Serve in tortillas with coleslaw mixture and dressing mixture.

QUICK AND EASY BEEF AND PORK TACOS

Steps:

• Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Cook and stir beef, sausage, and onion in the hot skillet until meat is browned and crumbly, 5 to 7 minutes. Drain and discard grease. Stir in taco seasoning until meat is well coated. Add diced tomatoes and tomato sauce; simmer to heat through. Spoon filling onto tortillas.

JACK IN THE BOX BEEF TACOS (COPYCAT)

Steps:

• PLEASE NOTE: THESE ARE MAKE-AHEAD TACOS. YOU MUST FILL THEN FREEZE TACOS BEFORE FRYING FOR AUTHENTIC RESULTS. PREPARE MY "COPYCAT JACK IN THE BOX TACO SAUCE" RECIPE (RECIPE #423994) BEFORE ASSEMBLING DEEP-FRIED TACOS.
• POUR 3 cups cold water into a medium bowl; ADD the remaining SEASONING MIX ingredients (1 cup texturized soy protein, 2 tablespoons defatted soy grits (or soy flour), 2 tablespoons tomato paste, 4 teaspoons dried onion flakes, 1 tablespoon plain chili powder, 1 tablespoon masa corn flour, 1 tablespoon all-purpose flour, 2 teaspoons salt, 1 teaspoon Accent seasoning, 1 teaspoon garlic powder, 3/4 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce, 1/2 teaspoon sugar, 1/4 teaspoon ground cumin, 1 dash ground black pepper, 1 dash cayenne pepper, 1 dash citric acid); WHISK mixture well until dry ingredients are thoroughly dissolved; SET aside.
• BROWN the ground TACO BEEF in a skillet over medium-high heat while stirring without overcooking (drain ground beef if necessary); POUR the blended SEASONING MIX into the 1 lb browned TACO BEEF in skillet; RAISE heat to high and BOIL mixture for one minute, stirring; REDUCE heat to medium and COOK mixture, stirring occasionally, until very little liquid remains and ground beef is moist yet not soggy.
• COVER beef mixture and reduce heat to low; SIMMER for 5-7 minutes to steam and tenderize meat, and for flavors to infuse fully (ADD more water to refresh consistency if needed); TRANSFER filling to a food processor and process until fairly fine in texture: RETURN to skillet on lowest heat to keep warm.
• DIVIDE enough needed American cheese slices diagonally; SHRED enough needed iceberg lettuce; HEAT 1/4 teaspoon vegetable oil in a skillet over low heat; TURN corn tortillas one at a time in a skillet on both sides until moistened and pliable (this helps tortillas from tearing); STACK prepared tortillas between paper towels to blot.
• SPOON about 1 tablespoon of warm beef filling mixture into each tortilla; FOLD tortilla in half so bottom is curled; PRESS bottom filled half carefully without tearing tortilla using a taco press or makeshift mold ); LEAVE taco tops open by about 1 inch; CAREFULLY arrange filled, formed tacos into Ziploc bags without crowding or touching; ARRANGE sealed tacos in a resealable plastic container, to protect them from breakage; FREEZE overnight or until ready to deep-fry.
• SLOWLY preheat deep-fryer with manufacturer's recommended amount of oil to 365°F .
• FRY tacos one at a time for 55 - 65 seconds at 365 °F while supporting each taco with a taco press or tongs; PLACE cooked tacos on absorbent paper to drain slightly (I recommend one person frying and one person assembling for better efficiency and fresh, hot tacos!).
• TO ASSEMBLE TACOS: OPEN each fried taco carefully; POUR 1 teaspoon prepared Jack in the Box Copycat Taco Sauce (Recipe #423994); PLACE one cut American cheese triangle into one side; GARNISH with 2 tablespoons shredded iceberg lettuce.
• ENJOY your Jack in the Box Tacos and say, "EAT YOUR HEART OUT, JACK!".

BEEF & BEAN TACOS

Steps:

• In a large skillet, cook the beef over medium heat until meat is no longer pink; drain. Stir in the beans, tomatoes, Mexicorn, soup, water and chili powder. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat; simmer, uncovered, for 5 minutes., Spoon beef mixture into taco shells; serve with toppings of your choice.

CILANTRO BEEF TACOS

Steps:

• Sprinkle steak with salt and pepper. In a large skillet, heat 2 teaspoons oil over medium-high heat. Add steak; cook 5-7 minutes on each side or until meat reaches desired doneness (for medium-rare, a thermometer should read 135°; medium, 140°; medium-well, 145°). Remove from pan., In same skillet, heat remaining oil over medium heat. Add onion; cook and stir 4-5 minutes or until tender. Add jalapeno and garlic; cook 2 minutes longer. Stir in salsa, cilantro, lime juice and pepper sauce; heat through., Thinly slice steak across the grain; stir into onion mixture. Serve in tortillas; top as desired.

BEEF TACOS WITH SALSA VERDE

Steps:

• Heat the vegetable oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Season the beef with the cumin, 1 teaspoon salt and 1/4 teaspoon pepper. Add to the skillet and cook until golden brown, about 3 minutes per side.
• Transfer the meat to a 6-quart slow cooker, then add the salsa, onion and garlic. Cover and cook on high, 6 hours.
• Remove the meat to a cutting board and shred with 2 forks, discarding the excess fat. Return the meat to the slow cooker and stir in the cilantro.
• Serve the meat in tortillas and top as desired. Serve with lime wedges.