forget the bbq, it's taco time! if you’re ready to trade your regular meal for something a bit spicier, we have an outstanding shredded beef taco recipe for you. these tacos are incredibly satisfying and tasty, perfect for a laid-back lunch or dinner. and they are very easy to make at home.
while we can’t bring the sizzling mexican street carts to you, this recipe brings that authentic taste right to your kitchen. we've combined the essence of traditional taco cooking with ingredients readily available in australia. get ready to impress your mates with your taco-making skills!
what are beef tacos?
beef tacos are a yummy mexican dish that’s enjoyed all over the world. they are made with seasoned beef wrapped in tortillas or filled up in u-shaped crispy shells. the beef is topped with a lot of stuff like cheese, lettuce and salsa. tacos are fun to eat and can be enjoyed as a snack or main course.
while all three (taco shell/tortilla, beef and toppings) play a role in creating an outstanding flavour of your tacos, the beef you use can significantly impact it. there are usually three styles of beef used in tacos – shredded, chopped/sliced and ground.
chuck roast is an outstanding cut for shredded beef tacos. it’s packed with collagen, which helps it transform into tender and juicy shreds when slow-cooked. this connective tissue breaks down during the cooking process, resulting in that melt-in-your-mouth texture we all crave. this cut can also be a great option for chopped beef tacos. when a well-trimmed chuck roast is cooked to medium, it can be easily chopped into bite-sized pieces.
for a better flavour and texture in your minced beef tacos, go for 90% lean ground beef. this lean-to-fat ratio provides a juicy and tasty filling without excessive grease. even higher fat-content ground beef can be used if the excess fat is drained off before seasoning.
beef taco recipe
with a good understanding of the key components, we're ready to learn how to make tacos at home. from making the seasoning mix at home to creating outstanding shredded beef, this guide will walk you through every step of the process.
let's learn how to make tacos that will impress your friends and family.
Total Servings:-
10-12
Preparation Time:-
20 Minutes
Cooking Times:-
3 hours
Nutritional Value:-
329 calories, 18g fat, 25g carbs, 18g protein
Recipe Category:-
main course
Cuisine:-
mexican
equipment
- heavy-bottomed pot with lid/ dutch oven/ pressure cooker
- baking tray
- pan
- forks
ingredients
- 750 grams of boneless beef (chuck roast)
- 1-1½ tablespoon vegetable oil
- 10-12 crispy taco shells or tortillas
- 250 grams of crushed tomatoes (canned or homemade)
- seasoning mix (details in the next section)
- 3 garlic cloves
- ½ chopped onion
- 1 tablespoon lime juice
- 1 cup beef broth
- ¼ cup water
- salt
- pepper
instructions
- spice up the beef: the first step in making mouth-watering beef tacos is to select a suitable cut of meat, such as a boneless chuck roast. after trimming excess fat, focus on cutting the roast into manageable portions – about 6-7 pieces, approximately 2-3 inches thick. this reduces the cooking time and allows the flavours to penetrate deeper into those smaller pieces. now get the homemade seasoning mix to rub on the beef pieces. but before seasoning, grab a few sheets of paper towel and use them to dry the beef pieces. once dry, sprinkle the mix on the pieces and pat on them to make the mix stay.
- browning the beef: it’s time to create a caramelised crust that locks in the juices and flavours. place a large, heavy-bottomed pot over high heat (even a dutch oven can be used) and pour some olive oil into it – let it heat. then, add the beef pieces to it and let them sear for a few minutes per side. once they’re nice and golden brown, transfer them to a plate.
- mix the sauce’s ingredients: reduce the heat to medium and add some more olive oil to it. next, toss in the diced onion and minced garlic. sauté them for 2-3 minutes to make them soft and translucent. pour in the lime juice and scrape any browned bits stuck to the bottom of the pot. finally, add the diced tomatoes, beef broth, salsa, any remaining seasoning mix and water; and stir. once everything is combined, get the browned beef back into the pot and stir again.
- cook the beef: secure the lid on your pot and bring the mixture to a gentle simmer. reduce the heat to low and let the beef cook for 2 hours or until it’s very tender. during this time, you can check the tenderness of the beef. use two forks to shred a piece – if it falls apart easily, it's done! otherwise, let it simmer for an additional 30 minutes. don’t panic if it takes longer to get tender – it’s not unusual. after the beef has reached melt-in-your-mouth tenderness, you can adjust the sauce's consistency. simply remove the lid and let the mixture cook for an additional 10 minutes. as the liquid gently evaporates, the sauce will naturally reduce and thicken.
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alternative cooking methods: after adding the lime juice to scrape the browned beef (deglazing), transfer them to a slow cooker and add beef to it. cook on low heat for 8 hours to make the beef tender. once again, try the shredding method if you want to check the tenderness of the beef.
if you’re short on time and can’t afford 8 hours of cooking, you can use a pressure cooker – takes about 1 hour to cook. after deglazing the pot, just transfer everything to a pressure cooker and let it cook. once cooked, release its pressure after turning the heat off. check the consistency of the liquid and thicken it (without the beef) in a saucepan, if required. - shredding the beef: regardless of the cooking method you used, this step remains the same. transfer the cooked beef (without the sauce) to a large bowl and use 2 forks to shred it. then add the thickened sauce to the shredded beef, mix them and set it aside – it’s ready to be added to the tacos.
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making the tacos: you can use either pre-made taco shells or tortillas for this recipe. for taco shells, arrange them in a baking dish and fill them up with beef, cheese, other toppings of choice and sauces. bake at 175°c for 5 to 7 minutes until the cheese melts and the shells turn crispy.
for tortillas – heat them in the microwave for 20-30 seconds or wrap them in aluminium foil and bake at 175°c for 7-10 minutes. once warmed, assemble and serve!
making homemade taco seasoning
homemade taco seasoning has a better flavour and gives you greater control over ingredients compared to store-bought ones. you can customise the spice levels and eliminate unwanted ingredients like excessive sodium.
if you’re concerned about the difficulty level, don’t worry! it’s incredibly easy to make this outstanding interplay of spices. just combine the ingredients mentioned below in a small bowl, and voila! your homemade seasoning mix is ready to transform the beef.
ingredients:
- ½ tablespoon chilli powder
- ½ tablespoon cumin powder
- ½ tablespoon dried oregano
- ½ tablespoon smoked paprika
- ¼ tablespoon garlic powder
- ¼ tablespoon onion powder
- ¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- ¼ teaspoon coriander powder
that’s all there is to it!
variations of beef tacos
the beef taco recipe that we explored earlier is just a starting point. once you’re comfortable with it, consider experimenting with the ingredients and adding your own creativity to it. meanwhile, here are some of the popular variations that can also be tried.
soft-shell tacos or hard-shell tacos: our beef taco recipe uses hard taco shells that are either baked or deep-fried. these u-shaped crispy shells offer a contrasting texture to the beef filling and other toppings.
however, if you’re not keen on the texture differentiation, try the soft-shell tacos. all you need to do is hold the tortilla directly over a gas burner flame, turning occasionally until lightly charred. once toasted, fill it with taco ingredients and enjoy.
street tacos or traditional tacos: street beef tacos offer a quick and tasty bite, rather than a full meal. they are usually served on small corn tortillas and have simple yet bold flavours. the filling is usually marinated minced meat, chopped onions and cilantro. unlike traditional beef tacos, street tacos don’t have cheese, lettuce, tomato and other toppings.
traditional tacos, on the other hand, can be more elaborate, with a wider range of fillings and toppings and various salsas. additionally, shredded meat might be used instead of minced meat.
fusion beef taco recipes: fusion recipes can make this dish even more interesting with the fusion of global favours. korean beef tacos, for instance, combine marinated bulgogi-style beef with traditional taco toppings like avocado and salsa.
another example is greek beef tacos which feature seasoned ground meat wrapped in a warm tortilla and topped with crumbled feta, tomatoes and a cucumber-based salsa.
tips and tricks for perfect beef tacos
knowing how to make tacos is not difficult but it helps to have access to some tips. check out the below tips to get the desired result from our beef taco recipe.
common mistakes to avoid for enhanced flavour
- undercooked beef won’t give you the texture you desire in your beef tacos. make sure it’s really tender and falling apart for the perfect texture and taste.
- don’t skip on seasoning and searing all sides of the beef pieces! seasoning and browning all sides of the meat in a cast iron skillet seals the juices and improves the taste. you can do this step in small batches and ensure it is seared properly (not just steamed).
storage and reheating tips
- it’s better to enjoy tacos immediately when you make them. however, if you’ve leftovers (usually that never happens!), place them in an airtight container. also, place parchment paper between each of them to keep them enjoyable for up to 5 days.
- reheat using an air fryer for the crispiest results. microwaving is convenient but will not restore the original crunch.
conclusion
there you have it – a beef taco recipe that's as satisfying as it is simple. the rich and tasty beef combined with the fresh crunch of taco shells and toppings creates an outstanding taste experience.
considering the experience, these beef tacos are a fantastic addition to your culinary skills and are perfect to shake up your meal routine. after you have mastered how to make tacos in this style, you can experiment with other ingredients and create your own versions.
so, gather the ingredients and get ready to enjoy a delicious mexican-inspired meal.
faqs on beef tacos
q. what kind of meat is good for beef tacos?
a. a popular choice of meat for tacos is chuck roast, which becomes tender and juicy when slow-cooked. if you prefer a quicker option, try skirt steak which can be quickly grilled and sliced for taco filling. ground beef is another good choice – go for lean meat or drain the excess fat (if you get a higher fat content) before seasoning.
q. what should i put in my tacos?
a. classic taco fillings include seasoned beef, shredded lettuce, diced tomatoes, chopped onions and shredded cheese. for extra flavour, add salsa, guacamole, sour cream and fresh cilantro. it’s easy to experiment with different toppings like pickled onions, jalapenos or black beans!
q. what are beef tacos made of?
a. beef tacos are usually made of a corn tortilla filled with seasoned beef. the beef could be ground, shredded or sliced. in addition to the main filling, there are popular toppings. these include lettuce, tomatoes, onions, cheese, salsa, guacamole and sour cream. however, you can get creative with the toppings and include the ones you like.
q. what to serve with beef tacos?
a. you can't go wrong with classic sides like rice and beans or chips and salsa, but it’s fun to mix it up. try a mexican corn dip, grilled corn salsa, cilantro lime rice, chilli cheese or summer fruit salad.
