This grass-fed beef taco recipe is a great way to make a healthy Taco Tuesday meal in under 30 minutes. With homemade taco seasoning, tomato sauce, and taco shells, you have a substantial meal that kids and adults will love!
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Why You'll Love This Recipe
- Low-carb
- High-protein
- Naturally gluten-free
- Made with clean, simple ingredients
- Quick and easy to make
- A healthy meal you can feel good about
What You Need
- Lean ground beef: grass-fed or organic ground beef
- Taco shells or tortillas (or substitute lettuce wraps)
- Tomato sauce
- Water
- Taco seasoning (homemade or store-bought packets)
- Salt and pepper
- Toppings: shredded cabbage or lettuce, tomatoes, sour cream, cheese, onions, etc.
For The Tomato Sauce
Tomato sauce is sold in cans or cartons. Most tacos are made with just water to moisten the meat, but adding tomato sauce gives the meat a wonderful flavor and keeps it very moist. We use Pomi tomato sauce, which is made with Italian tomatoes. It has no added sodium or preservatives. You can find it at Publix here in Key Largo.
Mild Taco Seasoning
This seasoning makes enough for 1 pound of ground beef.
Combine the ingredients in a bowl and whisk until evenly blended, then add the seasoning mixture to 1 pound of cooked ground beef.
- 1 tablespoon chili powder
- 1 ½ teaspoons cumin
- ½ teaspoon paprika
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon onion powder
- ½ teaspoon ground oregano
- ¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper (add more to increase the heat)
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
Recipe
Adding tomato sauce to the ground beef keeps the meat very moist and delicious!
- Using a 10- or 12-inch heavy-bottomed skillet, brown the meat over medium-high heat, breaking it into small pieces as you cook. Season with salt and pepper. Once the meat is no longer pink, push it to one side of the pan and tilt it slightly. Scoop out the drippings with a large spoon and discard.
- Stir the entire prepared taco seasoning blend into ½ cup tomato sauce and ¼ cup water. Add the mixture to the cooked beef and simmer for 5-7 minutes, or until the sauce thickens and coats the beef.
- Remove the meat from the pan or place the skillet on a cool burner top until ready to serve.
The Best Healthy Tortillas
I picked up a package of Maria and Ricardo's almond flour tortillas at Sprouts Market for this batch. They're light and just the right size for tacos. You can also use Siete almond flour tortillas, which are available in the freezer at all Publix stores.
How to Make Beef Tacos
Almond flour tortillas taste best when slightly heated before eating. Heat a skillet over medium-high heat for a few minutes, then place the tortilla in the pan. In about 10 seconds, the bottom will start to crisp up.
Flip the tortilla and heat the other side for another 10 seconds. You don't need to spray the pan if it's hot. The tortilla will develop spotty-brown marks when it's ready.
To assemble, cradle the tortilla in your hand and add a few tablespoons of ground beef. If you're using cheese, sprinkle it on next so it melts slightly from the heat of the meat. Follow with a dollop of sour cream, which helps hold your toppings in place. Finally, add your favorite toppings and enjoy!
Taco Toppings
This is a list of our favorite taco toppings:
- Guacamole or sliced avocado
- Mango Pico de Gallo
- Peach Mango Salsa
- Cilantro Lime Crema or sour cream
- Cholula hot sauce
- Taco Dipping Sauce
- Veggies: shredded lettuce, diced tomato, diced white onions, radishes
- Shredded cheese: Monterey Jack, cheddar, cojita
- Chopped cilantro
- Sliced jalapeño peppers
Storage and Reheating
Store leftover taco meat in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Keep the tortillas and toppings in separate containers to keep them fresh.
Reheat the beef in a covered skillet over medium-low heat with a splash of water, stirring until hot, or microwave it in 30-second intervals.
Warm the tortillas separately and assemble the tacos just before serving.
Takeaway
Grass-fed beef tacos make a quick weeknight dinner the whole family will enjoy. Once your ingredients are prepped, the meal comes together in just 20 minutes.
For a healthier twist, try almond flour tortillas instead of corn. Brands like Maria and Ricardo's or Siete offer delicious, gluten-free options that work great in tacos.
Grain-free tortillas can be hard to find in some stores, but check natural food markets like Sprouts or Whole Foods. You'll often find them in the freezer section.
More Taco Recipes
We live in the sunny Florida Keys. Check out our easy seafood recipes and explore tips for preparing fresh, delicious meals inspired by the tropics.
From simple fish dishes to easy shrimp recipes, we've got you covered for every occasion.
FAQ
Yes, it is! Grass-fed cattle graze on fields of grass. Grass-fed meat is healthier because it contains more healthy fats and nutrients compared to grain-fed beef. It also avoids the antibiotics and unnatural diets often used in conventional beef production.
Grass-fed cattle have not been fed corn, so grass-fed meat is less sweet than conventional varieties, but the health benefits of not consuming antibiotics are priceless.
Yes. You can use any ground beef you prefer. For tacos, 85% to 90% lean beef works well. Drain any excess fat after browning, then add the seasoning, tomato sauce, and water.
For flavorful beef tacos, use 85% to 90% lean ground beef. It has enough fat to stay juicy without becoming overly greasy. Ground chuck is a good choice, and both grass-fed and conventional beef work well.
Grass-Fed Ground Beef Tacos Recipe
Ingredients
FOR THE TACOS
- 1 pound grass-fed ground beef
- ½ cup tomato sauce
- ¼ cup water
- salt and pepper
- 8 tortillas of your choice
TACO SEASONING
- 1 tablespoon chili powder
- 1 ½ teaspoons cumin
- ½ teaspoon paprika
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon ground oregano
- ¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
Instructions
- Measure out the taco seasoning ingredients into a large bowl and whisk together until evenly combined.
- Over medium-high heat, brown the meat, breaking it into small pieces as it cooks. Season with a little salt and freshly ground pepper. When the meat is no longer pink, push it to one side of the pan and tilt the pan slightly. Scoop out most of the drippings with a big spoon.
- Stir the entire prepared taco seasoning blend into ½ cup tomato sauce and ¼ cup water. Add the mixture to the cooked beef and simmer for 5-7 minutes, or until the sauce thickens and coats the beef.
- Remove the meat from the pan or place the skillet on a cool burner top until ready to serve.
- Heat a dry skillet over medium-high heat. Place one tortilla in the skillet and cook for about 10 seconds, until lightly toasted. Flip and cook the other side for another 10 seconds. Repeat with the remaining tortillas and serve warm.
- Fill each tortilla with ground beef and your favorite toppings.
