This grass-fed beef tacos 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!
What You Need
- Lean ground beef (grass-fed is best)
- 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 if you add tomato sauce, the meat has a wonderful flavor and is very moist. We use Pomi tomato sauce, which is made with Italian tomatoes. It has no added sodium and has no preservatives. It is available at Publix here in Key Largo.
Mild Taco Seasoning
This seasoning makes enough for 2 pounds of meat.
Combine these ingredients in a bowl and whisk until mixed. Alternatively, please place them in a screw-top jar and shake until blended. Measure out 1 tablespoon of the seasoning and save the rest for future use.
- 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
Cooking The Ground Beef
By adding tomato sauce to the ground beef, the meat will be very moist and so good!
- 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.
- Mix 1 tablespoon of taco seasoning or 1 packet of store-bought seasoning with ½ cup of tomato sauce and ¼ cup of water. Add the mixture to the meat and cook for 2-3 minutes.
- Remove the meat from the pan or place the skillet on a cool burner top until ready to serve.
The Best Gluten-Free Low Carb 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 the 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
- Cilantro Lime Crema or sour cream
- Cholula hot sauce
- Veggies: shredded lettuce, diced tomato, diced white onions, radishes
- Shredded cheese: Monterey Jack, cheddar, cojita
- Chopped cilantro
- Sliced jalapeno peppers
How To Reheat the Leftovers
I made this recipe with one package of tortillas, which has 6 pieces in it. If there are leftovers, I pack each one separately in foil. The next day, I had the easiest lunch ever!
You can also place the meat in an airtight container and reheat it in the microwave the next day for a minute or two.
Takeaway
Grass-fed beef tacos make for a quick weeknight dinner that your entire family will enjoy. Once you have all your ingredients ready, the entire meal comes together in just 20 minutes.
For a healthier twist, try using almond flour tortillas instead of corn. Options like Maria and Ricardo's almond flour tortillas or Siete's almond flour tortillas add a delicious and gluten-free element to your tacos.
Grain-free tortillas can be hard to find in some grocery stores, but you can usually get them at health food stores, Sprouts Farmers Market, or Whole Foods Market. Check the freezer section for these options.
You can also use this recipe to make taco bowls by replacing the tortillas with a bowl of lettuce. Alternatively, ground turkey, bison, or chicken works well.
This recipe is gluten-free and low-carb. Each taco has about 3 net carbs with the tortilla. Without tortillas, the dish has roughly 1 net carb, depending on your choice of toppings.
We are living in the sunny Florida Keys. Check out our healthy 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 the conventional varieties, but the health benefits of not consuming antibiotics are priceless.
Yes, you can eat grass-fed beef if you have celiac disease, but it's important to check labels. If the meat is not labeled "grass-fed and grass-finished," the animal may have been fed wheat or gluten-containing grains, which could pose a risk for cross-contamination.
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
- 6 tortillas of your choice
For Taco Seasoning
- 1 tablespoon chili powder
- 1 ½ teaspoons cumin
- ½ teaspoon paprika
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon teaspoon
- 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 you go. Season with a little salt and freshly ground pepper. When the meat is no longer pink, push all the meat to one side of the pan and slightly tilt the pan. Scoop out most of the drippings with a big spoon.
- Mix 1 tablespoon of taco seasoning or 1 store-bought packet with ½ cup of tomato sauce and ¼ cup of water. Add to meat. Cook an additional 2-3 minutes.
- Remove the meat from the pan or place the skillet on a cool burner top until ready to serve.
- Heat a skillet over medium-high heat for a few minutes and drop in the tortilla, in 10 seconds or so, the bottom of the tortilla will crisp. Flip and heat the other side for another 10 seconds. and you're ready to go.
- Fill each tortilla with ground beef and your favorite toppings.
Notes
-
- Guacamole or sliced avocado
- Mango pico de gallo
- Cilantro Lime Crema or sour cream
- Veggies: shredded lettuce, diced tomato, diced white onions, radishes
- Shredded cheese: Monterey Jack, cheddar, cojita
- Cilantro
- Jalapeno peppers
- Hot sauce
