If you grew up on Taco Bell tacos or have a soft spot for that crunchy shell and seasoned beef combo, you’re in for a treat. These homemade ground beef tacos are my go-to when I want something easy, family-friendly, and packed with nostalgic flavor — but without the drive-thru.
The secret? A simple seasoning blend, a splash of tomato juice, and a handful of pantry staples that turn plain ground beef into the best taco filling ever. It’s the kind of recipe you can make on a weeknight and still feel like you treated yourself.
Why You’ll Love These Tacos
- Taste just like Taco Bell (but even better fresh).
- Quick, kid-approved, and made with pantry staples.
- Perfect for Taco Tuesday… or any day.
Ingredients You’ll Need
- Ground beef: Use 85% lean for the perfect balance of flavor and moisture. Too lean and it gets dry.
- White onion & garlic: Cooked with the beef for a boost of savory flavor.
- Tomato juice: This is the key to deglazing the pan and creating that soft, saucy texture.
- Yellow cornmeal: The game changer! Helps thicken the beef mixture and gives it that signature Taco Bell-style flavor.
- Homemade taco seasoning: Ditch the packet. You’ll just need chili powder, cumin, garlic salt, kosher salt, and black pepper.
- Hard taco shells: White or yellow corn — up to you.
- Shredded cheddar cheese: Freshly grated for best melt and flavor.
- Toppings: Sour cream, iceberg lettuce, diced tomatoes, avocado, and anything else you love.
How to Make Ground Beef Tacos (Taco Bell Style)
Sear the Beef:
Start by browning the ground beef in a skillet. Break it up into small crumbles as it cooks — I like using a wooden spatula or potato masher for this. Once it starts browning, stir in the onions and garlic.
Add the Seasoning:
Sprinkle in your homemade taco seasoning and let it cook with the beef for another minute or two to toast the spices and deepen the flavor.
Deglaze & Simmer:
Pour in the tomato juice and stir, scraping up the browned bits from the pan. Stir in the cornmeal, reduce the heat, and let everything simmer for about 10–15 minutes. It’ll thicken up and become perfectly scoopable for tacos.
Toast and Assemble:
Stuff your taco shells with the beef and shredded cheese, then pop them in a 400°F oven for a few minutes to melt the cheese and crisp up the shells. Finish with your favorite toppings and dig in!
Taco Topping Ideas
- Classic: Lettuce, tomato, sour cream
- Zesty: Pickled onions, jalapeños, cilantro
- Cheesy: Add queso or a drizzle of nacho cheese sauce
- Fresh: Avocado slices, pico de gallo, lime wedges
FAQs
Do I need to drain the ground beef?
Not necessarily. I usually don’t — a little fat helps flavor the meat. But if it’s really greasy, feel free to drain it before adding the tomato juice.
Can I use ground turkey instead?
Sure! It won’t taste quite the same, but it’s a great lighter option.
Is the cornmeal essential?
It really makes the texture and flavor just like Taco Bell. If you don’t have it, the filling may be thinner — but still tasty.
What if I don’t have tomato juice?
V8 or even water can work in a pinch, but tomato juice gives it that classic flavor. You could also use diluted tomato paste.
Can I use taco seasoning packets?
You can, but the homemade blend in this recipe gives you better control over the salt and flavor — and tastes closer to the real deal.
Final Thoughts
These Taco Bell-style ground beef tacos hit the spot when you’re craving something classic, comforting, and super satisfying. They’re easy to make in batches, perfect for game day spreads, casual weeknight dinners, or even freezer prep. Once you try that tomato juice and cornmeal combo, you might not go back to the fast-food line again.
Taco Bell Ground Beef
The secret? A simple seasoning blend, a splash of tomato juice, and a handful of pantry staples that turn plain ground beef into the best taco filling ever.
Ingredients
- 1 pound 85% lean ground beef
- ½ white onion, diced
- 2 cloves garlic, pressed or minced
- 2 teaspoons cumin
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon pepper
- 2 cups tomato juice
- 2 teaspoons chili powder
- 1 teaspoon garlic salt
- ¼ cup yellow cornmeal
- 12 taco shells
- 2 cups cheddar cheese, shredded
- sliced lettuce
- chopped tomatoes
- avocado
- onion
- sour cream
Instructions
- Add the ground beef to a large skillet over medium-high heat and cook until browned, about 10 minutes, breaking it into small pieces as it browns.
- Add the onion and garlic and sauté until the beef is nicely browned and the onion turns translucent.
- Add the cumin, chili powder, garlic salt, salt, and pepper and cook for another 1-2 minutes, stirring frequently.
- Stir in the tomato juice and cornmeal and let it simmer for 10-15 minutes or until the mixture thickens and the cornmeal softens. Stir occasionally, and add a bit more tomato juice or water if it starts to clump.
- Arrange the taco shells on a sheet pan or in a baking dish. Spoon about ⅓ cup of the taco meat into each shell, then top with shredded cheddar cheese. Broil in a toaster oven or conventional oven until the cheese melts.
- Top with your favorite garnishes and serve.
Notes
- White corn taco shells are my go-to, but yellow corn or even soft tortillas work just as well if you're aiming for that Taco Bell-style flavor.
Nutrition Information
Yield
12Serving Size
1Amount Per Serving Calories 294Total Fat 18gSaturated Fat 7gTrans Fat 0gUnsaturated Fat 9gCholesterol 53mgSodium 628mgCarbohydrates 16gFiber 3gSugar 2gProtein 17g
dinnerbytes.com, occasionally offers nutritional information for recipes contained on this site. This information is provided as a courtesy and is an estimate only. This information comes from online calculators. Although dinnerbytes.com attempts to provide accurate nutritional information, these figures are only estimates.
