Trader Joe’s Taco Recipe (Old School Beef Tacos)

This Trader Joe’s Taco Recipe is an easy and classic recipe, which is made with ground beef, cumin, and paprika. It’s the perfect weeknight dinner, ready in about 30 minutes.

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Trader Joe’s Taco Recipe Ingredients

For the Beef Filling:

• 1 tbsp oil
• 2 garlic cloves, minced
• 1 onion, finely chopped
• 500 g / 1 lb ground beef
• 2 tbsp tomato paste
• 1/4 cup / 65ml water
• 1 tsp EACH garlic powder, onion powder, dried oregano
• 2 tsp EACH cumin powder, paprika
• 1/4 tsp cayenne pepper (optional)
• 1 tsp salt
• 1/4 tsp black pepper

For Serving:

• 10 to 12 crispy taco shells or soft tortillas
• Shredded cheese (Cheddar or Monterey Jack)
• Shredded iceberg lettuce
• 2 tomatoes, chopped
• 1/2 red or white onion, chopped
• Sour cream

How To Make Trader Joe’s Tacos

1. Sauté the Aromatics: Preheat your oven to 350°F (180°C). Heat the oil in a large skillet over high heat. Add the garlic and onion and cook for 2 minutes until golden and fragrant.
2. Brown the Beef: Add the ground beef to the skillet. Cook for about 2 minutes, breaking it up with a spoon as you go, until it changes from red to light brown.
3. Add Seasonings and Finish Filling: Sprinkle in all the taco seasonings (garlic powder, onion powder, oregano, cumin, paprika, cayenne, salt, pepper) and cook for another 2 minutes until the beef is cooked through. Stir in the tomato paste and water. Cook for 1 more minute until the water has evaporated, leaving you with a juicy but not watery filling.
4. Assemble and Bake: Arrange the taco shells in a baking pan. Fill each shell with the beef mixture and top generously with shredded cheese. Bake for 5 to 7 minutes, until the cheese is melted and the shells are hot and crispy.
5. Serve: Serve the tacos hot, straight from the oven. Set out bowls with the lettuce, tomatoes, chopped onion, and sour cream, and let everyone build their own perfect taco.

Recipe Tips

• How to get the best taco shells? Always heat your shells before serving! Crispy shells get even crispier and lose their stale texture after a few minutes in the oven. Soft tortillas become pliable and delicious after about 20 seconds in the microwave or wrapped in foil in a warm oven.
• What’s the best beef for tacos? A lean ground beef (around 85/15 or 90/10) works well. If you use a fattier beef, be sure to drain off the excess grease after browning it and before you add the seasonings.
• Can I use a store-bought taco seasoning packet? Yes, you can. If you’re short on time, you can substitute the homemade seasoning blend with one packet of your favorite store-bought taco seasoning.
• Can I make the meat ahead of time? Absolutely. The taco meat is perfect for meal prep. You can make it up to 3 days in advance and store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator. Simply reheat it in a skillet or the microwave before serving.

What To Serve With Beef Tacos

These tacos are a complete meal, but they are even better as part of a larger Tex-Mex feast. Serve them with:

• Mexican Rice
• Refried or Black Beans
• Chips with salsa, guacamole, or queso dip
• A simple corn salad

How To Store Beef Tacos

• Refrigerate: The cooked taco meat should be stored separately from the shells and toppings. Store the leftover meat in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. Assembled tacos do not store well and will become soggy.

Beef Tacos Nutrition Facts

• Serving: 3 tacos
• Calories: 490kcal
• Fat: 23g
• Carbohydrates: 31g
• Protein: 36g
• Sodium: 998mg

Nutrition information is estimated for 3 tacos with meat, cheese, lettuce, tomato, and onion.

FAQs

Try More Recipes:

• Trader Joe’s Hashbrown Recipe
• Trader Joe’s Chicken Shawarma Recipe
• Trader Joe’s Cornbread Stuffing Recipe