These soft beef tacos are an easy and flavorful weeknight dinner that’s ready in under 30 minutes. Packed with seasoned ground beef, black beans, and fresh veggies, they are hearty, customizable, and perfect for taco night!

Soft beef tacos topped with sliced avocado, jalapeños, cheese, and cilantro on a black plate, with a light gray napkin and fresh cilantro in the background.

There’s something special about enjoying restaurant-quality tacos at home, especially when they’re as easy and flavorful as these beef soft tacos. My husband and I make these on repeat because they’re not only packed with bold flavors, but they’re also incredibly simple to prepare.

With the perfect balance of seasoned beef, fresh veggies, and our homemade creamy chipotle sauce, these tacos rival anything you’d find at your favorite taco spot, and you can save money by making them yourself!

They’re quick enough for a busy weeknight, especially if you cook the beef and chop the veggies ahead of time, like I did. The sauce takes these tacos to the next level, and my husband – who never says no to tacos – loves them so much he could eat them everyday for lunch and dinner.

What We Think You’ll Love About This Recipe

Quick and Easy. With a busy schedule, this recipe is perfect for getting dinner on the table in under 30 minutes, especially with a little prep ahead of time.
Make-Ahead Friendly. Cooking the beef and chopping the veggies in advance makes it even easier to pull together for a fast weeknight meal.
Restaurant-Quality at Home. Enjoy the flavors of your favorite taco spot without leaving the house, and save money while doing it.
Family-Approved. These tacos are a guaranteed hit, and if you have a taco lover in your family like I do, they’ll ask for them over and over.
Customizable. Everyone can create their own perfect taco with toppings like sour cream, guacamole, or extra cheese, making it a great meal for different preferences.

Ingredient Overview

Be sure to check out the full recipe and ingredient list below

Ground Beef. We recommend using 80/20 ground beef for this recipe, as it strikes the perfect balance between flavor and juiciness. If you prefer a leaner option, you can use 90/10, but the tacos may be slightly less moist.
Onion. A small yellow or white onion works great for this recipe, adding sweetness and flavor. If you’re short on time or don’t have fresh onion on hand, you can use 1 teaspoon of onion powder as a substitute.
Bell Pepper. Any color of bell pepper will work here, but red, yellow, or orange will add a nice touch of sweetness. If you want to change it up, poblano peppers would bring a bit more mild heat and smoky flavor.
Black Beans. Canned black beans are a convenient and protein-packed addition. If you prefer, you can swap in pinto beans or even refried beans.
Taco Seasoning. You can use a store-bought packet for convenience, but if you want to control the spices, try our homemade seasoning blend (found in the recipe card below). It’s easy to mix up with pantry staples like chili powder, cumin, and paprika.
Tortillas. Both flour and corn tortillas work well for these tacos. If you’re gluten-free, corn tortillas are a great option.
Cheddar Cheese. Freshly shredded cheddar cheese melts beautifully. If you’re looking for a different flavor, Monterey Jack or a Mexican cheese blend would be great substitutes.
Sour Cream (optional). Sour cream adds a cool, creamy element to balance the spices. Greek yogurt works as a great substitute if you’re looking for a lighter option. We used our homemade creamy chipotle sauce.
Fresh Cilantro (optional). Cilantro adds a fresh, herby finish. If cilantro isn’t your thing, you can swap it out for sliced green onions or even fresh parsley.

Make Ahead Tips

Save time on busy nights by prepping your tacos ahead of time! Here’s how you can streamline the process:

Cook the Beef in Advance. You can brown the ground beef ahead of time. Store the cooked beef in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. When you’re ready to serve, just reheat it on the stove over medium heat.
Chop the Veggies Early. Dice the onion and bell pepper in advance and store them in the fridge in a sealed container. They’ll stay fresh for up to 2 days, making dinner prep even faster.
Make the Chipotle Sauce. If you decide to use it, the creamy chipotle sauce can be made a day or two ahead and stored in the fridge. This allows the flavors to meld and makes dinner assembly quicker!

Leftover Ideas

If you have extra filling, don’t worry. There are plenty of ways to repurpose it for another meal! Here are some ideas:

Taco Salad. Use the leftover filling to create a quick and hearty taco salad. Add lettuce, tomatoes, avocado, and a dollop of sour cream or your favorite dressing.
Burrito Bowls. Skip the tortillas and serve the leftover filling over rice for a yummy burrito bowl. Top it with guacamole, salsa, and shredded cheese.
Nachos. Spread tortilla chips on a baking sheet, sprinkle them with the leftover filling and cheese, and broil until the cheese is melted. Serve with salsa, sour cream, and jalapeños for a fun snack or meal.
Quesadillas. Use the leftover filling to make quick quesadillas. Add shredded cheese and cook the tortillas in a skillet until crispy and golden.

Storage

The filling stores beautifully, making it easy to enjoy the tacos again later!

Fridge. Store the filling in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. When you’re ready to eat, simply reheat it on the stove or in the microwave until warmed through.
Freezer. For longer storage, you can freeze the beef and veggie filling. Place the cooled filling in a freezer-safe container or zip-top bag, and store for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating.
Tortillas. If you have extra tortillas, store them in their original packaging in the fridge for up to a week. For longer storage, you can freeze tortillas in a freezer-safe bag for up to 2 months. Warm them before serving.
Chipotle Sauce. If you made the creamy chipotle sauce, it can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 5 days.

Soft beef tacos filled with seasoned beef, avocado, jalapeños, cheese, and cilantro on a black plate, with lime and sauce in the background.

Related Recipes

Looking for more taco-inspired dishes or quick and easy meals? Here are a few more delicious recipes that we think you’ll love:

Ground Beef Taco Salad. This hearty salad features seasoned ground beef, fresh veggies, and a zesty dressing for a refreshing and flavorful meal. It’s a lighter option that still packs all the taco flavors you love.
Chicken Pesto Flatbread. For a quick and easy dinner, this flatbread combines juicy chicken, fresh pesto, and melted mozzarella on a crispy crust. It’s perfect for when you’re craving something savory and satisfying.
Pesto Chicken Wraps. These wraps are a simple yet flavorful way to enjoy tender chicken with the freshness of pesto, crisp veggies, and a soft tortilla. Great for lunch or dinner, and even better for meal prepping!
Slow Cooker Cowboy Soup. Need a comforting meal? This soup is packed with stew meat, beans, and hearty vegetables, making it a perfect one-pot meal that’s sure to satisfy.

Prep Time:10

Cook Time:15

Total Time:25

Equipment

Heatproof spatula or wooden spoon

Large skillet

Measuring spoons

Wooden spoon or spatula

Ingredients

1 lb ground beef Note 1
1 small onion diced (Note 2)
1 bell pepper diced (Note 3)
1 packet taco seasoning or homemade seasoning blend (Note 4)
1 15 oz can black beans drained and rinsed (Note 4)
8 small corn or flour tortillas Note 6
1 cup cheddar cheese shredded
Sour cream for serving (optional)
Fresh cilantro chopped (optional)

US Customary – Metric

Instructions

In a large skillet, cook the ground beef over medium heat until browned, breaking it up with a spoon or spatula as it cooks. Drain excess fat if necessary. (Note 7)
1 lb ground beef
Add the diced onion and bell pepper to the skillet with the beef and sauté for 4-5 minutes, until softened and slightly translucent. (Note 8)
1 small onion, 1 bell pepper
Stir in the taco seasoning and 1/4 cup of water. Let it simmer for 3-4 minutes, allowing the flavors to blend and the sauce to thicken slightly. (Note 9)
1 packet taco seasoning
Stir in the drained and rinsed black beans and cook for another 2 minutes until heated through.
1 15 oz can black beans
Warm the tortillas in a pan or microwave. Spoon the beef and black bean mixture into each tortilla, then top with shredded cheddar cheese, sour cream, and fresh cilantro if desired. (Note 10)
8 small corn or flour tortillas, 1 cup cheddar cheese, Sour cream, Fresh cilantro

Notes

We recommend 80/20 ground beef (80% lean, 20% fat) for this recipe, as it provides the perfect balance of flavor and juiciness.
A small onion typically yields about 1/2 cup of diced onion.
Any color of bell pepper will work for this recipe, but red, yellow, or orange bell peppers add a touch of sweetness.
If you’d like to make your own taco seasoning, combine:
1 tablespoon chili powder
1 teaspoon cumin
1 teaspoon paprika
½ teaspoon garlic powder
½ teaspoon onion powder
½ teaspoon oregano
¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper (optional for heat)
½ teaspoon salt
¼ teaspoon black pepper
Use 2-3 tablespoons of this blend in place of a taco seasoning packet.
Feel free to substitute pinto beans if you prefer a different type of bean or are out of black beans.
You can use either flour or corn tortillas. Flour tortillas are softer, while corn tortillas are more traditional.
Drain excess fat from the skillet after cooking the ground beef to prevent greasy tacos.
Cut the veggies into similar-sized pieces for even cooking.
If the taco mixture looks too dry, add a tablespoon or two of extra water or beef broth to loosen it up.
To prevent tortillas from tearing, warm them before serving, which makes them more pliable.
Microwave: Place tortillas on a plate and cover with a damp paper towel. Microwave for 30-45 seconds until warm and pliable.
Pan: Heat a dry skillet over medium heat and warm each tortilla for about 20-30 seconds per side until lightly browned.