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Quick 20-Minute Ground Beef Taco Skillet

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A quick and easy taco-inspired skillet dish made with ground beef, bold spices, and simple pantry ingredients, perfect for busy weeknights.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 lb (450g) ground beef (85% lean preferred)
  • 1 small onion, diced
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 tbsp olive oil
  • 1 packet (or 2 tbsp) taco seasoning (store-bought or homemade with chili powder, cumin, paprika, oregano)
  • 1 cup (240ml) canned diced tomatoes
  • 1/2 cup (120ml) beef broth or water
  • 1 cup (100g) shredded cheddar cheese (optional)
  • 1 cup (150g) frozen corn kernels (optional)
  • Salt and pepper to taste
  • Fresh cilantro and lime wedges for serving (optional)

Instructions

  1. Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat until shimmering but not smoking, about 1 minute.
  2. Add diced onions and cook until translucent, about 3-4 minutes, stirring often.
  3. Add minced garlic and cook for another 30 seconds until fragrant.
  4. Add ground beef, breaking it up with a spoon, and cook until no longer pink and slightly browned, about 5-6 minutes. Drain excess fat if needed.
  5. Sprinkle taco seasoning evenly over the beef and stir well to coat all the meat, about 1 minute.
  6. Pour in diced tomatoes with juices and beef broth or water. Stir to combine. Reduce heat to medium-low and simmer uncovered for 5 minutes, stirring occasionally.
  7. If using, stir in frozen corn kernels and cook for another 2 minutes to heat through.
  8. If using, sprinkle shredded cheddar cheese over the skillet mixture. Cover with a lid or foil and let cheese melt for 2-3 minutes.
  9. Taste and add salt and pepper as needed. Remove from heat.
  10. Garnish with fresh cilantro and serve with lime wedges, warm tortillas, or tortilla chips.

Notes

If skillet seems too dry during simmering, add a splash more broth or water. If too watery, increase heat slightly and cook uncovered longer to reduce. Let skillet rest a minute after cooking to meld flavors and set cheese. Ground turkey or chicken can be used as protein swaps. For vegetarian, replace beef with cooked black beans or lentils and add extra corn and bell peppers. To spice it up, add diced jalapeños or cayenne pepper. This dish can be finished under a broiler to brown cheese if using an oven-safe pan.

Nutrition

Keywords: ground beef, taco skillet, quick dinner, easy recipe, weeknight meal, taco seasoning, skillet dinner

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