These easy homemade Ground Beef Tacos are such a crowd pleaser, friends! It all starts with a super simple yet delicious ground beef filling. The taco meat is baked in the oven on top of tortillas that take on that crunchy, crispy texture we all love. But wait, there’s more…a quick chipotle ranch is the perfect sauce to dunk these crispy tacos in. They’re sure to be in your weeknight dinner rotation, trust!

ground beef tacos on platter with lettuce and pico de gallo

I’ve decided that I’m putting up my tree this weekend, and I will not be criticized for coming to that decision. Not that I’m defending myself, but I just feel like, why delay the joy and wait for December 1st? Y’all, I picked up the cutest ornaments the other day, and I just can’t wait any longer, ha.

Moving along from the Christmas tree shenanigans, these crispy baked ground beef tacos have been heavy in my rotation. I’ve made them three times in one week for dinner, and when I had a few friends over. They’re just so simple yet so freakin’ good, and seriously addicting!

ground beef tacos on top of shredded lettuce on platter

Crispy Baked Ground Beef Tacos! 🌮

These tacos are sooo incredibly easy to whip up, yet they have a little elevated flair that everyone will enjoy! A simple ground beef filling combined with corn tortillas and a zippy little chipotle ranch that complements them so well. Every time I make them, they’re gone within minutes!

Baking them in the oven results in a crispy texture with melty cheese, making them a little different than your average taco. Skip your local taco spot and make these delicious tacos at home if ya dare. I promise you that they’ll be a household favorite!

ingredients for ground beef tacos in bowls

What You’ll Need For This Recipe:

(Note: the full ingredients list, including measurements, is provided in the recipe card directly below.)

  • For the ground beef tacos: Olive oil, ground beef, onion, taco seasoning, beef broth, corn tortillas, and shredded cheese.
  • For the chipotle ranch: Sour cream, mayonnaise, buttermilk, chipotle peppers, garlic paste, Sazon seasoning, dried parsley, and salt/pepper.
chipotle ranch in bowl with spoon
ground beef taco mixture in skillet with wooden spoon

How To Make These Baked Ground Beef Tacos:

(Note: please see the recipe card directly below for the complete written instructions.)

  • Make the chipotle ranch! First, let’s prep this so that it’s good to go once the tacos are done. Simply combine all of the chipotle ranch ingredients in a food processor (a mini one is great for a small project like this) or blender and blitz to combine. Cover and put it in the fridge to chill until ready to serve.
  • Build the ground beef filling. In a large skillet, brown the beef and build the filling.
tacos on baking sheet

Assemble The Tacos, Bake & Serve:

  • Ready, set, assemble! Lay the tortillas on the greased baking sheet and lightly spray each one with spray. Divide the taco filling among one-half of the tortillas, followed by an even sprinkling of the shredded cheese- do not fold the tortilla over just yet.
  • Bake the tacos for 5-6 minutes at 425°F. Then remove the tacos from the oven and carefully fold the empty half of the tortilla over the taco filling, and use a spatula to gently press, creating a taco. Place the tacos back into the oven and continue baking the tacos for 8-10 minutes until crispy and golden.
  • Serve these crispy ground beef tacos STAT- alongside the chipotle ranch for dipping/drizzling. Oh yeah, baby 😛!
crispy ground beef tacos on platter with lettuce

Tips + Tricks & More Recipe Notes:

  1. Can I use other ground meat? Yes! Feel free to swap the ground beef with ground chicken or ground turkey.
  2. Can I use flour tortillas? I don’t recommend it for texture’s sake. The use of corn tortillas gives the tacos that signature crisp/crunch that flour tortillas cannot replicate.
  3. Storing the homemade chipotle ranch: Keep leftovers stored inside an airtight container and store in the fridge. It will keep for up to 1 week.
hand dipping ground beef taco in chipotle ranch sauce

These Baked Ground Beef Tacos are a favorite of mine, I love serving them so much. I just know you’ll enjoy ’em, too! Be sure to tag @butterbeready in your BBR recipe creations, I sure love to see it when you do. Until next time! 🤟🏾

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ground beef tacos on platter with lettuce and pico de gallo

Crispy Baked Ground Beef Tacos with Chipotle Ranch

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star 5 from 1 review
  • Author: Quin Liburd
  • Prep Time: 10 minutes
  • Cook Time: 20 minutes
  • Total Time: 30 minutes
  • Yield: 8
  • Category: Main Dishes
  • Method: Baking, Stovetop
  • Cuisine: American
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Description

These easy homemade Ground Beef Tacos are such a crowd pleaser, friends! It all starts with a super simple yet delicious ground beef filling. The taco meat is baked in the oven on top of tortillas that take on that crunchy, crispy texture we all love. But wait, there’s more…a quick chipotle ranch is the perfect sauce to dunk these crispy tacos in. They’re sure to be in your weeknight dinner rotation, trust!

Ingredients

For the chipotle ranch:

  • ½ cup sour cream (or plain Greek yogurt)
  • ⅓ cup mayonnaise
  • ¼ cup buttermilk
  • 2 chipotle peppers in adobo sauce
  • 1 teaspoon garlic paste
  • 2 teaspoons Sazon seasoning 
  • 2 teaspoons dried parsley
  • Kosher salt & fresh ground black pepper- to taste

For the ground beef tacos:

  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1 lb ground beef (I use 93%)
  • ½ medium yellow onion, diced
  • 3 tablespoons taco seasoning
  • ⅓ cup beef broth (or water as sub)
  • 8 yellow corn tortillas
  • 2 cups shredded cheese of choice- (we love Mexican blend or Oaxaca here!)
  • For serving- optional: Shredded iceberg lettuce, pico de gallo, lime wedges/cheeks (for squeezing), sour cream, and/or guacamole.

Instructions

  1. For the chipotle ranch: In the body of a high-speed blender or food processor, combine the sour cream, mayonnaise, buttermilk, chipotle peppers, garlic paste, Sazon seasoning, parsley, and salt/pepper- to taste. Blitz the mixture until well combined and smooth. Then transfer the chipotle ranch to an airtight container and store it in the refrigerator until the tacos are done.
  2. Preheat the oven to 425°F. Spray a large baking sheet with avocado oil (or olive oil) and set aside.
  3. Make the taco filling: In a large skillet over medium heat, add the olive oil. When hot, add the ground beef and use a wooden utensil to break it up, cooking until browned. Then add the onion and continue cooking the mixture until the onion is translucent and tender, about 3-4 minutes. Season the mixture with the taco seasoning and stir well to combine. Then add the beef broth and turn off the heat. Stir the broth to combine and let the mixture simmer in the residual heat until most of the liquid is absorbed. The beef mixture should be extra moist.
  4. Assemble the tacos: Lay the tortillas on the greased baking sheet and lightly spray each one with avocado oil (or olive oil). Evenly divide the taco filling among one-half of the tortillas, followed by an even sprinkling of the shredded cheese- do not fold the tortilla over just yet.
  5. Bake the tacos for 5-6 minutes at 425°F. Then remove the tacos from the oven and carefully fold the empty half of the tortilla over the taco filling, and use a spatula to gently press, creating a taco. Place the tacos back into the oven and continue baking the tacos for 8-10 minutes until crispy and golden.
  6. Serve these crispy ground beef tacos immediately with your desired toppings and the chipotle ranch for dipping/drizzling. Enjoy!

Notes

  1. Please read blog post in its entirety for more tips + tricks.

Recipe by: Quin Liburd- Butter Be Ready

Photography by: Ashley McLaughlin