This post may contain affiliate links. If you make a purchase through links on our site, we may earn a commission. Please read our disclosure policy.
Why I Love These Baked Beef Tacos
There’s something about taco night that always feels like a win, but these baked beef tacos make it even easier. Instead of cooking the beef, making each component separately, and then building the tacos one by one, all the best ingredients are loaded right into the tortilla and baked together. The edges end up getting crispy, the cheese melts, and the whole sheet pan is ready to go at once.
Growing up, these tacos would have been a favorite of my sister and me because we both loved (and still love!) anything Tex-Mex.
The best part: how customizable these are! Set out the salsa, guacamole, lettuce, and sour cream, and everyone can finish their taco exactly how they like it!
Here’s why you’ll love these, too:
- Crispy and golden around the edges without the need to stand at the stove.
- Perfect for weeknights, since most of the work is simple assembly.
- Super easy to make ahead and bake later.
- Totally customizable to each person’s liking.
Crispy Baked Beef Taco Ingredients
It’s a simple list of ingredients needed to make these beef tacos:
- Ground beef – Lean enough to keep the tacos from getting greasy, but still flavorful. Make sure to get 90% lean!
- Onion – Grating helps the onion melt right into the filling.
- Green chilies – Add flavor and a little brightness. Don’t worry: they won’t make the tacos overly spicy.
- Chili powder, ground cumin, garlic powder, and kosher salt – All the good ways to make sure these tacos have tons of flavor. Did you know that you can make your own chili powder!
- Flour tortillas – These fold easily and crisp up beautifully in the oven. Make sure to get fajita-sized tortillas to ensure these bake up the correct way and the filling doesn’t spill out!
- Refried beans – A thin layer adds richness.
- Shredded cheddar cheese – Melts into the filling and crisps a little at the edges.
- Neutral oil or cooking spray – Used to help the tortillas brown and get that crispy exterior we’re looking for.
- Sour cream, salsa, guacamole, and lettuce – Choose from any of your favorite toppings to garnish these tacos!
The full amount of each ingredient can be found in the recipe card below.
How to Make Baked Beef Tacos
There are 4 simple steps to making these beef tacos:
Step 1: Mix the filling – In a large bowl, combine the ground beef, grated onion, green chilies, chili powder, cumin, garlic powder, and salt. Mix until evenly combined.
Step 2: Assemble – Spread about 1 tablespoon of refried beans over each tortilla in a thin, even layer. Then top with about 3 tablespoons of the beef mixture and spread it out. Sprinkle each taco with shredded cheddar cheese. Fold the tortillas over and press lightly so they hold their shape.
Step 3: Bake until crisp – Divide the tacos between two parchment-lined baking sheets, 6 tacos per sheet. Brush both sides with oil or cooking spray. Then, bake in the preheated 400°F oven for 25-35 minutes, flipping halfway through.
Step 4: Serve warm – Serve right away with sour cream, salsa, guacamole, and shredded lettuce (or any other toppings you love!).
Recipe Tips
- Do not overfill the tacos – A thinner, even layer of filling is what helps these bake properly. If they’re packed too tightly, the tortillas are more likely to steam rather than become crisp.
- Use two sheet pans – Giving the tacos space helps the hot air circulate so they toast instead of getting soft.
- Flip halfway through baking – This is the key to getting both sides browned and crispy! It also helps prevent the bottoms from getting soggy.
- Use flour tortillas for this version – They fold easily and hold the filling well. Corn tortillas can be used instead, but they tend to break and are not as easy to work with.
- Check the center taco if you’re unsure – Since the beef goes into the oven raw, the easiest way to be certain it’s fully cooked is to use an instant-read thermometer and check for 160°F.
Follow These Tips
Serving & Storage
Serving – Serve these right from the oven while the tortillas are still crisp and the cheese is hot. I love to serve them with any number of toppings I know people will love: sour cream, salsa, guacamole, and lettuce. You could also serve them with some pickled peppers or hot pepper mustard for some spice! And, of course, a spicy margarita must be in sight when serving!
Refrigerate – Let the tacos cool, then store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days.
Freeze – I’d recommend making these fresh, just to ensure you get the crispy edges, but you can freeze the baked tacos in a single layer until firm, then transfer to a freezer-safe container or bag.
Reheat – Reheat on a sheet pan in a 375°F oven (or in the air fryer) until hot and crisp again. A microwave also works well, but you won’t retain those crisp edges.
More Taco Recipes
Have I Convinced You to Make This Recipe?
I hope you make this recipe and put some food on your table. Leave a comment and share a star rating so you can let others know how much you love this recipe. This helps show others that this is a recipe they, too, can make, enjoy, and love!
Crispy Baked Beef Tacos
Ingredients
- 1 lb ground beef (90% lean)
- 1 small onion grated
- 1 4-oz can green chilies
- 2 tsp chili powder
- 1 tsp ground cumin
- ½ tsp garlic powder
- 1 ½ tsp kosher salt
- 12 fajita-size flour tortillas
- ¾ cup refried beans
- ¾ cup shredded cheddar cheese
- neutral oil or cooking spray as needed
- sour cream to garnish
- salsa to garnish
- guacamole to garnish
- lettuce to garnish
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 400°F (use convection setting if available). Line two baking sheets with parchment paper and set them aside.
- Mix: In a large bowl, combine the ground beef, onion, green chilies, chili powder, cumin, garlic powder, and salt. Mix to combine evenly.1 lb ground beef (90% lean), 1 small onion, 1 4-oz can green chilies, 2 tsp chili powder, 1 tsp ground cumin, ½ tsp garlic powder, 1 ½ tsp kosher salt
- Assemble: Spread 1 tablespoon of refried beans on each tortilla, then 3 tablespoons of the meat mixture. Sprinkle with 1 tbsp of cheese, then fold the tortillas over and press them to keep them together.12 fajita-size flour tortillas, ¾ cup refried beans, ¾ cup shredded cheddar cheese
- Bake: Set the prepared tortillas on the prepared baking sheets, 6 per sheet, and brush both sides with oil or coat with cooking spray. Bake in the preheated 400°F oven, flipping halfway through, until the beef is cooked through, the tortillas are browned with crisp edges, and the cheese is melted, 25-35 minutes.neutral oil or cooking spray
- Serve: Remove from the oven and serve with garnishes: sour cream, salsa, guacamole, and lettuce.sour cream, salsa, guacamole, lettuce
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Did you make this? Leave a comment below!
Styling: Addelyn Evans | Photography: Dera Burreson
