Gluten-Free Beef Tacos in Corn Tortillas
By the Gluten Free Recipes team ·
Savor tender, seasoned ground beef nestled in warm, pliable corn tortillas for a satisfying and flavorful meal. This recipe delivers savory depth with a hint of spice, perfect for a quick weeknight dinner or a festive gathering.
At a glance: This easy dinner recipe yields 4 servings in about 1h 15m (15 min prep, 60 min cook). It uses 14 ingredients — including ground beef, olive oil, onion — and walks through 6 steps. Updated . Browse more dinner recipes or return to all gluten-free recipes.
Cross-Contamination Warning for Gluten-Free Beef Tacos in Corn Tortillas: When preparing this dinner recipe, commercial broths and stocks are high risk — many contain yeast extract (often barley-derived), wheat starch, or caramel colour from wheat. Use certified GF stock (Pacific Foods Organic GF, Swanson Natural Goodness) or make your own. Use tamari (not regular soy sauce) — San-J Tamari and Kikkoman GF Tamari are reliable. Double-check labels even on tamari, as some formulations include wheat. In a shared kitchen, avoid porous materials — wooden spoons, wooden cutting boards, and scratched non-stick pans can harbor gluten proteins even after washing. Prefer glass, metal, or silicone tools. Broth often contains yeast extract or barley derivatives; use only certified gluten-free broth.
Gluten-Free Notes for Gluten-Free Beef Tacos in Corn Tortillas: This recipe is naturally gluten-free, relying on 100% corn tortillas and certified gluten-free broths and tamari. It avoids all gluten-containing grains.
Ingredients
- 1.5 lbs ground beef
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1 medium onion, chopped
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 tbsp chili powder
- 1 tsp cumin
- 0.5 tsp smoked paprika
- 0.25 tsp cayenne pepper (optional)
- 1 cup GF beef broth or water
- 2 tbsp GF tamari or coconut aminos
- 1 tbsp cornstarch or arrowroot starch
- 1 tsp salt
- 0.5 tsp black pepper
- 8-12 corn tortillas
Instructions
- 1
In a large skillet or Dutch oven, heat the olive oil over medium-high heat until shimmering. Add the ground beef and cook, breaking it up with a spoon, until it is browned and no longer pink, about 8-10 minutes. Drain off any excess grease.
- 2
Add the chopped onion to the skillet with the browned ground beef. Cook, stirring occasionally, until the onion has softened and become translucent, about 5-7 minutes. Stir in the minced garlic and cook for another minute until fragrant.
- 3
Sprinkle the chili powder, cumin, smoked paprika, and cayenne pepper (if using) over the beef and onion mixture. Stir well to coat everything evenly and cook for about 1 minute until the spices are fragrant.
- 4
In a small bowl, whisk together the GF beef broth or water with the GF tamari or coconut aminos and the cornstarch or arrowroot starch until smooth. Pour this mixture into the skillet with the beef.
- 5
Bring the mixture to a simmer, stirring constantly, until the sauce thickens to a gravy-like consistency, about 5-8 minutes. Season with salt and black pepper to taste. Reduce the heat to low and let it simmer gently for at least 30 minutes, or up to 45 minutes, allowing the flavors to meld and deepen. Stir occasionally to prevent sticking.
- 6
While the beef mixture simmers, warm the corn tortillas according to package directions. This can be done in a dry skillet over medium heat for about 30 seconds per side until pliable, or wrapped in a damp paper towel and microwaved for 30-60 seconds. Serve the seasoned ground beef immediately in the warmed corn tortillas, with your favorite taco toppings.
Nutrition (per serving)
Tips & Notes
- Use a good-quality extra-virgin olive oil here — the flavor comes through in simple recipes.
- Roasted garlic (400°F, 30–40 min in foil) gives a sweet, mellow flavor ideal for soups and sauces.
- Caramelize onions over medium-low heat for 30–45 minutes for a sweet depth; rush at high heat and they'll be bitter.
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