Quick Keto Tacos

Here’s my go-to keto taco recipe that lets you enjoy all those classic Mexican flavors without the carbs. With seasoned ground beef, fresh toppings, and crispy cheese shells instead of traditional corn tortillas, these tacos keep things simple and delicious.

These keto tacos have become a weekly staple in our house – even my kids ask for them by name. I usually double the recipe because everyone loves having the leftovers for lunch the next day. Who says you can’t have tacos while staying low-carb?

What Kind of Ground Beef Should I Use?

For keto tacos, the type of ground beef you choose can really impact both the flavor and the fat content of your meal. While the recipe calls for lean ground beef, you could opt for an 80/20 blend (80% lean, 20% fat) which many cooks prefer for its richer flavor and natural moisture. If you’re counting calories along with carbs, stick with 90/10 or 93/7 lean beef – just keep in mind you might need to add a touch more oil when cooking to prevent it from drying out. When shopping, look for beef that’s bright red in color and feel free to ask your butcher to grind it fresh if that’s an option at your store.

Options for Substitutions

This keto taco recipe is pretty adaptable and you can switch things up based on what you have:

• Low-carb tortillas: If you can’t find low-carb tortillas, try using large lettuce leaves for wraps, or make cheese taco shells by melting and shaping cheddar or provolone cheese. You could also serve everything in a bowl over cauliflower rice.
• Minced beef: Ground turkey, chicken, or pork work great as alternatives. Just keep in mind that turkey and chicken are leaner, so you might want to add a bit more oil when cooking.
• Taco seasoning: Out of low-carb taco seasoning? Mix your own with chili powder, cumin, paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, and salt. Skip store-bought regular taco seasoning as it often contains added sugar and corn starch.
• Iceberg lettuce: Any crispy lettuce works here – try romaine, green leaf, or even cabbage for extra crunch.
• Cheddar cheese: Feel free to use other keto-friendly cheeses like Mexican blend, Monterey Jack, or pepper jack for a spicier kick.
• Tomatoes: You can skip tomatoes if you’re watching carbs closely, or replace them with diced bell peppers or a few spoonfuls of sugar-free salsa.

Watch Out for These Mistakes While Cooking

The biggest challenge when making keto tacos is ending up with watery, bland meat filling – to avoid this, make sure to cook your ground beef over medium-high heat until all moisture has evaporated and you see some crispy brown bits forming.

Another common mistake is overloading your low-carb tortillas, which can cause them to break or tear since they’re typically more delicate than regular corn or flour tortillas – stick to about 2-3 tablespoons of filling per taco.

When adding your taco seasoning, don’t skip the step of mixing it with a tablespoon of water first – this helps the spices distribute evenly throughout the meat instead of clumping together.

For the crispiest results, warm your low-carb tortillas in a dry skillet for 30 seconds per side before assembling, and serve your toppings on the side so everyone can build their own tacos and prevent them from getting soggy.

What to Serve With Keto Tacos?

When serving keto tacos, I like to put together a spread of low-carb friendly sides that keep the Mexican vibes going! A simple cauliflower rice seasoned with lime and cilantro makes an excellent base, while a fresh avocado salad adds healthy fats that fit perfectly with the keto diet. You can also whip up some Mexican-style roasted zucchini or bell peppers to add more veggies to your plate. For those who want extra protein, a side of black soybeans (one of the few keto-friendly beans) seasoned with cumin and garlic makes a filling addition that won’t kick you out of ketosis.

Storage Instructions

Keep Components: The best way to keep your keto tacos fresh is to store the components separately. Keep the cooked taco meat in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Store the prepped toppings like lettuce, tomatoes, and cheese in separate containers to maintain their freshness.

Freeze: The seasoned taco meat freezes really well! Let it cool completely, then pack it in freezer-safe containers or bags for up to 3 months. This is super handy for quick weeknight dinners – just thaw and reheat when you’re ready to make tacos again.

Assemble: When you’re ready to eat, warm up the tortillas and meat separately. Heat the tortillas in a dry skillet for about 30 seconds per side, and warm the meat in the microwave or on the stovetop. Then add your fresh toppings and enjoy! This way, everything stays crisp and fresh.

Preparation Time	10-15 minutes
Cooking Time	15-20 minutes
Total Time	25-35 minutes
Level of Difficulty	Easy

Estimated Nutrition

Estimated nutrition for the whole recipe (without optional ingredients):

• Calories: 800-900
• Protein: 60-70 g
• Fat: 50-60 g
• Carbohydrates: 30-40 g

Ingredients

• 8 low-carb tortillas (*refer to notes)
• 1 tablespoon cooking oil
• 1 pound lean minced beef
• 2 tablespoons low-carb taco seasoning
• 1 tablespoon water
• 1 small diced tomato
• 1/4 cup shredded iceberg lettuce
• 1/2 cup grated cheddar cheese

Step 1: Prepare the Tortillas

Lay out your tortillas or taco shells on a clean surface and set them aside.

This will make the assembly process easier once the filling is ready.

Step 2: Cook the Ground Beef

In a large skillet over medium heat, add a little oil.

Once the oil is hot, add the ground beef and cook it until browned, breaking it apart with a spatula as it cooks.

This should take about 5-7 minutes.

Step 3: Season the Beef

Once the beef is browned, add the keto taco seasoning and 1 tablespoon of water to the skillet.

Stir well until the seasoning is evenly distributed throughout the beef mixture.

Once combined, remove the skillet from the heat to prevent overcooking and drying out the beef.

Step 4: Assemble the Tacos

With your tortillas or taco shells ready, fill each one with a generous portion of the seasoned ground beef mixture.

Top each taco with fresh iceberg lettuce, diced tomatoes, and a sprinkle of cheese to taste.

Serve immediately and enjoy your delicious meal!