Ground Beef Taco Meat (2024)

Why You'll Love This Recipe For Taco Meat

Get out of your dinner rut with a homemade taco seasoning, some ground beef, and onions! Here's why you'll be making this taco meat recipe on repeat:

• Pantry staple spices like robust chili powder, cumin, garlic powder, and oregano make a simple seasoning with big flavor.
• A little cornstarch thickens the mixture making a silky, savory sauce on the meat.
• It's naturally gluten-free, and dairy free, so everyone can eat it.
• Tomato sauce adds savory flavor without any powdered mixes or additives. Just a little helps the meat never taste dried out.
• This taco meat is versatile and can be used for soft or crispy tacos, over salad for taco salad, in burritos, or on nachos.
• Swap out ground beef for ground chicken, turkey, pork, or meatless ground beef.

The Best Beef For Taco Meat

When choosing ground beef for tacos, consider things like freshness, fat content, and the source of the beef if you are conscious of that in your home.

The most recommended type of ground beef for tacos is ground chuck, which is usually found as 80% lean meat to 20% fat. You can also find it as 90% lean meat to 10% fat.

The 80/20 ratio ground beef offers a good balance of flavor and moisture, so the taco meat isn't too dry after cooking. Because I add tomato sauce to this recipe you can easily use 90/10 if you prefer.

Find fresh ground beef at your grocery store, and if you don't use it immediately, freeze it for later. Freezing it will retain it's freshness for several months. Just thaw in the fridge before using it for tacos.

If you are conscious of where your beef comes from you'll know grass-fed beef is often preferred for its higher levels of omega-3 fatty acids and often flavor.

Ingredients

The ingredients in this taco meat are so simple, and you probably have them in your pantry and cupboard.

Expert tip: Pull your ingredients out before starting to cook so everything goes smoothly! Here's what you'll need for this simple taco meat:

• Avocado Oil: A neutral oil here is best as they have a higher smoke point. You can also use canola oil.
• Lean Ground Beef: Choose an 80/20 or 90/10 ratio ground beef as the main component of your taco filling. Lean beef helps keep the dish lighter but still offers enough fat for flavor.
• Yellow Onion: Adds sweetness and depth to the flavor profile when sautéed with the ground beef. Dice the onion finely for even cooking and a nice consistency meat filling.
• Jalapeno: OPTIONAL! You can finely dice one jalapeno and add it with the onion, or leave it out completely. You decide.
• Kosher Salt: Enhances the natural flavors of the beef and onions.
• Ground Cumin: Has a nice warm, earthy flavor essential to taco seasoning. Toasting the cumin briefly in a pan can unlock more flavor.
• Chili Powder: Adds mild heat to create a classic taco meat flavor.
• Dried Oregano: Crush the oregano between your fingers before adding to release more flavor.
• Garlic Powder: Infuses the meat with an aromatic garlic flavor that's more mild than fresh garlic.
• Cornstarch: Used to thicken the sauce created by the tomato sauce and spices, giving the taco meat a nice coating.
• Tomato Sauce: Adds moisture and a tangy sweetness that balances the spice flavor.

Pro Tips And Variations

As an expert recipe developer I came up with this versatile, flavorful taco meat for easy weeknight dinners. The great thing is the flavors work with the same amount of ground beef, turkey, chicken or a vegetarian substitute!

Choose your protein, then season with ingredients right from your cupboard! The homemade taco seasoning mixture is made up of Mexican spice essentials like chili powder, cumin, garlic powder, and oregano. Want it more spicy? Just add more chili powder or a pinch of cayenne.

The optional jalapeno will add a little heat, but not much. It mostly adds an authentic green chili flavor with minimal effort.

I've created a recipe with a bit of tomato sauce and cornstarch, both of which help make the meat slightly saucy, without being too wet for the perfect taco!

You can also add veggies to your taco meat! Note that this will increase the total yield. Try adding about a cup of one of the following when you are cooking the onions and ground beef:

• Finely chopped carrots
• Cauliflower rice (finely chopped cauliflower)
• Frozen chopped spinach (squeeze dry before adding)
• Diced bell pepper
• Finely chopped zucchini

What To Do With Ground Beef Taco Meat

Put your flavorful taco meat to good use! It's not just great for tacos. I serve it alongside, inside, on, or in some of these recipes:

• Tacos with soft or hard shells
• Oven baked nachos
• Burritos
• Enchiladas or enchilada casserole
• Cilantro salsa
• Authentic Cuban black beans

Storage Instructions

After cooking allow the taco meat to cool to room temperature then transfer to an airtight container. You can use a zip-top bag, reusable silicone bags, glass or plastic containers. Refrigerate for up to 4 days.

Freeze leftover taco meat for up to 3 months. When ready to use, thaw it in the refrigerator overnight or in the microwave. Then, heat to piping hot before serving.

Can you freeze leftover taco meat?

You can freeze this taco meat in freezer plastic bags, reusable silicone bags, or your desired container. Freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw the taco meat in the microwave or in the fridge, then reheat in a skillet or the microwave to piping hot before using.

What other ingredients can you add to taco meat?

You can add about one cup of one of the following when you are cooking the onions and ground beef: Finely chopped carrots, cauliflower rice (finely chopped cauliflower), frozen chopped spinach (squeeze dry before adding), diced bell pepper, or finely chopped zucchini.

Do you add water to taco meat?

I don't add water to this taco meat recipe. To make the meat a little saucy I add tomato sauce. I think it has more flavor, and a better texture than water.

How do I make ground beef fine for tacos?

Use a meat chopper, or a wooden spatula to break the ground beef up as it cooks. It's easiest to do this right when you add it to the pan as it cooks, rather than after big pieces brown.

Is lean or fat ground beef better for tacos?

For taco meat, ground chuck is highly recommended, typically available in an 80% lean to 20% fat ratio, which provides a great balance of flavor and moisture, ensuring the meat isn't too dry after cooking. If you prefer a leaner option, 90% lean to 10% fat ground chuck is also suitable, especially since the addition of tomato sauce in this recipe helps keep the meat moist.

Let me know how it went!

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Best Ground Beef Taco Meat

Tara Teaspoon

An easy recipe that uses a homemade taco seasoning and is prepped in just 30 minutes. Make it with or without the jalapeno. It's perfect for your favorite Mexican taco, burrito, and nachos recipes. MAKES about 2 cups

Nutrition

Calories: 165kcalCarbohydrates: 4gProtein: 17gFat: 9gSaturated Fat: 2gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 5gTrans Fat: 0.3gCholesterol: 47mgSodium: 547mgPotassium: 376mgFiber: 1gSugar: 2gVitamin A: 294IUVitamin C: 3mgCalcium: 23mgIron: 2mg

About Tara Teaspoon

I’ve been in the food publishing business for over 20 years, creating recipes & food-styling for magazines, books, television & advertising. Order my new cookbook & stick around for amazing things to eat.

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