This post may contain affiliate links. See my disclosure policy.
This ground beef taco meat recipe features juicy ground beef cooked in classic taco spices. It’s quick and easy to make and perfect for tacos, quesadillas, and more.
★★★★★ REVIEW
“I love using your homemade seasoning mix to make taco meat. I can adjust certain spices to suit our tastebuds.” – Mario
Table of Contents
Homemade taco meat is ALWAYS better than using anything from a packet. My ground beef taco meat recipe is a staple in my household. The meat stays juicy and absorbs every ounce of flavor from my homemade taco seasoning. Plus, it’s easy to make and cooks up in minutes.
All you do is add the beef and aromatics to a skillet, then pile on the seasonings. In less than 10 minutes, you are ready to use it up.
You can use this ground beef in taco bowls, in Mexican pizza, or stuffed in zucchini boats.
Ingredients needed
- Ground beef. I prefer lean ground beef because it has a good fat texture but is not overly greasy. Anything labeled “ground hamburger” will also work, but it will be a bit fattier, so you’ll want to drain the excess grease.
- Salt and black pepper. To taste.
- Garlic and onion. Essential aromatics.
- Seasonings. No, we are NOT using the store-bought seasoning packets. I used smoked paprika, chili powder, ground cumin, garlic powder, and onion powder, but you can also use my homemade taco seasoning blend. Of course, any store-bought blend is fine.
How to make ground beef taco meat
This is an overview with step-by-step photos. Full ingredients & instructions are in the recipe card below.
Step 1- Assemble. Add all the ingredients to a large skillet over medium-high heat. Break it apart with a spatula and cook until it begins to brown.
Step 2- Simmer over medium heat for 5 minutes or until most of the liquid is absorbed. Then, serve as desired.
Arman’s recipe tips
- Add more liquid. Depending on the type of ground beef I use, sometimes I’ll add a bit of extra water, chicken broth, or even tomato sauce to prevent it from drying out.
- Make sure the meat is fully cooked. Once you add the seasonings, the meat may look like it’s done, but you’ll want to let it simmer for the full time to ensure it’s thoroughly cooked.
- Make it spicy. Add a dash of cayenne pepper or hot sauce for an extra spicy kick.
- Drain the grease. Before serving, I carefully drain the excess grease or soak it up with a few paper towels. Typically, this only happens when I use ground beef with a higher fat content.
Storage instructions
To store: Leftover taco meat can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4-5 days.
To freeze: Allow leftover meat to cool completely, then transfer it to a freezer-safe container and freeze for up to 3 months. Let the meat thaw overnight in the fridge, or add more reheating time.
To reheat: Microwave leftover beef in 30-second intervals until fully reheated.
Frequently asked questions
The best way to prevent taco meat from drying out is to use ground beef with a high enough fat content, usually 70% lean 30% or 80/20. The leaner the beef, the more likely it is to dry out, so you’ll want to add extra beef broth or water as it’s cooking.
Yes, if you’d rather skip the ground beef, you can use this same recipe with ground chicken, ground turkey, or a plant-based substitute.
More recipes using ground beef
- Stuffed pepper soup
- Air fryer hamburgers
- Salisbury steak
- Air fryer meatballs
- Or any of these healthy ground beef recipes
If you tried this Ground Beef Taco Meat recipe or any other recipe on my website, please rate the recipe and let me know how it went in the comments below. It really helps others thinking of making the recipe.
Ground Beef Taco Meat
Video
Ingredients
- 1 pound ground beef
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon pepper
- 2 cloves garlic minced
- 1 medium onion finely chopped
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1 teaspoon chili powder optional
- 1 teaspoon ground cumin
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
Instructions
- In a large skillet over medium-high heat, add the ground beef, onion, minced garlic, salt, pepper, smoked paprika, chili powder, ground cumin, garlic powder, and onion powder. Mix everything and cook until the beef is no longer pink.
- Reduce the heat to medium and let the taco meat simmer for an additional 5 minutes or until most of the liquid is absorbed.
- Serve in bowls, tacos, or any way you want to use cooked ground beef.
So
Good recipe, amazing taste must be!