Easy Taco Meat
Made with ground beef (or whatever ground meat you like), this easy Taco Meat can be used in a ton of different ways. It is a fabulous way to make a quick weeknight meal. This simple recipe is wonderfully delicious and won't take long to make at all!
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The Best Taco Meat Recipe
Taco Tuesday is a family favorite, so we like to have a variety of yummy options to choose from every week. There's nothing quite as comforting as taco meat piled into fresh flour tortillas and loaded to the brim with all of my favorite toppings.
Whether it's easy ground beef tacos or salsa verde pulled pork tacos, you can bet that we are digging into something that's tasty on taco night. But there is nothing simpler than making a big batch of ground meat. This recipe is just as good as what you'd get at your favorite Mexican restaurants.
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I usually make mine with ground beef, but you can use this recipe for ground turkey, pork, chicken or even plant-based "meat" crumbles. No matter what you choose, this recipe gives you a juicy protein jam-packed with flavor. I'm sure it will be your go-to recipe, too.
Plus, it can be used in dozens of different ways! I'm all for recipes that are multi-purpose, and if we are not putting this on tacos, it works in quesadillas, burritos, taco bowls, salads and even Mexican breakfast casserole.
Why You'll Love this Recipe
Whether you prefer warm tortillas or hard taco shells, you'll love this recipe:
- This is a fabulous meal prep recipe! Since taco meat is so versatile and can be used in many different recipes, you can make an extra large batch and refrigerate or freeze it until needed.
- It only takes a few minutes to make. You can have dinner on the table in no time!
- You can easily adapt and change taco meat to fit your dietary needs and preferred flavor combinations. This is a wonderful base recipe that you can change up in many ways.
Ingredients and Substitutions
Before you run to the grocery store, make sure you add these basic ingredients to your list if you do not already have them. Then you can make as much homemade taco meat as you want!
You'll need ground beef or some other kind of ground meat. For a leaner meat option, use ground turkey or ground chicken. It will cook just as well and take on the flavors of taco seasoning wonderfully! You can also use ground pork or even plant-based vegan ground "meat."
Taco seasoning adds the flavor, thanks to a bevy of spices that includes cumin, onion powder, paprika, chili powder, garlic powder, salt and pepper. I usually just use regular spices to throw together a homemade taco seasoning so that I can more easily control the flavors. However, store-bought will work too.
A lot of people stop there when it comes to taco meat, but I take it one step further. Adding tomato paste helps to add flavor and juiciness, so the meat never dries out. Tomato paste will help add a little bite to the meat, but you can swap it with some tomato sauce if that is all you have on hand. Just keep in mind that you'll need to use less tomato sauce since it is much more liquidy.
Using a little water or broth helps incorporate the seasoning into the meat. Chicken broth and beef broth are both great options.
How to Make Taco Meat
Follow these step-by-step instructions to make this quick and easy family meal:
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Cook ground beef in a large skillet over medium heat, breaking apart with a spatula as it cooks. Once browned, drain off the excess grease.
Then sprinkle the taco seasoning over the browned beef. Stir in the tomato paste and mix everything together until well combined.
Pour broth into the pan of taco meat and stir to incorporate. Allow the mixture to simmer for 2-3 minutes until the liquid is absorbed. Once heated through, remove from the heat and serve however you want!
How to Store Taco Meat
Transfer your leftover taco meat to an airtight container or a plastic zip top bag. Then store in the fridge for up to 4 days. If you use a bag, be sure to squeeze all excess air out of it before storing.
How to Freeze Taco Meat
Taco meat freezes really well! Store in airtight containers or good quality freezer bags to prevent freezer burn. Ensure the meat is fully cooled before freezing. Then store in the freezer for up to 3 months.
If using bags, shake them out until the meat is in one flat layer. This ensure even freezing and saves space too! It will also help the meat thaw more quickly when you are ready to eat it.
When ready to use, allow meat to fully thaw then reheat on the stovetop. you can use a little broth to help refresh the taco meat if needed.
Uses for Taco Meat
Aside from making tacos on corn tortillas with this perfectly seasoned meat, you can make a wide variety of different meals. Pair it with lettuce, cheese, beans and tons of a tasty toppings to make a delicious taco salad.
Or, pile it on top of a crispy flat shell to make tostadas. You can even serve it over Mexican rice — or Mexican cauliflower rice — to make a taco bowl. It's perfect for taco soup too!
I've even been known to swap it out for the chicken in my rotisserie chicken enchiladas and make them ground beef enchiladas. So tasty! Or, load up some cheese on crunchy tortilla chips, melt it and top with taco meat for easy nachos.
Taco Toppings
Taco toppings can get as adventurous as you want! There are loads of delicious flavor combinations to discover. Some of my favorites are:
- guacamole
- shredded cheddar cheese
- diced onion
- fresh cilantro
- sour cream
- pico de gallo
- black beans or pinto beans
- green chiles
- refried beans
- diced avocado
- fresh tomato
- diced green onions
- diced jalapeño
- salsa
- red pepper flakes
Tips for Success
- Stick with lean ground beef so that the taco meat is not too greasy. And make sure that you drain the beef well after browning!
- The best way to brown meat is slow and steady. Keep the burner on medium heat so that you don't have any ground beef sticking or burning while other parts of it are undercooked.
- For best storage results, ensure that the ground beef is completely cooled before refrigerating or freezing.
FAQ
If stored properly, taco meat lasts for 3-4 days in the fridge. It will last for up to 3 months if stored in the freezer.
It is debated as to whether or not taco seasoning should be added before or after the meat is cooked. However, I highly recommend adding it after browning the beef so that it retains more flavor! If you add the taco seasoning while cooking the beef, then you could lose a lot of it when draining off excess grease.
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Easy Taco Meat
Equipment
Ingredients
- 1 pound ground beef
- 1 tablespoon taco seasoning
- 1 tablespoon tomato paste
- 2 tablespoons broth or water
Instructions
- In a skillet over medium heat, cook 1 pound ground beef until browned, breaking it apart with a spatula as it cooks.
- Drain the excess grease from the browned beef.
- Sprinkle 1 tablespoon taco seasoning over the cooked beef. Stir in 1 tablespoon tomato paste until well combined.
- Pour 2 tablespoons broth into the skillet. Stir to incorporate, allowing the mixture to simmer for 2-3 minutes until the liquid is absorbed and flavors meld.
- Once the taco meat is heated through and seasoned, remove from heat. Use on tostadas, tortillas, taco shells or in bowls served over rice.
Nutrition
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