Easy Taco Meat
Easy ground beef taco meat can be used in tons of different ways. It is a fabulous go-to staples to make a quick weeknight meal. This simple recipe is wonderfully delicious and won't take long to make at all!
Easy Taco Meat Recipe
I think tacos are my go-to comfort food. I mean, there's nothing quite as comforting as homemade taco meat piled into fresh flour tortillas and loaded to the brim with all of my favorite toppings.
That's why I love making a big batch of beef with this super easy recipe. It truly is the best taco meat recipe! So flavorful, juicy and jam packed with protein.
Taco Tuesday is a family favorite, so we like to have a variety of yummy options to choose from. Whether it's easy ground beef tacos or salsa verde pulled pork tacos, we're digging into something that's tasty!
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So of you want something extra yummy for your next taco night, then try out this easy taco meat. It will be your go-to recipe in no time. Pus, it can be used in dozens of different ways! I'm all for recipes that are multi-purpose.
Why You'll Love this Recipe
Whether you prefer warm tortillas or hard taco shells, you'll love this recipe for flavorful ground beef taco meat:
- 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 this simple recipe. So 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 if needed.
Ingredients
Before you run to the grocery store, make sure you add these basic ingredients to your grocery list if you do not already have them. then you can make as much taco meat as you want:
- ground beef
- taco seasoning
- tomato paste
- water or broth
Substitutions and Variations
For a more lean meat option, use ground turkey or ground chicken. It will cook just as well and take on the flavors of taco seasoning wonderfully!
I prefer to use homemade taco seasoning so that I can more easily control the flavors. However, store-bought taco seasoning will work as well!
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.
Use a little water or broth to help 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 recipe:
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 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 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
Tips for Success
With a few simple tips, you can have the most perfect taco night ever:
- 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 lb ground beef
- 1 tablespoon taco seasoning
- 1 tablespoon tomato paste
- 2 tablespoons water or broth
Instructions
- In a skillet over medium heat, cook ground beef until browned, breaking it apart with a spatula as it cooks.
- Drain the excess grease from the browned beef.
- Sprinkle taco seasoning over the cooked beef. Stir in tomato paste until well combined.
- Pour water or 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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