Beef Taco Meat
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Get ready to take your taco game to the next level with the absolute best beef taco meat! This flavorful and juicy beef filling is the secret ingredient to turning ordinary tacos into an extraordinary fiesta. Packed with flavor and easy to make, this easy recipe will have you whipping up delicious tacos in no time.
Turn this into a meal by serving these with my crispy baked taco shells, homemade corn tortillas, and a side of guacamole and salsa!
Why You’ll Love This Beef Taco Meat
- Quick and Easy: Beef taco meat is quick and easy to prepare, making it ideal for busy weeknights when you want a delicious meal without spending hours in the kitchen.
- Customizable: You can customize the seasoning and spice level according to your preferences, making it adaptable to different taste preferences and dietary restrictions.
- Meal Prep: It’s great for meal prepping as you can make a large batch and use it throughout the week for various meals, saving time and effort.
I live for easy dinner ideas and this recipe is no exception. It’s a quick make with so many serving options. You can whip up this taco meat in minutes to make ground beef tacos, tostadas, taco salad, or a super filling topping to loaded baked potatoes!
Picture this: perfectly seasoned beef, sizzling in a pan with spices that pair together perfectly. Each bite delivers a symphony of savory goodness, complemented by fresh toppings like crunchy lettuce, juicy tomatoes, and zesty salsa. Why make them? Well, aside from being ridiculously delicious, they’re also super versatile and easy to customize to your liking. Plus, they’re a crowd-pleaser, perfect for family dinners or casual gatherings.
Get a little crazy and try these tacos birria!
Beef Tacos Ingredients
What sets this recipe apart is the homemade taco seasoning. It has the perfect balance of chili powder and ground cumin and really elevates the flavor. Truly the best ground beef tacos for taco Tuesday! Here is what you need:
- Ground Beef: When it comes to tacos, the best ground beef to use is typically one with a slightly higher fat content, around 80/20 lean to fat ratio. This balance ensures juicy and flavorful tacos without being overly greasy. However, you can also opt for lean ground beef if you prefer.
- Seasonings: My blend of seasonings is salt, chili powder, cumin, oregano, garlic powder, and onion powder. All fairly simple but produce the best tacos. Can you swap this for a store bought packet? Absolutely. However, I feel like those have a little more chili powder and cumin for my taste.
- Water OR Tomato Sauce: This is the secret to keeping your homemade taco meat moist and not dry. A little simmer makes all the difference. I’ve made it with both water and tomato sauce and they are equally good. However, tomato does give a little boost in flavor.
- Favorite Toppings: Of course you’ll need flour tortillas or white corn tortillas, but what about the toppings? We typically go with crispy shells, refried beans, sour cream, pico de gallo, and onion (I like green onions or red onion). Add whatever toppings you usually reach for on taco night.
Best Ground Beef Taco Recipe
This beef taco recipe is a quick and customizable meal that’s perfect for busy weeknights or casual gatherings. Want to switch things up? Try birria tacos for a fun twist!
- Cook the Beef: Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Crumble the ground beef into the skillet and cook, breaking it apart with a spatula or wooden spoon, until it’s browned and no longer pink. Drain any excess fat if necessary- I use a paper towel to soak this up quickly.
- Season the Beef: Sprinkle the seasonings evenly over the cooked beef. Stir well to coat the meat thoroughly with the spices. Adjust the seasoning according to your taste preference, adding more salt or spices if needed.
- Add Liquid To The Skillet: Pour a small amount of water, or tomato sauce, into the skillet to help distribute the seasoning. Reduce the heat to low and let the beef simmer for 5-10 minutes, allowing the flavors to meld together and the liquid to evaporate slightly- but not fully.
- Taste Test: Before serving, give the taco meat a quick taste test to ensure it’s seasoned to perfection. Adjust the seasoning if necessary.
- Enjoy: Once the taco meat is ready, spoon it into warm tortillas and top with your favorite toppings such as shredded lettuce, diced tomatoes, cheese, salsa, sour cream, and avocado. We like to serve with a side of Corn Dip!
Helpful Tools
- Skillet or Frying Pan (affiliate): A skillet or frying pan is essential for browning the ground beef and sautéing the onions and garlic. Opt for a non-stick skillet for easy cleanup.
- Spatula or Wooden Spoon: (affiliate) You’ll need a spatula or wooden spoon to break apart the ground beef as it cooks and to stir the ingredients together.
- Measuring Spoons (affiliate): To accurately measure out the taco seasoning and other spices, use measuring spoons.
Recipe Notes:
Absolutely! While beef is traditional, you can also use ground turkey, chicken, or even plant-based alternatives for a delicious twist.
To keep the meat juicy, add a small amount of beef broth or water while cooking, and avoid overcooking the beef.
Yes, you can prepare the taco meat ahead of time and store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Simply reheat it before serving.
Yes, you can freeze leftover taco meat in a freezer-safe container for up to 3 months. Thaw it in the refrigerator overnight before reheating.
The best way to store leftover taco meat is to transfer it to an airtight container once it has cooled to room temperature. Store it in the refrigerator and consume it within 3-4 days for optimal freshness.
When reheating leftover taco meat, you have a few options:
Stovetop: Reheat the taco meat in a skillet over medium heat. Stir occasionally to ensure even heating. You can add a splash of water or beef broth to prevent the meat from drying out.
Microwave: Place the taco meat in a microwave-safe dish and cover it loosely with a microwave-safe lid or paper towel. Heat it in 30-second intervals, stirring in between, until it reaches the desired temperature.
Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Place the taco meat in an oven-safe dish, cover it with foil, and heat it for about 15-20 minutes, or until it’s heated through.
Regardless of the method you choose, make sure the taco meat reaches an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C) before serving.
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Ground Beef Taco Meat
Ingredients
- 1 lb ground beef
- 1 teaspoon chili powder
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon cumin
- 1/4 teaspoon oregano
- 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/4 teaspoon onion powder
- 1/2 cup water OR plain tomato sauce
Instructions
- Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat.
- Crumble the ground beef into the skillet and cook, breaking it apart with a spatula or wooden spoon, until it’s browned and no longer pink. Drain any excess fat if necessary.
- Sprinkle the seasonings evenly over the cooked beef. Stir well to coat the meat thoroughly with the spices. Adjust the seasoning according to your taste preference, adding more salt or spices if needed.
- Pour a small amount of water, or tomato sauce, into the skillet to help distribute the seasoning. Reduce the heat to low and let the beef simmer for 5-10 minutes, allowing the flavors to meld together and the liquid to evaporate slightly- but not fully.
- Before serving, give the taco meat a quick taste test to ensure it’s seasoned to perfection. Adjust the seasoning if necessary.
- Once the taco meat is ready, spoon it into warm tortillas and top with your favorite toppings such as shredded lettuce, diced tomatoes, cheese, salsa, sour cream, and avocado.
Notes
Nutrition
The nutrition facts provided are calculated using a third-party tool and are estimates only. Actual nutritional content may vary based on the ingredients and brands you use, as well as portion sizes. For accurate results, please consult a registered dietitian or nutritionist.
