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    Home » Recipes » Beef Recipes » Easy Ground Beef Taco Meat Recipe

    Easy Ground Beef Taco Meat Recipe

    by: Anya·posted: Sep 20, 2019·updated: May 3, 2024·4 CommentsThis post may contain affiliate links. Please read my disclosure policy.

    Jump to Recipe Print Recipe
    How to Make The Best Taco Meat text overlay over a photo of taco meat in cast iron skillet.

    Learn how to make taco meat that is juicy and flavorful and comes together in 30 minutes. This easy, no-fuss recipe starts with cooking ground beef on the stove, then flavored with taco seasoning and tomato sauce for the most mouthwatering taco meat. Plus, you can batch-cook this ground beef taco meat recipe at the beginning of the week to make all sorts of delicious meals throughout the week.

    taco meat in a cast iron skillet with a wooden spoon.

    I know the struggle of figuring out what to make for dinner when time is tight and hunger is looming.

    But worry not, my friends. This ground beef taco meat recipe is the perfect solution and it will become your go-to protein on repeat.

    The juicy and flavorful taco meat comes together quickly, making it ideal for busy weeknights when you need a quick and delicious meal.

    Looking for more Taco Tuesday ideas? 
    Check out beef tongue tacos, Cajun fish tacos, and white chicken chili.  
    Jump to:
    • Recipe Overview
    • Ingredients
    • Substitutions and Variations
    • How to Make Ground Beef Taco Meat
    • Helpful Tips
    • Serving Suggestions
    • Storage and Reheating Instructions
    • Frequently Asked Questions
    • Printable Recipe

    Recipe Overview

    • Prep and Cook Time: 5 minutes to prep and 25 minutes to cook
    • Cooking Method: Stove-top
    • Dietary Info: GAPS, Low-Carb, Keto, Paleo, Whole30, Ancestral diet
    • Tools Needed: Large skillet like stainless steel or cast iron skillet
    • Skill Level: Easy

    What is an ancestral diet? Read my post on what nourishing foods are based on the traditional dietary principles of the Weston A. Price Foundation.

    Reasons to Love This Taco Meat Recipe

    • Easy weeknight dinner - Homemade taco meat calls for 3 simple ingredients and takes only 20-25 minutes to prepare, and most of it is hands-off anyway, freeing you to prep the toppings.
    • Fits any budget: All you need is a pound of meat, but from there, the spectrum on quality and price point varies. You can start with the cheapest lean meat from your grocery store or go with an ancestral blend of regeneratively grown grass-fed beef from a local rancher. Do what works best for your family.
    • Suitable for dietary needs - As long as you use homemade taco seasoning or a sugar-free variety from the grocery store, this taco meat recipe fits most healing diet protocols.
    • Versatile serving options - There are so many ways to serve this taco meat: taco salad, ground beef tacos, or loaded sheet pan nachos, giving you endless possibilities to satisfy your cravings.
    • Meal prep friendly - Scale the recipe to make a double batch as an easy protein to add to tortillas or salads throughout the week.

    Ingredients

    Learn how to make ground beef for tacos, nachos, or burritos with 3 basic ingredients. This easy recipe takes only 30 minutes. See the recipe card for exact quantities.

    taco seasoning on a white plate.
    • Ground beef: This forms the base of the taco filling. You'll need a pound of ground beef with moderate fat content, typically labeled as 80/20 or 85/15 for best flavor and texture. Recently, I started using Waguy ground beef and let me tell you - I didn't know I could love ground beef taco meat so much.
    • Tomato sauce: Adds a tangy and slightly sweet element to the taco meat and enhances its overall taste and consistency. It also helps the spices adhere to the meat and adds that red hue associated with good taco meat.
    • Broth: You want to add a little liquid to thin out the taco meat mixture and make it more saucy. My favorite here is beef broth but chicken feet broth or meat stock will work. In a pinch, you can always use water if you don't have broth on hand but I think using broth not only adds rich flavor but also extra nutrition.
    • Taco seasoning: A mouthwatering blend of spices, including chili powder, minced garlic, ground cumin, minced onion, oregano, and red pepper flakes, adds the perfect balance of heat and zest to the meat. If you love Mexican food as much as we do, make a double batch of taco seasoning to always have on hand.

    Substitutions and Variations

    • Meat - Swap the beef with another ground meat such as ground turkey, ground chicken, or even ground pork. If you use lean ground beef, turkey, or chicken, I recommend adding healthy fat like tallow or butter to the taco meat for flavor and rich texture.
    • Tomatoes - if you don't have tomato sauce, use tomato paste and thin it out slightly with a liquid like beef broth, chicken broth, meat stock, or water. You can also use tomato juice to give it acidity and moisture.
    • Seasoning - If you don't have any taco seasoning on hand and you're short on time, do this: add 2 teaspoons of chili powder, followed by 1 teaspoon ground cumin, garlic powder, oregano, and onion powder.
    • Use minced garlic and onion - When re-hydrated from the tomato sauce and ground beef, these small flakes of alliums create amazing flavor and texture. I would not suggest subbing them with powdered garlic and onions.
    💭Tips to Make it Nutrient-Dense
    Add ground organ meats. Increase the nutrient profile of this taco meat by using ancestral blend grinds, which include grass-fed beef and organ meats like liver and heart.
    
    Organ meats like beef liver, kidneys, and heart are a great source of bio-available vitamins and minerals that can't be readily found in plant foods. Including them regularly is essential to supporting health. And adding small amounts of organ meats to grinds is an easy way to boost nutrition. Force of Nature makes this part easy with their pre-packaged ancestral blends that already include organ meats.
    taco meat in a cast iron skillet with a wooden spoon.

    How to Make Ground Beef Taco Meat

    The complete printable recipe is below in the recipe card for your convenience. Follow these simple step-by-step instructions for the best results.

    ground beef in a cast iron skillet not cooked yet.

    Step 1. Heat

    Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add ground beef to the skillet, breaking up the meat and stirring occasionally.

    cooking ground beef in a cast iron skillet with a wooden spatula on the side.

    Step 2. Brown

    Break up the meat with a large paddle spatula and brown the meat. You'll notice it will start to release liquid/fat almost immediately.

    ground beef releasing liquid and fat and a wooden spatula.

    Step 3. Cook

    Continue to cook the meat on medium-high heat for most of the juices to evaporate.

    ground beef in a skillet with taco seasoning and tomato sauce added to it.

    Step 4. Season

    Add taco seasoning, sea salt, tomato sauce, and broth and cook for a few minutes or until the ground beef taco meat has thickened.

    Helpful Tips

    1. Start with a hot pan - Heat your cast iron skillet or stainless steel pan for a few minutes first before adding the meat. This will help it cook and brown properly.
    2. Use room-temperature beef - Pull the meat from the fridge and let it come to room temperature for 30 minutes.
    3. Brown properly - Don't disturb the meat as it cooks and browns, only occasionally when necessary. Stir and give time to brown again.
    4. Season last - Salt pulls moisture and creates steam and will produce rubbery, dry taco meat. Instead, wait until the ground beef has been browned to add seasonings and tomato sauce.

    Troubleshooting

    • Too dry? That's likely from overcooking the meat. If using lean ground meat like turkey, add a tablespoon or two of butter and a little more tomato sauce to bring some moisture back.
    • Not browning? The best taco meat is with browned bits. Make sure you let it brown over medium-high heat to create that Maillard reaction. Cook it undisturbed to give enough time for the meat to be exposed to heat.
    • Too runny? If the taco meat is a little too runny after adding the seasonings, keep the skillet uncovered over medium heat to allow the moisture to evaporate and the fat to be reabsorbed back into the meat.
    💭Meal Prep Suggestion: Make taco seasoning ahead of time and store it in the spice cabinet until ready to use. You can also make a big batch of the taco meat and have enough to last you all week for tacos, nachos, burritos, salads, and more. 
    sheet pan nachos with hand pulling a chip.

    Serving Suggestions

    Main dish: Our most favorite way to serve this taco meat is in sheet pan nachos recipe, along with all the favorite toppings. But you can also tuck the taco meat into sourdough tortillas or glute-free Siete tortillas. Or add on top of chopped romaine lettuce to make a quick taco salad. 
    
    Side dish: Taco meat is traditionally served with other Tex-Mex foods like refried beans, black beans, and white rice. 
    
    Toppings: Top your salad, tacos, or nachos with chunky guacamole, roasted jalapeno peppers, sour cream, raw cheddar, and blender salsa.
    
    Fermented Condiments: Adding a serving of ferments keeps the gut happy. Consider topping with fermented peppers and pico de gallo that can be turned into probiotic-rich  fermented salsa. 

    Storage and Reheating Instructions

    To store: Store leftover taco meat in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 6 days. If you anticipate not consuming the leftovers within that time, it's best to freeze it to extend shelf life.

    Storage containers: These glass snap containers are perfect for leftovers.

    To freeze: Transfer completely cooled ground beef taco meat to a freezer bag and remove excess air to avoid freezer burn. Freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator.

    To reheat: To reheat taco meat while preserving its flavor and texture, transfer the refrigerated meat to a small saucepan with a lid. Add a few tablespoons of water or broth. Cover and heat on low-medium. Stir and break up the meat until warmed through, then remove from heat promptly.

    taco seasoning upclose with a wooden spoon.

    Frequently Asked Questions

    How much taco seasoning to use per pound of meat?

    To season the ground beef well, use 2 tablespoons for one pound of meat. If that seems too much to you, start with 1-½ tablespoons and work your way up.

    I don't include salt in my taco seasoning to give me more control over the salt content. However, if you're using store-bought seasoning, check the ingredients. Additionally, tomato sauce may also have salt, so you want to watch how much you are adding. Always start low and work your way up.

    Do I need to drain the fat from ground meat?

    No, I don't recommend it! The fat enhances the overall flavor of your taco meat. Besides, one of the greatest benefits of using grass-fed beef (and most notably grass-finished beef) is that it naturally results in a leaner grind. Grass-fed cattle are not fed conventional grain that fattens them up.

    How do you keep ground beef moist for tacos?

    Use meat with higher fat content as it adds flavor and moisture to the meat. And hold off on seasoning until after the meat has been browned first as salt pulls moisture and creates steam. Lastly, watch the heat. High heat tends to dry out the meat, so try to turn it down and gently cook the meat.

    What to make with leftover taco meat?

    The great thing about ground beef is that it's a versatile protein that can be transformed into many delicious dishes. Reheat the meat mixture and add it to taco bowls, hearty quesadillas, or burrito bowls. You can also make an easy taco salad in just a few minutes.

    Looking for more quick dinner ideas? Check these out:
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    Did you make this Ground Beef Taco Meat? Please leave a ⭐ recipe rating in the recipe card below and leave a review in the comments. Thank you!💚

    Printable Recipe

    ground beef for tacos in a cast iron skillet with a wooden spoon.

    Best Taco Meat Recipe

    Anya @ Prepare & Nourish
    Learn how to make taco meat in under 30 minutes. It's super flavorful and juicy and perfect for all your tacos, burritos, or nachos.
    5 from 1 vote
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe Save RecipeSaved!
    Prep Time 5 minutes mins
    Cook Time 20 minutes mins
    Total Time 25 minutes mins
    Course Main Course
    Cuisine Mexican
    Servings 6 people
    Calories 210 kcal

    Equipment

    • 12 inch cast iron skillet
    • stainless steel frying pan

    Ingredients
      

    • 1 pound ground beef
    • 1 cup tomato sauce or canned diced tomatoes
    • ⅓ cup beef or chicken broth
    • 2 tablespoons taco seasoning
    • 1 teaspoon sea salt

    Taco Seasoning

    • 2 teaspoons chili powder
    • 1 teaspoon minced garlic
    • 1 teaspoon ground cumin
    • 1 teaspoon minced onion
    • ½ teaspoon oregano
    • ½ teaspoon red pepper flakes
    Prevent your screen from going dark

    Instructions
     

    Taco Seasoning (if needed)

    • Mix: If you don't already have taco seasoning prepared, combine chili powder, minced garlic, ground cumin, minced onion, oregano and red pepper flakes together in a small bowl.

    Taco Meat

    • Heat: Heat a large cast-iron skillet or stainless steel pan over medium heat. If using stainless steel, add a tablespoon of avocado or extra virgin olive oil.
    • Brown: Add ground beef and break it and cooking until thoroughly cooked and browned, approximately 6-8 minutes.
    • Season: Add taco seasoning, salt and tomato sauce over the meat, broth, and reduce heat to medium or medium-low. Stir to combine, breaking up the diced tomatoes if using.
    • Simmer: Bring to a gentle simmer and cook until slightly thickened and moisture absorbs into the meat, approximately 3-4 minutes. Adjust salt if needed. Serve.

    Notes

    Storage: Store leftover taco meat in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 6 days. If you anticipate not consuming the leftovers within that time, it's best to freeze it for up to 3 months to extend shelf life.
    To reheat: Transfer the refrigerated meat to a small saucepan with a lid. Add a few tablespoons of water or broth, cover, and heat on low-medium. Stir and break up the meat until warmed through, then remove from heat promptly.
    Helpful tips:
    • Use room-temperature beef - Pull the meat from the fridge and let it come to room temperature for 30 minutes.
    • Start with a hot pan - Heat your cast iron skillet or stainless steel pan for a few minutes first before adding the meat. This will help it cook and brown properly.
    • Brown properly - Don't disturb the meat as it cooks and browns, only occasionally when necessary. Stir and give time to brown again.
    • Season last - Salt pulls moisture and creates steam and will produce rubbery, dry taco meat. Instead, wait until the ground beef has been browned to add seasonings and tomato sauce.
    • Use minced garlic and onion - When re-hydrated from the tomato sauce and ground beef, these small flakes of alliums create amazing flavor and texture. I would not suggest subbing them with powdered garlic and onions.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 210kcal | Carbohydrates: 4g | Protein: 14g | Fat: 15g | Saturated Fat: 6g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 7g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 54mg | Sodium: 714mg | Potassium: 359mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 2g | Vitamin A: 509IU | Vitamin C: 3mg | Calcium: 30mg | Iron: 2mg
    Nutrition Information
    The information shown is an estimate provided for your convenience by an online calculator. It should not be considered as a substitute for a professional nutritionist's advice. See our complete Nutritional Information Disclaimer.
    Keyword best taco meat recipe, ground beef taco meat, how to make taco meat, taco meat recipe
    ©Prepare and Nourish • Content and photographs are copyright protected. Sharing of this recipe is encouraged and appreciated but please do NOT screenshot or copy/paste complete recipes to websites or social media.
    DID YOU MAKE THIS RECIPE?Leave a comment below and share a photo on Instagram. Mention @prepareandnourish and be sure to tag #prepareandnourish!

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    About Anya

    Sharing wholesome recipes using seasonal ingredients and simplified methods since 2014. My hope is you'll feel right at home in this online kitchen, where you'll find real food recipes for real families.

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    1. Anita says

      February 06, 2022 at 7:48 am

      The ingredient list calls for tomato sauce, but the directions call for tomato paste. Which one is correct? Thank you

      Reply
      • Anya says

        February 08, 2022 at 10:03 am

        Hi Anita!
        You need tomato sauce. Thanks for the heads up. All fixed now. 🙂

        Reply

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