This Taco Meat Recipe is your one-way ticket to a flavorful, versatile and crowd-pleasing dinner.
Taco Tuesday never looked better… in fact, you’ll want to make this taco meat recipe every day of the week! Welcome back to Merry About Town, foodie friends! I’m Merry – the founder and recipe developer behind this blog, and I’m glad you’re joining me for today’s tasty post.
My taco meat recipe uses simple ingredients like extra virgin olive oil, yellow onion, ground beef, and a blend of classic – safe to say: this recipe is as easy to prepare as it is delicious.
Why You’ll Love This Taco Meat Recipe
This taco meat is:
- Quick and Easy: Ready in under 30 minutes, it’s absolutely perfect for weeknights.
- Versatile: Beyond tacos, it’s great in burritos, nachos, and salads!
- Budget-friendly: Get the taste of takeout without the hefty price tag! Our family loves going the homemade route since it’s so much more budget-friendly (plus, you’ll actually know what’s going into your food)!
How Do I Store Leftovers?
Storing leftover taco meat is a breeze. Ensure that the meat is fully cooled down, then add it to an airtight food container, and refrigerate for 3-5 days.
If you decide to freeze it, be sure to add it to a freezer-friendly container or freezer bag. It is good in the freezer for up to 3 months.
Are There Any Ingredient Alternatives?
For my taco meat recipe, I like to stick as close to the spice combination as possible to re-create a true taco-inspired flavor. However, you can try this on other ground meats like turkey or plant-based alternatives (there are lots of them).
You can also use low sodium beef broth, and it will not affect the integrity of the recipe.
In What Other Ways Can I Use Taco Meat?
This taco meat recipe isn’t just for your soft and hard shells! I love to create taco salads with it, as well as hefty burrito bowls (these bowls are especially great when I’m extra hungry on any particular day).
If you’re also looking to make restaurant-style nachos at home, this taco meat is the perfect protein topping!
Another idea is to use as the center for homemade quesadillas – all you have to do is sandwich it between two tortillas (with some cheese, of course) and fry it up! Oh-so delicious!
Can I Make This Ahead of Time?
Absolutely! Taco meat is perfect for meal prep. Make a double batch and store poritons in the freezer for quick and easy meals later. All you have to do is thaw it and reheat as needed.
What Ingredients Do I Need to Make Homemade Taco Meat?
- Extra virgin olive oil
- Yellow onion
- Onion powder
- Garlic
- Ground paprika
- Ground cumin
- Water or beef stock
How to Make Taco Meat at Home
Begin by adding oil to a large skillet and heat over medium.
Once oil is hot, add chopped onion and cook until translucent, about 5 minutes.
Next, add the ground beef plus all the listed spices.
Cook the beef all the way through and then add water/beef broth.
Lower the heat to medium-low and let simmer for about 5-7 minutes or until all the water/broth has cooked through. If you choose, to use the tomato sauce, skip the water/beef broth and add the tomato sauce instead.
Serve in a soft- or hard-shell tortilla, or as a taco bowl.
Taco Meat Recipe
Indulge in our homemade Taco Meat Recipe with simple ingredients like yellow onion, garlic, and spices. Enjoy a budget-friendly meal packed with flavor.
Ingredients
- 2 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
- ½ yellow onion, chopped
- 1 lb. ground beef
- 2 tsp onion powder
- 3 tsp minced garlic
- 1 tsp ground paprika
- 4 tsp ground cumin
- ¼ cup water or beef broth (*Optional: Water/broth can be replaced with 5 tbsp tomato sauce)
Instructions
- Add oil to a large skillet and heat over medium.
- Once oil is hot, add chopped onion and cook until translucent, about 5 minutes.
- Next, add the ground beef plus all of the listed spices.
- Cook the beef all the way through, and then add water/beef broth.
- Lower the heat to medium-low and let simmer for about 5-7 minutes or until all the water/broth has cooked through. If you choose, to use the tomato sauce, skip the water/beef broth and add the tomato sauce instead.
- Serve in a soft or hard shell tortilla, or as a taco bowl.
Nutrition Information:
Yield:
6Serving Size:
1Amount Per Serving: Calories: 263Total Fat: 18gSaturated Fat: 6gTrans Fat: 1gUnsaturated Fat: 10gCholesterol: 67mgSodium: 222mgCarbohydrates: 3gFiber: 1gSugar: 1gProtein: 21g
Nutrition info included as a guide. No guarantees are made that the information is accurate.
Whether you’re serving it in crunchy taco shells or loading it into soft tortillas, this Taco Meat Recipe is sure to become a family favourite. Be sure to tag me on Instagram, @merryabouttown when you make your batch, so I can see how yours turns out!