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    🏠Home » Recipes » Mexican Recipes

    How to Make the Best Taco Meat in 25 Minutes

    Dec 17, 2022 · Modified: Mar 7, 2023 by Dan Mikesell AKA DrDan · 26 Comments

    Recipe Table of Contents    
    4.43 from 57 votes

    Learn how to make the Best Taco Meat in only 25 minutes. Once you have the best ground beef taco meat, Taco Tuesday will never be the same. Great Mexican for all!

    image of taco meat on nachos
    Jump To:
    • 😊Why you will love this taco meat recipe
    • 🐄Ingredients
    • 👨‍🍳How to Make the Best Taco Meat
    • 🍽️How to Use Taco Meat
    • Traditional toppings
    • Side Dishes
    • ❓FAQs
    • ❄️Leftovers
    • 🇲🇽Mexican Recipes
    • 🖼️Step-by-Step Photo Instructions
    • Recipe
    Blue ribbon divider used for visual effect

    😊Why you will love this taco meat recipe

    • It is the absolute best taco meat recipe you will ever make.
    • Easy to control the heat, salt, and other flavors. Make spicy taco meat with more cayenne pepper.
    • Has many uses in addition to tacos.
    • Make a large batch, and it freezes well for fast meals later.
    • Perfect for easy weeknight dinners, but it is also great for a party taco bar everybody will love.
    • You will never buy taco seasoning packets again.

    This is a modified and simplified Cooks Illustrated recipe (Subscription required) and tastes better than any ground beef taco meat you've ever eaten.

    🐄Ingredients

    • The Meat— standard 80/20 ground beef will produce the best moist and juicy results. Lean ground beef, ground turkey, or ground chicken can be used but tends to be a bit dry—the fat adds taste and moisture.
    • Aromatics— fresh onion and garlic, but you may substitute powdered if you must. One clove of garlic is ⅛ teaspoon of powder, and one medium onion is 1 tablespoon of powder.
    • Seasoning—chili powder, cumin, oregano, cayenne pepper (optional), salt, and black pepper
    • Tomato—good quality tomato sauce, but crushed or diced tomatoes could be used. The cheaper generic sauce tends to be very acid-tasting, and you might need a teaspoon or two of sugar to counter that.
    • Optional additional vegetables—Black beans, chopped pepper, or shredded carrots can be added to the raw meat to cook.
    • Spiciness—This is about a 3/10 spicy when using one teaspoon of cumin and ¼ teaspoon of cayenne. Adjust to your taste. Go to 2 teaspoons of cumin, and ½ teaspoon of cayenne will get you to 6/10.

    👨‍🍳How to Make the Best Taco Meat

    1. Chop an onion.
    2. Add the ground beef and the onion to a large non-reactive skillet over medium-high heat. At the same time as the beef and onion are cooking, prep garlic and measure spices.
    3. Cook until the burger has no pink—usually 8-10 minutes; push the meat in the center aside and add the garlic to cook for 1 minute to bloom the garlic, which releases the flavor. Drain excess grease.
    4. Add the spices and tomato sauce. Turn the heat down to medium and simmer for another 5 minutes until the sauce is incorporated and the mixture is thick.
    5. Serve as tacos, nachos, or any way you like.

    🍽️How to Use Taco Meat

    Tacos—use hard taco shells or make soft tacos with corn or soft flour tortillas. With corn tortillas, I like to give them a short sear in hot oil to add a slight browning and soften them for easier serving. Top with cheese and traditional toppings.

    Nachos—Spread nacho chips over a plate or pan. Top with taco meat and shredded cheese. Melt in the microwave for about a minute or 10 minutes in a 400° oven. Top with traditional toppings.

    Taco Salad—On a bed of lettuce, Top with taco meat and then add some diced tomatoes, sliced green onion or olives, salsa, pico de Gallo, shredded cheese, and sour cream. Add slices of avocado, corn, black beans, or toasted tortilla strips.

    Taco Pizza— Make your homemade taco pizza. Start with Homemake Pizza Dough, lay a base of refried beans, then taco meat with anything else you want that is OK to bake. Top with cheese and bake. Cover with fresh shredded lettuce, dice tomatoes, and other toppings to serve.

    Taco Casserole—use in my Easy Taco Casserole with lots of pasta and other good things.

    Taco Soup—my Taco Soup is a personal favorite. Make it on the stovetop or crock pot. So thick; you can call it taco chili if you want; it is thick and delicious.

    Many other uses—traditional Mexican dishes like burritos, enchiladas, and quesadillas- come to mind, but I'm sure I missed some great uses for this versatile ground beef taco meat.

    Traditional toppings

    Everybody will have their favorite taco toppings. I'm a fan of shredded cheddar or Mexican cheese mixture. Add some sour cream and salsa or pico de Gallo.

    If I have them on hand, chopped tomatoes, shredded lettuce, jalapeno slices, slices of avocado, and sliced green onions or olives are good additions.

    Cilantro is frequently added, but some people (my wife and I) will find cilantro tastes like licorice.

    Side Dishes

    Mexican rice, guacamole, refried beans, and black beans are favorites. The usual chips and salsa are also a great side dish, especially Pineapple Mango Salsa.

    ❓FAQs

    How much taco meat to plan per serving?

    I always estimate ¼ pound of meat per serving. The number of savings per individual will vary—I triple or quadruple for teenage boys. Plus, I always want leftovers.

    Should I add water?

    No, this is not a powdered mix. The tomato sauce will provide moisture.

    Can I use a cast-iron skillet?

    Cast iron is "reactive," and heating an acid like tomatoes will lead to the metal reacting with the food. A non-reactive skillet like non-stick or stainless steel is the better choice.

    ❄️Leftovers

    It is an easy recipe to adjust to the amount you want, but I frequently do 3 pounds to have leftover taco meat in the freezer.

    It is good in the refrigerator for 3 to 4 days and reheated in the microwave.

    Leftovers will freeze well for 3 months. I divide the leftovers into meal-size portions and freeze them with the names and dates in freezer ZipLock bags. Thaw before reheating.

    🇲🇽Mexican Recipes

    Mexican Shredded Chicken in a Crock Pot

    Crock Pot Mexican Shredded Beef

    Chili Nachos

    Cinco de Mayo Recipe Roundup

    This recipe is listed in these categories. See them for more similar recipes.

    101's Best Recipes, Beef Recipes, Easy Dinner Recipes, Mexican Recipes
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    🖼️Step-by-Step Photo Instructions

    Note: Images are from several days so the pans may vary.

    spices for taco meat

    This is what you need, plus your meat, fresh garlic, and onion. Garlic powder and onion powder can be substituted.

    chopped onion on black board

    Chop a medium onion.

    adding onion to burger in pan

    Add the meat and the onion to a large frying pan over medium-high heat.

    mixing spices in a metal bowl

    While the meat and onion are cooking, prep the garlic and measure the spices.

    removing fat from skillet

    Cook until the burger has no pink, usually 8-10 minutes. Push the meat in the center aside, add the garlic, and cook for 1 minute to bloom the garlic, which will release more flavor. Drain the fatty drainage well.

    adding tomato sauce to browned burger

    Add the spices and tomato sauce. Turn the heat to medium and cook another 5 minutes until the sauce is incorporated.

    taco meat cooked in a skillet

    Serve in tacos, nachos, or on a salad.

    plate full of nachos
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    Recipe

    How to Make the Best Taco Meat in 25 Minutes

    From Dan Mikesell AKA DrDan
    Learn how to make the best taco meat in only 25 minutes. Once you have the best ground beef taco meat, Taco Tuesday will never be the same. Great Mexican for all!
    Tap to leave a Rating
    4.43 from 57 votes
    Print Email CollectionCollected
    Prep Time: 2 minutes
    Cook Time: 20 minutes
    Total Time: 22 minutes
    Servings #/Adjust if desired 8

    Ingredients

    US Customary - Convert to Metric
    • 2 pounds ground beef
    • 1 onion-medium diced - Use powered if needed
    • 2-4 cloves garlic-crushed - Use powdered if needed

    Spices

    • 4 tablespoons chili powder
    • 1-2 teaspoon ground cumin
    • 1 teaspoon oregano
    • ¼-1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper - optional
    • 1 teaspoon salt
    • ½ teaspoon black pepper
    • 8 oz tomato sauce
    Prevent your screen from going dark

    Instructions

    • Chop a medium onion.
      chopped onion on black board
    • Add the meat and the onion to a large frying pan over medium-high heat.
      adding chopped onion to burger in a fry pan
    • While the meat and onion are cooking, prep the garlic and measure the spices.
    • Cook until the burger has no pink, usually 8-10 minutes. Push the meat in the center aside, add the garlic, and cook for 1 minute to bloom the garlic, which will release more flavor. Drain the fatty drainage well.
      removing fat from skillet
    • Add the spices and tomato sauce. Turn the heat to medium and cook another 5 minutes until the sauce is incorporated.
      adding tomato sauce to browned burger
    • Serve in tacos, nachos, or on a salad.
      taco meat cooked in a skillet
    See the step-by-step photos in the post. Some recipes have an option to display the photos here with a switch above these instructions but the photos DO NOT print.

    Your Own Private Notes

    Click here to save your own private notes only you will see. These will print and be saved for your next visit.
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    Recipe Notes

    Pro Tips

    1. Adjust to the amount you want in the serving area of this recipe card.
    2. 80/20 ground beef gives the best results.
    3. To use powdered instead of fresh garlic and onion, the substitute is 1 clove of garlic is ⅛ teaspoon of powder, and 1 medium onion is 1 tablespoon of powder.
    4. You may use ground turkey or chicken. Of course, there will be a slight taste difference, but the spices in this meat will dominate.
    5. I suggest making a large amount and freezing it.
    6. This is about a 3/10 spicy when using 1 teaspoon of cumin and ¼ teaspoon of cayenne. Adjust to your taste.
    7. Good in the refrigerator for 3-4 days and freezes well for 3-4 months

    My Old Method

    The previous version of this recipe. Fussier with only a slightly different taste.
    1. Cook onion in 2 teaspoons of oil until clearing.
    2. Add the garlic and dry spices. Cook for 1-2 minutes to bloom the spices.
    3. Add the meat, break up and cook until no pink. Use lower-fat meat to decrease drainage.
    4. Drain.
    5. Add tomato sauce. 2 teaspoons brown sugar and 1 tablespoon vinegar. Cook for about another 5 minutes until incorporated.

    To adjust the recipe size:

    You may adjust the number of servings in this recipe card under servings. This does the math for the ingredients for you. BUT it does NOT adjust the text of the instructions. So you need to do that yourself.

    Nutrition Estimate

    Nutrition Facts
    How to Make the Best Taco Meat in 25 Minutes
    Amount Per Serving
    Calories 210 Calories from Fat 144
    % Daily Value*
    Fat 16g25%
    Saturated Fat 6g30%
    Cholesterol 54mg18%
    Sodium 388mg16%
    Potassium 335mg10%
    Carbohydrates 4g1%
    Fiber 1g4%
    Sugar 1g1%
    Protein 14g28%
    Vitamin A 907IU18%
    Vitamin C 2mg2%
    Calcium 32mg3%
    Iron 2mg11%
    * Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.
    Serving size is my estimate of a normal size unless stated otherwise. The number of servings per recipe is stated above. This is home cooking, and there are many variables. All nutritional information are estimates and may vary from your actual results. To taste ingredients such as salt will be my estimate of the average used.
    Course : Main Course
    Cuisine : Mexican

    © 101 Cooking for Two, LLC. All content and photographs are copyright protected by us or our vendors. While we appreciate your sharing our recipes, please realize copying, pasting, or duplicating full recipes to any social media, website, or electronic/printed media is strictly prohibited and a violation of our copyrights.

    Originally Published May 6, 2011. Updated with expanded options, refreshed photos, and a table of contents to help navigation.

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    1. Cass

      January 24, 2023 at 8:02 pm

      5 stars
      I made this taco meat tonight and it was fantastic!!! I cut everything down to 2 servings it was easy. I really like this better then any pre-made mix I have tried. Definitely a keeper.

      Reply
    2. Mary

      September 15, 2022 at 6:14 pm

      Dr Dan!
      Made it exactly as written. BEST EVER!! I have many packets of so-called taco seasoning to unload. Every recipe of yours I’ve tried as written is stellar! Thank you, God Bless!
      Mary

      Reply
    3. INGE KOHL

      May 05, 2022 at 1:20 am

      2 stars
      Hate to say this, but I agree with Mary. Way too spicy to enjoy. At first I thought the computer hadn't calculated it correctly when I cut the recipe in half, but I just checked and it was correct, unless you meant to write tsp instead of TBSP for the chili powder. Had to add water to the pan and then drain it to get the extra spiciness out twice. Then I added more onion and garlic powder and oregano. It was still a little too spicy.

      Reply
    4. Mary

      September 02, 2020 at 3:28 pm

      3 stars
      I'm sorry, but I just didn't enjoy this recipe. I thought it was too heavy handed in the chili powder. I thought the chili powder ran the show and didn't let the other spices shine at all.
      Thank you for sharing!

      Reply
    5. Charlene

      May 05, 2019 at 1:05 am

      5 stars
      This looks really good - especially in the picture of nachos - could you tell me what to do to make the nachos in the picture please?

      Reply
      • DrDan

        May 05, 2019 at 10:47 am

        Hi Charlene,

        We make nachos way too often. Spread nacho chips over a plate. One layer only but with some overlap. A heavy sprinkle of taco meat (warm it a little if it is left overs). A good cover of cheese. You can add a second smaller layer in the center if you want but be sure these is cheese on the first layer before you do.

        Then microwave for about 60-70 seconds. Then all other toppings.

        Some people like to do it in an oven. Too slow for hungry me and the chips seem to get limp.

        Dan

      • Charlene

        May 06, 2019 at 3:07 am

        5 stars
        Thank you - will try!

      • Don Jose

        May 10, 2020 at 10:18 am

        When the taco filling is just about ready add about a quarter cup of chicken stock. The boiling stock steams the ground beef mixture, much softer, more tender. Stir around until the stock has reduced. Just a little mo' bettah.

        Taco Tuesday is right around the corner.

    6. Debbie

      September 05, 2018 at 4:06 pm

      This was delicious. First time making taco meat without the envelop but definitely not the last. Thanks for the recipe.

      Reply
    7. Chris

      July 04, 2018 at 1:59 pm

      As a neophyte wannabe cook, I found the recipe easy to follow and . . . it turned out well.
      Packed taco shells with the spicy meat and even my food fussy wife said it was good! Thank you for a simple recipe that someone as inexperienced as me (or is it I) can cook and have it turn out well. And, thank you so much Dr. Dan for this wonderful website!

      Reply
    8. Loli

      January 30, 2018 at 6:48 pm

      Excuse my ignorance...but what is ATK?

      Reply
      • DrDan

        January 30, 2018 at 6:50 pm

        American Test Kitchen which is part of Cooks Illustrated.
        I just made this for dinner tonight.
        Dan

    9. joan

      May 15, 2017 at 8:26 am

      Made this last night -- perfect!

      Reply
      • DrDan

        May 15, 2017 at 10:54 pm

        Thanks Joan, it is one of my favorites.
        Dan

    10. Nancy

      January 18, 2017 at 12:48 pm

      I will be making this often! Love to freeze small portions for the two of us & have at the ready. This taco meat is so versatile for many, many recipes. We would like this over pasta, too.

      Reply
      • DrDan

        January 18, 2017 at 1:29 pm

        Thanks Nancy,
        I just did 3 pounds yesterday. I really need leftovers right now. I doubt we will freeze any.
        Dan

    11. SandyToes

      December 02, 2016 at 8:49 pm

      Hi DrDan,

      I'm so glad I happened on your site. I was cruising the 'net one afternoon, looking for a new taco filling, bored out of my skull with the one I'd been making for the last 6 years. I thought your recipe showed more promise than most others, which were just the same-old same-old. And it was serendipity that I had a half cup of leftover tomato sauce standing there in my fridge, mocking me from it's mason jar, knowing it's chances of being used were just about zero. The Universe is truly filled with wonders.

      I tried the original ATK taco filling back in the early 2000-sies and thought it was bland and boring, with hardly any Mexican flavors, and didn't taste much like any taco I'd ever eaten. It was reminiscent of one from Chi-Chi's, arguably the most anglo of all Mexican Restaurants. I chalked it up to Chris Kimball's stunted Yanqui tastebuds.

      What I longed for was the spice combo from my formative years, the 1960's, in SoCal, when walk-up taco stands abounded and they all served a similar 100% ground beef filling, encased in a hard corn tortilla and wrapped in the same yellow paper. Back when Taco Bell still had the BellBeefer and Del Taco's Bun Taco wasn't a secret menu item. Those were the days.

      I'm so glad that the folks at ATK seem to have discovered spices and that you took the time to tinker with them. Talk about a blast from the past! Your filling is as close to those classic SoCal tacos as I've ever tasted, albeit a little spicier. I like the heat, but my Swedish-English dude wants me to back it down a notch. I'm sure if I cut the cayenne in half to a dash, it'll be perfecto. Gringos. What can you do?

      Anyway, thanks from the bottom of my taco-loving heart, DrDan, and thank you for indulging my little trip down memory lane and for concocting the recipe for my bread-and-butter, everyday tacos. Ground beef was the last filling I needed to perfect. With your recipe, my taco canon is now complete. Know that you've got a fangirl in me.

      BTW, tonight I served it on Martin's Potato Rolls. The BellBeefer lives!

      Reply
      • DrDan

        December 02, 2016 at 9:08 pm

        Thanks for the ramble...
        I found the ATK recipe good but just not quite right. Now I'm from Iowa and no taco truck memories for me. But it had that ATK fussiness without the huge reward they promise. But they frequently just don't quite deliver. I would do taco meat about twice per month and modify that recipe some every time until I felt it was right.

        I do admit to skipping the vinegar and brown sugar frequently anymore. It is the spiciness I want.

        You might want to check my Kick Tail Taco Soup at https://www.101cookingfortwo.com/kick-tail-taco-soup-in-crock-pot/
        It is a thick soup/chili based on this recipe.

        Dan

    12. Laura R

      April 12, 2015 at 5:01 pm

      I like this method, I am going to try adding in the brown sugar and vinegar next time. A nice quick moist taco meat you can throw on anything. My spouse is an onion hater so I just use onion powder to blend it in better. :)

      Also a cooking for two tip, if you don't want to eat the same thing the next day, taco meat freezes well to eat at a later time.

      Reply
      • DrDan

        April 12, 2015 at 5:10 pm

        Thanks for the note. I always do 2-4 pounds and freeze frequently.

        DrDan

    13. Inspired by eRecipeCards

      August 07, 2011 at 8:27 pm

      It's exactly the way i make and serve tacos when it's just my wife and myself... fast easy and i could indeed eat this often

      Reply
    14. Dr Dan

      May 16, 2011 at 9:20 pm

      I really can't do mix anymore after this.

      Reply
      • Steve

        May 12, 2020 at 9:52 pm

        5 stars
        I like this, I’m gonna try it, I usually make it with potato pieces(Picadillo), but I learned to make Gorditas and this will work very nicely in stuffing them thank you

    15. Dr Dan

      May 11, 2011 at 8:58 pm

      This is one of my favorites. So easy and good. I personally believe that taco meat is a requirement for life.

      Reply
    16. umbrellalady

      May 09, 2011 at 10:33 pm

      I like your recipe and will be trying it. I have a problem with using taco seasoning mixes and have been looking for an alternative - this just might be it!

      Reply
      • Leslie

        May 02, 2020 at 1:51 pm

        I have lived in Arizona for my entire life and don’t remember any cooks I knew to be fussy about taco meat. Always s&p, garlic, and red chili powder or flakes...adjusted for heat to suit your family. Never used cumin or cilantro. We generally relied on the salsa and toppings for much of the flavor. Only in the last 10-12 years have I seen a multitude of recipes for taco meat. I’ve tried many, and will, likewise, try yours as I generally like your recipes. I don’t know where you live but if you can find it, you MUST try “El Pato” Mexican tomato sauce. Just a hint of acidity and added heat and you’ll never use anything else.

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