January 29, 2026

Curious Appetite

Curious Appetite

Greatest Floor Beef Taco Meat


This straightforward floor beef taco meat recipe is so easy to make! With nice taste from home made taco seasoning, you’ll need to make a double batch on your subsequent Taco Tuesday!!

In case you’ve been following Crumbs for any size of time, you realize we’re huge followers of taco evening.

Carnitas in gentle, contemporary, Homemade Tortillas? Traditional.

Black Bean and Corn Salsa Tacos? Nice option to get our veggies in.

Regardless of the particular means we do taco evening, we at all times need huge taste with out a ton of labor. AND we would like it to be made with easy, actual meals elements. AND we need to keep inside our price range. That’s not an excessive amount of to ask, is it?

Not with this floor beef taco meat recipe, it isn’t!

THE BEST BEEF TACO MEAT RECIPE

This home made floor beef taco meat recipe has loads going for it. We adore it as a result of:

  • The Homemade Taco Seasoning is unbeatable. I’m not going to lie right here…this seasoning is AWESOME. It has the BEST FLAVOR.
  • Child-approved. This recipe is tried and examined on choosy eaters. Even while you add the non-obligatory veggies, as a result of they’re combined in with the meat, it tastes like…meat!
  • Freezes nicely. Inventory your freezer and toss your taco meat in quite a lot of dishes and floor beef tacos.
  • Entire-30 compliant. No grains or legumes or bizarre preservatives…simply greens and meat!
  • Made out of scratch. This implies it’s straightforward to see what’s within the taco meat and the seasoning and know that we’re consuming all REAL FOOD elements.
  • You’ll be able to add MORE veggies and use much less meat. You’ll be able to add wholesome (hidden) greens and stretch your beef AND your price range to create extra meals with much less cash. Win-win.
A board is covered with chopped green peppers, shredded carrots, finely chopped onion, and chopped mushroom.

GROUND BEEF TACO MEAT RECIPE INGREDIENTS

Floor beef taco meat is fast and simple to make, and it has that nice taco taste you’re in search of!

  • Olive Oil. This helps caramelize the veggies and maintain them from sticking to the pan.
  • Onion. Make sure to FINELY cube the onion. You need actually small items (suppose the scale of two items of rice) in order that it blends nicely into the meat and your children received’t trouble with the effort of choosing it out.
  • Floor Beef. In case you don’t love beef, you may substitute any floor meat. Floor turkey or floor pork or a combination all work because the hamburger meat for tacos.
  • Homemade Taco Seasoning. Likelihood is, you have already got all of the spices for this (chili powder, cumin, salt, pepper, paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, crushed crimson pepper flakes, and oregano), and also you received’t get any of the unnecessary additives which might be generally in seasoning packets.

I want grass-fed beef for my floor meat for tacos, and for those who can’t discover it domestically, or are in search of a constant, trusted provider of high quality meat, I like to recommend trying out Butcher Field. Learn my honest review and find out how I prioritize quality meat in our budget. Get our Exclusive Crumbs Readers deal HERE.

HOW TO STRETCH GROUND MEAT FOR TACOS

In case you actually need to stretch your ground beef, you may add a number of further veggies to your floor meat for tacos. I’ve tried the next veggies on this recipe, and so they work nicely. Select one or add all of them to REALLY stretch this home made taco meat recipe!

  • Celery. Make sure to FINELY cube the celery, identical to the onions above, in order that it blends nicely into the meat and your children received’t decide it out.
  • Mushrooms. In keeping with the resident choosy eater, if the mushrooms are chopped finely as nicely (not fairly as small because the onion – suppose 4 items of rice), they style identical to the meat. Attempt brown or cremini mushrooms for those who or your children aren’t mushroom lovers.
  • Carrots. Shred the carrots as a substitute of chopping and intention for smallish shreds. I like to recommend this box grater.
  • Cabbage. That is an add-on for these of you who love cabbage (through which case, it is best to attempt my Egg Roll in a Bowl). Once more, chop finely to mix nicely.
Finely chopped peppers, mushrooms, and onions, as well as shredded carrots, sit in a cast iron skillet.

HOW TO MAKE THE MEAT FOR TACOS

Step 1: Cook dinner the onions. Heat olive oil over medium warmth (I exploit my 12” cast iron skillet). Add the onions and cook dinner, stirring sometimes, till the onions are translucent.

It’s essential to make use of a shallow pan for this taco meat recipe. This enables any extra liquid to evaporate rapidly and create scrumptious floor beef taco meat that’s strong clumps as a substitute of soggy meat mash (which we don’t like!).

Step 2: Add the bottom beef and taco seasoning. Break up the meat utilizing a pastry cutter or a wooden spoon and stir till the whole lot is combined nicely.

Psst! I’ve a secret savory tip for you! Attempt Ava Jane’s Kitchen on your salt, whether or not you utilize it within the taco seasoning or just prime your meat with a splash of salt earlier than serving. Why? For one, as a result of it doesn’t have microplastics (gross, proper?). It’s additionally SO GOOD! PLUS, you will get a free 8oz. bag of sea salt – simply pay delivery and dealing with!

Chunks of raw ground meat and seasoning sit atop cooked vegetables.

Step 3: Cook dinner the bottom beef on medium warmth till it’s not pink. The juices and water ought to be evaporating, but when they’re not, you may flip the warmth up barely. Stand on the range for those who flip the warmth up and stir continually in order to not burn the meat taco meat.

Step 4: Serve as you’d floor beef, ideally in tacos!

Word: In case you are utilizing the non-obligatory greens, add the mushrooms, celery, and carrots to the big skillet similtaneously the onions for this taco meat recipe. Stir within the cabbage for the final 3-4 minutes of cooking.

Ground beef taco meat in a cast iron skillet

FREEZING HAMBURGER MEAT TACO RECIPE

Retailer any leftover beef taco meat in an hermetic container within the fridge for as much as 4 days or freeze for as much as 3 months. I extremely advocate doubling or tripling this taco floor meat recipe and freezing further for later.

  • Cook dinner one batch at a time to keep away from soggy beef taco meat.
  • Let cool after which portion out 2-cup servings into freezer-safe containers. Double wrapping prevents freezer burn, which doesn’t damage meals, however could make it style much less interesting. See Tip #1 under for a way I do it.
  • In case you’re making one thing else or feeding a household on the Whole30 (right here’s a sampling of what we ate in a week), freezing in 2-cup parts enables you to simply pull out further luggage to thaw.

I freeze meals a LOT, so I’ve discovered a number of issues alongside the best way, and naturally, I need to share them with you! Listed below are a few of my most-used hacks for freezing floor beef taco meat:

  • Tip #1: I freeze meat in sandwich luggage, then put these sandwich luggage in a bigger gallon bag. I sometimes reuse plastic luggage if I maintain one thing like pretzels or grapes, however I don’t reuse any luggage that I’ve used to retailer meat.
  • Tip #2: I’ll toss the smaller sandwich luggage, however reuse the gallon bag because it didn’t contact the meat. This additionally makes the meat a bit extra versatile for my tiny freezer!
  • Tip #3: I just like the sorts of baking dishes that include lids, like this one. It’s nice for touring, sure, however I REALLY prefer it as a result of if I run out of time to portion the whole lot within the freezer, I can cowl it up and put it within the fridge!

HOW TO USE GROUND BEEF TACO MEAT

Now that you simply’ve made your floor beef taco meat, how are you going to make use of it?

Clearly, you can have a taco evening and fill your favourite tortillas with the bottom meat taco recipe and all of the toppings. Corn Tortillas, Flour Tortillas, and even Almond Flour Tortillas make the perfect taco shells!

Don’t overlook the perimeters! We like these:

And naturally we want the sauces! We like a lot of totally different toppings relying on what we’ve got available and what’s in season.

WAYS TO USE LEFTOVER GROUND BEEF TACO MEAT

Whether or not you’ve got quite a lot of leftover floor beef taco meat or just a bit bit, attempt one in all these yummy methods to make use of it up!

  • Nachos. Use taco meat to prime Tortilla Chips for some home made nachos. That is my favourite after we simply have slightly little bit of meat left over as a result of I can stretch it into one other full meal.
  • Baked Potatoes. Taco meat makes a terrific topping for Baked Potatoes. Or exchange the filling in my Ridiculously Easy Potato Skins with taco meat for a yummy appetizer. Prime with cheese and bitter cream.
  • Salads. Have a taco salad bar and let everybody select their favourite toppings. Pair it with my Cilantro Lime Vinaigrette dressing for a scrumptious, gentle, and contemporary meal!
  • Soup. Add beef taco meat to a batch of Tortilla Soup.
  • Enchiladas. Or use it in fast and simple enchiladas or Enchilada Casserole! Yum!

TRACKING MACROS ON TACO NIGHT

Tacos are one in all my favourite meals to eat, not solely due to the flavour, but additionally as a result of they’re so versatile after I’m monitoring my macros. I could make taco evening match with no matter I want!

Want extra protein? Add extra meat or beans on to your tacos or on the facet.

What about fats? Bitter cream, cheese, and avocado will all add wholesome fat to your plate. On the flip facet, for those who want a lower-fat meal, salsas and seasoned greens present loads of taste, so that you received’t be lacking out if you have to skip the higher-fat condiments!

Watching your carbs? Get pleasure from corn tortillas (or flour tortillas, or rice) carefully, and fill your plate with protein and loads of contemporary veggies. Pile your favourite taco toppings on a giant pile of shredded lettuce for a yummy taco salad.

GROUND MEAT TACO RECIPES FAQS

What meats are finest for a taco mince recipe?

Any sort of floor beef or meat can be utilized for tacos, however I want grass-fed natural beef (I extremely advocate Butcher Box!), combined with an entire bunch of contemporary greens so as to add taste and vitamin to my tacos. A lean floor beef or floor turkey is typically preferable because it doesn’t get as greasy, though you may at all times drain extra grease.

What does taco meat comprise?

At its most elementary, taco meat comprises the meat and the taco seasoning. You’ll be able to add veggies to this recipe for a lift in vitamin or maintain it tremendous easy with simply the meat and some extra elements.

How a lot floor beef taco meat do you want per individual?

It is determined by what else you’re utilizing to fill your tacos, however you may anticipate for one pound of this floor beef taco meat recipe to make not less than 8-12 tacos, much more for those who stretch it with among the advised veggies.

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WATCH HOW TO MAKE GROUND BEEF TACO MEAT


Floor Beef Taco Meat

Overview of a cast iron skillet filled with cooked ground beef. Green leaf garnish and a wooden spoon ready to dish up a portion. Text overlay The Best Ground Beef Taco Meat.

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

5 from 5 evaluations

This straightforward floor beef taco meat recipe is so easy to make! With nice taste from home made taco seasoning, you’ll need to make a double batch on your subsequent Taco Tuesday!!

  • Writer: Tiffany
  • Prep Time: 5 minutes
  • Cook dinner Time: quarter-hour
  • Whole Time: 20 minutes
  • Yield: 4 servings 1x
  • Class: Important Meals
  • Methodology: Stovetop
  • Delicacies: Mexican

Directions

  1. In a big heavy backside skillet (I use my 12” cast iron skillet), heat olive oil over medium warmth. Add 1 cup finely diced onions, 1 cup finely diced celery, 1 cup finely diced mushrooms, and 1 cup shredded carrots (if utilizing) and cook dinner, stirring sometimes, till the onions are translucent.
  2. Add the 1 lb floor beef and 2-3 Tbsp Taco Seasoning. Break up the meat utilizing a pastry cutter or a wooden spoon and stir till the whole lot is combined nicely.
  3. Cook dinner the bottom beef on medium warmth till it’s not pink. The juices and water ought to be evaporating, but when they’re not, you may flip the warmth up barely. Stand on the range for those who flip the warmth up and stir continually in order to not burn the meat or greens.
  4. Function you’d floor beef, ideally in tacos!

Notes

  • The vitamin info are primarily based on the entire elements, together with the non-obligatory.
  • Select the correct pan. It’s essential to make use of a shallow pan for this taco meat recipe. This enables any extra liquid to evaporate rapidly and create scrumptious floor beef taco meat that’s strong clumps as a substitute of soggy meat mash (which we don’t like!).
  • Make your individual Taco Meat Seasoning. Along with tasting AMAZING, this lets you modify the extent of seasoning, cuts down on components, and saves cash.
  • Freeze some taco meat. I’m all about freezing issues for later (a la Yogurt and Tomato Paste and Breakfast Sausage and Meatballs and even this step-by-step freezer cooking guide), so I extremely advocate doubling or tripling this recipe and freezing it for later.

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