The absolute BEST ground beef Taco Meat! An easy to make homemade taco seasoning and a secret ingredient that makes this the most flavorful and juiciest taco meat EVER! Perfect for loading up on soft or hard shell tacos and topping with all your favorites!
What is the best meat to use for Taco Meat?
The best meat to use for taco meat is a simple ground beef, a 70-80% lean. The fat is going to help give flavor to the meat and we are able to drain the grease prior to serving.
What spices are in Taco Meat?
The spices that are used in this homemade taco seasoning are: chili powder, cumin, oregano, garlic powder, onion powder and salt.
If you want to add a bit more heat you could add a bit of crushed red pepper as needed.
How do you make Taco Meat?
This recipe is super simple to follow and easy to make. We start with the ground beef, cook it up until it’s completely browned. Drain the grease. Then when we return to the heat to the stove lower the heat, add the homemade taco seasoning and a small amount of tomato sauce.
The tomato sauce thickens it up and helps the spices stick to the meat. It’s so flavorful and you will never go back to using water with your taco seasoning again! Trust me.
Recipes that use this Taco Meat:
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PrintBest Ground Beef Taco Meat
The absolute BEST ground beef Taco Meat! An easy to make homemade taco seasoning and a secret ingredient that makes this the most flavorful and juiciest taco meat EVER! Perfect for loading up on soft or hard shell tacos and topping with all your favorites!
- Prep Time: 2 mins
- Cook Time: 10 mins
- Total Time: 12 minutes
- Yield: 8-10
- Category: dinner
- Method: stovetop
- Cuisine: tex mex
Ingredients
- 1 pound ground beef (70-80% lean)
- 1 tablespoon Chili Powder
- 1/2 teaspoon Salt
- 3/4 teaspoon Cumin
- 1/2 teaspoon Dried Oregano
- 1/4 teaspoon Garlic Powder
- 1/4 teaspoon Onion Powder
- 1/2 cup tomato sauce
Instructions
- Cook the ground beef fully, drain grease, then add 1/2 cup tomato sauce and taco seasoning.
- Allow to simmer for 5 minutes.
- Add to tacos shells or use in any other recipes that call for taco meat.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1
- Calories: 120
- Fat: 5 g
- Carbohydrates: 9 g
- Protein: 11 g
- Cholesterol: 28 mg
Keywords: tacos, taco meat, ground beef,
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Sharon says
Is it ok if I bought 95% lean ground beef?? I’m excited to try ur recipe but nervous that it may dry out
Serene says
Hi Sharon! It will absolutely work. You’re going to drain out the grease after cooking the meat anyway. And adding the tomato sauce helps keep anything from being too dry. Let me know how it turns out 🙂
Jenn says
It really is the best!! So good!
Jessica N says
It is the best taco recipe I have tried ! Thanks !!
laura says
best taco recipe! so easy and delicious
★★★★★
Karen says
I browned some ground beef to make tacos from that taco mix kit. When I opened the box it was only the shells! You came to my rescue and I might just do it this way all the time! I had to add a little more tomato sauce and water. My ground beef sat for about 5 minutes until I found your recipe. Thank you!
★★★★★
Serene says
Yay! It makes me so happy to know that this recipe saved your tacos!! 🙂
Cliff says
Hi Serene,
I’ve been making taco meat for a good while now. But, I’m making a big batch for friends at work and I wanted to see if I can try something a little different with my recipe and kick it up a notch. The tomato sauce sounds like a great idea. I make meat sauce (Belognese) quite a bit, so I am familiar but never thought of it for tacos, although I realize that this is just a small amount. I can see how the tang is going to add to the flavor. In the past I’ve added tomato paste and crushed tomatoes. I also like to add chopped onions and I find the Lawry’s seasoning gives any meat recipe some great flavor. I’ll usually buy the taco seasoning packets (like El Paso) but add some other stuff. Well I can’t wait to try this recipe and I”m sure everyone is going to enjoy it!
Thank you!
Cliff
Nélia says
I made this recipe for dinner it was amazing my husband said never a taco so good às this one love the meat the tomato sauce makes a big difference thank you for the recipe ❤️
★★★★★
Djuana Guillory says
Will be trying the recipe today can’t wait!!!
★★★★★
Shirley Martin says
I was so tired of using package spices and my husband never liked them. So tonight at the last moment I thought I’d check on line and found your recipe. IT’S PERFECT. My husband loved it. It’s how tacos should taste. Thanks very much.
★★★★★
Serene says
So glad that you enjoyed it!
Ann Robert's says
Gonna try making this for dinner. Never made homemade. Can I try sour cream as a topping?
Yulia Shechtman says
I’ll definitely try this recipe! Interesting idea of using tomato sauce. Do you make your own? If not which brand do you recommend
Serene says
Hi Yulia. I just use whichever tomato sauce I have on hand. I typically buy Hunt’s.
Madi says
i love this recipe but prefer using minced garlic and onion in the meat as well as some Goya seasoning it adds some great color especially with the tomato sauce. its definitely made me start cooking with ground beef more often.
★★★★★
Serene says
Thanks Madi! I’ll have to try tossing in some Goya seasoning next time 🙂
Larry Rushing says
Really is the best! The trick is the tomatoe sauce! I won’t be buying the packaged seasoning anymore either loved it thank you.
Serene says
Thanks Larry! So glad you enjoyed 🙂 The tomato sauce really makes a difference doesn’t it!?
C says
It is a simple dish!!! Straight to the point lovee it
Brian says
In my late 40’s and try to make this before my roommate get home I hope she likes me it
Thank You for sharing God Bless
Carm says
I just want to say thank you for making look like super mom. My son had to cook for scouting and we made this the day before to serve for tacos and it was a hit.
★★★★★
Serene says
Yay!! So glad it was a huge hit!
Suzan says
Haven’t made this yet but wondering if it’s easy to double. I have 13 year old triplets, a 19 year old, and a husband. All will eat 2-3 each which will leVe NOTHNG!! They love tacos.
Serene says
YES!! I make large batches of this all the time. I have 5 kids myself, so I usually will make 3 lbs of taco meat when we do taco night. I know how it goes.
Paul Meyers says
By “Chili Powder”, do you mean the spice mixture used in making chili (the stew or soup) and if so, what brand is your favorite. Or do you mean powdered chile peppers, and if thisis what you mean, what type of chile peppers?
Serene says
Hi Paul, I use a powdered spice mixture of chili powder. My favorite is Gebhardt’s. I also use McCormick’s.
Susan says
Question: I make precooked ground beef in my crackpot (5 lbs at a time), drain I, and freeze it in 1 lb freezer bags. I am wondering if I could make this in larger amounts in a manner that I can divide it and freeze it. Anybody tried that yet?
Andrew says
Any suggestions for type of tomato sauce? Is ragu fine?
Serene says
I just use plain tomato sauce from a can. Ragu sauces typically have seasonings and other things added.
Nicole Williams says
Can I still use taco seasoning mix with this recipe?
Serene says
You can sub out all the spices for a pre made taco seasoning. Absolutely. Then just disregard the instructions on the packet, cook the meat, add the seasoning and the tomato sauce. Stir it up and you’re set.
Jennifer says
Thanks for this fantastic yet simple recipe. I had a taco bar themed party to go to today and was asked to bring taco meat. This was a huge hit! The spice mixture was just right – not too spicy for a crowd. I have never added tomato sauce to taco meat, but I will definitely add it from now on. I made a ton and there wasn’t any left…delish!
★★★★★
Marjorie says
Really delicious 😋 Thank you for sharing🤗
★★★★★
Serene says
Thank you!
Colleen Sullivan says
I have made taco meat using all sorts of recipes and packets. My favorite was always one where I used a hot sauce that isn’t sold anymore mixed with ketchup and crushed red pepper. I can’t compare this recipe to that one because the ingredients are totally different, but this one is a close second for my liking. I did have to add more salt for our tastes (usually 1 tsp of salt per pound of meat is the norm). I doubled the recipe because I have 3 grown men (husband and 2 sons). I will probably triple it next time! Today was #NationalTacoDay, so I wanted to try something new. So glad I did!
★★★★★
Serene says
Thanks so much Colleen! I’m so glad you enjoyed the recipe!
Kelly Roberts says
mixed up ready for use, cant wait to taste outcome. thank you for recipe. this is my sons favorite meal..
Serene says
Hope you enjoyed Kelly!
Arizona Diana says
I’ve been making taco meat for 40 years, the type of cook that adds a little this, a little that. This meat was the BOMB! I made a double batch with exact spice measurements but used 1 small can of tomato sauce (as I always do), PLUS about 3/4 cup Red Chile Sauce (leftover from some take-out Chimichangas). I’m going back for seconds right now. Thank you for posting your recipe!
★★★★★
Serene says
Thanks so much Diana! I’m so happy you like the recipe! Thanks for your review 🙂
Traci says
I didn’t have tomato sauce on hand, so I used Old El Paso taco sauce. Fantastic!!!
★★★★★
Nancy says
I actually use a bit of salsa instead of the tomato sauce. Gives it a little extra bite!
Bob says
The ingredients were great. Made a great meat. I only added double the amount and added more inexpensive tomato sauce to make a pizza. Super simple and made awesome taco pizzas
★★★★★
Andrea Cotman says
I have used this recipe twice and it really is THE BEST taco meat recipe ! I love that I can make tacos and nachos and I don’t have to use those packets from the store with who knows what ingredients! Thank you for posting this recipe, it is a great help AND its delicious!
★★★★★
Kat says
Can I use Campbell’s tomato soup ? I’m out of tomato sauce.
★★★★★
Serene says
You could. I think the soup has other ingredients added to it, so it might change the flavor slightly. But I’m sure it will still taste good 🙂