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.
Some tools that you may find helpful for making this recipe:
- My favorite Green Pan Skillets (ceramic, non-stick, they are the BEST!)
- Wooden Spoons
How to make the Best Tacos:
My personal preference and what shows in the images is using corn tortillas. White corn tortillas, or even yellow corn tortillas can be easily fried in a small amount of oil. These turn out so much better than store bought crunchy taco shells.
That said, you can use any kind of tortillas you prefer. If you want to use flour tortillas I would recommend using a smaller, 6 inch size.
Taco topping Suggestions: Shredded cheese, shredded lettuce, diced tomatoes, sour cream, guacamole, salsa, diced cilantro.
Recipes that use this Taco Meat:
This meat is so versatile and can be added to so many other recipes. Some simple ideas that are on my site that use this same taco meat are:
Other Recipes You May Enjoy!
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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!
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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carolina says
what if I don’t have tomato sauce?
JDP says
Buy some.
Kel Shimo says
I used your recipe for ground beef tacos a couple of months ago and ended up doubling the spice amounts. Tasted much better and smells like the packaged stuff from my childhood. Tonight I did mashup of Meatless Monday and Taco Tuesday and used the spice recipe for shrimp and salmon tacos. Yummy!! Couldn’t agree which tacos we liked best. Did not use tomato sauce, replaced it with homemade seafood broth.
★★★★★
Geri Juen says
Where is the recipe for the taco shells, I don’t see it?
Serene says
There’s no recipe. I simply fry up some white corn tortillas in some canola oil. I share how in the video and there’s some more detailed instructions in this post: https://houseofyumm.com/classic-ground-beef-tacos/
Kathy D Pollard says
I made this and turned out great but we like to fry cabbage and onion in place of lettuce & tomatoes with Pico to Gallo….. makes the best tacos ever.
Brady Price says
Way too spicy!! I would use 3/4 of a tbs. Of chili powder instead of 1. Everything else is great.
★★★
Shannon says
I just made this to freeze and take on an off-grid camping trip for all sorts of meal combinations! Of course I had to sample it and it was delicious! Love the addition of tomato sauce (I usually just do the spices).
★★★★★
Shannon says
I just made this to freeze and take on an off-grid camping trip for all sorts of meal combinations! Of course I had to sample it and it was delicious! Live the addition of tomato sauce (I usually just do the spices).
★★★★★
MARIE MOORE says
I LOVED THIS RECIPE, THANK YOU!
★★★★★
Dave Spence says
Best taco meat recipe that i’ve tried. Been a year and i’m still not tired of it. Tomato sauce brightens all the other flavors, me thinks)
★★★★★
Deguello says
If you do not want to assemble all the ingredients just go to Sam’s Warehouse and get a big container of Tone’s Taco Seasoning and mix it in after browning the meat with some water or chicken broth. I’ll guarantee the result is the best quick recipe going.
Ashley says
The point of making it yourself is to avoid the anti caking agents and msg that is added to premixed spices.
Nick says
Why drain the fat? That’s where all the flavor is! I know everyone is trying to be health conscious but a little dab will do ya! I never drain the fat and get so many compliments on my tacos. Yeah, cause they have richness and flavor. Stop draining the fat, people!!
Pat Wheeler says
Made this on 10/10/2019 for dinner. I used a packaged Taco seasoning, 2 lbs. of 93% lean ground beef (what I had on hand) but otherwise I followed the directions. I made re fried beans by combining El Paso re fried beans (large can) with sour cream and cheddar cheese. I then heated it. Everyone liked the meat. I will obtain the two spices that I was short on and follow the recipe exactly the next time. I will be making it again. I have leftover taco meat which I will freeze for a later meal. I will put this in the rotation
★★★★★
Kegley says
I tried this last night for dinner and it was absolutely delicious!
★★★★★
William Griggs says
How can you mess up a recipe sooo bad and it still turn out sooo good. My pkg meat was two lbs, forgot tomato sauce at grocery store (subst paste and water), added all spices, got a taco kit (used seasoning pkt also),. added too much crushed pepper, eyeballed additional water.
But it still turned out great. Think I’ll stick to recipe next time and there will be a next time without me messing it up LOL
★★★★★
Farid says
I’ve followed this simple recipe for my tacos for the past year (i.e. about a dozen times!) and I cannot thank you enough! It’s just so good! My friends‘ testimonial has been that my taco game is “truly on point”!
★★★★★
Carla says
This taco recipe is amazing! Definitely a keeper!
★★★★★
Lyann Townsan says
I have always used a can of red LasPalmas sauce with cooked hamburger and onions, family loves it.
Jae says
Excellent, quick and truly authentic tasting.
★★★★★
Bill says
Made this today and followed the recipe, including the white corn shells. Super good. Will be making this often. Best easy recipe I’ve found in a long time. No heartburn either.
★★★★★
Tina Ward says
Great recipe! I make this in bulk and freeze it in 1 lb. packages. Reheat in the microwave for a quick and easy meal. I use it in a variety of ways…tacos, nachos, salads, soups, casseroles etc.
★★★★★
Teaka says
This was AMAZING!!!!! My family was coming in for seconds and thirds 😍😍😍😍
Anthony Allen says
Thanks for this! I always just throw a bunch of spices in the meat and hope it turns out! Now I know exactly what to use!
Holly says
Made this last night, with 2 changes – sauteed onions and then added the beef, and also (very important for my kids) used only 1/2 tsp (that’s 1/6 of the suggested 1tbs) of chili powder. This was fantastic. My boys enjoyed it and asked to have this beef taco dinner again soon. Best yet is that the hubby and myself, both not fan of ground beef anything, enjoyed this as well. Thank you for this easy and yummy recipe.
★★★★★
Debbie P says
There aren’t any onions in the list of ingredients.
Bry says
That’s why it specifies she made two changes. Adding the onions was one of them.
Tina says
I always add onions as you suggested as I’d never make taco meat with out it . I totally agree with you Holly !
★★★★★
Mary says
Thank you for this recipe. My family loves it! It’s now a household staple.
Temple says
Well thank you for this!!! I’m constantly trying new taco seasoning recipes to avoid the packages and now I’ve found it. I just finished dinner and it was great!
★★★★★
judy piper says
BEST SECRET INGREDIENT TO ANY TACO MEAT RECIPE IS KRAFT CATALINA SALAD DRESSING- ADDS JUST A TOUCH OF SWEETNESS-TRY IT AND YOU WILL NEVER MAKE TACO MEAT WITHOUT IT AGAIN. I JUST USE MEAT, TACO SEASONING MIX. AND DRESSING, ABOUT ONE THIRD CUP TO ONE HALF.
Teresa Davis says
The first ingredient in Catalina dressing is high fructose corn syrup. 130 calories per two tablespoons of dressing. Unnecessary calories and not everything needs added sugar.
Kat541 says
I love that in mine, too!
marilyn casteel says
The taco shells didn’t turn out for me…but the meat is just great! We’ll be having this again and again!
★★★★★
Renee says
Thanks Dawn for the suggestion of El Pato spicy tomato sauce!! I use that in my Salsa, but didn’t think about it in my taco meat!
★★★★★
shawn says
Can i cook the shell a day before and still taste crispy.
Serene says
No, the shells need to be fresh. They won’t keep.
Angelina Boughton says
I made this using ground elk and it turned out amazing. You have nailed the spice ratio perfectly and I love the added tomato sauce. I’m not gonna lie, I have always preferred the store packet of seasonings but your recipe is much better! Thank you!
★★★★★