These classic Ground Beef Tacos feature homemade taco meat loaded into freshly fried taco shells. Serve up with all your favorite toppings for an easy family meal that takes less than 30 minutes!
Best Ground Beef Taco Recipe
The absolute BEST ground beef Tacos! An easy to make homemade taco seasoning and a secret ingredient that makes this the most flavorful and juiciest taco meat EVER! The perfect family weeknight meal that can be ready in less than 30 minutes!
Prep: 5min
Total: 22min
Serving Size: 1
Nutrition Facts: servingSize 1, calories 152 kcal, Sugar 1 g, Sodium 280 mg, Fat 12 g, Saturated Fat 4 g, Carbohydrate 2 g, Fiber 1 g, Protein 10 g, Cholesterol 40 mg
Ingredients:
- 1 lb ground beef (70-80% lean*)
- 1 tbsp chili Powder
- ½ tsp salt
- ¾ tsp cumin
- ½ tsp dried oregano
- ¼ tsp garlic powder
- ¼ tsp onion powder
- ½ cup tomato sauce
- 8 white corn tortillas
- ½ cup oil (canola or vegetable)
Instruction:
- Cook Ground Beef: Heat a large skillet over medium heat. Add the ground beef. Break the beef up with a wooden spoon while cooking. Cook the ground beef fully, until browned and no longer pink.
- Drain: Drain any excess grease from the skillet. Then return to the stove and reduce the heat to low.
- Season: Add the 1/2 cup tomato sauce and taco seasoning. Stir together until the meat is coated in the sauce.
- Simmer: Allow to simmer for 5 minutes.
- Fry Tortillas: Pour 1/2 cup oil in a medium size skillet, heat over medium high heat. Carefully dip a tortilla, if the oil sizzles and bubbles then it’s hot enough. Gently lay the tortilla in the oil and fry each side for about 30 seconds, just enough to give some color and add some crispness.
- Shape Tortillas: Remove the tortilla to a paper towel to absorb oil, and carefully fold the tortilla over to create a taco shape. I do this with my tongs, or two forks, whatever I’m using to lay the tortillas in the oil and remove them.
- Toppings: Fill the tortillas with the ground beef taco meat and add desired toppings
Taco Meat
This is the best recipe taco meat! Made with the just the right ratio of spices, this taco meat is perfect for tacos, burritos, taco salad, or taco pizza.
Total: 15min
Yield: 6
Serving Size: 1 serving
Nutrition Facts: calories 162 kcal, Protein 14 g, Fat 11 g, Saturated Fat 4 g, Cholesterol 51 mg, Sodium 51 mg, servingSize 1 serving
Ingredients:
- 1 pound of lean ground sirloin (or ground chicken, turkey or pork)
- 1/2 cup tomato sauce
- 1/4 cup water
- 1/2 tablespoon chili powder
- 1 teaspoon cumin
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
- 1/2 teaspoon paprika
- 1/8 teaspoon oregano
- 1/4 teaspoon pepper
- 1/8 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
Instruction:
- Brown up the ground sirloin over medium-high heat, crumbling the beef up into small chunks. Once completely browned, drain off any excess fat and blot with a paper towel to get any residual grease.
- Return meat to heat and add in tomato sauce, water, and spices. Bring to a boil and then reduce heat to medium and simmer for 5-7 minutes.
- Serve as desired.
Best Homemade Taco Meat
How to make taco meat step by step. It’s perfectly juicy and family-loved. Enjoy it naturally mild or add a spicy kick for bolder flavor.
Prep: 5min
Total: 20min
Yield: 8
Serving Size: 2 ounces
Nutrition Facts: servingSize 2 ounces, calories 103 kcal, Carbohydrate 2 g, Protein 12 g, Fat 5 g, Saturated Fat 2 g, Trans Fat 1 g, Cholesterol 35 mg, Sodium 331 mg, Fiber 1 g, Sugar 1 g, unSaturated Fat 4 g
Ingredients:
- 1 tablespoon Olive Oil
- 1 small Onion (diced)
- 1 pound Ground Beef
- 2 tablespoons Taco Seasoning (or 1 taco seasoning packet)
- 1/4 cup Water
- ⅔ cup Tomato Sauce
- ½ teaspoon Sea Salt
- ¼ teaspoon Black Pepper
Instruction:
- Heat OIL in a skillet. Add ONIONS and saute until translucent.
- Add BEEF and saute until browned. Drain excess grease, if necessary.
- Add TACO SEASONING, WATER, TOMATO SAUCE, SALT, and PEPPER.
- Stir until well-combined.
- Adjust the heat to medium-low and simmer about 5 minutes, or until the juices reduce to your liking.
- Serve warm as taco meat or use as a filling for your favorite Mexican food.
- To store, allow taco meat to cool down and refrigerate in an airtight container up to 5 days, or freeze up to 90 day, or longer if vacuum sealed.
- Use taco meat for nachos, taco bowls, and 7 layer dip!
Taco Seasoning Recipe| Taco Meat Recipe | Gochujang Mama Recipes
FAQ
How do Mexican restaurants get their taco meat so fine?
What is the secret ingredient in Taco Bell meat?
“Actually, it’s derived from corn, which is a food staple in Mexican culture as well as many others. We use a small amount as a thickener and to maintain moisture in our seasoned beef. It’s common in many foods like yogurt,” Taco Bell states.
What kind of meat do you use for tacos?
What is the best meat for Mexican tacos?