How to Make Taco Meat (7 Best Recipe Notes & Preparation)

I love a good taco with its spicy meat and crunchy shell so much that I had to learn how to make my own at home.

I have been perfecting my own taco meat recipes for years, and today, I’ll share everything you should know about taco meat and give you my favorite recipe for making it.

Quick Summary

What is Taco?

Historically, a taco is simply a "tortilla with something wrapped inside [1].

" Predating the Spanish conquistadors, tacos were first created by Mexican natives who filled their tacos with fish or the meat of small animals.

Other traditional tacos are made with proteins like shrimp, beef tongue, carne asada, tripe, and even beef tongue [2].

These days, tacos are filled with anything from meat to bean-based fillings.

You can use any meat for your taco. Ground beef and pork are especially popular, but turkey and chicken are just as tasty.

Things You Can Do with Taco Meat

Obviously, you can use this meat to make tacos. However, you are not limited by the traditional tortilla and salsa combo.

• Burritos - Taco meat lends itself exceptionally well to burritos and quesadillas. Or you can make a burrito bowl - all the taste of the burrito but without the tortilla.
• Pizza - For a fun twist on pizza, try spreading your taco meat over a pre-baked crust and top with cheese for a unique Mexican-style pizza.
• Salad - If you're feeling adventurous, consider using this meat in a taco salad or even as a filling for dumplings. The possibilities for this meat are almost endless.

"The perfect taco should be spicy, sweet, sour and crispy."
- Bobby Flay, Chef

Related Articles:

• Steak and Shrimp Burrito Recipe
• Taco Buche Meat Recipe
• Types of Taco Meat

Preparing Taco Meat

This is a particularly yummy taco meat recipe because of the homemade seasoning.

Anyone can cook taco meat with store-bought seasonings. This is the best taco meat recipe because it allows you to add taco seasoning precisely to your taste.

It is an easy recipe to make, and it creates a big batch of meat that is perfect in many other recipes.

Recipe Overview

• Prep Time: 0
• Cook Time: 15 min
• Total Time: 15 min
• Number of Servings: 6-8

Ingredients

Homemade Taco Meat

• 2 tsp olive oil
• 1 large onion, chopped
• ½ cup tomato sauce
• ¼ cup beef broth or chicken broth
• 1 pound of lean ground beef, ground chicken, ground turkey, or ground pork

Homemade Taco Seasoning

• 1 tablespoon chili powder
• 1 teaspoon cumin
• ¾ teaspoon salt
• ¾ teaspoon paprika
• ½ teaspoon onion powder
• ½ teaspoon garlic powder or fresh garlic
• ¼ teaspoon oregano
• ⅛ teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes

Also Read: What Is Taco Bell Meat Made Of?

Instructions

1. Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add ground beef and onion, and brown in the oil. Crumble the ground beef into small bits, stir with a wooden spoon, and ensure it cooks evenly.
2. Once browned, remove from stove, drain off any excess fat, and blot the ground beef with a paper towel to remove any remaining grease.
3. Return the meat to the stove and add tomato sauce, beef broth, and all remaining taco seasoning spices. Bring to a boil, reduce heat, and then simmer over medium-low to medium heat for 5 to 7 minutes. Stir occasionally with a wooden spoon.
4. Serve or use as desired.

Recipe Notes

• If you do not have beef broth available, you can substitute water. This may have slightly less flavor, but it will still work.
• If you do not have tomato sauce, you can substitute tomato paste and add a little more broth.
• It is important not to overcook the taco meat, as it can become dry and tough.
• Feel free to adjust the spice according to your taste preference. Add more chili powder or crushed red pepper flakes if you like it spicier. For a milder flavor, reduce the quantities in the recipe.
• You can also add other ingredients like bell peppers or jalapeños. This is particularly helpful if you want to omit salt in order to reduce sodium.
• Once complete, add your favorite toppings like hot sauce, sour cream, lime juice, lettuce, onions, cilantro, and tomatoes.
• You can freeze taco meat for three months or store it in an airtight container for three days in the refrigerator. Let cooked taco meat cool completely before storing it. You can reheat in a microwave-safe bowl.

Nutrition

• Calories: 163 kcal
• Total Carbs: 0 g
• Protein: 14 g
• Fat: 11 g
• Saturated Fat: 4 g
• Fiber: 0 g
• Net Carbs: 0 g

FAQs

References:

1. https://web.archive.org/web/20080502160526/http://www.iccjournal.biz/StudentScholars/Undergraduate/history_of_mexican_cuisine.htm
2. https://books.google.com/books?id=lY-tY62V1FIC&pg=PA697#v=onepage&q&f=false