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    Home / Recipes / Beef

    Mexican Style Ground Beef Taco Meat

    By Heather · Published: May 21, 2021 · Updated: May 21, 2021 · This post may contain affiliate links · See the privacy policy linked in my footer.

    Jump to Recipe Print Recipe

    This is the recipe I reach for most often when we're making ground beef taco, burritos or nachos. It's full of flavor, saucy, and not much harder than reaching for that big bottle of taco seasoning!

    3 crunchy tacos on white platter
    Dig in!

    If you're tired of reaching for the Costco-sized container of taco seasoning every time you want need ground beef for tacos, enchiladas, or nachos, you have to try this recipe!

    I know I'm guilty of going the easy route too, but this recipe is really not that much harder than stirring in premade seasoning.

    It is perfect for a myriad of Mexican ground beef recipes and tastes so much better than anything you can shake out of a canister.

    Jump to:
    • 📋 Why This Recipe Works
    • 🔪 How To Make The Recipe
    • 👩🏻‍🍳 Pro Tips
    • 👪 Scaling The Recipe
    • 🍽 Serving and Topping Suggestions
    • 💭 FAQs
    • 🥘 Leftovers and Storing
    • 🥣 Handy Tools For This Recipe
    • FREE RECIPE EBOOKS
    • 📖 Recipe
    • 💬 Reviews

    📋 Why This Recipe Works

    This recipe uses cumin, paprika, chili powder, and dried onion which are all elements in traditional taco seasoning. What sets it apart is the use of green enchilada sauce! The enchilada sauce adds acidity, moisture, and tons of flavor making these ground beef tacos saucy and delicious.

    Mexican ground beef in a cast iron skillet
    Ready to be put to work!

    🔪 How To Make The Recipe

    Ingredients for Mexican style ground beef
    All you need!

    1.) Gather your ingredients

    You'll need ground beef, paprika, cumin, chili powder, dried onion, and green enchilada sauce.

    2.) Brown and crumble the beef

    Place the meat in a skillet, cook, and use a spatula to break up and crumble the meat.

    3.) Remove the excess fat

    I like to fold up a paper towel and move it around in the pan to absorb the excess fat. Sometimes it takes a few paper towels, but it's much easier than transferring the meat into a strainer, in my opinion.

    4.) Add the seasoning!

    Stir the spices, onion and enchilada sauce into the meat.

    5.) Let it it simmer

    Let the meat simmer on low to soften the onion and allow the sauce to thicken up a bit. Allow it to simmer as long or little as you'd like or until it's your desired consistency.

    6.) Assemble!

    See my serving and topping tips below for suggestions on how to use this super versatile meat.

    Crunchy tacos with meat and cheese on their sides
    Ready for toppings.

    👩🏻‍🍳 Pro Tips

    • Salsa or Enchilada Sauce: Use what you have on hand! I've used both salsa and enchilada sauce with great results. Sometimes salsa is thicker and you may need to add a little bit of water to the meat while it simmers.
    • Bake the Shells: If you're making crunchy tacos with this meat, remember to bake or heat up the crunchy shells before assembling. It makes a huge difference!

    👪 Scaling The Recipe

    Cooking for two or a crowd? This recipe is easily adaptable. Use the slider on the recipe card to change the quantity and the ingredient amounts will change accordingly.

    🍽 Serving and Topping Suggestions

    I love to eat this taco meat in basic taco form with lettuce, tomatoes, and cheese but here are some other ideas:

    • Wrapped up in a tortilla with beans, spanish rice, and pico de gallo for burritos.
    • On top of corn chips with refried beans and cheese for some epic nachos
    • Mixed with red enchilada sauce and stuffed inside corn tortillas for beefy enchiladas
    • Served on greens with beans and veggies for fresh taco salads

    Want Super Fine Taco Meat?

    Ever wonder why some taco meat found at restaurants or in chili is ground SUPER fine and how they get it that way? That is the result of actually boiling the hamburger first. This method of cooking brings the temperature of the meat up slowly and prevents it from clumping, keeping it finely ground.

    If you'd like to try this method with this recipe, place the beef in a deep pan and add enough cold water to cover the meat. Slowly bring the pan to a boil, stirring often to separate the meat into small crumbles. Once it's to a boil, reduce heat to a simmer, cover and cook until the meat is brown and fully cooked.

    At this point, you'll drain off the water and add the remaining ingredients to the meat, following the recipe card below.

    3 crunchy tacos on a white platter
    Is there anything better than a basic, crunchy taco?

    💭 FAQs


    Can I use red enchilada sauce instead?

    Yes! The finished meat won't be as tangy, but will be saucy and flavorful!


    What kind of ground beef should I use?

    It's totally up to you! Both lean and fatty ground beef works well with this recipe. I prefer about 10% fat to keep things lean but still flavorful.


    Can I use ground turkey?

    Yes! Standard ground turkey works wonderfully! Ground turkey breast doesn't work AS well because it's so lean but will work.

    🥘 Leftovers and Storing

    This taco meat can be stored in the fridge in an airtight container for up to five days. It can also be place into a freezer zip-lock bag and kept frozen for up to 3 months. When you're ready to eat, place in a skillet with a little bit of water, bring to a simmer, and serve!

    Taco meat in a skillet with toppings all around
    Dinner, ready to go!

    🥣 Handy Tools For This Recipe

    • Lodge 10" Cast Iron Skillet: Cast Iron Skillets are your BEST friend and are totally underrated. Cast iron retains heat really well and allows you to get that irresistible sear on steaks and other meats you can usually only get at a restaurant. Pair this with the fact that they are CHEAP it's a no-brainer.
    • Chop Stir:  This strange little tool makes short work of browning ground meat with its odd shape that allows it to crumble the meat quickly as it cooks.

    FREE RECIPE EBOOKS

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      📖 Recipe

      3 crunchy ground beef tacos

      Mexican Style Ground Beef

      Forget that bottle of taco seasoning, try this recipe instead. You'll never go back!
      By Heather Cheney
      Print Pin Rate
      Prep Time: 5 minutes
      Cook Time: 20 minutes
      Total Time: 20 minutes
      Servings: 6 servings

      Ingredients

      • 1 pound lean ground beef 
      • 10 ounces green enchilada sauce
      • 2 tablespoons minced dried onion
      • 1 ½ teaspoons ground cumin
      • 1 teaspoon paprika
      • 1 teaspoon chili powder
      • Salt to taste

      Instructions

      • Heat a skillet over medium-high heat and brown and crumble ground beef until no longer pink. Drain excess fat.
      • Return meat to pan and add remaining ingredients, stirring to combine.  Let simmer for 5-6 minutes over medium-high heat or until most of the liquid is absorbed and is the consistency you like.

      Chef's Notes:

      • Salsa or Enchilada Sauce: Use what you have on hand! I've used both salsa and enchilada sauce with great results. Sometimes salsa is thicker and you may need to add a little bit of water to the meat while it simmers.
      • Bake the Shells: If you're making crunchy tacos with this meat, remember to bake or heat up the crunchy shells before assembling. It makes a huge difference!
      • Add Water: If the meat seems a little dry after adding in the spices and enchilada sauce, add ½-1 cup water and stir to combine. Allow the meat to come to a simmer and reduce down to your desired consistency. 

      Nutrition Facts

      Serving: 1 serving | Calories: 169 kcal | Carbohydrates: 4 g | Protein: 16 g | Fat: 8 g | Saturated Fat: 3 g | Cholesterol: 52 mg | Sodium: 468 mg | Potassium: 276 mg | Fiber: 1 g | Sugar: 3 g | Vitamin A: 580 IU | Vitamin C: 0.9 mg | Calcium: 14 mg | Iron: 2.5 mg

      Nutrition and Food Safety Disclosure

      ARE WE FRIENDS ON INSTAGRAM?Tag me @heatherlikesfood and use #heatherlikesfood so I can see what you're making and enjoying!

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      Reader Interactions

      Comments

      1. Peter Kyle says

        January 29, 2023 at 8:13 am

        4 stars
        The meat is coated in a marinade and grilled over charcoal. It is then chopped and cooked further on a flat pan before it is served in a tortilla. get more information

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      4. Debbie Campbell says

        January 11, 2023 at 4:09 am

        5 stars
        Followed your directions it was absolutely delicious loved it!
        Was very quick and easy I will have this again for sure!

        Reply
      5. foodle nyt says

        January 07, 2023 at 1:31 am

        5 stars
        Thank you for your post. I have read through several similar topics! However, your article gave me a very special impression, unlike other articles. I hope you continue to have valuable articles like this or more to share with everyone! foodle

        Reply
      6. Macage says

        December 22, 2022 at 1:08 am

        Make do with what you've got! I've had tremendous success with both salsa and enchilada sauce. backrooms game

        Reply
      7. tgeocaching says

        December 07, 2022 at 2:01 am

        5 stars
        You have to try this recipe if you're sick of super mario bros buying a Costco-sized package of taco seasoning every time you need ground beef for tacos, enchiladas, or nachos.

        Reply
      8. prase denica says

        November 17, 2022 at 12:37 am

        5 stars
        Thanks for this great recipe duck life

        Reply
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