Description
This Ground Beef Taco Meat recipe is a quick and flavorful blend of lean ground beef cooked with aromatic spices and tomato sauce. Perfect for tacos, burritos, or your favorite Tex-Mex dishes, it’s a simple skillet recipe that delivers delicious, savory flavor in just 20 minutes.
Ingredients
Meat and Vegetables
- 1 pound lean ground beef
- 1/2 yellow onion, diced
Spices and Seasonings
- 2 teaspoons olive oil
- 2 teaspoons chili powder
- 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1/4 teaspoon paprika
- 1/2 teaspoon dried cumin
- 1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper (optional)
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- 1/4 teaspoon cornstarch (optional)
Other Ingredients
- 1 cup tomato sauce
Instructions
- Prepare the Onion: Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the olive oil and diced onion. Sauté for 4-5 minutes, stirring frequently until the onions become soft and fragrant. Adjust the heat to medium if the onions start to brown too quickly.
- Cook the Ground Beef: Add the ground beef to the skillet. Using a wooden spoon or spatula, break the beef into smaller pieces as it cooks. Continue cooking until the meat is fully browned and cooked through. Once cooked, drain approximately three-quarters of the liquid and fat from the skillet to reduce greasiness.
- Add Spices and Tomato Sauce: Return the skillet to medium-high heat. Sprinkle in the chili powder, garlic powder, dried oregano, paprika, cumin, crushed red pepper (if using), salt, and pepper. Stir well to evenly coat the meat. Pour in the tomato sauce and mix thoroughly. Optionally, sprinkle in cornstarch to thicken the sauce slightly. Continue cooking for another 5 minutes, stirring often until the sauce has slightly thickened and flavors meld.
- Serve: Remove from heat and serve the taco meat immediately with your favorite taco shells, tortillas, or as a filling for burritos. Garnish with toppings like shredded cheese, lettuce, or salsa as desired. Enjoy your quick and tasty taco meat!
Notes
- Use lean ground beef for a healthier option and less grease to drain.
- If you prefer a thicker sauce, adding cornstarch helps achieve a better consistency.
- Adjust the level of crushed red pepper or chili powder to control the spiciness to your preference.
- This taco meat can also be used as a filling for enchiladas or taco salads.
- Leftover meat can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Mexican
