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Spicy Ground Beef Taco Meat Recipe

5 from 110 reviews

A flavorful and easy-to-make taco meat recipe using lean ground beef and a blend of spices, perfect for tacos, burritos, and other Mexican dishes. This recipe combines ground beef with aromatic onions and a rich tomato sauce base simmered with chili powder, cumin, and smoked paprika for an authentic taste.

Ingredients

Scale

Meat and Vegetables

  • 1 pound lean ground beef
  • 1 small yellow onion, finely chopped

Spices and Sauce

  • 1/2 cup tomato sauce
  • 3 tablespoons water
  • 1 1/2 teaspoons chili powder
  • 1 teaspoon cumin
  • 3/4 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
  • 1/4 teaspoon dried oregano
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon black pepper

Instructions

  1. Brown beef: Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the lean ground beef and finely chopped onion. Cook, stirring and breaking apart the meat until it is browned and crumbled, about 5-7 minutes. Drain any excess fat from the skillet to keep the taco meat lean.
  2. Simmer: Return the browned beef and onions to the skillet if you drained fat out. Stir in the tomato sauce, water, chili powder, cumin, garlic powder, onion powder, smoked paprika, dried oregano, salt, and black pepper. Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce the heat to low and let it simmer for 5 minutes, stirring occasionally. This allows the flavors to meld and develop a rich, savory taste.
  3. Serve: Remove the skillet from heat. Serve the taco meat warm as a filling for tacos, burritos, or sprinkle over nachos and other Mexican-inspired dishes. Enjoy immediately or keep warm until ready to serve.

Notes

  • Use lean ground beef to reduce fat content while keeping the meat juicy and flavorful.
  • Adjust chili powder amount based on desired spice level.
  • You can substitute ground turkey or chicken for a lighter alternative.
  • If you prefer a thicker sauce, simmer the mixture a little longer to reduce liquid.
  • Serve with fresh toppings like shredded lettuce, cheese, salsa, and sour cream for a complete taco meal.

Keywords: taco meat, ground beef, Mexican recipe, taco filling, easy dinner, seasoned beef, quick taco recipe