How to Make Epic Ground Beef Taco Meat

Quick and easy ground beef taco meat using homemade taco seasoning. Only one skillet and less than 30 minutes is needed for this mouth-watering taco meat.

Could you live – nay, thrive – on tacos??

Me too. I could most definitely eat tacos or burrito bowls every day of my life and feel completely joyful. In fact, I’d welcome it with open arms 😉

It dawned on me recently that it would be a fabulous idea to share the way I make my gound beef taco meat. I do it the same way almost every time, and it’s so quick, easy, and versatile, why not share my go-to method?

First things first. I confessed in my Homemade Taco Seasoning post yesterday that I used to use the store-bought taco seasoning packets exclusively, but now make my own seasoning using a blend of spices.

Do I Have to Make Homemade Taco Seasoning?:

In a word, no. But I highly recommend it, because this is the majority of the deliciousness of this taco meat!

If you don’t want to make homemade seasoning, use 2 Tbsp of chili powder if you’re making 1 lb of meat or 4 Tbsp chili powder if you’re making 2 lbs of meat.

How to make Ground Beef Taco Meat:

Heat the oil to medium or medium-high heat in a large skillet. Add the onion and saute, stirring occasionally until onion begins to brown, about 5 to 8 minutes.

Add the garlic and saute another 2 minutes.

Make space for the ground beef and place the ground beef directly onto the skillet. Allow one side to brown for 3 to 5 minutes without touching it (you can stir around the onions during this process so they don’t burn).

Flip the meat and allow the other side to brown 3 to 5 minutes.

Use a spatula to break up the meat into smaller chunks.

Sprinkle all of the taco seasoning over the meat.

Continue breaking up the meat and stirring until well combined, but don’t cook the beef all the way through just yet.

Pour in the chicken broth and stir. Bring mixture to a full boil, then reduce the heat to medium-low. 

Cover with a lid and cook 10 to 15 minutes, until beef is cooked through and sauce has thickened.

Taste for flavor and add lime juice, sea salt, and/or hot sauce or salsa to taste.

What to Do With Taco Meat:

Here are some ideas for putting this taco meat to use:

Make tacos! Use tortillas of choice and top with chopped white onion and cilantro.

Burritos: make Spanish rice, black beans, guacamole, grate up some cheese and form an amazing burrito with your favorite salsa, hot sauce, and sour cream

Enchiladas or enchilada casserole

Burrito bowls: same concept as burritos but go tortilla-free by adding everything to a bowl.

Can I Use Ground Turkey?

Yes, absolutely! I love making taco meat with turkey. I would recommend adding a couple tablespoons of avocado oil (or oil of choice) to avoid the meat turning out dry.

Make it Whole30 or Keto by omitting the coconut sugar from the taco seasoning.

What crazy concoctions will you make with your meat?

My cookbook, Paleo Power Bowls, is now available! CLICK HERE to check it out. Thank you for your support!

If you make this recipe, please feel free to share a photo and tag @TheRoastedRoot on Instagram!

Ground Beef Taco Meat

Course: Main Course

Cuisine: American, Mexican

Keyword: ground beef, low-carb, mexican, tacos

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Cook Time: 20 minutes

Servings: 2 lbs ground beef

Author: Julia

Quick and easy ground beef taco meat for all your tacos, burrito bowls, burritos, and/or enchiladas

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Ingredients

• 2 Tbsp avocado oil
• 1/2 medium yellow onion chopped
• 4 cloves garlic minced
• 1 batch Homemade Taco Seasoning
• 2 lbs ground beef
• 1/2 cup chicken broth or beef broth or water
• sea salt to taste
• 1 to 2 Tbsp lime juice

Instructions

1. Heat the oil to medium or medium-high heat in a large skillet. Add the onion and saute, stirring occasionally until onion begins to turn translucent, about 5 to 8 minutes.

2. Add the garlic and saute another 2 minutes.

3. Make space for the ground beef and place the ground beef directly onto the skillet. Allow one side to brown for 3 to 5 minutes without touching it (you can stir around the onions during this process so they don’t burn).

4. Flip the meat and allow the other side to brown 3 to 5 minutes.

5. Use a spatula to break the meat into smaller chunks. Sprinkle all of the taco seasoning over the meat.

6. Continue breaking up the meat and stirring until well combined, but don’t cook the beef all the way through just yet.

7. Pour in the chicken broth and stir. Bring mixture to a full boil, then reduce the heat to medium-low.

8. Cover with a lid and cook 10 to 15 minutes, until beef is cooked through and sauce has thickened.

9. Taste for flavor and add lime juice, sea salt, and/or hot sauce or salsa to taste.