The BEST Taco Meat Recipe Ever!

This post may contain affiliate sales links. Please read my disclosure policy.

This is the best Taco Meat Recipe always! A little funky, made with my homemade taco seasoning, tomato paste, veggies like onions and peppers, plus a secret ingredient (shhh… it’s potatoes!). More on that later, but I use this meat in tacos, burritos, enchiladas, salads… the possibilities are endless!

This is a copycat version of a taco meat I had at one of my favorite little Mexican restaurants years ago. I remember looking through the meat to find out what made it so tasty and creamy. And there I found the onion, then the peppers, and then…wait for it. Potatoes!! The potato peel, to be precise. I asked the waiter about it, and he said that’s what gives it its creaminess and that his mom used to add potatoes (and sometimes pinto beans) to her ground beef to keep it going. They had many mouths to feed, and potatoes were much cheaper than meat. Makes so much sense! I like to do it this way when I have a little more time to let it stew and I hope you enjoy it!

Homemade Taco Seasoning

Put away any spices you bought, we don’t need them anymore! My homemade taco seasoning tastes just as good *if not better* than the store-bought. I’ll admit that I try to keep at least a taco seasoning packet or two in my pantry for when I run out of homemade ones or don’t have all the ingredients on hand to make it. It’s definitely a lifesaver in an emergency, and there’s no judgment here, but once you’ve made this homemade version, you really won’t want to go back to the store-bought ones. A quick look at the ingredients for pre-made taco seasoning packets can give you an idea of how to make your own. All you need is a few handfuls of Mexican seasonings, some salt, and yellow cornmeal.

Taco meat being made into tacos on the tablescape

How to make taco meat

For full recipe details, including required ingredients and measurements, see the printable recipe card below. Here’s step-by-step what to expect when making this ground beef taco meat recipe:

Brown ground beef

Add to ground beef (I used grass-fed 80/20 ground beef, but feel free to use whatever you prefer.)onion, green pepper And potatoes in a pan over medium high heat and brown the meat until cooked through, breaking up the meat as small as possible.

Add garlic + tomato paste

Make a well in the ground beef to expose and add some fat Garlic And tomato pasteAllow to “fry” slightly before stirring the meat mixture.

Taco meat ingredients in pan with wooden spoon

Remove fat, add taco seasoning + water

Tip the pan to one side to allow any fat to pool and blot with a paper towel to remove most of the fat.

Turn the heat down to medium low. Add to taco seasoning And Water and simmer.

cooked taco meat ingredients in pan with wooden spoon

Simmer the taco meat

For best results, Let meat simmer for an hour or more, adding more water as it evaporates. Adjust the spices to taste.

Cooked taco meat in skillet with wooden spoon and taco fixins surrounding it

Ready to serve!

surcharge hot with your favorite taco night fixins. Enjoy!

Storing leftover taco meat

Store leftover taco meat in an airtight container in the refrigerator. Properly stored, taco meat stays fresh up to 4-5 days. To reheat, heat in the microwave or in a skillet until heated through.

getting ahead – Since you can keep taco meat in the fridge for a few days, this is a great recipe to make a day or two in advance if you plan to use it.

Freeze – Allow the meat to cool to room temperature before placing in an airtight, freezer-safe container with a lid. Cooked taco meat will stay fresh in the freezer for 2-3 months. To reheat, thaw the meat overnight in the refrigerator before heating in a skillet or microwave.

More taco recipes to try!

I would appreciate if you try this and give it a star rating! Make sure you save/tag/print/pin/share this recipe. The printable recipe card is below! Have a great week, friends! 🙂

Taco Meat Recipe

This is the BEST taco meat recipe EVER! A little unconventional, made with a homemade taco seasoning, tomato paste, veggies like onions and peppers, and a secret ingredient (pssst…it’s potatoes!).

Nourishment

Keyword: Beef Tacos, Taco Meat

Source link