Whether it’s Taco Tuesday, a Mexican-themed dinner party, or a simple weeknight family dinner, using budget-friendly ground beef for tacos comes together in minutes and tastes better than anything from a store-bought seasoning packet.
Why You’ll Want to Make Your Own Ground Meat Taco Recipe
Your tacos, burritos, and taco salads will be amazing when you make your own seasoned taco meat.
- Bold, Homemade Flavor – This recipe uses a DIY taco seasoning for a rich, smoky, and slightly spicy taste. Blending your own seasoning mix brings your taco meat up a notch in flavor.
- Quick & Easy – Ready in under 30 minutes with minimal prep time.
- Versatile – Use this taco meat in burritos, a nacho casserole, taco salads, or Mexican rice bowls.
- Budget-Friendly – Made with pantry staples and affordable ground meat.
If you’re planning a taco night, knowing exactly how much meat to prepare is just as important as the recipe itself. Use this handy guide on the Taco Meat Recipe and How Much Taco Meat Per Person to avoid guesswork. And to make your taco filling truly shine, skip the store-bought packets and whip up a batch of this flavor-packed Homemade Mexican Seasoning Mix.
Before You Get Started
Before you start cooking, here are a few tips to make the best ground meat tacos.
Use fresh, high-quality spices to bring out bold and rich flavors in every bite. Choose ground beef that has an 80/20 fat content for the perfect balance of juiciness and flavor.
Let the meat simmer to deepen the taste and create the most delicious taco filling.
Ingredients To Make Homemade Ground Meat Taco Recipe
Here’s a quick overview of the key ingredients for this recipe. For the full list of ingredients and exact measurements, be sure to check the recipe card at the bottom of this post.
- Ground Beef: Use 9lean for the juiciest results. I like to buy grass-fed beef for its deeper beef flavor and high-quality meat.
- Homemade Taco Seasoning: We are going to make a blend of chili powder, cumin, garlic powder, onion powder, oregano, salt, and black pepper.
- Diced tomatoes with green chilies: Adds richness and flavor to bind the taco seasoning flavors together.
Variations and Substitutions
- Meat: Swap with ground turkey or chicken for a lighter option.
- Make it Spicy: Add red pepper flakes or a dash of hot sauce. You could also dice pickled jalapenos and stir in a few tablespoons for a sweet, spicy kick
A ground beef with lean 80/20 fat content meat is recommended. The fat content enhances flavor, and excess grease can be drained after cooking.
After browning the beef and draining excess fat, add seasonings along with tomato paste and water or tomato sauce. Simmer the mixture until the sauce thickens, ensuring the meat remains moist.
Yes, but making your own allows you to control the salt and heat levels, tailoring the flavor to your preference.
How To Make Homemade Ground Meat Beef Tacos
Making this dish is easier than you think, and the results are absolutely worth it!
Cook the Ground Beef and Season
Start with a heavy skillet. I like to use cast iron. Add the ground beef and break it apart with a meat chopper. Cook until browned. Turn off the heat and tip the pan to drain excess grease using a spoon.
Return the meat to low heat and stir in the chili powder, cumin, garlic powder, onion powder, oregano, salt, and black pepper. Add tomatoes with chilies and mix well.
Simmer for Maximum Flavor
Let the taco meat simmer on low for 5 to 10 minutes, stirring occasionally. This step allows the flavors to develop fully and the liquid to cook off so you have rich, flavorful taco meat.
Hospitality Tips
Hosting a taco bar with a classic ground meat taco recipe is a fun and easy way to feed a crowd while giving guests the freedom to customize their plates. Start by planning how much taco meat you’ll need for a group, then set up a self-serve station with a variety of toppings like shredded lettuce, diced tomatoes, chopped onions, fresh cilantro, shredded cheese, sour cream, and lime wedges. To keep everything warm and fresh, check out my tips on how to keep tortillas warm for a party and keep the taco meat warm in a crockpot. Complete the meal with a spread of delicious appetizers, sides, and desserts your guests will love!
Mexican Dessert Ideas – End the meal on a sweet note with authentic Mexican-inspired treats.
Mexican Cabbage Slaw with Zesty Dressing – A fresh and tangy slaw with cabbage, pineapple, and lime dressing.
Zesty Mexican Macaroni Salad – A creamy and spicy twist on a classic macaroni salad.
Easy Mexican Caviar – A vibrant bean and veggie dip, perfect with tortilla chips.
Biblical Hospitality Reflection
Taco night is about gathering and sharing, just as Jesus often shared meals to bring people together. In Acts 2:46, the early believers “broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts.” As you prepare this meal, think about how you can use your table to share not just food but friendship, faith, and God’s love. Who can you invite this week?
Storage/Make-Ahead/Freezing Instructions
- Meal Prep: This taco meat is a great meal prep for busy nights. Cook and store taco meat in the fridge for up to 4 days.
- Freeze for Later: Cool completely, then freeze in an airtight container for up to 3 months. This taco meat will be a great, busy night meal.
- Reheat: If the taco meat is frozen, defrost in the microwave first. Warm on the stove over medium heat or in the microwave. Note you might need to add a few tablespoons of water if the meat mixture seems dry.
Do you have a question about the recipe? Feel free to ask in the comments below. I’m here to help!
Homemade Seasoned Ground Meat Taco Recipe
Note: Be sure to read through the recipe’s post for tips and details about this recipe.
You can add any recipe from Intentional Hospitality to your shopping list to plan a full menu!
Ingredients
- 1 pound ground beef, 70-80% lean for the best flavor
- 1 tablespoon chili powder
- 1 teaspoon ground cumin
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1/2 teaspoon ground coriander
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
- 10 ounce tomatoes with green chilies, can, do not drain
Instructions
Cook the Ground Beef
- Heat a heavy-bottomed skillet (such as cast iron) over medium heat.
- Add the ground beef and use a meat chopper or wooden spoon to break it apart.1 pound ground beef
- Cook until browned, stirring occasionally.
- Turn off the heat and tilt the pan to one side, using a spoon to drain any excess grease.
Season the Meat
- Return the skillet to low heat.
- Stir in chili powder, cumin, garlic powder, onion powder, oregano, salt, and black pepper.1 tablespoon chili powder, 1 teaspoon ground cumin, 1 teaspoon garlic powder, 1 teaspoon onion powder, 1 teaspoon dried oregano, 1/2 teaspoon ground coriander, 1 teaspoon salt, ½ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
- Add tomato paste and tomato sauce (or water) and mix well to evenly coat the beef.10 ounce tomatoes with green chilies
Simmer
- Let the seasoned meat simmer on low for 5 to 10 minutes, stirring occasionally.
- This step allows the spices to meld together, creating a rich, well-balanced flavor.
Notes
- Meat: Swap with ground turkey or chicken for a lighter option.
- Make it Spicy: Add red pepper flakes or a dash of hot sauce. You could also dice pickled jalapenos and stir in a few tablespoons for a sweet, spicy kick.
