I can't think of anyone that doesn't love tacos loaded with this easy skillet-cooked, seasoned ground beef taco meat! Perfectly seasoned taco meat makes your family's taco nights so much tastier!
Fry up some amazingly flavorful taco filling that the whole family will love!
If there was anything leftover (which has only happened on rare occasions), the ground beef taco meat was perfect for a quick taco salad at lunchtime. One of my favorites, which I was never able to enjoy until I decided to double the portion of ground beef.
This recipe reflects the doubled ground beef portion. So, be advised that this will make a good size portion of taco meat that will still manage to disappear too fast anyway 🙂
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🥘 Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon Olive Oil (extra virgin is preferred - or any cooking oil, I also like coconut oil)
- ½ cup White Onion (or yellow, finely diced)
- 4.5 ounces can chopped Green Chiles (or chopped jalapeno for more heat)
- 2 pounds Ground Chuck (or your preferred ground beef)
- Taco Seasoning (1 portion per pound, see recipe, or use prepackaged mix)
- 1 cup Cilantro (fresh, chopped - approximately1 bunch)
- 1 Lime (serve as wedges, or squeeze juice into the taco meat)
*Be sure to see the free printable recipe card below for ingredients, exact amounts & instructions with tips!*
🔪 Instructions
- Heat oil in pan. Bring olive oil in a large non-stick or cast iron skillet to medium high heat.
- Saute onions and chiles. Add onion and chopped canned chiles and cook for 1-2 minutes. The onion should begin to become translucent before adding your ground beef.
- Brown the beef. Add the ground beef and brown, turn frequently and break apart the pieces of ground beef while cooking so that all meat is browned evenly. Drain off excess oil, if needed.
- Season. Add taco seasoning mix, cilantro and lime and combine thoroughly. Cook into the browned ground beef for an additional 1-2 minutes. (*If using commercial taco seasoning mix, follow instructions for the portion of water to be added as packaged mixes typically contain cornstarch)
- Serve and enjoy! Remove from heat and serve.
If you love making homemade components for your meals as I do, check out some of my favorites (they're linked above the recipe too!). Family and friends agree this salsa verde (roasted or raw) and pico de gallo are the best ever!
They're quick and easy, just like the taco meat, and are a tasty addition to top your tacos off with. Enjoy!
💭 Angela's Pro Tips & Recipe Notes
- Try cooking the ground beef for tacos in a cast-iron skillet vs a non-stick frying pan. It adds a little bit of crust to each of the crumbled browned beef pieces is absolutely delicious!
- My preference when making my seasoned ground beef taco meat is to start out with ground chuck, which is typically 80/20, so you will need to drain off some excess fat once your ground beef is browned.
- I also prefer to use my own taco seasoning mix, which I know you will enjoy too, but feel free to use whatever taco seasoning you may have on hand. Mine just came about from one of those nights when I was absolutely sure that I had some in the pantry, only to find out that I was mistaken.
- Leftover ground beef taco meat can be cooled, then stored in an air tight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days.
🌮 Other Great Mexican Night Recipes
This ground beef taco meat is also the perfect filling for enchiladas, burritos when rolled into our flour tortillas, as well as empanadas, taquitos, layered bean dip, nachos, and much more!
- Slow Cooker Pork Carnitas (Mexican Pulled Pork)
- Creamy Guacamole
- Chicken Tortilla Soup
- Doritos Chicken Casserole with Cream Cheese
- Mexican Cornbread Casserole
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📖 Recipe Card
Ground Beef Taco Meat
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon olive oil (cooking oil, we also like coconut oil)
- ¼ cup onion (yellow or white, finely diced)
- 4.5 oz chopped green chiles
- 2 lbs ground chuck (or your preferred ground beef)
- 2 portions taco seasoning mix (see recipe, or use prepackaged mix)
- 1 cup cilantro (fresh, chopped - approx. 1 bunch)
- 1 lime (serve as wedges, or squeeze juice into the taco meat)
(Note: 2x or 3x only changes the ingredient list)
Instructions
- Bring olive oil in a large non-stick or cast iron skillet to medium high heat. Add onion and chopped canned chiles and cook for 1-2 minutes. The onion should begin to become translucent before adding your ground beef.
- Add the ground beef and brown, turn frequently and break apart the pieces of ground beef while cooking so that all meat is browned evenly. Drain off excess oil, if needed.
- Add taco seasoning mix, cilantro and lime and combine thoroughly. Cook into the browned ground beef for an additional 1-2 minutes. (*If using commercial taco seasoning mix, follow instructions for the portion of water to be added as packaged mixes typically contain cornstarch)
- Remove from heat and serve.
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