This quick and easy skillet Taco Meat recipe requires just a few simple ingredients, and can be used in a variety of dishes including: tacos, quesadillas, and burritos. (Instructions for Instant Pot and Crock Pot are included in the notes, and are a great "dump and go" alternative...no browning required!)
How to Make Easy Taco Meat
I love using my large 12" Cast Iron skillet, but any large skillet will do.
Skillet Instructions:
Step 1. Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the onions and beef. Use a wooden spoon to break up the beef into smaller pieces as it cooks.
Step 2. Once the beef is completely browned (about 5-7 minutes), drain or blot excess oil if needed. (Mine did not need draining since I used lean ground beef).
Step 3. Stir in the tomato sauce and taco seasoning.
Step 4. Reduce heat to medium, and simmer for about 5 minutes, or until most liquid is gone. Season to taste with more salt and pepper, if needed.
Serve! Use in tacos (see topping suggestions in notes). Or use in any of your favorite Mexican dishes that require ground taco meat!
Recipe Notes
Taco Seasoning: If you've made a batch of our Homemade Taco Seasoning, then just use 2.5 tablespoons of it in place of the taco seasonings listed on this recipe card.
Types of Meat: I use 85% or leaner ground beef, which makes it nice because I don't have to drain the fat. You can also use ground turkey, or ground chicken, but you may need to add a bit of broth (about ½ cup) so that it doesn't come out too dry.
Tomato Sauce: If you don't have tomato sauce, you can substitute with 2 tablespoons of tomato paste mixed with ⅓ cup water.
Serving Suggestions
This easy ground beef is so versatile, it can be used in a variety of dishes including: tacos, quesadillas, and burritos. We also love using it in omelettes and taco bowls!
To Serve as Tacos: If you are making tacos with this ground beef, simply warm up some corn or flour tortillas and top with your favorite toppings. If you prefer crunchy taco shells, use the same method we used for our Crispy Baked Shredded Beef Tacos. Here are some topping suggestions:
- shredded lettuce
- shredded cheese
- diced tomatos
- Red or Green Hot Sauce
- Mexican Crema (try our healthy Homemade Crema!)
- Homemade Guacamole or Creamy Avocado Sauce
Alternative Cooking Methods
Instant Pot and Crock Pot methods are great "dump and go" alternatives, which require NO browning and no oil! We tried and tested these methods multiple times, and ended with amazing results!
Crock Pot Taco Meat Instructions
I used a 6 quart Crock Pot for this recipe. Here are the Crock Pot Taco Meat instructions (photos shown below):
- Place the ground meat into the slow cooker insert, and break up the meat into small chunks (I like using a wooden spoon for this).
- Dump in the remaining ingredients (except for the oil), and mix it up a bit to combine.
- Cover, and cook on HIGH for 2-3 Hours, or low for 5-6 Hours. (If possible, check the meat at the lower end of the recommended time, give it a quick stir and continue cooking if not fully cooked through).
- Once done, crumble up the meat with a potato masher or wooden spoon.
- If it is too liquidy for your taste, simply strain the meat before serving. Or, as I like to do, turn the crockpot on HIGH and cook uncovered for about 15 more minutes to cook down some of the liquid. Ready to Serve!
Instant Pot Taco Meat Instructions
This easy taco meat takes less than 20 minutes in the Instant Pot...from start to finish! a few notes:
- Additional liquid should not be necessary. I have made this in my 6 quart Instant Pot several times, and have never received a burn notice. I believe it is because the beef and onions release enough liquid of their own. However, if you do receive a burn notice, are using lean ground turkey or chicken, or are using a large Instant Pot, you can add ½ cup of broth.)
- Timing (based on my results using a 6 quart Instant Pot for 1 pound lean ground beef): 10 minutes to come to pressure, 3 minutes cook time, 2 minutes after "quick release" for pin to drop, 2 minutes sauté time. A total of 17 minutes!
Here are the Instant Pot Taco Meat Instructions (photos shown below):
- Place the ground meat into the Instant Pot insert, and break up the meat into small chunks (I like using a wooden spoon for this).
- Dump in the remaining ingredients (except for the oil), and mix it up a bit to combine.
- Close the lid, and set the valve to "sealing." Turn the Instant Pot on “Manual” mode for 3 minutes (or pressure cook on “HIGH”). Once the cook time is complete, do a "quick release" and wait for the pin to drop before opening (took mine 2 minutes to drop).
- Remove the lid, and set the "Sauté" function on HIGH. Cook for about 2 minutes, or until most of the liquid has cooked down and meat is fully cooked. (Mix and crumble up the meat with a potato masher, or wooden spoon as it cooks.) Ready to serve!
Larger Batches of Easy Taco Meat
You can easily make larger batches of this taco meat recipe...enough to feed a crowd! We experimented with making 3 pounds of ground beef in the Crock Pot and Instant Pot, but it can also be done on the stove top. Adjust the recipe ingredients by moving the slider on the recipe card to the desired servings (1 pound is 4 servings). Follow these tips for the cooking method you will be using:
Crockpot Taco Meat Tips
We have only tried 3 pounds of beef in the crockpot, but my guess is you can fit about 5 pounds!
- Follow the original instructions/cook times for Crock Pot, except stir and break up the meat about halfway through (if possible).
- You may end up with a lot more liquid like I did. I ended up just straining some of the liquid out, but you can also just serve with a slotted spoon.
Instant Pot Taco Meat Tips
We tried with 3 pounds of meat, and it just made it to the maximum line. So I believe this is the most you can do in a 6 quart Instant Pot.
- Still only took 10 minutes for the Instant Pot to come up to pressure for 3 pounds of meat!
- For every extra pound of meat you make, add an extra minute to the cook time. So, for 2 pounds meat, cook 4 minutes on HIGH. For 3 pounds of meat, cook 5 minutes on HIGH.
- The "sauté" step at the end may take longer since there is more meat.
- You may end up with a lot more liquid like I did. I ended up just straining some of the liquid out, but you can also just serve with a slotted spoon.
Stove Top Taco Meat Tips
The only note here is if making more than 2 pounds on the stove top, cook in a Dutch Oven for the extra space!
Storage
Have leftovers or made a double batch? You can store ground beef taco meat in a sealed container for up to 4 days, or freeze in a freezer bag for up to 3 months.
Quick Thaw Tip: When freezing, I like to flatten it out in gallon sized freezer bags, or vacuum sealed bags. This allows the meat to thaw out within a couple of hours by submerging the sealed bag in an extra large bowl of cold water.
Enjoy! 🙂
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Easy Taco Meat {Skillet, Instant Pot, or Crock Pot}
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 lb lean ground beef (ground turkey, or ground chicken can also be used. See notes.)
- ½ yellow onion, diced (about 1 cup)
- ½ cup tomato sauce (see notes for substitute)
Taco Seasoning:
- 1 tablespoon chili powder (I use McCormick brand)
- 1.5 teaspoon ground cumin
- ¾ teaspoon salt or to taste
- ½ teaspoon ground black pepper
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- ¼ teaspoon dried oregano
- ¼ teaspoon garlic powder
- ¼ teaspoon onion powder
- ¼ teaspoon crushed red pepper
Instructions
- Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat.
- Add the onions and beef. Use a wooden spoon to break up the beef into smaller pieces as it cooks.
- Once the beef is completely browned (about 5-7 minutes), drain or blot excess oil if needed. (Mine did not need draining since I used lean ground beef).
- Stir in the tomato sauce and taco seasoning.
- Reduce heat to medium, and simmer for about 5 minutes, or until most liquid is gone. Season to taste with more salt and pepper, if needed.
- Serve as tacos (see topping suggestions in blog notes). Or use in any of your favorite Mexican dishes that require ground taco meat!
Video
Notes
Crock Pot Taco Meat Instructions:
- Place the ground meat into the slow cooker insert, and break up the meat into small chunks (I like using a wooden spoon for this).
- Dump in the remaining ingredients (except for the oil), and mix it up a bit to combine.
- Cover, and cook on HIGH for 2-3 Hours, or low for 5-6 Hours. (If possible, check the meat at the lower end of the recommended time, give it a quick stir and continue cooking if not fully cooked through).
- Once done, crumble up the meat with a potato masher or wooden spoon.
- If it is too liquidy for your taste, simply strain the meat before serving. Or, as I like to do, turn the crockpot on HIGH and cook uncovered for about 15 more minutes to cook down some of the liquid.
- Ready to serve!
Instant Pot Taco Meat Instructions:
(Note: Additional liquid should not be necessary. I have made this in my 6 quart Instant Pot several times, and have never received a burn notice. I believe it is because the beef and onions release enough liquid of their own. However, if you do receive a burn notice, are using lean ground turkey or chicken, or are using a large Instant Pot, you can add ½ cup of broth.)- Place the ground meat into the Instant Pot insert, and break up the meat into small chunks (I like using a wooden spoon for this).
- Dump in the remaining ingredients (except for the oil), and mix it up a bit to combine.
- Close the lid, and set the valve to "sealing."
- Turn the Instant Pot on “Manual” mode for 3 minutes (or pressure cook on “HIGH”).
- Once the cook time is complete, do a "quick release" and wait for the pin to drop before opening (took mine 2 minutes to drop).
- Remove the lid, and set the "Sauté" function on HIGH. Cook for about 2 minutes, or until most of the liquid has cooked down and the meat is fully cooked. (Mix and crumble up the meat with a potato masher, or wooden spoon as it cooks.)
- Ready to serve! (See blog post for more tips/notes for Instant Pot method and for cooking larger portions.)
Nutrition Facts
Watch the VIDEO on how to make Easy Taco Meat!
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Hungry for more? Try these easy Mexican meat recipes:
Crockpot Chicken Taco Meat (3-Ingredients)
