Tacos have long been a beloved staple of Mexican cuisine, capturing the hearts and taste buds of food enthusiasts worldwide. At the heart of a delicious taco lies the key ingredient: the taco meat. In this article, I will instruct you how to cook taco meat from scratch with homemade taco seasoning, you can also use store-bought packets
1. Best Taco Meat Recipe
Ingredients for Taco Seasoning
- 2 tablespoons chili powder
- 1 tablespoon ground cumin
- 1 tablespoon paprika
- 1 tablespoon garlic powder
- 1 tablespoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper (adjust to taste, for heat)
Ingredients for Taco Meat
- 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
- 1 medium onion, finely chopped
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 pound ground beef (or a mixture of beef and pork)
- 1/2 cup beef broth or water
- 1 tablespoon tomato paste
- 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
- 1 tablespoon soy sauce
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
In a small bowl, combine all the taco seasoning ingredients: chili powder, ground cumin, paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, dried oregano, salt, black pepper, and cayenne pepper. Mix well and set aside.
Heat the vegetable oil in a large skillet or frying pan over medium heat.
Add the chopped onion to the pan and sauté for about 5 minutes until it becomes soft and translucent.
Stir in the minced garlic and cook for an additional minute until fragrant.
Increase the heat to medium-high and add the ground beef to the pan. Break up the meat with a spatula or wooden spoon and cook until it is browned and no longer pink.
Drain any excess fat from the pan if necessary.
Reduce the heat to medium and sprinkle the taco seasoning mixture over the cooked ground beef. Stir well to evenly coat the meat with the spices.
In a small bowl, whisk together the beef broth (or water), tomato paste, Worcestershire sauce, and soy sauce.
Pour the sauce mixture into the pan with the taco meat and stir to combine. Allow the meat to simmer for about 5-10 minutes to allow the flavors to meld and the sauce to thicken slightly.
Taste and season with additional salt and pepper if needed.
Remove from heat and your delicious taco meat is ready to be enjoyed!
3. What To Do With Taco Meat?
- Tacos, of Course
Let’s start with the obvious! Whether you prefer hard shells, soft tortillas, or even lettuce wraps for a low-carb option, tacos are a classic and satisfying way to enjoy taco meat. Top them with your favorite fixings like shredded cheese, lettuce, tomatoes, salsa, guacamole, and sour cream.
- Nachos Supreme
Transform your taco meat into the star of a nacho extravaganza. Layer tortilla chips with taco meat, melted cheese, jalapeños, diced tomatoes, black olives, and green onions. Don’t forget the dollop of sour cream and a drizzle of salsa.
- Taco Salad
Create a hearty and nutritious taco salad by placing a generous portion of taco meat on a bed of fresh lettuce. Top it with black beans, corn, diced avocado, shredded cheese, and a zesty dressing for a satisfying and well-balanced meal.
- Stuffed Bell Peppers
Mix taco meat with rice, beans, and cheese, then stuff bell peppers with this flavorful mixture. Bake until the peppers are tender, creating a wholesome and visually appealing dish.
- Quesadillas
Make mouthwatering quesadillas by sandwiching taco meat and cheese between tortillas. Pan-fry until the cheese is melted, and the tortillas are crispy. Serve with salsa, guacamole, or sour cream for dipping.
- Enchiladas
Roll taco meat into tortillas, place them in a baking dish, and cover with enchilada sauce and cheese. Bake until bubbly and golden for a delicious take on Mexican comfort food.
- Burritos or Burrito Bowls
Wrap taco meat in large tortillas for satisfying burritos or create a burrito bowl with rice, black beans, taco meat, and your favorite toppings. Customize it with salsa, shredded lettuce, cheese, and avocado.
With flavorful homemade taco seasoning or store-bought packets, cooking taco meat is an easy way to get dinner on the table. I hope that after reading this article, you know how to cook taco meat from scratch properly at home.
