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ground beef tacos with pico regally and sour cream on corn tortilla
Kolby Chandler

Tasty Homemade Taco Meat Recipe

5 from 2 votes
The best taco meat recipe with savory ground beef seasoned to perfection with a blend of spices, ready in just 30 minutes.
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 30 minutes
Servings: 4 people
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: Mexican, Tex-Mex
Calories: 147

Ingredients
  

  • 1 lb ground beef (or ground turkey, chicken, or plant-based meat substitute)
  • 1 small onion, finely chopped finely chopped
  • 2 garlic cloves minced
  • 2-3 chipotle peppers in adobo minced into a paste
  • 2-3 jalapeños optional
  • 1 packet taco seasoning mix (1.25 oz) or use homemade seasoning (recipe below)
  • 1/2 cup tomato sauce
  • Bayou City Seasonings to taste
  • 1 tbs oil (if using lean meat) optional
Taco seasoning
  • 1 tbs chili powder
  • 1/4 tsp garlic powder
  • 1/4 tsp onion powder
  • 1/4 tsp cayenne
  • 1/4 tsp dried oregano
  • 1/2 tsp paprika
  • 1 1/2 tsp ground cumin
  • 1 tsp course salt
  • 1 tsp black pepper

Method
 

  1. In a large skillet or pan, heat oil over medium-high heat (if using lean meat). Add chopped onions and jalapeños (optional) and sauté until translucent, about 2-3 minutes.
  2. Add the ground meat to the skillet. Break the meat apart with a spatula and cook until browned and cooked through, about 5-7 minutes. Drain meat if necessary.
  3. add mince garlic and chipotle and cook for another 5 minutes
  4. If using pre-packaged taco seasoning, sprinkle it over the cooked meat. If making homemade seasoning, mix all the seasoning ingredients in a bowl and add to the meat. Stir well to evenly coat the meat with the seasoning.
  5. Pour in the tomato sauce and stir to combine. Allow the mixture to simmer for another 3-4 minutes, allowing the flavors to meld and the liquid to reduce. If the mixture becomes too dry, you can add a little more tomato sauce.
  6. Taste and adjust the seasoning with Bayou City Seasonings, salt, and pepper if needed
  7. Once the taco meat is cooked and seasoned to your liking, remove the skillet from heat.
  8. Serve the taco meat in taco shells, tortillas of your choice, or nachos. Top with your favorite toppings such as shredded lettuce, diced tomatoes, shredded cheese, sour cream, salsa, jalapenos, cilantro, and avocado slices.
  9. Enjoy your homemade tacos HOT!