Description
This easy and flavorful taco meat recipe uses lean ground beef seasoned with aromatic onions, garlic, and taco seasoning. Quick to prepare and perfect for tacos, burritos, or nachos, it delivers a delicious, authentic taste with minimal ingredients and time.
Ingredients
Scale
Meat and Seasonings
- 1 lb lean ground beef (80/20)
- 2 tbsp taco seasoning (store-bought or homemade)
- 1/2 onion, finely chopped
- 2 garlic cloves, minced
Other
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 2/3 cup water
Instructions
- Prepare Ingredients: Gather all ingredients. Finely chop the onion and mince the garlic cloves to ensure even cooking and flavor release.
- Heat Oil: Place a large skillet over medium heat and add the olive oil, allowing it to warm up for a minute.
- Sauté Aromatics: Add the chopped onion and minced garlic to the skillet. Cook while stirring occasionally until softened and fragrant, about 3 minutes.
- Brown the Beef: Add the ground beef to the skillet, breaking it apart with a spatula. Cook it thoroughly until it is browned and no longer pink, about 5 minutes.
- Season the Meat: Drain any excess fat if necessary to reduce greasiness. Then stir in the taco seasoning, mixing well to coat the meat evenly.
- Simmer: Pour in the water, reduce the heat to low, and let the mixture simmer gently for 5 minutes. This allows the flavors to meld and the mixture to thicken slightly.
Notes
- For a spicier version, add a pinch of cayenne pepper or chopped jalapeños when sautéing the onions.
- If you prefer a leaner option, substitute ground turkey or chicken for the beef.
- Homemade taco seasoning can be made with chili powder, cumin, paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, oregano, salt, and pepper.
- Drain excess fat to keep the dish lighter and prevent sogginess in tacos.
- This taco meat can be refrigerated for up to 3 days or frozen for up to 1 month.
