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Taco Meat

Taco Meat
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This speedy and flavorful taco meat recipe delivers rich, savory Mexican-inspired flavors in under 20 minutes. Perfect for quick weeknight dinners, it uses simple pantry ingredients and a balanced blend of spices to create versatile taco meat that can be used in tacos, burritos, nachos, salads, and more. Easily customizable in heat and protein choice, this recipe is your go-to for hearty, authentic taco dishes.

Ingredients

Scale

Protein

  • 1 lb ground beef or ground turkey

Vegetables & Aromatics

  • 1 medium onion, finely chopped
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced

Spices

  • 1 tablespoon chili powder
  • 1 teaspoon ground cumin
  • 1 teaspoon paprika
  • 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
  • Salt and pepper, to taste

Other Ingredients

  • 2 tablespoons tomato paste or tomato sauce
  • 1/4 cup water or broth

Instructions

  1. Prepare Your Ingredients: Chop the onion finely and mince the garlic to ensure even cooking and release their flavors early in the process.
  2. Brown the Meat: Heat a skillet over medium-high heat, add the ground beef or turkey, and cook until browned, breaking it apart with a spoon to avoid clumps.
  3. Sauté Onion and Garlic: Add the chopped onion and minced garlic to the browned meat; cook for about 3 minutes until softened and fragrant, stirring frequently to prevent burning.
  4. Add Spices and Tomato Paste: Sprinkle in chili powder, cumin, paprika, oregano, salt, and pepper. Stir in the tomato paste or sauce thoroughly to coat the mixture, unlocking deep, rich flavors.
  5. Simmer with Liquid: Pour in the water or broth slowly and simmer gently for 5–7 minutes until the sauce thickens and the meat absorbs the delicious flavors. Adjust seasoning if needed.

Notes

  • Use fresh, recently ground or opened spices for best flavor.
  • Cook meat in batches if your pan is crowded to ensure proper browning and caramelization.
  • Adjust consistency by adding more liquid for saucier meat or simmer longer for drier texture.
  • Taste and tweak salt and acidity to balance the savory punch perfectly.
  • Let the taco meat rest for a few minutes before serving to allow flavors to meld.

Nutrition

Keywords: taco meat, quick taco recipe, Mexican taco meat, ground beef tacos, flavorful taco filling, easy taco meat, weeknight dinners, gluten free taco meat

Find it online: https://emillycooks.com/taco-meat/