Description

This recipe for The BEST Taco Meat delivers a flavorful and well-seasoned filling perfect for tacos, burritos, or nachos. Ground beef is cooked and simmered with a blend of spices, diced tomatoes with green chiles, and water to create a rich and savory taco meat in just 20 minutes.

Ingredients

Meat

2 lb ground beef

Spices and Seasonings

10 tsp chili powder (3 tablespoons plus 1 teaspoon)
1 tsp salt (or to taste)
1 tsp garlic powder
¼ tsp red pepper flakes (optional)
¾ tsp cumin
2 Tbsp minced onion flakes

Liquids

1 (10-oz) can diced tomatoes and green chiles (undrained)
1 cup water

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Instructions

Cook the beef: In a large skillet over medium-high heat, cook the ground beef until it is no longer pink, breaking it apart as it cooks. Once cooked, drain off any excess fat to keep the mixture from becoming greasy.
Add seasoning and simmer: Add the chili powder, salt, diced tomatoes with green chiles (undrained), water, garlic powder, red pepper flakes if using, cumin, and minced onion flakes to the skillet with the beef. Stir well to combine all ingredients. Reduce heat to medium-low and simmer the mixture, uncovered, stirring occasionally, until the liquid has reduced and thickened, about 10 minutes. This allows the flavors to meld and the meat to absorb the spice blend.

Notes

Adjust salt to taste based on your preferences or dietary needs.
Omit red pepper flakes if you prefer less heat.
Use lean ground beef for a less fatty taco meat.
This taco meat can be refrigerated for up to 3 days or frozen for up to 3 months.
Serve with tortillas, taco shells, or over rice for a complete meal.