Taco Meat Recipe
This flavorful taco meat recipe combines lean ground beef, tomato sauce, and a blend of pantry spices for a quick, versatile filling perfect for tacos, burritos, salads, and more—all in under 20 minutes.
8 Servings
Ingredients
- 1 pound lean ground beef
- ½ cup tomato sauce
- ¼ cup water
- ½ tablespoon chili powder
- 1 teaspoon ground cumin
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon onion powder
- ½ teaspoon paprika
- ⅛ teaspoon dried oregano
- ¼ teaspoon ground black pepper
- ⅛ teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
Instructions
Brown the Ground Beef:
- Place a medium skillet over medium-high heat. Add the ground beef and cook, stirring occasionally and breaking up large clumps, until fully browned and no longer pink throughout.
Drain Excess Fat:
- Once the beef is cooked, carefully drain and discard any excess fat from the pan to reduce grease.
Incorporate Sauce and Seasoning:
- Reduce heat to medium. Stir in the tomato sauce and water, followed by chili powder, cumin, salt, garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, oregano, black pepper, and red pepper flakes.
Simmer and Finish:
- Stir the mixture thoroughly to ensure even distribution of the spices. Let the taco meat simmer for 5 to 7 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the sauce slightly thickens and the flavors meld together.
Serve:
- Remove from heat. Serve warm in taco shells, tortillas, burrito wraps, over salads, or with your preferred accompaniments.
Notes
To prepare this Taco Meat Recipe as gluten-free:
- Ensure the tomato sauce is labeled gluten-free (some brands may contain additives or thickeners that include gluten).
- Double-check that spice blends, especially chili powder and paprika, do not contain hidden gluten or anti-caking agents with gluten.
- If serving in tacos, use certified gluten-free corn tortillas or gluten-free wraps.