Homemade Ground Beef Taco Meat is a great taco meat recipe that can be made with beef, turkey, or ground chicken.
Quick and easy and perfect for tacos, burritos, or nachos!
Homemade Ground Beef Taco Meat
This is my go to beef taco meat recipe.
I love it for so many reasons….it’s quick, easy, requires only a handful of pantry staples and no package of taco seasoning.
It really is just as easy as dumping a package of taco seasoning and by making it homemade you can adjust to suit your tastes!
Some other great taco recipes are: Spicy Chicken Tacos, Bean and Cheese Breakfast Tacos, and Easy Taco Soup.
Most of the time I make my taco meat this way instead of storing taco seasoning, I just find it easier and one less thing for me to store.
But I do have a Homemade Taco Seasoning that is really good. It’s really just a matter of preference.
Make a batch of taco seasoning to have on hand and ready to use at any time or use this taco meat recipe if you don’t want to store a jar of taco seasoning.
What spices to put in taco meat?
I use chili powder, onion powder, garlic powder, oregano, cumin, salt, and pepper.
You can also replace the onion and garlic powder for fresh which I also do sometimes. Use 1 small onion chopped and 4-6 cloves garlic, minced in place of the onion and garlic powder.
You can also add cayenne pepper or crushed red pepper flakes to boost the heat. Change up the flavors by adding smoked paprika or chipotle powder.
Can I freeze this Homemade Ground Beef Taco Meat?
Yes! It is great to make ahead and stored in a freezer safe container it will last 2-4 months.
To thaw place in the refrigerator overnight and reheat as necessary.
You can also make ahead and store covered in the refrigerator for 3-4 days.
A few extra tips about this beef taco meat:
- This recipe also works great with ground turkey or chicken.
- Use any type of ground beef you prefer. Just drain the grease well so your taco filling isn’t greasy.
- A few extras that I like to add sometimes:
- an 8 ounce can of tomato sauce (as shown in these pictures) or 1/2 cup of salsa to make it a little saucy! This is our favorite way.
- a 4 ounce can of chopped green chilies
- a 15 ounce can of pinto beans, drained and rinsed
What to serve with Ground Beef Tacos:
- All the toppings!! Lettuce, cheese, tomatoes, sour cream, avocado…you name it.
- Homemade Pico de gallo
- Guacamole
- Quick and Easy Refried Beans
- Spanish Rice

- 1 pound (453g) ground beef
- 1 tablespoon chili powder
- 1 tablespoon onion powder
- 1 tablespoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1 teaspoon cumin
- 1 (8oz) (227g) can tomato sauce
- salt and pepper to taste
-
In a large skillet brown ground beef sprinkled with seasonings over medium heat. Drain any grease and stir in tomato sauce. Simmer over low heat for 3 minutes. Serve with desired toppings.
- Make ahead options: Freeze in a freezer safe container for up to 2-4 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator and reheat as needed. Or store covered in the refrigerator for 3-4 days.
- You can replace the onion and garlic powder for fresh which I also do sometimes. Use 1 small onion chopped and 4-6 cloves garlic, minced in place of the onion and garlic powder. You can also add cayenne pepper or crushed red pepper flakes to boost the heat. Change up the flavors by adding smoked paprika or chipotle powder.
- This recipe also works great with ground turkey or chicken.
Use any type of ground beef you prefer. Just drain the grease well so your taco filling isn't greasy. - A few extras that I like to add sometimes:
1/2 cup of salsa instead of the tomato sauce. (This is our favorite way.) A 4 ounce can of chopped green chilies, a 15 ounce can of pinto beans, drained and rinsed. - Nutrition info calculated using lean (90%) ground beef.
What to serve with Ground Beef Tacos:
- All the toppings!! Lettuce, cheese, tomatoes, sour cream, avocado…you name it.
- Homemade Pico de gallo
- Guacamole
- Quick and Easy Refried Beans
- Spanish Rice
This recipe was super easy and delicious. I think the tomato sauce gave it that creamy saucy texture that’s missing in most taco meat recipes. Everyone in my family loved it!
Thank you so much!! I am so glad you liked the taco meat! It’s a staple in our house!
fastessyinexspensivemealswithporcktacomeat
I added Tomato sauce but it took away from the flavor of taco meat. I think next time I’ll skip the sauce and maybe add 1/2cup of water instead
Thank you for sharing! You could also up the seasonings a little if you wish.
Thanks for this! I always just throw a bunch of spices in the meat and hope it turns out! Now I know exactly what to use!
Sometimes it’s easier than storing a jar of taco seasoning I think!! Thanks Melissa!! 🙂
These are making my mouth water!!!! I LOVE tacos!! Thanks for sharing this recipe!!!
It’s a great recipe to have on hand!
Having meat to freeze ahead is great!
Yes it is!! It can be such a life saver!
Sounds yummy – just in time for May 5. Looks yummy -You photography is great.
Thanks Aunt Lori!! 🙂