How to Add Taco Seasoning to Ground Beef for Delicious Tacos

Tacos are a quick and easy dinner staple that can be customized in endless ways. While you can use store-bought taco seasoning packets, making your own homemade taco seasoning and adding it to ground beef results in tacos that are extra flavorful.

Here’s a complete guide to making incredible tacos by adding homemade or store-bought taco seasoning to ground beef.

Ingredients You’ll Need

To make tacos, you’ll need:

• Ground beef (or turkey, chicken, pork) – Most recipes call for 1 pound of ground meat. Leaner meats like 90% lean ground beef or ground turkey work well.
• Taco seasoning – You can make your own or use 1 packet of store-bought seasoning per pound of meat.
• Oil – For cooking the ground meat.
• Water or broth – Adds moisture and flavor when cooking the seasoned meat.
• Taco toppings – Shredded lettuce, tomatoes, cheese, salsa, sour cream, etc.
• Shells – Hard taco shells, soft tortillas, or taco salad bowls.

How to Cook Ground Beef for Tacos

Follow these simple steps:

• Cook the ground meat Heat oil in a skillet over medium-high heat. Add ground beef and cook, breaking it up with a wooden spoon, until browned and cooked through, about 5-7 minutes.

• Drain excess grease Drain the cooked beef and discard any excess grease,

• Add taco seasoning: Add the homemade or 1 packet of store-bought taco seasoning and stir to coat the beef.

• Add water/broth: Pour in 1⁄2 cup of water or broth and stir. This adds moisture and extra flavor.

• Simmer: Bring the mixture to a simmer and cook for 5 more minutes to allow flavors to blend.

• Assemble tacos: Spoon the seasoned taco meat into taco shells or tortillas. Top with lettuce, cheese, tomatoes, etc.

Tips

• For perfectly crumbled meat, switch from a spoon to a potato masher towards the end of cooking. Gently “mash” the meat to break it up evenly.

• For extra flavor, use low-sodium beef broth instead of water.

• Add a spoonful of tomato paste or salsa when cooking for even more depth.

• Top your tacos with sliced avocado, salsa, jalapeños, cilantro, hot sauce, etc. Get creative!

How to Make Homemade Taco Seasoning

Making your own taco seasoning allows you to control the flavor and skip added preservatives and salt.

This recipe makes enough for 1 pound of ground beef:

• 2 teaspoons chili powder
• 1 teaspoon cumin
• 1 teaspoon paprika
• 1⁄2 teaspoon onion powder
• 1⁄2 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1⁄4 teaspoon oregano
• 1⁄4 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
• 1⁄4 teaspoon cayenne pepper (optional)
• 1 teaspoon salt (or less to taste)
• 1⁄4 teaspoon black pepper

Simply mix the spices together in a small bowl. Use 2 tablespoons of the mixture per pound of ground beef when cooking. Store leftover seasoning in an airtight container.

Toppings and Serving Suggestions

Taco Toppings:

• Shredded lettuce
• Diced tomatoes
• Shredded cheese (cheddar, Mexican blend)
• Sliced avocado
• Sour cream
• Salsa
• Jalapeños
• Olives
• Cilantro
• Lime wedges
• Hot sauce

Serving Suggestions:

• Hard taco shells or soft tortillas
• Taco salad – taco meat served over lettuce
• Nachos – with taco meat, cheese, beans, etc.
• Tacos – fold into soft tortillas
• Tostadas – flat crisp corn tortillas
• Burritos or chimichangas
• Taco bowls
• Walking tacos – taco meat served in small bags of chips

So simple yet so versatile! Adding taco seasoning to ground beef is an easy way to put tasty tacos on the table any night of the week. Experiment with fun toppings and serving methods for exciting variations.

How to Cook Ground Beef with Taco Seasoning

Cooking ground beef with taco seasoning is super easy. Here are some tips:

• Use lean ground beef for the best texture. 80/20 or 90/10 ground beef works well.

• Cook the beef over medium-high heat, breaking it up with a wooden spoon as it cooks until no longer pink, about 5-7 minutes.

• Drain off any excess grease after cooking.

• Add the taco seasoning packet (or homemade mix) and stir to coat the beef evenly.

• Add 1/2 cup water or broth and stir. Bring to a simmer.

• Cook for 5 more minutes, until the sauce thickens slightly.

• For extra flavor, stir in a spoonful of tomato paste or salsa.

• Serve the seasoned taco meat in tortillas or taco shells, topped with desired toppings.

Some additional tips:

• For perfectly crumbled meat, use a potato masher to gently “mash” the cooked beef.

• Switch to lower heat if the meat starts to stick. Add a splash more water if needed.

• For mild tacos, use less seasoning. For spicy, add a pinch of cayenne pepper.

• Garnish with shredded lettuce, cheese, salsa, avocado, cilantro, lime wedges.

• Swap beef for ground turkey or chicken. Season the same way.

With the right technique, adding taco seasoning to ground beef results in flavorful tacos the whole family will love. Adjust to your taste and enjoy!

FAQs about Adding Taco Seasoning to Ground Beef

Do you add taco seasoning before or after cooking ground beef?

Add taco seasoning after cooking the ground beef. Once the beef is cooked, stir in the seasoning and 1/2 cup water or broth. Simmer for 5 minutes to allow the flavors to blend.

Do you need to add water to taco seasoning?

Yes, adding water or broth is key. The liquid helps the seasoning distribute evenly and prevents the meat from drying out. Use about 1/2 cup liquid per 1 pound of ground beef.

What’s the best ground beef to use for tacos?

80/20 or 90/10 lean ground beef works well for tacos. The higher fat content keeps the meat moist and flavorful even after simmering in the spices and liquid. Extra lean beef can dry out.

How long do you simmer taco meat after adding seasoning?

After adding the seasoning and liquid to cooked ground beef, simmer for about 5 minutes. This allows the flavors to mingle and the sauce to thicken up slightly before serving.

How do you keep taco meat from drying out?

Be sure to add broth or water when seasoning the cooked beef. Use 80/20 or 90/10 ground beef, and don’t overcook initially before adding the seasoning. Stir in a spoonful of tomato paste or salsa for extra moisture.

In Summary

Adding taco seasoning to ground beef transforms it into tasty, Tex-Mex seasoned taco meat ready for assembling tacos. Follow this simple process:

1. Cook ground beef, draining excess grease
2. Add homemade or store-bought taco seasoning
3. Stir in water or broth
4. Simmer 5 minutes to thicken
5. Add toppings and serve in taco shells or tortillas.

Customize with your favorite toppings and enjoy restaurant-quality tacos at home!