Tacos are a delicious and easy weeknight dinner staple. With just a few simple ingredients, you can have a flavorful meal on the table in no time. The key to great tacos is properly seasoned ground beef. When the beef filling is packed with flavor, it makes all the difference for the finished tacos.
Follow these tips and tricks for seasoning ground beef for tacos like a pro:
Choose the Right Ground Beef
Opt for 80/20 or 85/15 lean ground beef. The higher fat content keeps the meat juicy and tender when cooked. Leaner beef can dry out and get mealy. For a budget-friendly option, ground chuck is a great choice. Ground sirloin also works well.
Cook the Beef Properly
Always brown the ground beef thoroughly when making taco meat Lean ground beef should be cooked to 160°F internal temperature, while beef with more fat can be cooked to 155°F.
After crumbling the meat into a hot skillet, continue sautéing until no pink remains and the beef is nicely browned. The fond left behind in the pan will add great flavor
Make Your Own Taco Seasoning
Purchased packets of taco seasoning contain lots of sodium and preservatives. For the freshest, boldest Mexican flavors, make your own homemade blend.
DIY taco seasoning is easy to mix up with spices you likely already have on hand. Typical ingredients include chili powder, cumin, garlic powder, onion powder, oregano, paprika, and a pinch of crushed red pepper flakes. Customize the recipe to your taste and control the salt.
Homemade taco seasoning packs a flavor punch for just pennies per batch. It keeps for months when stored properly in an airtight container.
Use the Right Amount of Seasoning
To properly season 1 pound of ground beef for tacos, use approximately:
- 1-2 tablespoons of homemade taco seasoning
- 1 standard 1 ounce packet of store-bought seasoning
Always taste the beef after mixing in the seasoning. Adjust to your liking with more salt, spices, or lime juice.
Add Liquid for Maximum Flavor
In addition to the dry taco seasoning, add a small amount of water, beef broth, or tomato juice when cooking ground beef for tacos. About 1/4 to 1/2 cup of liquid is perfect for a pound of meat.
The extra moisture helps the seasonings bloom and permeate the beef for next-level flavor. Just let the liquid cook down as the meat finishes browning.
Consider Extras Like Lime, Cilantro, and Onion
Brighten up your taco meat with a squeeze of fresh lime juice right before serving. The acidity pairs perfectly with the rich, savory beef.
For extra pop, stir in some minced raw onion and chopped fresh cilantro just before assembling the tacos. The fresh flavors complement the spiced meat.
Brown the Onions First for Depth
An easy way to add loads of flavor to the beef is to cook diced onion first. Sauté the onion in the skillet until soft and browned before adding the ground beef.
Browning the onion caramelizes the natural sugars and adds a depth of flavor that perfectly seasons the meat.
Drain Excess Grease
Drain off most of the excess grease after browning ground beef for tacos. Tilt the pan and use a spoon to remove as much fat as possible.
Leaving a little bit of grease in the pan adds moisture and flavor. But draining most of the fat results in a healthier taco filling that won’t be overly greasy.
Season Within an Inch of Its Life
Since ground beef for tacos often contains a good amount of fat, don’t be afraid to really season it boldly. Use generous amounts of spices, herbs, and acid to stand up against the richness.
If needed, add more taco seasoning, lime juice, onion, or salt to the meat right before serving to really make the flavors pop. The beef should pack a tasty punch in each bite.
Avoid a Soupy Mess
It’s easy to overdo it on the extra liquid when cooking taco meat. For proper texture, make sure to thoroughly cook any water, broth, or juices down so the beef doesn’t end up mushy or swimming in liquid.
Cook over moderately high heat after adding liquid to reduce it down and allow the fond to build up on the bottom of the pan for extra flavor.
Let the Flavors Marry
For the very best flavor, make the taco meat ahead if possible. Cover and refrigerate for several hours, or even overnight, so the seasonings completely permeate the beef.
If short on time, even letting the cooked taco meat rest for 15-20 minutes allows the flavors to properly marry. Just give it a quick reheat before serving.
Brown in Batches for Perfect Texture
To avoid steaming and boiling the ground beef, resist the urge to crowd too much meat in the skillet at once. Cook in smaller batches for optimal browning.
Overcrowding causes the beef to steam rather than brown. So use a hot skillet and work in batches for the best texture.
In Summary
With these handy tips and tricks, you’ll be a taco pro in no time! Perfectly seasoned ground beef makes all the difference in fantastic tacos. A flavorful filling with great texture starts with proper cooking techniques.
Customize the flavors to your taste by making your own signature taco seasoning blend. Cook the beef in smaller batches for ideal browning. Add extras like lime, onion, and cilantro for a fresher taste. And don’t be afraid to season the meat boldly.
With practice, you’ll be able to whip up juicy, well-browned taco meat with perfectly balanced Southwestern flavors in just 20-30 minutes anytime. That weeknight dinner stress-saver and crowd-pleasing favorite will become your go-to meal as easy as uno, dos, tacos!
Homemade Taco Seasoning Ingredients:
To make this homemade taco seasoning recipe, you will need the following spices:
- Chili powder: Please note that this is American-style chili powder, which includes a mix of spices. (International readers, it is fairly mild and not cayenne. ♡)
- Ground cumin, garlic powder, onion powder and dried oregano: Pretty straight-forward.
- Paprika: I prefer to use smoked paprika, but you could also use standard or sweet paprika if you prefer.
- Salt and black pepper: I used fine sea salt and finely-ground black pepper for this recipe.
- Crushed red pepper flakes: To add a bit of heat. If you prefer a milder taco seasoning, you can leave these out. Or if you don’t have crushed red pepper flakes on hand, you could also sub in a pinch of cayenne.
How To Make: Ground Meat for Tacos with Old El Paso Taco Seasoning
FAQ
What to season my taco meat with?
Most taco seasoning mixes contain salt, warming spices (such as paprika, oregano, and chili), onion powder, and garlic powder. This top-rated recipe is made with chili powder, ground cumin, dried oregano, sea salt, black pepper, ground paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, and crushed red pepper flakes.
What can I use if I don’t have taco seasoning?
- 1 tablespoon chili powder.
- ¼ teaspoon garlic powder.
- ¼ teaspoon onion powder.
- Pinch of cayenne pepper.
- ¼ teaspoon dried oregano.
- ½ teaspoon paprika.
- 1 ½ teaspoons ground cumin.
- 1 teaspoon salt.
Should I season taco meat before cooking?
Crumble the ground chuck into a large skillet over medium heat. Cook, stirring, until browned. Remove from heat, rinse meat with hot water, and drain water and grease from beef. Return meat to skillet, and pour in seasoning.
What makes taco meat taste better?
Tips for Making the Best Taco Meat
If you like a more earthy flavor, add a few extra pinches of cumin. If you like it smoky, try adding ancho chili powder or smoked paprika. I don’t drain the grease from my ground beef. Remember that fat equals flavor and fat doesn’t make you fat!
How do you season ground beef tacos?
Whisk or stir to combine. Use or store. Use right away, or place in a spice jar or airtight container for later use. Use 1 tablespoon per pound of meat to season your ground beef tacos! You could also try it on these crispy tacos dorados! Enjoy! I recommend using 1 tablespoon of this beef taco seasoning per pound of meat.
How much taco seasoning do you add to ground beef?
To season your ground beef, add 2 tablespoons of taco seasoning along with 1/2 cup of water.
What is beef taco seasoning?
This beef taco seasoning is an easy blend of dried herbs and spices that is perfect for making ground beef taco meat! You aren’t limited to just beef however, it’s also delicious on pork and chicken! For truly tasty tacos without all the preservatives, this homemade taco seasoning is the way to go!
How do you make ground beef tacos taste better?
Salt and pepper are essential for balancing the flavors and enhancing the overall taste. Use a generous amount to bring out the best in your seasoning. In addition to the essential seasonings, consider adding the following ingredients to further enhance the flavor of your ground beef tacos: 1. Dried Oregano: A Robust Addition
How long does it take to make taco seasoning?
This Homemade Taco Seasoning is so flavorful and takes less than 5 minutes to make. You will never buy taco seasoning from the store again! Want to know what to make with this seasoning?
How much taco seasoning should I use?
This recipe makes about 2 tablespoons, which is the perfect swap for 1 packet of store-bought taco seasoning. It’s just the right amount to season: Need more? Just double, triple or quadruple the recipe! Brown your meat first, then sprinkle in the taco seasoning along with about ¼ cup of water.