Easy Ground Beef Taco Meat

Savory, juicy ground beef taco meat, easy to make, kid-friendly, and meal prep ready.

No chopping onions or mincing garlic if you don’t want to — a few simple pantry staples like tomato paste, garlic powder, onion powder, and mild spices give this taco meat a rich, flavorful punch. It’s kid-friendly, adaptable, and ready in under 20 minutes.

Make a big batch and store it in the fridge for the week, or freeze some for a last-minute dinner solution. This recipe is the ultimate base for tacos, burrito bowls, quesadillas, and more — all without heavy cream, but still silky and delicious.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

• Meal prep friendly: Make a big batch to enjoy all week in tacos, bowls, or wraps.
• Easy: Minimal ingredients, no chopping required, cooks in one skillet.
• Kid-friendly: Mild, savory flavors with no spice, perfect for picky eaters.
• Quick: Ready in under 20 minutes, perfect for weeknights.
• Versatile: Works as a base for tacos, burrito bowls, quesadillas, or even nachos.

Easy Ground Beef Taco Meat

Makes 4 servings

Savory, juicy ground beef taco meat, easy to make, kid-friendly, and meal prep ready.

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Prep Time 5 minutes mins

Cook Time 15 minutes mins

Total Time 20 minutes mins

Equipment

skillet

meat masher

Ingredients

• 1 lb ground beef
• 2 tbsp tomato paste
• 1 tsp onion powder
• 1 tsp garlic powder
• 1 tsp cumin
• 1 tsp salt
• 1 tsp paprika
• ½ tsp oregano
• ¼ cup bone broth, or chicken broth or water, to thin and make saucy
• 1 tbsp lime juice, optional, but highly recommended!

Instructions

• In a small bowl, combine the garlic powder, onion powder, cumin, paprika, salt and oregano. Set aside.
• Add the ground beef to a skillet over medium heat. Let it sit undisturbed for 1–2 minutes, then break it up and cook, stirring occasionally, until fully browned and no pink remains. Drain any excess fat if needed.
• Stir in tomato paste and seasoning mixture from step 1. Cook for about a minute, until the meat has absorbed the color and flavors.
• Gradually pour in the bone broth, chicken broth, or water, stirring as you go and scraping up any browned bits from the bottom. Let it simmer for 3–4 minutes until slightly thickened.
• Add in a squeeze of lime juice, if desired. Season with extra salt and pepper to taste. Serve this savory ground beef taco meat any way you like — in tacos, burrito bowls, enchiladas, quesadillas etc.

Notes

Storage & Reheating:  Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days, or freeze for up to 3 months. Reheat gently in a skillet over medium heat, stirring occasionally, or in the microwave until warmed through.  You can add additional stock if meat seems dry. 

Nutrition per Serving

Calories: 306kcalCarbohydrates: 3gProtein: 21gFat: 23gFiber: 1g

Nutrition information is an estimate for general guidance only. Variations in ingredients, brands, or calculation methods may affect the actual values.

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