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Taco Meat

Taco Meat
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This quick and flavorful taco meat recipe delivers juicy, savory beef seasoned with a blend of aromatic spices. Ready in under 20 minutes, it’s perfect for quick weeknight dinners or any Mexican-inspired meal. Versatile and easy to customize, this taco meat elevates tacos, burritos, bowls, and more with authentic taste and minimal effort.

Ingredients

Scale

Main Ingredients

  • 1 lb ground beef (80/20 for juiciness)
  • 1 small onion, finely chopped
  • 2 garlic cloves, minced

Spices & Seasoning

  • 1 tablespoon chili powder
  • 1 teaspoon ground cumin
  • 1 teaspoon paprika
  • 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt (adjust to taste)
  • 1/4 teaspoon black pepper (freshly ground)

Other Ingredients

  • 1 tablespoon tomato paste
  • 1/4 cup water or broth

Instructions

  1. Prep the Aromatics: Finely chop the onion and mince the garlic cloves to create the flavorful aromatic base that will cook until softened and fragrant.
  2. Brown the Ground Beef: Heat a skillet over medium-high heat and add the ground beef. Break it up with a spatula and cook for 6 to 8 minutes until fully browned and no longer pink. Drain excess fat if desired.
  3. Add Onion and Garlic: Stir in the chopped onion and minced garlic, cooking together for about 3 minutes until the onions become translucent and the garlic is fragrant, infusing the meat with flavor.
  4. Season the Meat: Sprinkle chili powder, cumin, paprika, oregano, salt, and pepper over the meat. Stir thoroughly to evenly coat all the meat with the spices, building the classic taco flavor.
  5. Stir in Tomato Paste and Liquid: Add the tomato paste and 1/4 cup of water or broth. Mix well and simmer for 5 to 7 minutes to allow the flavors to meld and the mixture to thicken into juicy, fully seasoned taco meat.

Notes

  • Choose quality ground beef with 80/20 fat content for juiciness.
  • Properly brown the meat to develop rich, deep flavor via the Maillard reaction.
  • Drain excess fat if preferred but leave some for moisture and richness.
  • Adjust spices like chili powder and cumin to suit your heat preference.
  • Simmer on low heat for best flavor and texture development.

Nutrition

Keywords: taco meat, ground beef taco, quick taco recipe, Mexican taco filling, seasoned beef, weeknight dinner tacos

Find it online: https://marycorner.com/taco-meat/