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Ultimate Taco Meat Recipe Easy Homemade Flavorful Tacos in 30 Minutes

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A flavorful and easy-to-make taco meat recipe that delivers juicy, seasoned ground beef perfect for tacos, ready in about 30 minutes.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 pound (450g) ground beef (80/20 lean-to-fat ratio)
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1 small onion, finely chopped
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 2 tablespoons chili powder
  • 1 teaspoon cumin
  • 1 teaspoon paprika (smoked paprika optional)
  • 1/2 teaspoon oregano
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
  • 1 tablespoon tomato paste
  • 1/4 cup (60ml) beef broth or water
  • Optional: 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes

Instructions

  1. Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat and add 1 tablespoon olive oil. Warm until shimmering but not smoking.
  2. Add finely chopped onion and minced garlic to the pan. Stir often and sauté for 3-4 minutes until onions become translucent and fragrant.
  3. Crumble 1 pound ground beef into the pan. Use a spatula to break it up evenly. Cook for 6-8 minutes until no pink remains and meat starts to brown, stirring occasionally.
  4. If there is excess grease, carefully drain it off to prevent soggy meat (optional).
  5. Stir in 1 tablespoon tomato paste, 2 tablespoons chili powder, 1 teaspoon cumin, 1 teaspoon paprika, 1/2 teaspoon oregano, 1 teaspoon salt, and 1/2 teaspoon black pepper. Mix well to coat the beef evenly.
  6. Add 1/4 cup beef broth or water to the skillet. Reduce heat to medium-low and simmer uncovered for 5 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the liquid reduces and thickens slightly. The meat should be juicy but not watery.
  7. Taste the taco meat and add 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes if you like it spicy, or more salt if needed. Cook another 1-2 minutes to meld flavors.
  8. Remove from heat and serve warm in warmed tortillas or taco shells.

Notes

If the meat gets too dry during simmering, add a splash more broth. Don’t rush browning the beef to develop deep flavor. Use fresh spices for best taste. Adjust seasoning gradually and taste as you go. Leftovers can be refrigerated for up to 4 days or frozen for up to 3 months.

Nutrition

Keywords: taco meat, ground beef tacos, easy taco recipe, homemade taco seasoning, flavorful tacos, quick dinner, taco night

Find it online: https://cooltastes.com/ultimate-taco-meat-recipe-easy-homemade-flavorful-tacos-in-30-minutes/