Best Ever Taco Meat

My Best Ever Taco Meat is juicy, flavorful, perfect for tacos, bowls, meal prep, made with simple ingredients, uses ground beef and ground sirloin, and so easy to make.

Why you’ll love this recipe:

This recipe for best ever taco meat combines ground beef and ground sirloin for the perfect balance of flavor and tenderness. I love this recipe so much because it is so quick and easy to make, doesn’t require draining, and comes out perfectly juicy every time. Homemade taco seasoning gives you full control over ingredients which we all know I love! No fillers or excess sodium here; while salsa adds moisture, flavor depth, and depending on the spice level you use, a subtle to strong kick.

The best part besides the clean ingredients is how many ways this taco meat can be enjoyed. Have it with your favorite sides, in tacos, burritos, quesadillas, salads, bowls, stuffed peppers, on nachos, or in taco soup.

What you’ll need for Best Ever Taco Meat:

• 1 lb ground beef
• 1 lb ground sirloin beef
• 1 tsp pink salt
• 1 tsp ground black pepper
• 1 tbsp garlic powder
• 2 tbsp dried minced onion
• 1 tbsp oregano
• 2 tbsp chili powder
• 2 tbsp cumin
• 1 tbsp smoked paprika
• 1 cup salsa of choice – I used a chunky homemade mild salsa

Ingredient Notes:

Ground beef – I use 90/10 for this recipe and although 80/20 would still work, there will be more of a chance you’ll need to drain it. I prefer to use meat that doesn’t require draining because the end result is perfectly juicy and flavorful. You can also feel free to use only beef and omit the sirloin.

Ground sirloin – Mixing ground sirloin with the ground beef for this best ever taco meat gives it such a rich flavor profile. It also helps prevent excess liquid that requires draining. If you do not have or want to use sirloin, it can be omitted and you can replace it with more ground beef.

Seasoning – To make the best homemade taco seasoning with a deep flavor profile, I suggest not omitting any of these ingredients unless absolutely necessary – pink salt, pepper, garlic powder, dried minced onion, oregano (my personal favorite addition to this seasoning), chili powder, cumin, and smoked paprika.

Salsa – Chunky mild salsa is my favorite to use, but any salsa you love works great. You could sub salsa verde or queso instead if you prefer! Any would turn out great.

How to make Best Ever Taco Meat:

• Brown the meat: heat a large skillet over medium heat and add meat to pan. Cook together breaking it up as it browns. Cook until browned and just about cooked through, covering if necessary to cook faster.
• Add seasoning: add all seasonings to the meat, mix well to coat meat evenly, and allow to cook a few minutes before adding salsa.
• Add salsa: add salsa in, mix well and turn heat down to low.
• Simmer: simmer 8-10 minutes, stirring occasionally.
• Serve: serve immediately or transfer to a glass storage container and allow to cool a bit before storing. Store in the fridge in an airtight container for up to 4 days. Freeze if needed.
• Enjoy!

Recipe Variations:

• Any meat or meat substitute of choice can be used for this recipe
• Add beans of choice to meat once done cooking for added protein and fiber
• Use salsa verde or queso in place of red salsa
• Use in bowls, on salads, in wraps, on nachos, quesadillas, burritos, stuffed peppers, or even in taco soup!

Pro Tips for Best Results:

• Use two types of beef if you can to get a richer flavor and better texture
• Don’t skip the salsa or taco sauce as it keeps the meat juicy and adds great flavor
• Make sure to simmer the meat after seasoning and sauced – don’t rush. This allows flavors to fully develop and fat/water to cook down/into the meat
• Make this best ever taco meat ahead so it tastes even better the next day!

FAQ’s:

Can I make this best ever taco meat ahead of time?
Of course! It actually tastes better once the flavors have deepened overnight. Store in the fridge and reheat in the microwave or in a skillet with a splash of water or bone broth when ready.

Is homemade taco seasoning better than store-bought?
Yes. Most store-bought seasonings contain additives and fillers. When you make taco seasoning homemade, you control the ingredients as well as the sodium and spice levels.

How much taco meat does this recipe make?
This best ever taco meat recipe makes about 6-8 servings depending on how you’re serving it.

Can I use just ground beef instead of mixing with sirloin?
Yes! You can use all ground beef, but combining with sirloin gives a better balance of flavor and less grease.

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