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Taco Meat

Taco Meat
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A quick and flavorful taco meat recipe perfect for busy nights, using simple pantry ingredients to create a versatile, kid-friendly, and customizable meal in under 20 minutes. Ideal for tacos, burritos, nachos, and more, this easy-to-make dish brings bold Mexican-inspired flavors to your dinner table with minimal effort.

Ingredients

Scale

Main Ingredients

  • 1 lb ground beef or turkey
  • 1 small onion, finely chopped
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 tbsp olive oil
  • 1 tbsp chili powder
  • 1 tsp cumin
  • 1 tsp paprika
  • 2 tbsp tomato paste or sauce
  • Salt and pepper, to taste
  • Optional: fresh cilantro, chopped for garnish

Instructions

  1. Prepare your ingredients: Chop the onion finely and mince the garlic cloves before heating olive oil in a skillet over medium heat.
  2. Sauté aromatics: Add the onions to the skillet and cook until translucent, about 3-4 minutes, then add the garlic and cook for an additional minute until fragrant.
  3. Brown the meat: Add your ground beef or chosen protein to the skillet, breaking it apart with a spatula as it cooks evenly until no pink remains, usually 6-8 minutes.
  4. Add spices and tomato paste: Sprinkle chili powder, cumin, paprika, salt, and pepper over the meat. Stir in the tomato paste or sauce, mixing thoroughly to combine all flavors.
  5. Simmer and finish: Reduce heat to low and let the meat simmer for 5 minutes to absorb the flavors fully. Taste and adjust seasoning as needed, then remove from heat and sprinkle with fresh cilantro if desired.

Notes

  • Drain excess fat after browning the meat to keep the dish lean and prevent sogginess.
  • Don’t overcrowd the pan; brown the meat in batches if necessary to ensure even cooking and better texture.
  • Use fresh, high-quality spices for the best, most vibrant flavors.
  • Allowing the meat to rest a few minutes after cooking helps the flavors meld beautifully.
  • If the mixture seems dry, add a splash of broth or water to keep the taco meat juicy.

Nutrition

Keywords: taco meat, quick taco recipe, easy taco meat, ground beef tacos, family dinner, Mexican taco meat, weeknight meals

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