How to Cook Taco Meat – Carmy

April 29, 2023

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Posted: Apr 29, 2023 Last Modified: Apr 29, 2023 by Carmy · This post may contain affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate and member of other affiliate programs, I earn from qualifying purchases.

Need some taco meat for Taco Tuesday? Here’s how to cook the best taco meat in a few easy steps! It’s saucy, flavorful, and uses kitchen staples. Even better, this is taco meat recipe ready in 20 minutes!

Overhead view of taco meat in a skillet with a wooden spoon.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

It’s quick and easy! It’s something you can whip up in a few quick steps on nights you don’t know what to make for dinner.
It’s flavorful! While the default recipe on the back of a taco seasoning packet will tell you to add water, this recipe adds tomato passata sauce to the mix to add extra flavor and make the meat more saucy.
It’s perfect for so many recipes! Serve the beef taco meat with tortillas, on nachos, in a bowl over rice, in a burrito, and more!

Ingredients You’ll Need

oil — personally, I prefer olive oil, but feel free to substitute any neutral oil of your choice.
beef — I try to use lean ground beef, so I don’t have to drain any oil.
taco seasoning — I use my homemade taco seasoning with no salt! You can also use a packet of store-bought taco seasoning.
passata sauce — Have you ever tried passata sauce? Passata sauce is a type of tomato sauce made by cooking fresh tomatoes, removing the skins and seeds, and then pureeing the remaining pulp. The sauce is then strained to ensure a smooth, thick texture without any remaining pieces of skin or seeds.
water or broth — you can use water or some beef broth for the taco meat.

How to Make Taco Meat

Set of two photos showing beef added to a skillet and broken into small pieces.

Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat.
When the oil is hot, add the ground beef and stir with a wooden spoon for 2 to 3 minutes until browned and mostly cooked through. Make sure you are breaking up the beef into small pieces.

Set of two photos showing browned beef and tomato sauce added to it.

If there is any oil in the skillet, drain it.
Add the passata sauce, taco seasoning, and ¼ cup of water or broth.
Stir until combined and lower the heat to medium to medium low. Let the taco meat simmer for up to 10 minutes or until the tomato sauce as cooked down to your desired sauciness.
Use the taco meat immediately or store it for later.

Recipe Tips and Notes

Got extra time? Mince an onion and a few cloves of garlic and cook them alongside the ground beef.
If you don’t have passata sauce on hand or are looking for a substitute, you can try using canned crushed tomatoes, tomato puree, or tomato sauce. However, keep in mind that these substitutes may be slightly thicker or thinner than passata sauce, so you may need to adjust the amount of liquid in your recipe accordingly.
Depending on how thick your tomato sauce is, you might have to adjust the ¼ cup of water added to the skillet. I usually start with 2 tablespoons and add more once the water has been mixed in.

Make Ahead Tips

Meal prep: once cooled, store the cooked ground beef in an airtight container for up to 4 days in the fridge.
Freezer: allow the taco meat to cool before transferring them into a freezer-safe airtight container or bag before storing them in the freezer. Freeze for up to 3 months. When ready to enjoy, thaw before reheating.
Reheat: reheat the meat in the microwave or on the stovetop. I recommend reheating leftovers with a splash of water or beef broth to keep the ground beef from drying out.

Serving Suggestions

Here are some recipes that pair wonderfully with cooked taco meat