How to Cook Taco Meat with Taco Seasoning

Do you ever feel like your family needs a little something extra to spice up a Taco Tuesday night? Add a new twist to classic taco night with homemade taco meat and seasoning that is full of flavor and sure to please even the pickiest eaters. Even the busiest moms can manage these simple steps – and I’ve got some other ideas for what to make with leftover taco meat to save you even more time.

How to Cook Taco Meat with Taco Seasoning?

Once you’ve perfected your own taco seasoning, you’ll never go back to those little packets of store-bought taco seasoning mix. I promise! The great thing about making this taco meat mixture with seasonings in bulk is that you will always have a quick go-to meal in the freezer.

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What You Need to Make Taco Meat

• Heavy skillet
• Ground beef chopper
• Ground beef or ground turkey
• Homemade Taco Seasoning
• Onion
• Red pepper flakes (optional)
• Oil
• Water

Taco Meat Recipe Directions:

1. Heat a heavy skillet over medium-high heat and add 2 tablespoons of olive oil.
2. Add one pound of ground beef, 1/2 cup chopped onion, 2 tablespoons taco seasoning, salt and pepper to taste to the skillet.
3. Use the meat chopper to break the ground beef up into finer pieces. Stir often.
4. When meat is done, pour about 1/4 cup water into the pan to deglaze and scrape up any bits sticking on the bottom. This is important because it helps release all those flavorful spices stuck on the meat.
5. Reduce heat to a low simmer, cover, and cook for 5 minutes or more to bring out some of that moisture so your taco meat isn’t too dry.

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Tacos are an affordable meal but you can make your food budget stretch even further with a couple of tricks.

Buy in Bulk

First, make your taco meat and seasoning in bulk. Buying meat in larger quantities will be cheaper per pound than buying multiple, smaller packages. In the same way, buying the taco spices such as onion powder, garlic powder, cumin and chili powder, will be cheaper in bulk rather than buying a tiny little jar for $5.

Make the taco meat stretch even further by adding in beans or lentils. I buy dry beans in bulk and then cook them in my slow cooker. Drain the water and freeze the excess beans. Brown your taco meat and seasoning as before. Once the meat is browned, add in the cooked beans and a bit of water to mix the seasoning up. Simmer for a few minutes. My family loves beans so I usually add 4 cups of cooked black beans to one pound of meat. Just like that, you have a meal high in protein and fiber and much cheaper than using all meat.

Lentils work just as well as beans to make your taco meat stretch even farther.

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Make Taco Meat and Seasoning in Big Batches

Once you buy your meat and taco spices in bulk, go ahead and cook it up in big batches, too. I use a large electric skillet to cook taco meat and taco seasoning in large batches. Then I separate it and store it in the refrigerator or freezer. This saves a ton of time and I know there is ALWAYS something for my hungry teenager to eat.

Use 2 Tablespoons of homemade taco seasoning for every pound of meat.

Can You Freeze Taco Meat?

Absolutely! Seasoned taco meat can be frozen easily. Let the meat cool and then place in portions in freezer bags or a freezer-safe, airtight container. Store it in the freezer for up to three months.

On a side, note, flour tortillas also freeze really well and can be purchased or made in bulk.

How to Reheat Taco Meat?

If you’re keeping your taco meat with seasoning in the refrigerator, rewarm it in a skillet or in the microwave. If you are using frozen taco meat, let it thaw in the refrigerator for a day before you need it. Alternatively, take it out of the container and warm it in a bowl. If you use the microwave to rewarm frozen meat, put a wet paper towel over the top of the container to help retain moisture.

How Long is Leftover Taco Meat Good For?

Keep leftover taco meat in the refrigerator for up to three days. It will last up to three months in the freezer.

Tip: Layer taco meat with salad fixings in a Mason jar for taco salad on the go.

What to Make with Leftover Taco Meat?

It is taco meat’s time to shine! I love making taco meat with homemade seasoning in bulk. Cook up to 5 pounds at a time and save it in smaller portions. Then, when you’re ready for taco night, just reheat and serve with hard taco shells, sour cream, pico de Gallo, lettuce, and shredded cheese. With this recipe, you will always have something ready to go for Taco Tuesday or busy weeknights for supper.

You can use taco meat in these other Mexican recipes too:

• Chili
• Taco Pizza
• Enchiladas
• Nachos
• Burritos
• Breakfast tacos/burritos
• Topping for baked potatoes
• Walking Taco

Can I Use Other Meat for Tacos?

While traditional tacos are most often made with beef, you can also use the same homemade taco seasoning with other meats. Chicken, pork, fish, and shrimp tend to be fan favorites. I’ve even mixed my meat half and half with two types of ground meat to increase flavor.

I do recommend using meat with a higher fat content though. Poultry can be really lean and has a tendency to dry out. If it does, add a bit more water at the end to keep everything moist.

Now that you know how to cook taco meat with taco seasoning, and have some flexible ideas for what to do with the leftovers, you’ll love them even more than before. Cook up a bulk batch, freeze the extra, and you’ll always have something to make for a quick and easy weeknight dinner.

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