This easy Taco Meat Recipe is delicious in tacos, burritos, salads and any other dish that you love with seasoned ground beef. And it cooks in your slow cooker with no fuss!
This recipe was originally published in August 2021. The recipe notes were updated in May 2025.
Aimee’s Recipe Notes
Taste & Texture: Tangy, spicy, and juicy with a saucy finish from salsa!
Prep Tips: Use lean ground beef (90/10) to reduce greasiness.
Cooking Method: See below for slow cooker and stovetop directions!
Make Ahead: Make ahead and refrigerate for up to 3 days. Reheat as needed.
Top Tip: Double the batch and freeze half for quick meals in the future.
This is the best for taco Tuesday! I like to put mine over a salad, but my kids love having it in the hard taco shells!
– Allyson z.
Ingredient Notes
Be sure to scroll down to the recipe card for more ingredient details.
- Ground Beef. Turkey can be used for a lighter taco meat. I prefer to choose a lean ground beef of 90/10 for less grease.
- Salsa. Any kind of salsa you like will work. Try out different kinds of salsas to change up the flavor of your taco meat.
- Taco Seasoning. Use my Homemade Taco Seasoning for delicious results. Or grab a packet of your favorite store bought mix.
Usually, I make my meat for tacos in the slow cooker. I just mix everything together in the crockpot, cover and cook it on low for 4 hours (or high for 2 hours).
When I’m in a time crunch, I make it on the stove top. It comes out perfectly either way.
Stove Top Instructions
- Brown ground beef in a skillet over medium heat until no pink remains.
- Stir in taco seasoning and salsa; simmer until liquid reduces.
Tips and Tricks
- Keeping warm. To serve this taco meat at a party, serve it right from the slow cooker. Use the “keep warm” setting for up to 2 hours.
- Double the meat. For a heartier ratio of meat to sauce, add another pound of ground beef or turkey to the recipe.
- Change up the heat. The spiciness of your salsa determines the spice level of the taco meat. Use a milder salsa for a mild taco beef. Spice lovers can use their favorite extra hot salsa here!
- Storing. Store leftovers in the refrigerator in an airtight container. Enjoy within 4 days.
Serving Suggestions
Need ideas for how to serve your taco meat? Here are a few of my favorites!
Make your own taco bar. Put out warmed tortillas and all our favorite taco fixings. Shredded cheese, sour cream, hot sauce and chopped cilantro and onion are all delicious ideas. Let everyone assemble their own tacos! Walking Tacos are also a fun dinner idea.
Burritos. Wrap beef in large flour tortillas with Cilantro Lime Rice, roasted peppers and onions, shredded cheese and Guacamole. Better than Chipotle!
Tostadas. Pile meat onto corn tortillas, sprinkle shredded cheese on top and bake until toasty.
Taco salad. Toss beef with lettuce, tortilla strips, corn and beans for a quick and easy lunch. (The best way to enjoy leftover ground beef!) Or try our easy Dorito Taco Salad.
Make this taco meat on the stove top or in the slow cooker for tasty baked tacos any night of the week. Use this meat in our favorite Doritos casserole recipe!
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How to Make Taco Meat
Ingredients
- 2 pounds lean ground beef
- ½ cup taco seasoning
- 24 ounce salsa
Instructions
- Add ground beef to a slow cooker and break it up with a spatula.
- Add in the taco seasoning and salsa and mix together.
- Cook on high for 2 hours or low for 4 hours, stirring occasionally.
Notes
- Use different salsa’s to change the heat level.
- Homemade or store-bought taco seasoning can be used.
- If you prefer a heartier/thicker meat to sauce ratio, add in an additional pound of ground beef.
- Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
- Keep on warm for up to 2 hours.
- Can also be made on the stovetop.
Nutrition
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- This southern classic, Mississippi Pot Roast recipe, is juicy, tender, and flavorful! Perfect hearty dinner for the family!
- Eat this Egg Salad Recipe for dinner, breakfast, by the spoonful, whenever!
- This healthy, creamy Broccoli Cheese Soup will lift that cold from your bellies!
- Once you learn how to make taco meat, you’ll have a go-to base for all kinds of dishes. Toss this in a Dorito Taco Salad or whip up a 7 Layer Taco dip with meat!
In as little as 15 minutes, you have the foundation for a delicious Mexican meal! Learning how to make taco meat in the slow cooker or on the stove is a game changer for busy weeknight dinners.
This is the best for taco Tuesday! I like to put mine over a salad, but my kids love having it in the hard taco shells!
This recipe has become a new favorite of ours! I love the addition of salsa and it really made a difference, and added so much flavor! Can’t wait to make this again!
Hello there Aimee, is 1/2 cup of taco seasoning a typo or is that the correct amount fir 2 # ground beef? That just seems like a bit much, but what do I know? Just curious.
Thanx GRB
PS made your banana cake yesterday in a 9×13 pan…OUTSTANDING