An easy homemade taco meat recipe made with ground beef, tomatoes, and a few basic spices. Use as a taco, enchilada, or quesadilla filling or to make taco salad.
1cupcanned diced tomatoesor canned crushed tomatoes, I like Jovial brand
1/4cupwater
Special Equipment:
skillet
Instructions
Heat a large skillet over medium heat. Once hot, add the ground beef. Brown the ground beef for 7 minutes. The ground beef should produce enough fat so extra oil isn’t needed. But if the ground beef sticks to the pan, add 1 tablespoon of olive oil while cooking.
Add the onion and sauté for another 3-4 minutes, stirring frequently. Add the garlic cloves and sprinkle in the seasonings: chili powder, cumin, oregano, paprika, salt, and black pepper. Cook for another minute, stirring to incorporate the spices with the beef and onions.
Add the diced tomatoes and water. Cover the skillet. Reduce the heat to a simmer. Simmer for 10 minutes.
Serve the ground beef over tortillas, rice, or quinoa with any additional toppings, if desired: guacamole, salsa, sour cream, cheese.
To make ahead or if you have leftovers, store in the fridge in an air-tight container for up to 4 days. Reheat in a skillet or the microwave.
Notes
This recipe is not spicy, so it's perfect for the whole family (even those young and reluctant family members). It's flavorful but doesn't "smack you in the face" with a ton of spice. If you want more spice, by all means add more chili powder or cumin to taste. And always salt to taste. Everyone's taste is different and this recipe allows for a lot of flexibility to adjust the spice as desired.