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My recipe for Taco Meat Seasoning is the perfect blend of spices to create some truly delicious tacos! This is an easy homemade taco seasoning recipe you can mix in minutes using a few pantry staple spices. Great for ground beef tacos!
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Beef Taco Seasoning
Taco night is a big deal at my house. My family loves trying new things, but one recipe we always go back to is classic ground beef tacos. The way to make ground beef tacos truly special is to mix your own homemade taco seasoning, and that's where this beef taco seasoning recipe comes in!
It's easy to make your own beef taco seasoning, and worth it. We've all reached for the taco seasoning packet at the store, but making your own homemade taco seasoning allows you to completely customize what goes into your taco meat, so you can find out the perfect balance of seasonings for you and your family.
Try using my beef taco seasoning recipe for ground beef tacos, steak tacos, or any taco you like most. It works for everything!
Taco Meat Seasoning Recipe Ingredients
- Chili powder
- Garlic powder
- Dried chopped onion
- Coarse ground black pepper
- Paprika
- Salt
Taco Seasoning Recipe
- Add chili powder, garlic powder, dried chopped onion, coarse ground black pepper, paprika, and salt to a bowl and mix to combine.
- Season taco meat after draining the grease by adding it to the pan and simmering for several minutes in the seasoning. If not draining, you can add the seasoning as the beef cooks.
Taco Meat Seasoning Recipe Variations
- Use more or less chili powder for a spicier or less spicy taco seasoning.
- If desired, you can add a small amount of red pepper flakes to add an extra layer of spice to your taco seasoning.
- Instead of dried chopped onion, onion powder may also be used.
Taco Seasoning Recipe FAQ
Taco seasoning is generally a mixture of chili powder, garlic powder, dried onion, black pepper, salt, and paprika, in addition to cumin and oregano, depending on the recipe. My taco seasoning recipe for beef uses a mixture of most of these ingredients.
First, add ground beef to a nonstick pan over medium heat. Cook until it browns and fully cooks, breaking it up to crumble it as it cooks. Once cooked, drain the fat, then add it back to the heat, raising the heat to medium-high. Season with beef taco seasoning. Add ¾ cup water (for 1 lb. beef) and simmer until the water reduces completely. If using an Instant Pot or Slow Cooker, you can add the seasoning right away; see Slow Cooker Taco Meat.
Beef taco seasoning works well for more than just beef; you can also add it to chicken, pork, or ground turkey tacos if desired. You may wish to adjust the flavors if used with other meats by adding additional seasonings such as cumin or oregano.
If draining the grease from your taco meat, it is best to season after cooking the beef, then simmer it with the seasoning. However, higher-quality ground beef will create less grease and generally does not need draining. If you're cooking with a higher quality ground beef or do not intend to drain the meat, evenly add the seasoning after placing the beef in the pan.
Beef Seasoning Recipes
Beef Taco Recipes
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Taco Meat Seasoning
Equipment
- 1 bowl for mixing seasoning
Ingredients
- 3 Tablespoons Chili Powder
- 2 Tablespoons Garlic Powder
- 2 Tablespoons Dried Chopped Onion
- 1 Tablespoon Coarse Ground Black Pepper
- 1 Tablespoon Paprika
- Salt to taste
See our Beef Temperature Chart for helpful tips on cooking any cut of beef!
Instructions
- Add all ingredients to a bowl and stir to mix together thoroughly.
- Season taco meat after draining grease by adding to the pan and simmering for several minutes in the seasoning. If not draining, you can add the seasoning as the beef cooks.
Notes
- My beef taco seasoning recipe pairs perfectly with my Crockpot Taco Meat.
- This recipe makes enough to use with 3 pounds of ground beef, and can be safely stored in an airtight jar, indefinitely, as you would store any other seasoning.
- If you want to make only enough for 1 pound of beef, use these measurements:
- 1 Tablespoon chili powder
- 3 teaspoons garlic powder
- 3 teaspoons dried chopped onion
- 1½ teaspoon coarse ground black pepper
- 1½ teaspoon paprika
- Salt to taste
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