A quick and easy ground beef in taco seasoning that’s perfect in tacos, quesadillas, grilled cheese sandwiches, sprinkled on salads, etc.
I use taco seasoned beef all the time in meals like the classic taco dinner in addition to others like quesadillas, pastas, grilled cheese sandwiches, sprinkled on salads, etc. It’s as easy to make as cooking ground beef, optionally along with onions, before sprinkling on some taco seasoning along with water and cornstarch to create a thick sauce that coats the meat. (I use a homemade taco seasoning but store bought also works!) It really only takes about 15 minutes to cook the meat and then you can use it in whatever way you desire. (See a list of recipe ideas below!)
aka Taco Bell Beef
Taco Seasoned Ground Beef
Prep Time: 5 minutes Cook Time: 10 minutes Total Time: 15 minutes Servings: 4
A quick and easy ground beef in taco seasoning that’s perfect in tacos, quesadillas, grilled cheese sandwiches, sprinkled on salads, etc.
ingredients
- 1 pound ground beef
- 1 small onion, diced (optional)
- 2 tablespoons taco seasoning
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch (optional)
- 1/2 cup water (or beef broth)
directions
- Cook the beef and onion in a large skillet over medium-high heat, breaking it apart as it cooks, before draining off any excess grease.
- Add the taco seasoning followed by the cornstarch mixed into the water, mix well, bring to a simmer and cook until most of the liquid has cooked off.
Tip: Use as much taco seasoning as desired! 1-3 tablespoons work well!
Option: Add 2 cloves chopped garlic along with the taco seasoning.
Option: Add 1 tablespoon tomato paste along with the taco seasoning.
Option: The cornstarch is added to help thicken the sauce.
Option: Add 2 cloves chopped garlic along with the taco seasoning.
Option: Add 1 tablespoon tomato paste along with the taco seasoning.
Option: The cornstarch is added to help thicken the sauce.
Nutrition Facts: Calories 301, Fat 22g (Saturated 8g, Trans 1g), Cholesterol 80mg, Sodium 383mg, Carbs 2g (Fiber 0.5g, Sugars 0.3g), Protein 19g
Nutrition by: 
You should try using cornmeal or masa instead of cornstarch to thicken the ground beef. The texture will be more authentic for tacos.
You were inspired to post this! I've been thinking for a few weeks now that I'd like to try a homemade taco seasoning. Thanks for the recipe!
ghweiss: Good call with the cornmeal or the masa! I will definitely try that next time.
Now, you're making me crave tacos!
Hey Hey!
I love your unlikely blog and have been stopping by every so often 🙂
Just wanted to say that from my experience with ground beef, real onions are a must. I like to saute a little onion that is finely chopped and a clove or two of garlic and then drop the ground beef in chunks. I find the onions soak up all the yumminess of the beef and give it some extra direct flavour as it browns. Just a thought 🙂
Wisdom + Understanding: That is how I normally make my tacos ant they are good but this time I wanted to try replicating the flavours of the taco seasoning packets
Is this hot spicy? Just wondering bec. my daughter loves tacos but won't eat it if it's spicy…thanks!
Anonymous: This can be a little spicy hot. You can reduce the amount of the ground chili powder and cayenne to reduce the heat.
An amazing recipe! My husband loved this dish too. The ground beef was so delicious and filling. A brilliant idea that is clever and every ingredient just works together beautifully. Thank you!
This is very good recipe and i really like beef recipes here i want to ask how you grind the meat well for this recipe.
Excellent recipe, been making my Taco meat this way for some time. I also add finely chopped red and green bell peppers to this mixture.