It is tacos for dinner with this easy and delicious Stovetop Ground Beef Taco Meat recipe. Make the delicious taco meat for your tacos and then top it with your favorite taco toppings and you have the best tacos ever!

Stovetop Ground Beef Taco Meat Recipe

If you are having tacos for dinner tonight and looking for a super easy and full-of-flavor ground beef stove-top taco meat recipe, this one is my go-to family favorite. With a handful of ingredients cooked on the stovetop in under 20 minutes, this taco meat makes the best tacos.

Use this taco meat with corn tortillas or flour tortillas and your favorite taco toppings, and you will have the best tacos ever!

When making this ground beef taco recipe I use my own seasoning, you can grab the taco seasoning recipe and use it too. Or if you want to use a taco seasoning packet you can do that too with this recipe.

Taco Recipes

A spoonful of seasoned ground beef over a white oval dish with lime wedges in the background.

What is Taco Meat?

Taco meat is a cooked and seasoned filling used in tacos. It is usually made with ground meat like beef, chicken, pork, or turkey. Common seasonings include chili powder, cumin, garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, oregano, and salt. These spices give the meat a rich, savory, and slightly spicy flavor, making it a great base for tacos.

A bowl of seasoned ground beef with green peppers, showing a spoonful. There are sliced jalapeños and a lime wedge nearby.

What Side Dishes go with Taco Meat?

Sometimes when we have taco night we just do tacos because they are a meal by themselves with meat and veggies. Other times we like to add some side dishes. Here are some delicious side dishes ideas for Tacos:

Salsa and Pico de Gallo with chips. Salsa is great as a topping for but it is also perfect for having a side dish to dip tortilla chips in.
Slow Cookier queso. Melted cheese goodness is always a hit. Serve a warm queso dip for dipping tortilla chips or drizzling over tacos.
Mexican Style Rice. A classic side dish, Mexican rice is often seasoned with tomatoes, onions, and spices. It adds a flavorful and filling element to your taco meal.
Refried Beans. Creamy and savory refried beans are a traditional side dish that complements the flavors of tacos. Serve them on the side or use them as a taco filling.
Chips and Guacamole. Creamy avocado goodness, guacamole adds a fresh taste to the tacos as a topping but it is also perfect for having a side dish to dip tortilla chips in.

A bowl of cooked ground beef with visible seasonings and vegetables, served with a spoon.

What are some Taco Topping Ideas?

Homemade Guacamole. Creamy avocado goodness with a hint of lime and garlic. It adds a delightful richness and freshness.
Sour Cream. Offers a cool and tangy element that balances the heat and spices in the taco meat.
Salsa. Whether it’s pico de gallo, salsa verde, or a classic tomato salsa, these provide a burst of flavor and a touch of heat.
Chopped Cilantro. Fresh cilantro adds a bright, citrusy flavor that enhances the overall freshness of your tacos.
Jalapeños. Whether sliced fresh or pickled, jalapeños provide a spicy kick that can be adjusted based on your spice tolerance.
Sliced Avocado. Creamy slices of avocado can add a buttery texture and mild flavor to your tacos.
Shredded Lettuce. Adds a refreshing crunch and a cool contrast to the warm and savory taco filling.
Diced Tomatoes. Brings a juicy and slightly acidic element that complements the richness of the meat.
Shredded Cheese. Whether it’s cheddar, Monterey Jack, or a Mexican blend, melted cheese adds a creamy and savory layer to your tacos.

Three tacos with ground meat, cheese, and sour cream on a wooden board, surrounded by lime wedges, sliced jalapeños, and a bowl of chopped onions.

What Can I Make with Taco Meat?

Ground beef taco meat is incredibly versatile, making it easy to create a variety of delicious meals. Here are some tasty ideas to inspire your cooking:

Classic Ground Beef Tacos. Fill soft or hard taco shells with seasoned ground beef. Top with shredded lettuce, diced tomatoes, shredded cheese, and sour cream. You can also try taco lettuce wraps or taco cups for a fun twist.
Burritos. Wrap taco meat in a large flour tortilla with your favorite burrito toppings like rice, corn, salsa, guacamole, and fresh cilantro for a hearty and flavorful meal.
Burrito BowlsServe taco meat over rice or quinoa and add black beans, corn, salsa, guacamole, and fresh cilantro for a delicious burrito bowl.
Taco Salad. Turn your taco meat into a filling salad by layering it over mixed greens. Add toppings like diced avocado, cherry tomatoes, black olives, and shredded cheese. Drizzle with your favorite dressing for extra flavor.
Quesadillas. Make cheesy quesadillas by layering taco meat and shredded cheese between two tortillas. Cook on a pan until the cheese is melted and the tortillas are crispy. Slice into wedges and serve with salsa and sour cream.
Nachos. Spread tortilla chips on a baking sheet and top with taco meat, shredded cheese, black beans, jalapeños, and diced onions. Bake at 350°F until the cheese is melted, then finish with fresh toppings like guacamole and salsa.

Three hard-shell tacos filled with seasoned ground meat, topped with shredded cheese, sour cream, and sliced jalapeños, garnished with cilantro.

How to Store Taco Meat

Allow the ground beef taco meat to cool completely, then place in an airtight container. Place the air tight container in the fridge.

How to Freeze Cooked Taco Meat

Allow the taco meat to cool and then portion it how you want it. You can do individual portions or larger portions with the leftover taco meat. I like to make a double or triple batch and then put a meals worth into freezer bags for nights when I need a last minute meal.

If you have made a larger quantity or want to store the taco meat for an extended period, freezing it is a great option. Portion the meat into smaller containers or zip-top bags, leaving some space for expansion, label the containers, and then place in the freezer. Frozen taco meat can be stored for 2-3 months.

When ready to use frozen taco meat, thaw it in the refrigerator overnight. Avoid thawing at room temperature, as it can lead to uneven thawing and potential food safety issues.

Stovetop Ground Beef Taco Meat Ingredients

1 pound ground beef
2 tablespoons homemade taco seasoning. You can use store-bought taco seasoning if that is what you have on hand.
1/3 cup tomato paste. If you do not have tomato paste you can use tomato sauce, but omit the water or you will have watery taco meat.
½ cup diced onion
½ cup diced bell pepper
¼ cup water

How to make stovetop Ground Beef taco meat

Over medium-high heat in a skillet on the stove, add a drizzle of olive oil, add the onion and bell pepper, and cook until onions are soft.

Chopped onions and green peppers cooking in a white pan, with a wooden spatula. Ground beef and tomato paste are nearby in bowls.

Then add the ground beef and cook until fully cooked. While cooking, break up the meat so that you have smaller chunks. Stir

Once the meat is done cooking, add the tomato paste and the water, turn the heat down to medium-low, and let simmer until the sauce has thickened.

Easy Ground Beef Recipe