Dan's Taco Meat

Transform your taco nights with Dan’s Taco Meat, a quick and flavorful recipe that takes just 25 minutes to prepare from start to finish. Made with savory ground beef, fragrant garlic, and a medley of spices like chili powder, smoked paprika, and cumin, this dish strikes the perfect balance of bold and smoky flavors. A touch of tomato paste and a splash of beef broth create a rich, slightly saucy texture perfect for tacos, burritos, nachos, or quesadillas. Easily customizable with a hint of heat from optional red pepper flakes, this recipe is a delicious, crowd-pleasing option that fits seamlessly into busy weeknights or festive gatherings. With simple pantry staples and straightforward steps, Dan’s Taco Meat promises to be your go-to taco filling recipe!

Nutriscore Rating: 61/100

Prep Time:10 mins

Cook Time:15 mins

Total Time:25 mins

Servings: 4

Ingredients

• 1 pound ground beef (80/20)
• 0.5 cup yellow onion, finely diced
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 2 teaspoons chili powder
• 1.5 teaspoons ground cumin
• 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
• 1 teaspoon dried oregano
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 0.5 teaspoon black pepper
• 0.25 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes (optional)
• 2 tablespoons tomato paste
• 0.5 cup beef broth or water
• 1 tablespoon vegetable oil

Directions

Step 1

Heat a large skillet over medium heat and add the vegetable oil.

Step 2

Once the oil is hot, add the diced onion and cook, stirring occasionally, until softened and translucent, about 3-4 minutes.

Step 3

Add the minced garlic to the skillet and cook for an additional 30 seconds, stirring frequently, until fragrant.

Step 4

Increase the heat to medium-high and add the ground beef to the skillet. Cook, breaking it up with a wooden spoon or spatula, until browned and fully cooked through, about 5-7 minutes. Drain any excess grease, if necessary.

Step 5

Reduce the heat to medium and stir in the chili powder, ground cumin, smoked paprika, oregano, salt, black pepper, and red pepper flakes (if using) until the meat is evenly coated with the spices.

Step 6

Add the tomato paste to the skillet and stir thoroughly to combine. Allow it to cook for 1-2 minutes to deepen its flavor.

Step 7

Pour the beef broth or water into the skillet. Stir well, scraping any browned bits from the bottom of the pan, and let the mixture simmer for 2-3 minutes until slightly thickened.

Step 8

Taste and adjust the seasoning, adding more salt or spices if desired.

Step 9

Remove the taco meat from the heat and serve warm in taco shells, over nachos, or as a filling for burritos or quesadillas.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(724.6g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	1388.2

Total Fat 107.1g	0%
Saturated Fat 38.3g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 8.4g
Cholesterol 321.1mg	0%
Sodium 3213.0mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 25.2g	0%
Dietary Fiber 6.9g	0%
Total Sugars 7.7g
Protein 81.1g	0%

Vitamin D 28.1IU	0%
Calcium 176.8mg	0%
Iron 14.5mg	0%
Potassium 1791.0mg	0%

*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

Source of Calories

Fat: 69.4%

Protein: 23.4%

Carbs: 7.3%