Slow Cooker Taco Meat is such an easy dinner to whip up before you head to work in the morning. You will love coming home to this easy classic.
If you love tacos as much as I do, you probably have taco night once a week in your house. This simple slow cooker taco recipe is a great way to have your favorite so easily. This recipe is just three ingredients and comes together in your crockpot in just five minutes before you head off to work. It’s so easy and delicious!
How to Make Taco Meat in the Crockpot
Here is a brief overview of how this crockpot taco meat recipe comes together. For the full recipe including all measurements and cooking times, scroll to the recipe card at the bottom of the post.
- Add everything to your slow cooker. Add the ground beef to the base of your slow crockpot and break it up with a wooden spoon or spatula. Add the salsa and taco seasoning and gently stir to combine.
- Cook the taco meat. Cook on low for six to eight hours or on high for three to four hours. At the end of the cooking time, break up the meat a bit more and stir to combine.
- Serve and enjoy! Keep on low for up to two hours. See below for my favorite taco night toppings!
Crockpot
Taco Seasoning
The perfect blend of seasonings makes this the best taco meat recipe and is so easy to mix up and keep in your pantry. This recipe combines chili powder, paprika, kosher salt, onion powder, garlic powder, ground cumin, and cayenne pepper – spices I always have in my pantry. I love that by making your own, you can adjust them to fit your taste and always have it on hand.
With the recipe linked in the box below, you will find the ingredients and measurements needed to make enough to replace a packet of taco seasoning, or a big batch so that it is always in your kitchen. Of course, if convenience is a priority to you, you can totally make these crockpot tacos with two packets of taco seasoning.
Homemade Taco Seasoning
Homemade Salsa
Rather than using water to add moisture to the meat, we are using salsa which also adds flavor to the ground beef taco meat. This recipe for homemade salsa uses canned tomatoes and whips up right in your blender. It is delicious with tortilla chips or on top of tacos, too!
Blender Salsa
Making Taco Meat with Ground Beef vs Ground Turkey
If your family prefers to eat ground turkey over ground beef, you can totally make this slow cooker taco meat with turkey. Since ground turkey is more lean than ground beef, you may want to add a little olive oil to the crockpot with the rest of the ingredients. Otherwise, you can follow the recipe as written and enjoy delicious ground turkey taco meat!
How to Make Taco Meat on the Stove
If you’re short on time and need a quicker way to make taco meat, I’ve got you covered! While the crockpot method is great for hands-off cooking and developing rich flavors, you can also make delicious taco meat right on the stovetop in about 15 minutes.
Taco Meat Recipe
How to Make Tacos
Tacos are such a versatile meal to enjoy. They can be easily customized to what you have on hand and what you and your family enjoy, but are typically made up of three parts: a shell, protein, and toppings. Since we’ve covered how to make taco meat in your slow cooker, here is how to put your beef tacos together to enjoy.
- Prepare and cook your taco meat.
- Warm up your taco shells. You can use corn or flour tortillas, or hard taco shells (this is what you see in the photos). If you are using soft-shell corn tortillas, wrap them in a damp paper towel and put them in a ziplock bag. With all but about one inch of it zipped shut, put it in the microwave for one minute. The tortillas will be soft and easy to fold and eat.
- Put the tacos together. Spoon a few tablespoons of taco meat into the tortillas or taco shells. Top with any and all of your desired toppings – I share some suggestions below. Enjoy!
Taco Toppings
Serve your cooked taco meat on your favorite taco shells with your favorite taco toppings! Here are a few ideas:
- Shredded cheese
- Salsa or pico de Gallo
- Shredded lettuce
- Sour cream
- Easy Guacamole or diced avocado
- Pickled Red Onions
- Pickled Jalapeños
- Diced tomatoes
- Chopped cilantro
Storing and Reheating Leftovers
Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to three days. I recommend storing the meat by itself, and any leftover toppings in their own separate containers. Reheat only the portion you plan to eat in the microwave or in a skillet over low heat until heated through.
See some delicious ways to use up leftover taco meat (or enjoy fresh taco meat) below.
Freezing Taco Meat
You can also double this recipe and freeze some for later. Once your slow cooked taco meat has cooled, transfer it to a freezer-safe bag or container and keep it in the freezer for up to three months. When you are ready to eat it, allow it to thaw in the refrigerator, and then heat it in a saucepan or skillet over low heat on the stove. Add a splash of water if it appears dry.
Leftover Taco Meat Recipes
Here are some delicious recipes that you can make with leftover or fresh ground beef taco meat!
If you make this slow cooker taco meat recipe or any of my other recipes, I’d love to hear how you enjoyed it and would be so grateful if you came back and left a comment letting me know!
Slow Cooker Taco Meat
Ingredients
- 2 pounds ground beef 90/10 (907.2 grams)
- 2 cups salsa (568 grams)
- 6 tablespoons taco seasoning homemade or store-bought
Instructions
- Spray your slow cooker with cooking spray. Add the ground beef and break it up with a wooden spoon or spatula.2 pounds ground beef
- Gently mix the salsa and taco seasoning into the ground beef. Cook on low for 6 to 8 hours or on high for 3 to 4 hours. At the end of the cook time, break up the meat a bit more, and stir to combine.2 cups salsa, 6 tablespoons taco seasoning
- Serve the taco meat with tortillas and your favorite taco toppings.
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