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Make flavorful taco meat in the slow cooker! I love making this easy, 3-ingredient crock pot recipe when I’m serving tacos to a crowd. Simple, savory ground beef taco meat is also a great make-ahead dinner idea on busy weeknights!
I use this slow cooker taco meat in everything from classic tacos to nachos, enchiladas, and more. If you love this recipe, be sure to try my slow cooker chipotle beef tacos and this Mexican shredded beef, next!
Table of Contents
When it comes to feeding a hungry crowd, I almost always turn to my slow cooker. It’s my favorite way to prepare recipes in bulk, from crock pot chili to crock pot queso dip whenever we have company over! This slow cooker taco meat turned out great, just in time for football season. It makes a big, juicy pot full of seasoned ground beef with just 3 ingredients, and I don’t need to lift a finger!
Why I Love This Easy Taco Meat Recipe
- Hands-free. This is a dump-and-go recipe where you simply combine all of the taco meat ingredients in the crockpot and let it cook. I don’t need to spend hours in the kitchen, and clean-up is super quick when you have only the bowl of your slow cooker to wash!
- Plenty of taco flavor. I make this taco meat with just 3 ingredients, but there’s SO much flavor! Slow cooking gives the seasonings plenty of time to soak into the savory ground beef.
- Versatile. This crock pot taco meat is great for parties, and I’ve used it in so many of my family’s favorite Tex-Mex recipes! Serve it as a filling in traditional tacos, quesadillas, and enchiladas, or even taco stuffed peppers. It’s also great to make ahead and use in casseroles, pastas, and more.
- Make ahead. This recipe makes a big batch. It’s one of my favorite ways to prepare taco meat for parties, or I’ll make it on the weekend and store the leftovers for delicious meals all week. Taco meat freezes well, too. I’ll share my tips later on!
Ingredients You’ll Need
Here’s what you’ll need to make this recipe, along with some notes. Scroll down to the printable recipe card for the full ingredients list and amounts.
- Ground Beef – I recommend lean ground beef as it’s less fatty (and less greasy as a result). You can use this slow cooker method to cook just about any taco meat. Swap ground beef for ground chicken or turkey if you’d like.
- Salsa – Choose your favorite store-bought brand of salsa, either spicy or mild depending on your family’s taste. You can also make this recipe with homemade salsa.
- Taco Seasoning – Pick up two taco seasoning packets, like the kind from El Paso. Or, use homemade taco seasoning. I almost always have a jar of it in the pantry!
How to Make Taco Meat in the Slow Cooker
This is by far the easiest way to cook taco meat! Follow the steps here, and be sure to scroll for the printable instructions in the recipe card.
- Combine the ingredients. Add the ground beef, salsa, and taco seasoning to the crock pot. Use a wooden spoon to break up the beef and give everything a good stir.
- Cook. Close the lid and cook for 4-5 hours on Low or 2-3 hours on High. Towards the end of the cooking time, stir again, crumbling the meat.
- Serve. Serve right away, or switch the slow cooker to the Low/Warm setting to keep the taco meat warm if you’ve made it ahead for a party. See below for serving ideas!
Tips and Variations
- Break up the beef. Use a wooden spoon and break up the ground meat when you combine it with the other ingredients, and again 30 minutes before serving.
- Drain any excess grease. Depending on the fat content in the beef you’re using, you may need to drain the excess grease from the slow cooker before serving.
- Different salsa. Swap red salsa for salsa verde, or try this fire-roasted salsa for another layer of flavor. Choose a spicier salsa if you’d prefer a bit of kick.
- Add-ins. Stir in diced onions, jalapeños, or poblano peppers, or add in rinsed and drained canned corn or black beans.
- Make it on the stovetop. If you’re short on time, you can prepare this taco meat in a skillet on the stovetop instead. In this case, simply brown the beef and then add the salsa and seasoning.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes. It’s totally safe to cook raw ground beef in the slow cooker or crock pot. It isn’t necessary to brown the beef beforehand for this recipe, but if you do, you may need to reduce the cooking time.
No, you should never add frozen meat to the slow cooker before it’s thawed. Frozen meat stays at an unsafe temperature for too long in the low heat, risking the growth of bacteria. If you have frozen ground beef, be sure to thaw it completely before you use it.
Serving Suggestions
Turn this slow cooker taco meat into quick and easy tacos topped with all the fixings. We love ours loaded up with refried beans, sour cream, and any of the following topping ideas:
- Diced tomatoes
- Avocado
- Shredded lettuce
- Sliced onions
- Mexican crema
- White queso
- Salsa or pico de gallo
I’ll serve this taco meat straight from the crock alongside bowls of toppings, so everyone can DIY their tacos on taco night or game day. Just add tortilla chips and guacamole or salsa on the side. And don’t forget a skinny margarita to wash it all down!
Ways to Use Leftover Taco Meat
This slow cooker ground beef stores great in the fridge or freezer (more on this below), so I can make a big batch to have on hand for easy meals. Here are some of my favorite ideas:
- As a filling. Use this slow cooker taco meat as a filling in your favorite Tex-Mex dishes, like this copycat Taco Bell Meximelt and Crunchwrap Supreme. It’s also great in ground beef enchiladas and crispy flautas.
- As a topping. Add taco meat to a Mexican pizza or use it as a topping for taco sweet potatoes.
- Casseroles. I’ll use leftover taco meat to make a beef taco casserole.
- Pasta recipes. Seasoned taco meat makes a great addition to taco pasta! We also love these beefy taco stuffed shells and this taco mac and cheese.
Storing and Reheating Leftovers
- Refrigerate. Store any leftover taco meat in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. After that, I recommend freezing (see below).
- Reheat. Warm the taco meat in the microwave or in a saucepan on the stovetop until it’s hot throughout. I love having leftovers on hand for quick, grab-and-go lunches and last-minute dinners!
- Freeze. Transfer the cooked, cooled taco meat to an airtight container or freezer bag. Freeze it for up to 2 months and thaw the meat in the fridge before reheating.
More Slow Cooker Recipes
- Crockpot Fiesta Chicken
- Slow Cooker Korean Beef Tacos
- Slow Cooker Black Beans
- Slow Cooker Verde Chicken Pozole
Slow Cooker Taco Meat
Ingredients
- 2 pounds lean ground beef
- 1 cup salsa
- ¼ cup taco seasoning, or 2 packets
Instructions
- Add ground beef to the crockpot. Add the taco seasoning and salsa. Using a wooden spoon break up the ground beef some and mix until everything Is combined.
- Cover and cook on low for 4-5 hours or high for 2 3 hours. About 30 minutes before it is done cooking, use a wooden spoon to break up the meat into small pieces and mix well.
- Serve like normal taco meat. You can reduce the heat to Low and keep the meat warm for a party or get-together.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
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