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Delicious crockpot taco meat made with ground beef, salsa, and taco seasoning.

Crockpot Taco Meat

This easy and flavorful crockpot taco meat is perfect for tacos, bowls, nachos, and more. Simply combine your ingredients and let the slow cooker do the work for a savory meal with minimal fuss.
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Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 8 hours
Total Time 8 hours 5 minutes
Servings: 6 servings
Course: Dinner, Main Course
Cuisine: American, Mexican
Calories: 250
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

Main Ingredients
  • 2-3 pounds Ground beef or ground turkey Use ground turkey for a leaner option.
  • 1 unit Onion, diced Optional but recommended.
  • 3-4 cloves Garlic, minced
  • 1 can Diced tomatoes (or Rotel for spice)
  • 2-3 tablespoons Taco seasoning Store-bought or homemade.
  • 1 teaspoon Cumin Optional, adds taco shop flavor.
  • 1 teaspoon Salt Plus more to taste.
  • 1 tablespoon Tomato paste or salsa Optional, deepens flavor.
  • ½ cup Beef broth or water Use only if it looks dry.
  • to taste Diced green chiles, chipotle powder, lime Optional add-ins.

Method
 

Preparation
  1. If you have 5 extra minutes, brown the ground beef in a skillet first, then drain the grease. If not, add raw meat directly to the slow cooker.
  2. Add the meat to the Crock Pot along with onion, garlic, taco seasoning, cumin, diced tomatoes, and tomato paste or salsa if using.
  3. Stir well and check the liquid. If it looks dry, add a splash of broth or water.
  4. Cook on LOW for 6 to 8 hours or HIGH for 3 to 4 hours. When finished, stir and break it up to your desired texture. Taste and adjust salt.
  5. For a less saucy texture, crack the lid for 15 to 20 minutes at the end.

Notes

This taco meat is great for meal prep and tastes even better the next day. It can be used in tacos, bowls, nachos, and more. Adjust seasoning before serving for fresh flavor.