You are looking at this CrockPot Taco Meat Recipe and thinking, why would I cook my taco beef in a CrockPot and not use the stove?
Crockpot Taco Meat Recipe
Well, the answer is, honestly, life. I used to cook my Taco Beef on the stovetop, and then life happened.
I had ground beef tacos prepped and ready to go for when John came home from work, and you know what happened? The inevitable phone call that something came up in the park and he would be home late that night.
I had everything set up without anyone home to enjoy dinner with.
So now I use this slow cooker taco meat recipe, and life is much easier. The CrockPot keeps the meat warm, and I can serve dinner whenever everyone is ready to eat.
I don't have to worry about heating the meat back up again or it drying out because it was cooked and sat for a while.
Plus, I don't have to think about it. You just dump everything into the slow cooker and walk away! You gain back minutes of your life and have less stress prepping dinner.
Ingredients
Here is a quick overview of the simple ingredients needed to make an epic CrockPot Taco Meat! The printable recipe card at the bottom of the post includes specific measurements and step-by-step instructions.
- Lean Ground Beef
- Taco Seasoning
- Water
We use a store bought taco seasoning but you can also use homemade taco seasoning with cayenne pepper, cumin, chili powder, smoked paprika, garlic powder
Equipment Needed
- Kitchen Spoon/Stirring Utensil
- CrockPot
How to Make CrockPot Taco Meat
I've included complete instructions in the printable recipe card at the bottom of the post, but here's a quick version.
- Place all ingredients in the CrockPot and stir together.
- Cook on low for 6-8 hours or high for 3 hours.
- Drain and serve.
Preparation and Storage
Make-Ahead + Storage: Since the meat needs a few hours to cook in your CrockPot, our CrockPot Taco Meat is a fantastic make-ahead recipe you can prepare while working on other dishes.
Leftovers should be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator. They will keep for up to four days.
Freezing/How to Freeze: Store any freezer-bound leftovers in an airtight, freezer-safe container, then enjoy them within three months.
How to Reheat: Once you thaw your cooked taco filling leftovers overnight in the fridge, you can reheat them using your microwave, CrockPot, or stovetop.
Recipe Variations
Substitutions: This recipe adapts easily to ground turkey, chicken, or any other ground meat if you prefer an alternative to beef.
You can use beef broth instead of water for additional flavor.
Vegetarian Option + Vegan Option: Swap the ground beef with a plant-based alternative, like Beyond Meat, to make it vegetarian and vegan-safe.
Gluten-Free: This simple and efficient recipe is gluten-free if your taco seasoning is gluten-free, so check the label if you want to avoid gluten.
Smaller Serving Size + Larger Group/More Servings: The written recipe yields six servings. Scale it up or down to your desired servings, keeping in mind that you may need to work in batches if you scale up.
Make it Spicy: Use a spicy taco seasoning to spice up your slow-cooker taco meat! You can also add in hot sauce
Sugar-Free: This recipe contains only 1 gram of sugar per serving.
Tips for the Best CrockPot Taco Meat
- High-quality meats contain less fat, so choose the leanest ground beef you can find at the store.
- We have yet to try it with this recipe, but you can add some salsa to the uncooked taco meat, as we did in our CrockPot Pineapple Salsa Chicken. If you go this route, we recommend replacing the water with salsa since the salsa replaces the water by adding moisture to the meat.
- This taco filling made in your slow cooker is fantastic in nachos, quesadillas, and anything yummy with delicious taco meat.
- Nutrition information, including calories, protein, calcium, carbohydrates, fiber, vitamin c, potassium, cholesterol, sodium, trans fat, monounsaturated fat, polyunsaturated fat, and more, will vary depending on the products used.
What to Serve with CrockPot Taco Meat
Our CrockPot Taco Meat is a fan favorite whenever we have a Mexican night, host friends or family, or want a light, fresh, and healthy snack.
Here are some south-of-the-border options from our recipe collection to inspire your menu planning!
What to serve Crock Pot Taco Meat In: Corn tortillas, Flour tortillas, on a taco salad, in burritos, on eggs, tortilla chips, enchiladas
Taco toppings: sour cream, lettuce, onion, tomatoes, guacamole
Sides: Taco Pickles, Black Bean Salsa, Cranberry Salsa, Southwest Black Bean & Corn Salad, Cilantro Lime Rice, CrockPot Refried Beans, Grilled Avocado, 7 Layer Taco Dip, Tequila Spiked Guacamole, CopyCat El Pollo Loco Avocado Salsa
Main Dishes: CrockPot Pineapple Salsa Chicken Tacos, Easy Cheese Enchiladas, Air Fryer Taquitos, CrockPot Mango Chicken, Slow Cooker Nacho Chicken, Carne Asada Street Tacos, Mexican Pulled Pork, CrockPot Mexican Chicken Tostadas, CrockPot Pork Chili Verde
Desserts: Mexican Chocolate Cupcakes, Piña Colada Poke Cake, Margarita Pie
Drinks: Alchemy Bar Mojito Martini, Tequila & Sprite Cocktail, Spicy Chipotle Pineapple Martini, Mexican Mule, CopyCat Chevy's Sunburn Margarita, Frozen Mango Margarita, Key Lime Colada, Avocado Margarita, Blue Agave Margarita, Cactus Colada, Piña Colada
When to Serve CrockPot Taco Meat
- Mexican Night
- Family Gatherings
- Cocktail Night
- Potlucks
- Tailgating Parties
Great Recipe Collections
Slow Cooker Appetizers - Easy appetizers you can make in the crockpot for any event.
Ground Beef Crockpot Recipes - Easy Ground Beef Crockpot Recipes perfect for every occasion! From family dinners to potlucks these ground beef recipes are perfect!
Cherry Pie Filling Recipes - These cherry pie filling recipes, which range from Crock Pot favorites to boxed cake mix treats, are made instantly with ruby red cherry pie filling in a can, but they can also be made with any quality pie filling you have.
5 ingredient or less dessert recipes - All the recipes in this collection are made with five or fewer ingredients, ensuring you’re never more than a few steps and ingredients away from sweet treat bliss.
Vegetarian Crockpot Recipes - Easy vegetarian slow cooker recipes including appetizers, main dishes, desserts and more.
Crockpot Soup Recipes - Tons of epic easy to make soups that are the perfect comfort food.
Pulled Pork Side Dishes - Epic collection of great side dishes to pair with pulled pork.
Do you love recipes? Check out our copycat recipes, dessert recipes, and our CrockPot Recipes.
Follow Tammilee Tips on MSN, Facebook, Instagram, and Pinterest for all our recipe posts.
Ingredients
- 2 pounds Ground Beef high quality less fat
- 1-2 Taco seasoning
- 1.5 Cups Water
Instructions
- Place all ingredients in the crockpot and stir together
- Cook on low for 6-8 hours or high for 3 hours
- Drain and serve
Kitchen Tools
- Slow cooker
Nutrition
Recipe Originally shared April 5, 2016. Updated December 2020
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