Crockpot Taco Meat (Printer-Friendly)

Savory slow-cooked ground beef with onions, garlic, salsa, and taco seasoning for versatile Mexican dishes.

# What You’ll Need:

→ Meat

01 - 1 pound lean ground beef (85/15 fat ratio)

→ Vegetables

02 - 1 medium yellow onion, finely diced
03 - 3 cloves garlic, minced

→ Seasonings

04 - 1 cup medium chunk salsa
05 - 1½ taco seasoning packets (approximately 3 tablespoons if homemade)

→ Optional toppings

06 - Crunchy taco shells
07 - Shredded lettuce
08 - Diced tomatoes
09 - Diced jalapenos
10 - Thinly sliced red onions
11 - Chopped fresh cilantro
12 - Shredded cheddar cheese
13 - Sour cream

# Steps to Make This:

01 - Place raw ground beef in the slow cooker. Sprinkle diced onion and minced garlic evenly over the beef. Pour salsa and sprinkle taco seasoning on top without mixing.
02 - Cover and cook on LOW for 6 hours or on HIGH for 3 hours. Stir and break up the meat with a wooden spoon about halfway through cooking to ensure even cooking and prevent sticking.
03 - After cooking, stir thoroughly to combine all ingredients. If excess liquid remains, drain before serving. Spoon meat mixture into taco shells or desired vessel and top as preferred.

# Additional Notes:

01 - For a saucier filling, stir in ¼ to ½ cup water during cooking and allow to simmer until thickened.
02 - Ground beef can be substituted with ground turkey or chicken for a lighter option.
03 - Store cooled leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days or freeze for up to 3 months.
04 - Adjust seasoning quantity if using homemade taco seasoning; 4–5 tablespoons recommended for stronger flavor.