Air Fryer Taco Meat — Looking for an easy way to make taco meat in air fryer? In just minutes, you can make a delicious batch of seasoned air fryer taco meat!
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Air Fryer Taco Meat
Air Fryer Taco Meat is a versatile and convenient option for taco night or any Mexican-inspired meal. The air fryer method is quick, easy, and results in flavorful taco meat that’s perfect for filling tacos, burritos, nachos, and more.
One of the great things about cooking taco meat in the air fryer is that it’s hands-off and requires minimal cleanup.
You can customize your Air Fryer Taco Meat to suit your taste preferences by adjusting the seasoning blend. Whether you prefer mild, medium, or spicy tacos, you can easily control the level of heat and flavor by choosing the right taco seasoning or adding additional spices and seasonings to the meat mixture.
Once the taco meat is cooked to perfection in the air fryer, simply serve it with your favorite taco toppings and enjoy a delicious and satisfying meal in minutes. Whether you’re feeding a crowd or just craving a quick and easy dinner, Air Fryer Taco Meat is sure to become a new favorite in your household.
What You Need For Air Fryer Taco Meat
Remember the step-by-step directions and detailed ingredient list are below, in the printable recipe card at the bottom of the post, as well as the nutritional information.
- Ground beef or turkey: Choose lean ground beef or ground turkey for a healthier option. The amount you use will depend on how many servings you want to make.
- Taco seasoning blend: Use your favorite store-bought taco seasoning mix or make your own blend using a combination of chili powder, cumin, paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, oregano, salt, and pepper.
- Olive oil (optional): A small amount of olive oil can be added to the meat for extra flavor and to prevent sticking, but it’s not necessary if you’re using lean ground meat.
- Optional toppings: Once the taco meat is cooked, you can serve it with a variety of toppings such as shredded cheese, diced tomatoes, lettuce, salsa, sour cream, avocado, and chopped cilantro. Choose your favorite toppings to customize your tacos to your liking.
How To Cook Taco Meat In Air Fryer
Preheat your air fryer to 400 degrees F (200°C), for 3-5 minutes. In a large mixing bowl, combine the ground beef or turkey with the taco seasoning blend, and olive oil. Mix until the seasoning is evenly distributed throughout the meat.
Place the seasoned meat into an air-fryer safe pan (any pan that is oven safe). Place the baking pan into the air fyrer basekt.
Set the cook time for 8-10 minutes, stirring halfway through the cooking time to ensure even cooking. Once the meat is cooked through and browned, remove it from the air fryer and drain any excess fat if necessary. Use the cooked taco meat to fill tacos, burritos, or taco salad bowls, and top with your favorite toppings. Enjoy your delicious air fryer taco meat!
Recipe Variations
- Steak Taco Meat Air Fryer: To make steak taco meat in the air fryer, thinly slice steak into strips and marinate them in your favorite taco seasoning. Cook the steak strips in the air fryer until they reach your desired level of doneness, then use them as filling for your tacos.
- Tofu Taco Meat Air Fryer: For a vegetarian option, crumble firm tofu and toss it with taco seasoning. Spread the seasoned tofu on a baking sheet and air fry until crispy, stirring occasionally. Use the crispy tofu crumbles as a delicious meat-free alternative in your tacos.
- Chicken Taco Meat In Air Fryer: For chicken taco meat in the air fryer, dice boneless, skinless chicken breasts and coat them in taco seasoning. Air fry the seasoned chicken until cooked through and slightly crispy. Shred the cooked chicken and serve it as a tasty filling for your tacos.
Air Fry Taco Meat Recipe Tips
Here are some tips to make the most out of your air fryer taco meat recipe:
- Lean Ground Meat: Use lean ground beef or turkey to reduce excess fat and grease in the finished dish.
- Seasoning: Customize your taco seasoning blend to suit your taste preferences. You can adjust the level of spiciness by adding more or less chili powder, paprika, cumin, and garlic powder.
- Even Cooking: Ensure the taco meat is spread out evenly in the pan to promote even cooking.
- Stirring: Stir the taco meat halfway through the cooking time to break up any clumps and ensure it cooks evenly.
- Drain Excess Fat: After cooking, drain any excess fat or grease from the cooked taco meat to keep it lighter and healthier.
- Use in Various Dishes: Air fryer taco meat is versatile and can be used in tacos, burritos, quesadillas, nachos, or as a topping for salads or baked potatoes. Enjoy experimenting with different serving options!
How To Serve Air Fryer Taco Meat
Air fryer taco meat can be served in various delicious ways:
- Tacos: Fill taco shells or tortillas with the cooked taco meat and add your favorite toppings such as shredded lettuce, diced tomatoes, shredded cheese, sour cream, and salsa.
- Burritos: Wrap the taco meat in large flour tortillas along with rice, beans, cheese, and any other desired fillings. Fold and roll the burritos tightly, then serve.
- Nachos: Layer tortilla chips on a baking sheet, top with the cooked taco meat, and sprinkle with shredded cheese. Bake or air fry until the cheese is melted and bubbly. Serve with guacamole, sour cream, and salsa.
- Quesadillas: Spread taco meat onto a tortilla, sprinkle with shredded cheese, and top with another tortilla. Cook in a skillet or the air fryer until the tortillas are crispy and the cheese is melted. Slice into wedges and serve with salsa and sour cream.
- Salad Topping: Use the taco meat as a protein topping for salads. Serve over a bed of mixed greens with your favorite salad vegetables, tortilla strips, and a creamy dressing.
- Stuffed Peppers: Fill bell peppers with the cooked taco meat and bake or air fry until the peppers are tender. Top with shredded cheese and fresh cilantro before serving.
Air Fryer Taco Meat Recipe Faqs
Can I use frozen ground beef for air fryer taco meat? While it’s generally recommended to thaw frozen ground beef before cooking, you can still cook it in the air fryer. However, it may take longer to cook, and you may need to break it apart as it cooks to ensure even cooking.
Can I use other types of ground meat for this recipe? Yes, you can use ground turkey, chicken, or pork instead of ground beef for taco meat in the air fryer. Just adjust the cooking time as needed based on the type of meat you use.
How do I store leftover taco meat? Allow the taco meat to cool completely, then transfer it to an airtight container and refrigerate it for up to 3-4 days. You can also freeze leftover taco meat in freezer-safe bags or containers for up to 2-3 months. Thaw it in the refrigerator before reheating.
Can I make taco seasoning from scratch? Absolutely! You can make your own taco seasoning by combining chili powder, cumin, paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, oregano, salt, and pepper. Adjust the amounts according to your taste preferences.
Can I customize the seasoning for the taco meat? Yes, feel free to customize the seasoning blend to suit your taste. You can adjust the spice level by adding more or less chili powder or adding additional spices like cayenne pepper or crushed red pepper flakes for extra heat.
Can I use pre-packaged taco seasoning? Yes, you can use pre-packaged taco seasoning if you prefer. Just be mindful of the sodium content and adjust the seasoning accordingly to avoid it being too salty.
More Air Fryer Recipes
- AIR FRYER HOMEMADE HASH BROWN PATTIES
- AIR FRYER ROASTED POTATOES AND TOMATOES
- AIR FRYER ROSEMARY CHICKEN BREAST
- AIR FRYER STUFFED POBLANO PEPPERS
- AIR FRYER BUFFALO CHICKEN TENDERS
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Air Fryer Taco Meat
Description
Ingredients
- 1 pound ground beef
- 1 teaspoon olive oil
- 2 teaspoons taco seasoning
Optional toppings: Once the taco meat is cooked, you can serve it with a variety of toppings such as shredded cheese, diced tomatoes, lettuce, salsa, sour cream, avocado, and chopped cilantro
Instructions
- Preheat your air fryer to 400°F (200°C).
- In a mixing bowl, combine the ground beef or turkey with the olive oil and taco seasoning blend. Mix until the seasoning is evenly distributed throughout the meat.
- Place the seasoned meat in an air fryer safe pan (must be oven-safe).
- Cook the taco meat in the air fryer for 8-10 minutes, stirring halfway through the cooking time to ensure even cooking.
- Once the meat is cooked through and browned, remove it from the air fryer and drain any excess fat if necessary.
- Use the cooked taco meat to fill tacos, burritos, or taco salad bowls, and top with your favorite toppings. Enjoy your delicious air fryer taco meat!
Equipment
- Cooking Spray
- Parchment Paper, optional
- Baking Pan, must be oven safe
Nutrition
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