Air Fryer Taco Meat
Description
Perfectly seasoned air fryer taco meat made with ground beef in under 15 minutes. This easy, hands-off recipe browns the beef while the fat drains away — perfect for tacos, burritos, nachos, and meal prep.
Ingredients
Ingredients
- 1 pound lean ground beef, 90/10, or ground turkey
- 1 teaspoon olive oil, optional
- 2 tablespoons taco seasoning, one packet, OR the homemade blend below
Homemade taco seasoning (optional):
- 1 tablespoon chili powder
- 1 ½ teaspoons ground cumin
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon onion powder
- ¼ teaspoon dried oregano
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
Optional toppings: shredded cheese, diced tomatoes, shredded lettuce, salsa, sour cream, avocado, chopped cilantro
Instructions
- Preheat the air fryer to 400°F (200°C) for 3–5 minutes.
- Season the ground beef in a bowl with the olive oil and taco seasoning until evenly combined.
- Add to basket: Press the seasoned beef into an even layer in the air fryer basket (use a parchment liner or oven-safe pan if you prefer).
- Cook for 8–10 minutes, opening the basket halfway through to break the meat into crumbles with a spoon or meat masher.
- Finish: Cook until browned and no longer pink (internal temperature 160°F). Drain excess fat if needed.
- Serve in tacos, burritos, or taco salad bowls with your favorite toppings.
Equipment
- Cooking Spray
- Parchment Paper, optional
- Baking Pan, must be oven safe
Notes
- Seasoning: A full pound of beef needs about 2–3 tablespoons of seasoning. Two teaspoons will taste flat.
- Drain the fat by cooking directly in a perforated basket; use a pan if you want to keep the drippings.
- Internal temp: Cook ground beef to 160°F for food safety.
- Storage: Refrigerate up to 4 days; freeze up to 3 months.
- Diet: Naturally low-carb, keto-friendly, and gluten-free with a clean seasoning blend.
Nutrition
Serving: 1ServingCalories: 179kcalCarbohydrates: 3gProtein: 25gFat: 7gSaturated Fat: 3gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 3gTrans Fat: 0.4gCholesterol: 70mgSodium: 501mgPotassium: 466mgFiber: 1gSugar: 0.5gVitamin A: 969IUVitamin C: 1mgCalcium: 29mgIron: 4mg