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Taco Bell Meat

Copycat Taco Bell Meat

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Author: Laurie Fleming
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 15 minutes
Total Time: 20 minutes
Servings: 4 Servings

Description

This easy copycat Taco Bell meat tastes just like the drive-thru favorite — seasoned ground beef simmered to that signature smooth, saucy texture. Ready in 20 minutes with pantry spices, it's perfect for tacos, burritos, nachos, and bowls.

Ingredients 

  • 1 lb ground beef, 80/20 for flavor, or leaner
  • 1 tablespoon chili powder
  • 1 teaspoon ground cumin
  • 1/2 teaspoon paprika, smoked or regular
  • 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
  • 1/4 teaspoon dried oregano
  • 1 teaspoon cocoa powder, optional — the authentic touch
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
  • 1 tablespoon tomato paste
  • 1 teaspoon cornstarch
  • 1/2 cup water or beef broth

Instructions

  • Brown the beef. Heat a large skillet over medium heat. Add the ground beef and cook 5–6 minutes, breaking it into fine crumbles as it browns. Drain excess grease if needed.
  • Season. Stir in the chili powder, cumin, paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, oregano, cocoa powder, salt, and pepper. Cook about 1 minute, until fragrant.
  • Build the sauce. Stir in the tomato paste. Whisk the cornstarch into the water or broth, then pour it into the skillet and stir to combine.
  • Simmer. Reduce the heat and simmer 8–10 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the mixture thickens into a smooth, saucy, spoonable texture. For a finer texture, break the beef up with a potato masher as it simmers.
  • Serve. Cook to an internal temperature of 160°F. Spoon into taco shells, burritos, bowls, or over nachos.

Equipment

  • Large skillet
  • Wooden spoon or potato masher

Notes

Recipe Notes

Air Fryer Method: Mix the raw beef with all the seasonings and tomato paste. Spread on a parchment-lined air fryer tray and cook at 375°F for 10–12 minutes, stirring once halfway to break it up. Stir in the cornstarch-and-broth slurry and rest a few minutes to thicken. Cook to 160°F internal.
Make it your own: Swap in ground turkey or chicken (adjust salt to taste). For more heat, add a pinch of cayenne or a diced jalapeño while browning.
Storage: Refrigerate in an airtight container up to 4 days.
Freezing: Freeze flat in zip-top bags up to 3 months. Reheat in a skillet with a splash of broth, or in the microwave until steaming.

Nutrition

Serving: 1ServingCalories: 172kcalCarbohydrates: 3gProtein: 25gFat: 6gSaturated Fat: 3gPolyunsaturated Fat: 0.5gMonounsaturated Fat: 3gTrans Fat: 0.4gCholesterol: 70mgSodium: 433mgPotassium: 496mgFiber: 1gSugar: 1gVitamin A: 682IUVitamin C: 2mgCalcium: 28mgIron: 4mg