Crock Pot Taco Meat

This crock pot taco meat recipe is so simple, yet it's loaded with flavor. It combines slow cooked ground beef with taco seasoning and salsa to make the most delicious tacos ever!

The Best Crock Pot Taco Meat

If you love tacos - especially ones that are filled with perfectly seasoned and juicy ground beef - this slow cooker taco meat recipe will quickly become your favorite part of Taco Tuesday. The flavor of it is out of this world good.

I mean, the combination of ground beef and salsa cooked low and slow with a blend of taco seasoning mix is delicious all on its own. Then, when you pair it with your favorite taco fixings, you've got tacos like no other!

Furthermore, this recipe is just a breeze to whip up. All you have to do is combine everything in your slow cooker and let it all cook until the meat is juicy and absorbs all that delicious flavor.

By the way, while the crock pot taco beef is cooking, you can whip up some tasty toppings to serve with it, like this Chipotle guac or this Moe's queso.

Why You'll Love This Recipe

The minimal ingredients. You'll only need 4 ingredients to make this recipe, and odds are you have most of them on hand already!

It's easy to customize. There's plenty of room to customize the flavor of the meat to suit your preferences. You can switch up the spices, add more meat, or even make your own homemade taco seasoning to take the flavor to another level. The options are endless!

A versatile recipe. The meat tastes great on its own with tortilla chips, in a taco, burrito, or even in a taco salad. I've even mixed it with eggs in the morning to make breakfast burritos.

Ingredients

Here's everything you'll need to make this recipe:

• 1 lb. ground beef
• 2 tbsp. Mexican seasoning or taco seasoning
• 1 tsp. garlic powder
• 2 cups salsa

If you end up with any leftovers, you can use it in a lot of my recipes. This taco casserole and this crescent roll taco bake are two that my family's been loving right now.

How To Make Crock Pot Taco Meat

1. Combine the ingredients: Add the raw ground beef, your favorite taco seasoning, garlic powder, and salsa to the crock pot and give everything a mix.

2. Cook the meat: Put the lid on the crock pot and cook on low for 4 hours or high for 2-3 hours.

3. Serve: When the ground beef is finished cooking, serve it in your tacos along with your favorite toppings and enjoy!

My Tips To Make The Best Recipe

• Substitute ground beef for lean ground beef, ground chicken, or ground turkey for leaner taco meat.
• Add extra ingredients to the slow cooker, like chili powder, hot sauce, smoked paprika, or diced tomatoes for added flavor.
• Set up a taco bar with toppings like sour cream, shredded cheese, shredded lettuce, sliced black olives, or pickled onions when you serve your crockpot tacos. You can even make taco salads!
• Use different salsas to switch up the flavor and try this green salsa, mild salsa, or spicy salsa.
• Add black beans or pinto beans for extra protein.
• Swap salsa for Rotel tomatoes for a different flavor and add a little heat.

How I Recommend Storing Crock Pot Taco Meat

In the fridge: Store leftover taco meat in an airtight container, and it'll last in the fridge for up to 3 days. 

In the freezer: Allow the leftovers to cool completely, then transfer it to an airtight container - or freezer-safe bag - and then you can freeze the taco meat for up to 3 months.

Reheating: Transfer the beef to a skillet, set it over medium heat, and cook, stirring frequently, until it's warmed through. Let the frozen meat thaw in the fridge overnight before reheating.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will taco meat dry out in the crock pot?

No, it should not dry out in the crock pot but instead become juicy and tender. You'll just need to make sure it's cooking with enough liquid.

Can I put raw ground beef in the slow cooker?

Yes. It's actually a really convenient way to cook ground beef that's totally hands-free.

How long can I keep the taco meat in a crock pot?

You can leave the meat in a warming setting for up to two hours before it should be removed from the heat.

More Slow Cooker Recipes To Try

• Sirloin tip roast
• Cube steak
• Mac and cheese
• Taco casserole
• Chicken casserole