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    Home > Meal Type > Main Dishes

    Mexican Ground Beef Taco Filling

    Last Updated: Jun 22, 2021 · First Published: Sep 15, 2017
    Author: Claire | Sprinkles and Sprouts · Comment: 2 Comments

    Jump to Recipe SaveSaved!
    5 from 2 votes

    This Mexican Ground Beef Taco filling is so easy to put together, making it perfect for a quick midweek dinner.

    You can change the spice level to suit your family. We are still on the mild end of the spectrum, although the boys are slowly developing a taste for a little bit of heat.

    3 corn tacos on a rustic metal plate filled with Mexican ground beef

    Everyone loves tacos!!! I mean what is not to love. Richly flavoured filling, fresh veg and salad, a bit of spice, maybe some cheese and then soft tortilla wraps.

    Or are you a hard shell taco lover?

    Want to save this recipe?

    We'll email this post to you, so you can come back to it later!

    We are divided in our family. I love the flour wraps whilst the kids love the crunch.

    Enjoy x

    Get the Recipe

    close up on 3 hard beef tacos on a blue plate

    Mexican Ground Beef Taco Filling

    Claire | Sprinkle and Sprouts
    This Mexican Ground Beef Taco filling is so easy to put together, making it perfect for a quick midweek dinner. You can change the spice level to suit your family. We are still on the mild end of the spectrum, although the boys are slowly developing a taste for a little bit of heat.
    5 from 2 votes
    Print Recipe
    Prep Time 5 minutes mins
    Cook Time 30 minutes mins
    Total Time 35 minutes mins
    Course Main
    Cuisine Mexican
    Servings 6
    Calories 316 kcal

    Ingredients
     
     

    • 1 onion
    • 3 garlic cloves
    • 1 tablespoon olive oil
    • 2 lbs ground beef
    • 2 tablespoon tomato paste/puree
    • 2 teaspoon salt
    • 2 teaspoon paprika
    • 1½ teaspoon ground cumin
    • 1 teaspoon ground coriander
    • 1 teaspoon oregano
    • 1 teaspoon dried thyme
    • 1 teaspoon dried basil
    • 1 teaspoon onion powder
    • ½ teaspoon smoked paprika
    • ¼ teaspoon black pepper
    • ½ teaspoon cayenne pepper (optional)

    Instructions
     

    Prevent your screen from going dark
    • Peel and finely chop one onion and 3 garlic cloves.
    • Pour 1 tablespoon of olive oil into a heavy based skillet and add the chopped onion and garlic.
    • Fry over medium heat for 3-4 minutes until softened.
    • Add in 2lb/1kg of ground beef and use your spatula to break it apart.
    • Add in 2 tablespoon tomato paste/puree, 2 teaspoon salt, 2 teaspoon paprika, 1 ½ teaspoon cumin, 1 teaspoon ground coriander, 1 teaspoon oregano, 1 teaspoon thyme, 1 teaspoon dried basil, 1 teaspoon onion powder, ½ teaspoon smoked paprika and ¼ teaspoon black pepper. (also add ½ teaspoon of cayenne pepper if you want it spicy)
    • Stir everything together and add ½ cup of water.
    • Cook for 15-20 minutes over low heat until the meat has cooked through and the flavors have developed. If the mixture starts to look too dry add a further ¼ cup of water, if the mixture looks too wet, raise the flame to medium-high.
    Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!

    Nutrition

    Calories: 316kcalCarbohydrates: 3gProtein: 20gFat: 25gSaturated Fat: 9gCholesterol: 81mgSodium: 660mgPotassium: 349mgFiber: 1gSugar: 1gVitamin A: 308IUVitamin C: 1mgCalcium: 38mgIron: 3mg

    Nutrition is per serving

    For more great recipes follow me on PinterestFollow @sprinklessprout

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    Comments

    1. Elena says

      September 07, 2025 at 9:59 pm

      5 stars
      wow oh wow! this recipe for taco meat is amazing! I didn't have dried basil so I used fresh and it was amazing. I honestly would say that this is the best recipe I have ever made for taco meat. thank you thank you soooo much!

      Reply
      • Claire | Sprinkles and Sprouts says

        September 26, 2025 at 4:29 pm

        Oh WOW!
        So happy you loved it 🙂
        Cx

        Reply
    5 from 2 votes (1 rating without comment)

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    a lady slurping pasta from a fork while holding a rustic bowl

    I'm Claire and I love food!!


    I dream about food and I am happiest when I am in the kitchen cooking. Whether that is dinner for my family, snacks for drinks with my girlfriends or testing new recipes for my site, the kitchen is my happy place. Sprinkles and Sprouts is where I share it all and I am so happy you are here.

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