• Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer

Laughing Spatula logo

  • Bloglovin
  • Email
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • RSS
  • YouTube
  • All Recipes
  • Most Popular
  • Chicken Recipes
  • Healthy Recipes
  • About
Laughing Spatula / Recipe Index / Appetizers / Fresh and Easy Taco Meat

Fresh and Easy Taco Meat

By Kathi & Rachel

2212 shares
  • Share
  • Email
Jump to Recipe Print Recipe

Easy to make and so versatile!  You will love this recipe for Fresh and Easy Taco Meat. Using fresh spices, crunchy fresh vegetables and any ground meat of your choice, this recipe works for tacos, enchiladas, soups, and more. Best part? It only takes  about 20 minutes.

spooning taco meat on tortilla

 

This is a staple in our house – especially when I am eating Paleo or Whole30.   I usually use ground chicken but ground turkey or beef works great too.  You can hide all kinds of veggies in here.  I used poblanos, red and green peppers, onions and on occasion chopped carrots and corn. Your kiddo’s will never know what hit them!

chopped onions and peppers on a cutting board

We spoon it onto chopped lettuce for taco salads, put in lettuce wraps for snacks and of course, tortillas.

To keep this recipe super clean, we use our own taco seasoning, and add it right to the meat mixture. If you are eating paleo or Whole30, make sure you check the labels on your spices so they are clean (I.E. No sugars or fillers). We combine chili powder, paprika, cumin, garlic, salt, pepper, and if you like heat- add in some chili flakes.

adding chili powder to taco meat

Steps to making this easy Taco Meat:

  • Sautee meat of your choice until fully cooked. We prefer chicken, but you could use turkey, beef, or pork.
    • Be sure to drain the fat!
  • Add chopped veggies to the pan, along with the taco seasoning, and a tablespoon of olive oil.
  • Sautee away, until the vegetables are done to your liking. I prefer them with a little crunch, personally.

bowl of taco meat with veggies

This packs up great for lunches as well…better make a double batch to get you through the working week!

Other tips on making perfect taco meat:

  • I used 70 percent lean ground chicken opposed to all white chicken breast.
  • Spices vary – once the chicken is fully cooked, make sure and taste check as you season.
    • If you like spicy, add chili flakes.
    • Not a fan of spicy? Reduce the amount of chili powder and replace with paprika.
  • Add more vegetables if you like!
    • Corn, zucchini, mushrooms, jicama are great.

Recipes to serve with Taco Meat:

  • Taco Cups
  • Spanish Rice
  • Easy Baked Mexican Rice
  • Fresh Corn and Avocado Salad
  • Easy Restaurant Quality Guacamole
  • Chickpea Salad

Clink!

Kathi & Rachel

bowl of taco meat with veggies

Fresh and Easy Taco Meat

A easy and healthy taco filling with no store bought pack of spices1
4.50 from 8 votes
Print Pin Rate
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 15 minutes
Total Time: 25 minutes
Servings: 6 servings
Author: Kathi & Rachel

Ingredients

  • 1 pound ground chicken turkey or beef
  • 1 poblano pepper chopped
  • 1 green pepper chopped
  • 1 red pepper chopped
  • 1 small onion chopped
  • 2 cloves garlic chopped
  • 1 tablespoon chili powder
  • 1 tablespoon paprika
  • 2 teaspoons ground cumin
  • salt and pepper to taste
  • pinch of chili pepper flakes optional

Instructions

  • In a large skillet, brown ground meat.
  • Drain excess liquid.
  • Add all chopped veggies and seasonings.
  • Saute over medium heat until just crisp tender, about 3-5 minutes.
  • Serve!

Nutrition

Calories: 141kcal | Carbohydrates: 6g | Protein: 14g | Fat: 6g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 65mg | Sodium: 93mg | Potassium: 596mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 2g | Vitamin A: 1565IU | Vitamin C: 58.9mg | Calcium: 30mg | Iron: 1.8mg

 

2212 shares
  • Share
  • Email

Filed Under: Appetizers, Chicken, Fast and Fresh, Healthy Recipes, Main Course Recipes, Paleo, Salad, Whole30

Never miss a Laughing Spatula recipe!

Sign up for free recipes delivered straight your in box ! Sign up Here

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Rusti says

    August 6, 2018 at 4:54 pm

    5 stars
    I’ve made this now, probably 10 times. It’s my go to for tacos! I follow the recipe using beef 80%-85% and I’ve never had an issue with dryness. My kids have also never complained of spiciness. I do serve it with avocado though, maybe that helps.

    Reply
    • Kathi @ LaughingSpatula.com says

      August 6, 2018 at 5:43 pm

      So glad you love it! So much healthier than packaged taco seasoning. p.s. Avocado helps EVERYTHING! Clink!

      Reply
  2. Fiona says

    May 16, 2018 at 1:09 am

    3 stars
    I have just made this dish. I only added one teaspoon of chilli powder tasted it and thought it needed the second teaspoon. Now I’m wishing I did not add the second spoon in its entirety as it’s now too hot. Wish there was a way to tone chilli down.

    Oh well lesson learnt.

    Reply
  3. Heather LaCroix says

    January 2, 2017 at 11:48 pm

    4 stars
    Loved how easy this was and the flavor was good, but it was pretty dry. Is there any kind of sauce you could make for it?

    Reply
    • Kathi Kirk says

      January 2, 2017 at 11:52 pm

      It could be the type of protein you are using. Did you use chicken breast or a mixture of chicken breast and chicken thigh? I use 70 percent lean ground chicken. If you are using a higher fat protein than it’s possible you are over cooking. Just some thoughts…it shouldn’t be dry. You could add some tomato sauce to moisten.

      Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Recipe Rating




This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Primary Sidebar

mother daughter picture of Rachel and Kathi Kirk
Hi! We are Kathi and Rachel, a mother daughter blogging team creating easy to prepare foods made with fresh ingredients that your whole family will love!

FREE RECIPE EBOOK!
Join our free list below and receive our Ebook: TOP 10 EASY DINNER RECIPES! The best of the best all in one little book!

YOUR FAVORITE RECIPES!

strawberry jam on fresh bread

English Muffin Bread

Skinny Caesar Dressing

3 Minute Skinny Caesar Dressing

Yogurt Honey Mustard Dressing in glass dish

The Best Greek Yogurt Honey Mustard Dressing or Dipping Sauce

Baked chicken cordon bleu cut in half with dijon sauce on top

Baked Chicken Cordon Bleu

ramen noodle stir fry

Chicken Ramen Noodles

cheddar bacon celery sticks

Cheddar Bacon Stuffed Celery

Footer

As Seen On

Laughing Spatula Featured on Buzzfeed
Laughing Spatula Featured on Fitness Magazine
Laughing Spatula Featured on The Huffington Post
Laughing Spatula Featured on MSN
Laughing Spatula Featured on NBC News
Laughing Spatula Featured on PBS
Laughing Spatula Featured on RedbookMag.com
Laughing Spatula Featured on Country Living

WE LOVE HELPING YOU MAKE FRESH, DELICIOUS AND SIMPLE RECIPES FOR THE WHOLE FAMILY!

  • Main Course Recipes
  • Sheet Pan Recipes
  • Fast and Fresh Recipes
  • Most Popular Recipes
  • Salad & Dressing Recipes
  • Desserts
  • Soup Recipes
  • Side Dish Recipes
  • Bloglovin
  • Email
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • RSS
  • YouTube

Copyright © 2023 Laughing Spatula | Contact & Privacy Policy