Taco Bell Meat Recipe (2024)

Use this Taco Bell Meat recipe to learn how to make taco meat taste just like takeout. Then you can recreate all your favorite menu items at home!

Taco Bell Meat Recipe (1)

Salty and savory with just a touch of heat — there’s something uniquely delicious about the Taco Bell™ ground beef recipe that makes their tacos a craveable snack at any time of day.

While there are dozens (or more!) homemade taco meat recipes out there, none have ever come as close to tasting like this fast food favorite.

Once you know how to make taco meat at home, there will be no reason to wait in the drive thru again!

Taco Bell Meat Recipe (2)

Taco Bell Meat Recipe

There really isn’t anything difficult about making this taco meat recipe. Just brown the ground beef, and add a little water and Tex Mex spices.

Then, let it simmer and cook until it thickens up.

However, there’s one trick that’s extremely important when making this copycat Taco Bell meat recipe.

Be sure to break up the beef into very small pieces, so the texture is consistent. It’s just as crucial as getting the seasoning right!

Once all of the liquid has been absorbed, it’s ready to serve! Spoon it into taco bowls or shells, or set out a walking tacos buffet.

And, of course, you’ll want to use it to make some of our other Taco Bell recipes! You can make a Mexican Pizza, Beef Quesarito, or a Crunchwrap Supreme!

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Taco Bell Beef Ingredients

  • Ground Beef – I prefer to use 85% lean ground meat, but feel free to use your favorite.

    For fattier blends, you will need to drain off any excess grease before adding the spices.

  • All Purpose Flour – This ingredient isn’t typically used in an authentic taco meat recipe, but Taco Bell ground beef has a very specific texture that we’re trying to achieve.

    A little all-purpose flour helps to thicken the mixture so it all sticks together.

  • Spices – Garlic and onion powder are must in just about any savory dish!

    Cumin, chili powder, and paprika add more flavor and heat without making the meat too spicy.

  • Beef Bouillon – You’ll want to use a concentrated paste for this Taco Bell beef recipe, not the dry cubes or granules.
  • Sugar – Don’t worry — this doesn’t give the beef a sweet flavor! There is just enough to balance the flavors and prevent a sharp aftertaste.
  • Water – Liquid helps the spices distribute throughout the browned meat, locking in all of the delicious flavor.

PRO TIP

If you don’t have time to stand at the stove, you can cook ground beef in a slow cooker!

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Prep Ahead Instructions

Once you learn how to make taco meat, it becomes second nature to whip up a batch in a few minutes.

It doesn’t hurt to cook it up in advance for parties, just don’t let it sit out at room temperature for longer than 2 hours.

If you need to prep ahead, refrigerate the mixture and reheat it on the stove when it’s time to eat.

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Homemade Taco Meat FAQs

Can I use a packet of taco seasoning instead?

Personally, I like to use homemade spice blends whenever I can, simply to avoid the added preservatives and artificial colors. That said, your favorite taco seasoning blend will work just fine. Or, some stores carry the branded Taco Bell taco seasoning.

Does Taco Bell use real ground beef?

According to their website, yes. There have been rumors over the years that their signature blend includes horse meat and other fillers, but the company states that they only use 100 percent USDA premium beef.

What’s in Taco Bell taco seasoning?

Unfortunately, the ingredients are a bit of a mystery. Their website does note a “signature blend of 7 authentic seasonings and spices,”. They also say they have removed artificial flavors and colors in favor of natural alternatives.

For this Taco Bell meat recipe, I use a blend of savory and hot spices, plus a little bit of sugar — and a surprise ingredient, beef bouillon paste! This combination creates a unique flavor that (in my opinion) tastes just like the Taco Bell beef.

How do you store Taco Bell beef?

Transfer any leftover homemade taco meat to an airtight container and refrigerate. Be sure to use it within 2 to 3 days. You could also double or triple this Taco Bell meat recipe and freeze some for future meals!

Portion the seasoned ground beef into freezer-safe Ziploc bags so you can thaw just what you need in the refrigerator overnight.

Cooked taco meat keeps well for up to 3 months in the freezer.

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Enjoy!
With love, from our simple kitchen to yours.

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Other Easy Mexican and Tex Mex Recipes

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Taco Bell Meat Recipe (11)

Taco Bell Meat Recipe

Donna Elick

Use my Taco Bell Taco Meat recipe to learn how to make taco meat taste just like takeout. You can recreate your favorite menu items at home!

4.89 stars from 9 reviews

Tried this recipe?Please comment and review!

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 5 minutes mins

Cook Time 10 minutes mins

Total Time 15 minutes mins

Course Main

Cuisine Tex Mex

Method Stovetop

Servings 4 people

Equipment

Ingredients

  • 1 pound ground beef
  • 1 tablespoon all-purpose flour
  • 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1 teaspoon onion powder
  • 1 teaspoon chili powder
  • 1 teaspoon paprika
  • 1/2 teaspoon cumin
  • 1 teaspoon beef bouillon paste
  • 2 tablespoons tomato paste
  • 1/2 teaspoon granulated sugar
  • 1/2 cup water

Instructions

  • Add ground beef to a large skillet over medium heat. Cook until browned, using a meat chopper or potato masher to break the meat into very small pieces as it cooks.

  • Add the remaining ingredients to the skillet and bring to a simmer.

    Continue cooking, breaking the meat apart as necessary, until most of the liquid is absorbed, about 5 minutes.

  • Use as desired, and enjoy!

Donna’s Notes

  1. Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator and use within 2-3 days.
  1. You can substitute the spices with a packet of your favorite taco seasoning, or a packet of Taco Bell taco seasoning.
  1. Breaking down the meat into very small pieces is just as important as getting the seasoning right for this copycat recipe. The longer the meat cooks, the easier it becomes to break it down.

Nutrition

Serving: 4ounces | Calories: 258cal | Carbohydrates: 3g | Protein: 22g | Fat: 17g | Saturated Fat: 7g | Cholesterol: 77mg | Sodium: 90mg | Sugar: 1g | Fiber: 1g | Calcium: 25mg | Iron: 3mg

All nutritional information is based on third party calculations and is only an estimate. Each recipe’s nutritional value will vary depending on the ingredients used, measuring methods, and portion sizes.

Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!

Taco Bell Meat Recipe (13)

Originally published April 2022, updated and republished March 2023

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Taco Bell Meat Recipe (2024)

FAQs

What is the Taco Bell meat made from? ›

We use 100 percent USDA premium beef in our seasoned beef. We prepare it much the same way you prepare taco meat at home: after simmering, it is drained of excess fat and pre-seasoned with our signature blend of 7 authentic seasonings and spices.

How to make really fine taco meat? ›

Boiling ground beef is the best way to cook it so that it comes out in small, fine crumbles. Trust me, this is the secret to all those amazing tacos and pasta sauces at your favorite restaurant! It's also a healthier option, because the boiling process helps separate the fat from the meat, and it comes out quite lean.

What percent of Taco Bell meat is actually meat? ›

It then is slow-cooked and simmered with proprietary seasonings and spices to provide Taco Bell's signature taste and texture. Our seasoned beef recipe contains 88% quality USDA-inspected beef and 12% seasonings, spices, water and other ingredients that provide taste, texture and moisture.

Was there horse meat in Taco Bell? ›

The British Food Standards Agency said Taco Bell's products contained more than 1% (pdf) horse meat. “We apologize to our customers and take this matter very seriously as food quality is our highest priority,” a spokesman for the chain said.

Why is Taco Bell beef so fine? ›

Taco Bell uses additive like maltodextrin and corn starch in their ground beef mixture.

What is the thickening agent for taco meat? ›

A typical 12-serving taco seasoning mix recipe uses about 1 ½ tablespoons of cornstarch. If you want to skip the cornstarch in your homemade seasoning to use it for other purposes, just sprinkle ⅓ to ½ teaspoon of cornstarch per pound of browned, spiced meat before adding ¾ cup of water and heat until thickened.

Why is my taco meat red? ›

Information. Oxygen from the air reacts with meat pigments to form a bright red color which is usually seen on the surface of meat purchased in the supermarket. The pigment responsible for the red color in meat is oxymyoglobin, a substance found in all warm-blooded animals. Fresh cut meat is purplish in color.

What is the most unhealthy thing in Taco Bell? ›

If you want to keep your Taco Bell order as healthy as possible, registered dietitian Yelena Wheeler, RDN, says to steer clear of the steak grilled cheese burrito, which she says is the absolute least healthiest item on the menu.

How much of Taco Bell meat is filler? ›

Taco Bell's primary meat mix consists of 88% USDA-inspected premium real beef. The remaining 12% is made up of a signature recipe that includes water, spices, and a blend of oats, starches, and other ingredients to enhance the flavor, texture, and moisture.

Does Taco Bell have fake meat options? ›

Taco Bell's newest creation is instead filled with a “proprietary” vegan beef (made from pea protein and soy), plus “cool vegan blanco sauce and warm vegan nacho sauce.” The chain has long been known as one of the few big fast-food operations where vegetarians could easily eat, but this is the company's first fully ...

What does adding water to taco meat do? ›

What you're doing when you add water is helping the cornstarch create a smooth sauce flavored with the spices. The heat then activates the cornstarch, thickening the mixture.

What does adding beer to ground beef do? ›

And if you want something done right, do it yourself. What's the first key to good taco meat? Don't dry it out. By using a little bit of beer and tequila, you not only add some flavor, but you keep it nice and juicy.

How do Mexican restaurants get their taco meat so fine? ›

Making Restaurant Style Mexican Ground Beef:

The secret to many of those simple ground beef dishes is to slowly cook the ground beef with a little water; the fat renders out and the beef, when finished, will be just right. And that works with this taco/burrito beef, too.

Does Taco Bell have artificial meat? ›

Taco Bell Tests Improved Plant-Based Protein in a Cheesy New Taco. Despite the chain's foray into proprietary fake meat, Taco Bell says another plant-based product from Beyond Meat is still on the way.

What is in pink slime? ›

The “pink slime” is made by gathering waste trimmings, simmering them at low heat so the fat separates easily from the muscle, and spinning the trimmings using a centrifuge to complete the separation. Next, the mixture is sent through pipes where it is sprayed with ammonia gas to kill bacteria.

Is Taco Bell healthier than McDonald's? ›

Furthermore, around 60% of Taco Bell meals fall between 220 and 410 calories from fat whereas 60% of McDonalds meals fall between 420 and 650 calories from fat. Additionally, around 77% of Taco Bell meals have less than 400 calories from fat whereas only around 18% of meals at McDonalds have the same quality.

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