Ground Beef Taco Filling

Beef and bean taco filling is a great quick and easy weeknight dinner, and pairs well with Air Fryer Taco Shells for an incredible Taco Tuesday meal. We have included a list of our favorite taco toppings and links to amazing recipes for guacamole, salsa and pico de gallo below. It also makes an excellent beef and bean burrito filling.

GROUND BEEF TACO FILLING INGREDIENTS

This section explains how to choose the best ingredients for beef and bean taco filling, what each one does in the recipe, and substitution options. For measurements, see the recipe card below.

You may have all of these taco beef filling ingredients in your refrigerator or pantry and not need to make a trip to the grocery store. See recipe card below for ingredient amounts.

• Ground Beef: We recommend using a lean blend with 80-90% lean meat. You can also try ground turkey or chicken for this recipe.
• Water
• Chili Powder
• Cumin
• Onion Powder
• Garlic Powder
• Paprika: We used regular paprika, but if you like a bit of a smokey flavor, use smoked paprika.
• Dried Oregano
• Salt
• Black Pepper
• Cayenne Pepper
• Refried Beans: Use our easy to make Instant Pot Refried Beans or your favorite store bought brand.
• Restaurant Style Salsa: Try our super quick and delicious Restaurant Style Salsa recipe or use ready made salsa from the grocery store.

INSTRUCTIONS

This section shows how to cook easy taco meat on the stovetop, with step-by-step photos and details about the technique. For full instructions, nutritional information, to print the recipe or to have the recipe scaled to double or triple, see the recipe card below.

FINISH BEEF MIXTURE: First, add water and spices, then stir to combine and coat the meat with the spice mixture. Add refried beans and salsa. Stir again until well blended.

🔴 TIP: You can use this ground beef filling for many dishes, It tastes great as filling for tacos and burritos, but also as a topping for loaded beef nachos.

HOW TO MAKE BEEF TACO FILLING AHEAD

Beef and beans can be made up to 3 days in advance and stored in an airtight container in the fridge. Reheat slowly on the stove before serving it. Add a tablespoon of water to thin out, if necessary.

STORAGE TIPS

Refrigerate: Ground beef taco filling can be stored in an airtight container or ziplock bag in the fridge for up to 3 days.

Freeze: Leftovers can be frozen in a freezer safe container or bag for up to 3 months.

Defrosting: Beef and beans taco filling thaws well in the refrigerator over night.

Reheat: Reheat gluten free taco filling slowly on the stove before serving it. Add a tablespoon of water to thin out, if necessary.

WHAT TO SERVE WITH TACO FILLING

Tacos are a great meal to feed a crowd. You can serve this scrumptious beef and bean taco filling with Air Fryer Taco Shells and alongside all your favorite fillings, so everyone can build their own mouthwatering taco.

We love serving our homemade taco meat with:

• Cilantro Lime Rice
• Instant Pot Mexican Rice
• Instant Pot Black Beans
• Mexican cheese blend
• Guacamole or cut up avocado
• Pico De Gallo
• Salsa: mango habanero salsa, restaurant style salsa, salsa verde
• Sour cream: cilantro lime sour cream, dairy free sour cream
• chopped lettuce
• Jalapeños
• Fresh cilantro and lime wedges

You can also use this juicy and flavorful beef and bean filling to make the world’s best Loaded Beef Nachos.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

For perfect results every time, here are answers to the most common questions about cooking ground beef burrito filling.

5 from 2 votes

Ground Beef Taco Filling

Author Andrea + Stef

Course Main Dish

Cuisine American, keto, Mexican

Prep Time 5 minutes minutes

Cook Time 10 minutes minutes

Total Time 15 minutes minutes

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8 servings

Delicious and versatile ground beef taco filling is perfect for tacos, burritos, nachos and more.

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Equipment

• large skillet
• cooking spatula or spoon

Ingredients

  

1x2x3x

• ▢ 1 lb lean ground beef
• ▢ 3 tablespoon water
• ▢ 2 teaspoon chili powder
• ▢ 1 teaspoon ground cumin
• ▢ 1 teaspoon onion powder
• ▢ 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• ▢ 1 teaspoon paprika
• ▢ 1 teaspoon dried oregano
• ▢ ½ teaspoon salt
• ▢ ¼ teaspoon black pepper
• ▢ ¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper
• ▢ 2 cups refried beans (or one 16 ounce can)
• ▢ ½ cup restaurant style salsa

Instructions

• In a large skillet, over medium-high heat, brown the ground beef. Then drain the grease.
  
• First, add the water, chili powder, cumin, onion powder, garlic powder, paprika, oregano, salt, pepper and cayenne pepper. Stir to combine and coat the meat with all the spices.
  
• Then add refried beans and salsa. Stir until combined and heated through.
  
• Serve as a filling for tacos, burritos or topping for nachos.
  

Notes

• Try using ground turkey or chicken for this recipe.
• It makes the cooking process a lot quicker and easier if you measure out all the spices before you start browning the meat. 
• This beef and beans mixture tastes amazing on our Loaded Beef Nachos. 

Nutrition

Calories: 128kcal | Carbohydrates: 9g | Protein: 15g | Fat: 3g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 1g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 35mg | Sodium: 644mg | Potassium: 266mg | Fiber: 3g | Sugar: 2g | Vitamin A: 329IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 39mg | Iron: 2mg

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