Recipe

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This crockpot taco meat is well seasoned and slow-cooked to perfection, so taco night is ready when you are.

With this slow cooker taco meat recipe, you can walk in the door to dinner basically done.

Slow Cooker Taco Meat

This crockpot taco meat is my secret weapon for pulling off ground beef tacos or tasty taco bowls on a busy Tuesday when I want a meal that feels like a win.

I use my method for cooking ground beef in the slow cooker, add taco seasoning and some salsa, and let it simmer low and slow until it's ready to go.

Ingredients

You’ll need the ground meat of your choice, such as beef or turkey, your favorite taco seasoning, and some salsa, which serves as the liquid added to the slow cooker, providing flavor to the recipe.

Laura’s Tip: While any type of salsa can be used for this recipe, the less chunky the better, as it’s the liquid that replaces the water typically used to cook meat in a slow cooker.

How to Make Taco Meat in the Crockpot

The best part about cooking taco meat in the crockpot is that it’s very on brand: you set it and forget it!

It can be slow-cooked on low over a longer period of time or on high for a shorter cooking time, whichever is most convenient for you.

Mix the raw ground meat with the seasoning and salsa, as best as you can, before you cook it. Don’t just add a block of meat in there because it will cook like that.

Break up the cooked taco meat during the cooking process (if you’re around) or when it’s finished but before you drain the excess liquid, for the best texture.

Storing & Reheating

Planning to cook taco meat in the crockpot in bulk for taco Tuesday, taco pasta, and more? Clever! You can store the meat in a large airtight container or in smaller servings, depending on the meals you'll serve. They last up to 3 days in the fridge or up to 2 months in the freezer.

My go-to methods for reheating cooked taco meat are the microwave and a pot or pan on the stovetop. I add a little water or broth to keep it from drying out and warm it until it is heated through.

Crockpot Taco Meat

Servings: 8

Prep Time: 5

Cook Time: 3

Total Time: 3 5

This crockpot taco meat is well seasoned and slow-cooked to perfection, so taco night is ready when you are.

5 from 3 votes

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Watch how it’s made:

Ingredients

2 lbs ground beef
4 tablespoons taco seasoning, 2 packages
1 ½ cups salsa, any

Instructions

Prep:

Place the ground beef into the bottom of a 6-quart slow cooker. Break up the meat with a wooden spatula or meat chopper tool. Sprinkle the taco seasoning over the meat and pour the salsa over the top. Mix to combine as well as possible.

Cook:

Cover and cook on high for 3 hours or on low for 6 hours. Here and there, use the spatula or chopper tool to break up the beef into smaller pieces. This can be done when the meat is finished cooking too.
Once the beef is cooked through, use a spoon to drain the liquid or fat from the bottom of the slow cooker.