Agile in the kitchen

Taco minced meat

On a black matte plate, two taco tubs filled with taco mince meat, cucumbers, lettuce, salsa and sour cream.
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Need a quick dinner? Try my taco minced meat with homemade taco seasoning. A quick and easy way to make a taco dinner, and so appreciated by everyone. Serve with taco shells, or tortillas and whichever vegetables you have in the fridge and cupboards, with a dollop of creme fraiche and some shredded cheese.

In a frying pan, taco mince meat cooking together, with mince meat, red split lentils and taco seasoning
Taco meat cooking

This is dinner ready in less than thirty minutes. And the leftovers, if there are any, can be made into a delicious taco salad for lunch the day after.

On a wooden cutting board, a blue bowl with taco salad (lettuce, cucumber, tomatoes, taco mince meat with red lentils, salsa and sour cream), with some nacho chips on the side. On the right a folded green cloth napkin
Taco salad bowl

Make your own seasoning

You will never buy taco seasoning again when you can make this easy taco seasoning from common cupboard staples. Paprika powder, chili powder, cumin, oregano, salt and sugar. Taste it as you mix them to make it fit your taste buds. To follow my recipe, use the link or see the recipe card for complete measurements.

Substitutes

Use the minced meat that you are most comfortable with and that you have at home. I have made this with both beef and turkey mince. Also try to make it with veggo mince to make it vegetarian. Depending on the brand of your veggo mince, I would use more of the seasoning as sometimes I find some of the versions a bit bland.

If you do not have all the spices at home for the spice mix, you can use a pre-packed spice mix, I do prefer to make my own though, so that I can control what is in it and leave out those unnecessary additives. I use my seasoning often which means it does not sit in my cupboard for very long. If you are not using a lot, or often, then half the measurements to make sure the spice mix does not clump together if sat in the cupboard for too long.

Freezable

This taco minced meat recipe is really good for freezing. Buy minced meat in bulk when its on a good price, Fry and season the minced meat before putting it in an airtight container and freeze up to three months. Ready to take out on a moments notice when dinner needs to be ready in as short time as possible. If you have longer time, leave to defrost in the fridge over the day. If in a pinch, take it out straight from the freezer to the pan and reheat on low heat.

Variations

There are many other ways to season minced meat. Why not put an Asian spin on it with my Asian inspired mince or add some chopped tomatoes an herbs to make an easy Bolognese. Or sprinkle some taco mince over my taco mac n cheese.

For other Mexican inspired recipes, try my black bean and shrimp taco or my black bean and spicy shrimp quesadillas.

In a frying pan, taco mince meat cooking together, with mince meat, red split lentils and taco seasoning
Print Recipe

Taco minced meat

Need a quick dinner? Try my minced meat taco meat with homemade taco seasoning. A quick and easy way to make a taco dinner, and so appreciated by everyone.
Prep Time5 minutes
Cook Time10 minutes
Total Time15 minutes
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: Mexican
Keyword: minced meat
Servings: 6 portions

Ingredients

  • 400 g minced meat beef or turkey
  • 1 tbsp taco seasoning
  • 1 tbsp water

Taco seasoning

  • 1 tsp smoked paprika powder
  • 1 tsp chili powder
  • 2 tsp cumin
  • 1 tsp oregano
  • 1 tsp salt
  • ½ tsp sugar

Instructions

  • Fry minced meat in a neutral oil.
  • Sprinkle spice mix over with a table spoon of water.
  • It takes about 3 to 5 minutes to cook together.
  • Serve in taco shells with any additions or in a taco salad.

Taco seasoning

  • Add all the spices in a bowl and mix together. Store in an airtight container or use right away.