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EASY Keto Taco Meat (Ground Beef) 🌮

Cast Iron Keto
by
Updated:
6 Comments
4.67 from 6 votes

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Our simple Keto Taco Meat recipe lets you enjoy tacos without messing up your keto diet. This dish is full of protein, and it's not just for Taco Tuesday—you can whip it up any day. Use it in burrito bowls, taco salads, and more. Trust us, once you try it, you'll wonder how you ever lived without this tasty Mexican dish.

larger dimension version of Easy Keto Taco Meat in a skillet
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Preparation and cooking overview

Preparing the Ground Beef Keto Taco Meat Recipe takes only 15 minutes. First, heat avocado oil in a large cast-iron skillet. Brown the ground beef and season it with our tasty taco seasoning. Add crushed tomatoes, let it simmer until thickened, and voilá. It's ready!

Chef’s note

Ground chicken, turkey, and pork are tasty alternatives to ground beef in this recipe. If you're following a plant-based diet, Beyond Meat's ground "beef" is a perfect substitute that doesn't need any adjustments. 

  • Prep Time: 5 minutes
  • Cooking Time: 10 minutes
  • Total Time: 15 Minutes
  • Difficulty Level: Easy
  • Recipe Makes 4 Servings

🌮 Ingredients for this keto taco meat recipe

Let's make ground beef keto tacos with the most simple ingredients!

Ingredient substitutions

  • Avocado oil: Replace it with other keto-friendly oils such as olive, coconut, or ghee.
  • Ground beef: Beyond Meat's ground "beef" is a great choice if you prefer a plant-based option. Alternatively, you can use ground turkey, pork, or chicken.

Additional ingredients

The following ingredients are optional and can be added to customize your taco experience according to your taste preferences.

  • Low-carb vegetables: Add some extra crunch and freshness by including chopped lettuce, tomatoes, sliced bell peppers, or diced onions.
  • Cheese: Sprinkle some shredded cheddar or Monterey Jack on top of your taco meat for extra richness and flavor.
  • Full-fat sour cream: Add a dollop of sour cream to add a tangy and creamy element. 
  • Cilantro: Sprinkle finely chopped fresh cilantro to add a burst of freshness and herbal notes to your taco meat.
  • Sliced avocado: Creamy and buttery, sliced avocado adds a smooth texture and enhances the richness of the taco meat.
  • Salsa or hot sauce: For an extra spice level, serve your taco meat with your favorite salsa or hot sauce, ensuring it's low in added sugars.

Cooking tools required

To make Keto Taco Meat, you will need the following kitchen tools:

  • Large 10.5" cast-iron skillet
  • Wooden spoon
  • Measuring spoons

Tool substitutes list

  • Cast iron skillet: If you don't have a cast-iron skillet, use a non-stick or stainless steel skillet instead. Just make sure it's large enough to accommodate the ground meat. 

How to make Keto Taco Meat: step-by-step guide

Cooking method

  • Sautéing
  • Simmering

Preparation steps

  1. Gather and measure all the ingredients required for this recipe.
  2. Ensure the ground beef is properly thawed if using frozen meat. Then, remove the ground beef from its packaging and place it in a clean bowl.

Cooking steps

  1. Heat the avocado oil in a large 10.5″ cast-iron skillet over medium-high heat.
  2. Once hot, add the ground beef to the skillet and break it apart with a wooden spoon. Allow to brown without touching it for 5 minutes, then stir.
  3. Add in the spices and cook for one minute until fragrant. Stir in the crushed tomatoes and bring to a simmer until thickened. Season with salt to taste and serve.
Keto taco meat in a cheesy keto taco shell.

Chef's pro tip

Resist the urge to keep stirring or flipping the meat while it's browning. Doing so can stop it from getting that nice caramelized crust. Just let the ground beef sit and cook for about 5 minutes. This will give it a great sear and make the whole dish taste better.

What to serve with keto taco meat?

  • Keto Cheese Taco Shells: Whip up some keto cheese taco shells to accompany the taco meat. These crispy and cheesy shells provide a unique and delicious vessel for enjoying low-carb taco meat.
  • Lettuce wraps: Use large lettuce leaves as a low-carb alternative to tortilla chips, providing a crisp and rich flavor.
  • Cabbage slaw: A crunchy and refreshing cabbage Slaw provides a neutral flavor and adds a refreshing element to the dish.
  • Guacamole: Creamy and rich, guacamole adds a luxurious texture and healthy fats to balance the flavors of taco meat.
  • Keto slider: Use our Keto Dinner Rolls to make delicious sliders and enjoy a homemade burger!
  • Naan: Want to have a Mediterranean flair? Make an Arabic roll by wrapping the ground beef in Keto Naan.

How to make it healthier?

  • Leaner protein: Opt for leaner options like ground turkey or chicken instead of ground beef. These alternatives have lower fat content while still providing ample protein.
  • Fresh tomatoes: Instead of using canned tomatoes, use fresh diced tomatoes. This swap reduces the sodium content and allows you to enjoy the natural freshness of the tomatoes.

Time-saving tips

  • Double or triple the taco recipe and freeze the extra portions in individual servings. Use your leftovers for taco salad, keto stuffed peppers, or as a filling for omelets, saving time on meal preparation. Just thaw, reheat, and enjoy!

What can I prepare ahead of time?

  • Prepare a batch of homemade taco seasoning mix in advance by combining the spices and storing them in an airtight container.

Storage and reheating instructions

Storage tips 

  • Simply store any leftover taco meat in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 3-4 days to keep it fresh.
  • Portion the taco meat into individual servings for longer storage and freeze it in freezer-safe airtight containers or resealable bags. Frozen taco meat can be kept for up to 2-3 months.

Reheating best practices 

  • Microwave: Place the desired portion of the leftovers in a microwave-safe dish, cover, and heat on high for 1-2 minutes (60-90 seconds) per serving, stirring halfway through to ensure even heating.
  • Oven: Preheat the oven to 350°F (180°C). Transfer the leftovers to an oven-safe dish, cover with foil, and heat for about 15-20 minutes or until warmed.
  • Stove: Warm the taco meat in a skillet over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until heated thoroughly. This takes about 5-7 minutes.

Recipe wrap-up and conclusion

This easy Keto Taco Meat recipe is the perfect dish on a low-carb diet. With the simple ingredients and easy cooking process, this will become your favorite dish! Whether you enjoy it as a main course or make a complete meal using other keto recipes, it's going to be a star recipe in your kitchen.

Let the taco extravaganza become a part of your daily keto diet journey. Enjoy a world of flavor, excitement, and healthy indulgence with every bite.

Looking for other Mexican-inspired Keto recipes? Check out these other free low-carb / free keto recipes:

Frequently asked questions

You can refrigerate the leftover taco meat for 3-4 days or freeze it for 2-3 months.

Of course! Adjust the amount of taco seasoning or add some chili powder for an extra kick.

Yes, you can substitute ground meat with plant-based alternatives like Beyond Meat for a vegetarian or vegan version.

Yes, you can adapt this recipe for a slow cooker. If you are using an Instant Pot for slow cooking, brown the meat first before cooking it further.

Yes, this taco meat recipe is made with keto-friendly ingredients like ground beef, low-carb seasoning, and crushed tomatoes for a well-balanced keto diet.

You make it as a keto taco salad bowl, stuff it into low-carb wraps or lettuce cups, or mix it with cauliflower rice for a flavorful keto-friendly burrito bowl.

📖 Recipe

larger dimension version of Easy Keto Taco Meat in a skillet

Easy Keto Taco Meat

This Easy Keto Taco Meat recipe is a great protein option for more than just taco Tuesday, try it in burrito bowls, taco salads, and more!
4.67 from 6 votes
Print Rate Pin Recipe
Course: basic
Cuisine: Mexican
Keyword: basics, easy, ground beef taco meat, keto ground beef recipes, keto taco meat, taco meat recipe
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 10 minutes
Total Time: 15 minutes
Servings: 4
Calories: 361kcal

Ingredients

  • 2 tablespoons avocado oil
  • 1 pound ground beef
  • 1 ½ tablespoons taco seasoning
  • ½ cup canned crushed tomatoes we use fire-roasted
US Customary - Metric

Instructions

  • Heat the avocado oil in a large 10.5″ cast-iron skillet over medium-high heat.
  • Once hot, add the ground beef to the skillet and break it apart with a wooden spoon. Allow to brown without touching it for 5 minutes, then stir.
  • Add in the spices and cook for one minute until fragrant. Stir in the crushed tomatoes and bring to a simmer until thickened. Season with salt to taste and serve.

Nutrition

Nutrition Facts
Easy Keto Taco Meat
Amount Per Serving
Calories 361 Calories from Fat 270
% Daily Value*
Fat 30g46%
Saturated Fat 10g63%
Cholesterol 81mg27%
Sodium 192mg8%
Potassium 395mg11%
Carbohydrates 3g1%
Fiber 1g4%
Sugar 2g2%
Protein 20g40%
Vitamin A 153IU3%
Vitamin C 3mg4%
Calcium 31mg3%
Iron 3mg17%
*

Nutritional values are estimates only and do not include carbs from sugar alcohols.

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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Janet Shaw says

    I’m curious as to why you’d use plant based meat, not real nutrient dense ground beef?

    Reply

    • Cast Iron Keto says

      Hi Janet, we provide options for all types of eaters, omnivores and plant-based.

      Reply

  2. Chris says

    Is it 361 calories for the entire 1 pound of meat? Thanks

    Reply

    • Cast Iron Keto says

      Hi Chris, the nutritional information is per serving. Hope this helps.

      Reply

  3. JP says

    Great recipe! Does the nutrition information include the cheese shells, or is it just the taco meat?

    Reply

    • Cast Iron Keto says

      Hi JP, the nutritional info is just for the taco meat.

      Reply
4.67 from 6 votes (6 ratings without comment)

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