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The Magical Slow Cooker » Recipes » Beef » Slow Cooker Taco Meat

Slow Cooker Taco Meat

by Sarah Olson on August 7, 2022 | Updated October 20, 2022 7 Comments

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This three-ingredient Slow Cooker Taco Meat has the perfect balance of flavor and makes creating a taco bar a breeze. Ground beef, taco seasoning, and Rotel tomatoes are dumped into the crockpot and left to slowly cook, allowing the flavors to simmer together, making the best taco meat ever!

If you’re looking for another Mexican-inspired dish, try our Slow Cooker Mexican Bubble Up Casserole.

ground beef cooked in slow cooker with taco seasoning and rotel.

Can I make taco meat in a slow cooker?

Although taco meat is typically cooked on the stovetop, another way it can be cooked is in the slow cooker. The biggest benefit of crock pot taco meat is the ability to start it and walk away. The raw ground beef will turn into delicious taco meat that can then be used in multiple ways.

The cooking time is longer than the stovetop option; however, when you have other things that need to be done, cooking taco meat in the slow cooker is a great easy dinner option for busy nights and taco Tuesday.

Recipe Ingredients

Ingredients for taco meat on table.
  • Ground Beef: Choosing lean ground beef will result in less grease content, but any kind of ground beef will do. You may need to use a paper towel to soak up some of the grease before serving.
  • Taco Seasoning: You’ll need at least two packets of your favorite taco seasoning, and you can choose between mild or hot, depending on your taste preference. You can even use homemade taco seasoning.
  • Rotel Tomatoes: These Mexican-style diced tomatoes not only add a tomato flavor but also a small kick to the overall taco meat mixture.

Step-by-Step Directions

Four images on how to add meat and other taco ingredients to slow cooker.

Step One – Place two pounds of ground beef into the bottom of the slow cooker.

Step Two – Dump in the two taco seasoning packets and can of Rotel tomatoes.

Step Three – Mix the ingredients together until roughly combined.

Step Four – Cook on HIGH for 2.5 hours or LOW for 4 hours. Stir, serve and enjoy! Blot the grease with a paper towel if your meat is on the greasy side.

overhead shot of taco meat in slow cooker.

Variations

  • Extra Spicy: If you’re looking to make your slow cooker taco meat spicier, consider adding hot sauce, sliced jalapenos, smoked paprika, and/or a dash of chili powder.
  • Sweet Taco Meat: Looking for a sweetened taste to your taco meat? Add a few teaspoons of brown sugar.
  • Saucier Taco Meat: Consider adding tomato sauce and hot or mild salsa during prep time for saucier meat.
3 tacos on a plate.

How to serve

  • Taco Shells: You can’t go wrong with using your delicious taco meat to make yummy beef tacos.
  • Tortilla Wraps: Skip the crunch of the taco shell and go with the softness of a flour or corn tortilla and make burritos. The meat can easily be turned into enchiladas.
  • Tortilla Chips: Whether you want to use the chips for dipping or as a bed for a taco salad, they are perfect for this meal.
  • Toppings: Having toppings on your tacos is a must. A few to have on hand are black beans, diced avocado, sour cream, shredded lettuce, and shredded cheese.
Taco fallen over on a plate.

Recipe FAQs

Can you substitute the ground beef for another meat in this crockpot taco meat recipe?

Of course! Ground turkey is an excellent substitute for this taco meat recipe.

How do you store leftovers?

Add any leftover taco meat to an airtight container and store in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. Taco meat can also be stored in the freezer for up to 3 months.

Can I use frozen ground beef?

It’s best to use thawed meat in the slow cooker. There is a possibility that the meat will stay in the danger zone if cooked from frozen.

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Close up of taco meat cooked in a crockpot.

Slow Cooker Taco Meat

4.67 from 6 votes
3 ingredients to a hands free taco dinner! Pile the meat in taco shells and top with your favorite toppings.
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Course: Main Course
Cuisine: American
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 2 hours 30 minutes
Servings: 8
Calories: 222kcal
Author: Sarah Olson

Equipment Needed:

  • Slow Cooker – 4 quart or larger

Ingredients:

  • 2 lbs. ground beef I use 7% fat
  • 10 oz. Rotel tomatoes or a 14-oz. can of Mexican style diced tomatoes
  • 2.5 oz. of taco seasoning (two packets) or 4 tablespoons homemade
US Customary – Metric

Instructions:

  • Add all ingredients to a 6 quart slow cooker and mix until combined.
  • Cook on high for 2.5 hours or 4 hours on low.
  • Stir the meat to break up the pieces. Blot the grease with paper towels if needed. Use a slotted spoon to scoop into taco shells.
  • Serve immediately for tacos, nachos or on a taco salad.
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How to Video:

Recipe Notes:

  1. More or less taco seasoning can be used depending on your preferences.
  2. Ground turkey is an excellent substitute for this taco meat recipe.
  3. The ground beef should be thawed for this recipe.
  4. Add any leftover taco meat to an airtight container and store in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. Taco meat can also be stored in the freezer for up to 3 months.

Nutrition Information:

Calories: 222kcal | Carbohydrates: 6g | Protein: 23g | Fat: 11g | Saturated Fat: 5g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 0.4g | Monounsaturated Fat: 5g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 74mg | Sodium: 793mg | Potassium: 431mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 3g | Vitamin A: 873IU | Vitamin C: 7mg | Calcium: 25mg | Iron: 3mg

Nutrition info is auto-generated. This information is an estimate; if you are on a special diet, please use your own calculations.

Made this recipe?I want to see your photos! Tag me on Instagram @themagicalslowcooker

More crock pot recipes

  • Slow Cooker Mexican Shredded Beef
  • Slow Cooker Smoked Queso
  • Slow Cooker Mexican Chicken Soup
  • Slow Cooker Chipotle Chicken Meatballs
  • Slow Cooker Queso Chicken

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    918 shares
    • 186

    Filed Under: Beef, Dinner

    Comments

    1. Mariann S. says

      August 25, 2022 at 9:17 am

      3 stars
      Thank you for the effort in this recipe. I thought it might be tastier in the slow cooker but it wasn’t. Maybe because I used ground turkey instead of beef. I think doing it on the stove is easier and better tasting.

      Reply
    2. Tara says

      August 18, 2022 at 9:30 am

      When you put the hamburger in the crockpot is it raw or cooked prior? Thank you!

      Reply
      • Sarah Olson says

        August 18, 2022 at 11:27 am

        It’s raw for this recipe.

        Reply
    3. Roland says

      August 12, 2022 at 6:27 am

      5 stars
      Put the can of tomatoes, taco seasoning in the blender adding some cumin, garlic and a cut up jalapeno pepper – once all blended, I added to raw meat and mixed it well. Put in slow cooker and set per your instructions…DEEEEELISH on hot tortillas…

      Reply
    4. Linda says

      August 10, 2022 at 11:00 pm

      How much of the home made taco seasoning do I use for crockpot tacos?

      Reply
      • Sarah Olson says

        August 11, 2022 at 7:29 am

        4 tablespoons will work.

        Reply
    5. Sharlene says

      August 10, 2022 at 8:55 am

      Love slow Cooker recipes but there are only two of us and much adjust most recipes.

      Reply

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