This homemade taco meat recipe starts with ground beef, a delicious homemade taco seasoning, and a little broth. Once you see how easy this taco meat recipe is, you’ll never use a taco seasoning packet again! Plus, it tastes so much better!
Bianca said, “Excellent recipe…after years of trying to perfect taco meat, this is IT. Hands down. Thank you.”
There are very few things that my oldest son will eat but one of them is taco meat. Not tacos actually in tortillas or a taco shell but the meat.
So, we had to make the best taco meat recipe ever so that the meat tastes good even without the toppings!
Everyone in our family loves this homemade taco meat. It goes well with tacos, quesadillas, burritos, burrito bowls, and more! It has a great flavor, so even if you just sprinkle some cheese on top, it’s still tasty!
And so much better than the taco seasoning packets (plus, have you looked at the ingredients in those??).
At least once a week, we make this recipe for our family and for people who come over. People love taco and nacho bars, and that’s what I bring when I bring food to someone else. Make a container of this taco meat and give it to them with all the ingredients they need to make tacos for dinner!
Ground beef can be used in a lot of different recipes, from tacos to meatloaf. When you use ground beef in soups or stews, you usually need to add a flavorful liquid like broth. It is common to use beef broth, but could chicken broth be used instead?
The short answer is yes, you can generally use chicken broth in place of beef broth in recipes with ground beef. However, there are a few things to keep in mind. In this complete guide we’ll cover
- The differences between beef and chicken broth
- How to decide when chicken broth is a good substitute
- Tips for getting the best results when swapping broths
- Recommended recipe adjustments when using chicken broth
- Example recipes that work well with chicken broth
Beef Broth vs Chicken Broth: What’s the Difference?
There are big differences between beef and chicken broths in terms of taste and nutrition:
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Flavor: Beef broth has a deeper, meatier, umami flavor from beef bones. Chicken broth tastes lighter and cleaner.
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Color: Beef broth is dark brown. Chicken broth is pale yellow.
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Fat Content: Beef broth tends to be higher in fat since bone marrow leaches into the broth. Chicken broth is lower in saturated fat.
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Protein Content Beef broth has more protein – about 2-3 grams per cup versus 1 gram in chicken broth
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Collagen Content: Beef broth contains collagen from beef bones. Collagen is missing in chicken broth.
When Is Chicken Broth a Good Substitute for Beef Broth?
For most recipes you can substitute chicken broth 1 1 for beef broth. However here are some factors to help decide if chicken broth is a better choice or not
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In soups/stews with strong beef flavor: The ground beef will provide plenty of beefy flavor, so chicken broth works well to balance it out.
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In dishes with multiple ingredients: Chicken broth can let the other ingredients shine rather than being overpowered by beef broth.
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When you want a lighter broth: Chicken broth is great if you don’t want an intensely rich tasting broth.
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For health reasons: Chicken broth is lower in saturated fat and may be preferable for some diets like heart healthy ones.
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When you don’t have beef broth on hand: Chicken broth can be used in a pinch if you don’t have access to beef broth.
However, all-beef dishes may be better with beef broth:
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In beef-only soups: The deeper beef flavor may be missed without beef broth.
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When bone broth is preferred: Chicken broth won’t provide the collagen content of bone broth.
Overall, it comes down to personal taste and the flavor profile you want. Beef broth and chicken broth will change the end result.
Tips for Getting the Best Results
To make the swap successful, here are some tips:
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Reduce other seasonings slightly. Chicken broth already has salt, so reduce any extra salt. The lighter broth also lets more herbs and spices come through.
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Add an acid. A splash of lemon juice or vinegar brightens up lighter chicken broth.
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Use broth concentrates. Chicken broth concentrates provide more chicken flavor for balance.
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Cook down the broth. Letting chicken broth simmer down intensifies the flavor.
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Finish with a beef product. Stir in a spoonful of Better Than Bouillon beef base or red wine for more beef taste.
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Thicken as needed. Chicken broth may need cornstarch or roux to get the desired thickness of beef broth.
With small tweaks like these, you can make chicken broth work well in most ground beef recipes.
Recipe Adjustments When Using Chicken Broth
Besides the general tips above, you may need to modify recipes as follows when substituting chicken broth:
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Reduce cooking time. Chicken broth may cook faster than beef broth since it’s lighter. Check for doneness earlier.
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Increase thickener. With less collagen, chicken broth is thinner so you may need more cornstarch or roux to thicken.
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Boost umami flavors. Add Worcestershire sauce, tomato paste, mushrooms, or other umami ingredients to compensate for the deeper, meaty beef broth flavor.
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Increase aromatics. Use more onions, garlic, carrots, celery, and herbs to further boost flavor.
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Braise meat first. Browning ground beef well to caramelize it before adding chicken broth can provide more meaty flavor.
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Use concentration. Chicken broth concentrate adds back chicken flavor lost by not using beef broth.
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Finish with vinegar. Add a splash of vinegar right before serving to brighten the flavors.
Ground Beef Recipes That Work with Chicken Broth
Many classic recipes using ground beef pair well with chicken broth. Here are just a few that are delicious with chicken broth:
Hearty Hamburger Soup
This vegetable packed soup gets savoriness from browned ground beef. Chicken broth balances it out while letting the veggies shine. Just boost umami flavor with mushrooms.
Cheesy Hamburger Helper
With cheesy pasta and seasoned ground beef, this kid-friendly casserole has lots of flavor already. Lighter chicken broth keeps it from being too heavy.
Swedish Meatballs
Savory beef meatballs simmered in creamy chicken broth make a nice change from heavier beef broth in this classic dish.
Green Chili Cheeseburger Soup
Spiced ground beef and tangy green chiles are the stars here. Chicken broth adds comfort without competing with the other flavors.
Shepherd’s Pie
Let the beef filling be the dominant flavor. Chicken broth in the mashed potato topping lightens the overall dish.
Chili Mac
Chicken broth allows the flavors of spiced beef, tomatoes, and macaroni to stand out in this easy stove-top chili.
Hamburger Stroganoff
Beef broth can make stroganoff too overpowering. Chicken broth allows the sour cream sauce to shine with the beef.
As you can see, chicken broth can work quite well in recipes using ground beef. The lighter broth lets the flavor of the beef and other ingredients come through. Just
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How to Freeze Taco Meat
Another nice thing about this taco meat is that it freezes beautifully, just like any ground beef. You could double the recipe and freeze a batch for another day!.
Freeze any leftovers in a freezer safe airtight container. Take it out of the freezer the night before you want to cook it and put it in the fridge to thaw.
Then when you’re ready to reheat the thawed meat, just use the instructions above for reheating!
You can make twice as much of this taco meat recipe and save it for another meal later in the week. It goes well in taco meat, taco casserole, and just about any other taco-based dish. We also use it to make quick quesadillas and nachos for lunch. Just make sure to use a bigger pan when cooking two pounds of beef!.
Adjust the spices as necessary. Use half as much chili powder or oregano if you’re making this for kids or someone who has a sensitive stomach. You can adjust those two pretty easily without sacrificing taste!.
Make sure to season the ground beef well before cooking. The salt really enhances the flavor of the other spices.
Split blocks of ground beef in half before cooking. These steps help the meat brown evenly and let you season the whole beef, not just the outside of a big piece.
1 – Brown the Ground Beef
- Add salt to both sides of your ground beef. If you have a block of meat, cut it in half and salt both sides of each half.
- Heat a large skillet or saute pan to medium-high heat. Place the ground beef on top and cook for two minutes on one side. Then flip it over and cook for another two minutes on the other side.
- Break up the ground beef and cook it until it’s fully done.
There may be a lot of extra fat in the pan if you use fattier ground beef. You can quickly drain the fat out of the pan before adding the taco seasoning. If the form is leaner, like 90/10 or 93/7, you don’t have to drain the fat out unless you really want to.
WB meat & chicken broth. Compare EVERY METHOD!!
FAQ
Can you use chicken broth for beef?
Can you use chicken broth with beef roast?
Does chicken and beef broth taste the same?
Can I use chicken broth instead of beef broth in chili?
Can you use homemade beef broth in a stew?
If you have homemade beef stock, use it! However, most commercially produced beef broths taste rather fake; chicken broths are much richer and complex. Bay leaves and thyme – Aromatics for more flavor! Carrots, potatoes and peas are the staple of a traditional stew. Now, let’s talk about HOW to go about making this stew.
Which is better, chicken or beef bone broth?
Bone Broths are rich in specific amino acids such as arginine, glutamate (expressed as glutamine), hydroxylysine, hydroxyproline and proline. A maintained level of increased nitric oxide production, produced from arginine, is known to improve cardiovascular health, ensure muscle growth, and strengthen the immune system. Chichen broth (especially its feet part) is the best source of a specific combination of amino acids, known as collagen. Collagen has several potential benefits, including improved skin health and relief of osteoporosis and osteoarthritis symptoms.
What can I add to beef soup?
Rice or Barley: both of these short grains make a nice addition to the soup as well! Stir in a few cups of cooked rice or barley at the end of the cooking time. Add more of your favorite seasoning, such as turmeric, paprika, chili powder, or even a dash of curry powder. A dash of Worcestershire sauce also pairs nicely with the beef.
What kind of beef should I use for Soup?
Use lean ground beef, at least 80% lean. Drain off extra fat after browning beef so soup isn’t overly greasy. If you’d prefer to avoid this step then just use very lean ground beef such as 92% lean. I recommend using Angus or grass feed beef. Use fire roasted tomatoes to boost flavor.