Crockpot Beef Taco Recipe
For the last few weeks, all that we have been talking about is tacos! Taco bake, taco seasoning, and hamburger soup…so today I thought that we should round it off with this super easy slow cooker taco meat recipe.
I absolutely love having crockpot meals prepared and ready to use in my freezer. This meal is no exception!
This crockpot beef taco recipe is loaded with flavor. It is probably one of my most versatile recipes too, because it can be used for so many different dishes once cooked.
I use it as the base for chili, to make taco salad in these fun air fryer taco bowls, in this quick and easy taco casserole, on nachos, or simply as the filling for beef tacos. This recipe is a winner! So print, pin, save, and use it in your meal planning!
Too busy to make this right away? Pin it for later! Pin this post to your favorite board on Pinterest and it will be there when you’re ready!
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Tips for Making Crockpot Freezer Meals
- Use 1-gallon, large freezer bags. Label bags with the date, recipe, and cooking instructions.
- Lay ingredients flat in the bag for easier storage in the freezer.
- This 7-Quart Oval Crockpot is the only one that I use and it has lasted for over ten years!
- Defrost meals in the refrigerator or place frozen into the crockpot. If the meal is defrosted, reduce the cooking time accordingly (subtract two hours for most crockpot meals).
- Crockpot meals can easily be converted to Instant Pot recipes using this handy guide from Taste of Home – How to Convert Slow Cooker Recipes for the Instant Pot.
- Store meals for up to three months in the freezer.
How to Make This Crockpot Beef Taco Recipe
Be sure to check out these Crockpot Freezer Meals and Meal Planning Recipes for more tips and ideas.
Ingredients
- Ground beef, browned and drained – The hearty base of the tacos, providing savory, juicy flavor without any excess fat.
- Onion, diced – Adds a sweet and savory kick, making the beef even tastier.
- Bell peppers, diced – Peppers give a pop of color and a mild, slightly sweet crunch.
- Carrot, diced – A little sweetness and extra texture for a subtle veggie boost.
- Celery stalks, diced – They give a fresh, slightly peppery crunch, adding a nice contrast to the beef.
- Taco seasoning – The magic blend of spices that brings everything together with a perfect taco flavor.
Instructions
Combine all of the ingredients in a crockpot and stir well.
Cook on low for 4 hours.
Serve with your favorite taco shells or salad.
More Taco Toppings
- Kidney or black beans
- Mexican rice
- Shredded cheese
- Lettuce
- Diced tomatoes
- Sour cream
- Salsa or pico de gallo
- Guacamole or diced avocado
- Cilantro
- Hot sauce
- A squeeze of fresh lime juice
Tips and Tricks
- Try this recipe with ground chicken, ground turkey, or shredded beef.
- Make your tacos with a traditional flour or corn tortilla or use lettuce wraps for a low carb option.
- Add more or less taco seasoning according to your tastes. You could also include other spices, like paprika, garlic powder, chili powder, ground cumin, or red pepper flakes.
- Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge.
This is the perfect recipe to “batch” into your meal prepping. The total time to put everything together hardly increases when you multiply the recipe, so plan to make four or more complete crockpot taco recipes and schedule them into your weekly planning. The brilliant part is that no two meals need to look the same!
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need to brown the ground beef before adding it to the slow cooker?
Yes, you can add raw ground beef directly to the crockpot, but pre-cooking is highly recommended. This step enhances the flavor and texture by caramelizing the meat and helps remove excess fat before slow cooking.
What if the taco meat turns out too greasy?
You can drain the excess fat after cooking. Simply use a slotted spoon to remove the meat from the slow cooker, and discard any excess grease before serving. Precooking the beef helps too.
How do I adjust the recipe for a smaller batch?
You can easily halve the ingredients if you’re cooking for fewer people. The cooking time will remain the same, but the smaller amount of meat will cook a bit faster.
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Crockpot Beef Taco Recipe
Ingredients
- 2 lbs ground beef browned and drained
- 1 medium onion diced
- 2 bell peppers diced
- 1 carrot diced
- 2 celery stalks diced
- 2 Tbsp taco seasoning
Instructions
- Place all ingredients in a crockpot.
- Cook 4 hours on low.