One of my favorite dump and go dinners is this ground beef tacos recipe. You can make ahead as a freezer meal for an easy dinner any day you need it, or make it fresh for taco tuesday or a food bar for all your guests. Its amazing because of the customization tacos offer but only requires a few simple ingredients!

Ground Beef Tacos Freezer Meal Recipe

Tacos, loved by everyone, even those picky eaters that sometimes just make dinnertime so stressful. This recipe is sure to bring everyone running to the dinner table, ready to eat and enjoy.

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Prep Time 5

Cook Time 5

Total Time 5 5

Course Main Course

Cuisine American

Servings

Calories 319 kcal

Ingredients

2 lbs ground beef 90/10 recommended
2 tsp Chili powder
2 tsp sea salt
1 tsp black pepper
2 tsp ground cumin
1 tsp Paprika
2 tsp Garlic powder
1 tsp Onion powder
1 tsp dried oregano
1 cup Tomato salsa

For serving:

8 tortillas
2 cups cheddar cheese* shredded

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Instructions

Make it Fresh – Slow Cooker DIrections

Dump all ingredients, except For Serving ingredients, to the slow cooker. DO NOT STIR.
Cook on low for 5-6 hours.
Mince beef in slow cooker. Stir, remove beef with slotted spoon, and serve in tortillas.
Optional: Top with your favorite taco toppings.

Freezer Prep Directions:

Prepare a gallon freezer bag, labeling according to your preferred method.**
Add all ingredients, except for serving, to the freezer bag.
Seal bag, removing as much air as possible, and freeze for up to three months.

Slow Cooker Directions:

Thaw freezer bag in fridge 12-24 hours before cooking.
Dump contents of the freezer bag into a slow cooker. (Do not stir)
Cook on low 5-6 hours
Break apart the meat, stir, and serve in tortillas and top with cheese.
Optional: Top with your favorite taco toppings.

Instant Pot Directions

Thaw in the fridge for 12-24 hours before cooking. (Meals can be cooked from frozen, but some Instant Pots may trigger a burn notice due to slow steam generation.)
Dump the contents of the freezer bag, plus 1 cup water, into the Instant Pot. DO NOT STIR.
Set to high pressure for 15 minutes, followed by a quick release.
Mince beef in the Instant pot. Stir, remove beef with a slotted spoon, and serve in tortillas.
Optional: Top with your favorite taco toppings.

Freezer Labels

Ground Beef Tacos Freezer Meal Printable Labels

Notes

*For best results, buy a block and shred/grate at home.

**Labeling Methods:

Handwrite recipe name and cooking directions on freezer bag with permanent marker.
Print off a blank freezer label, write in recipe name and cooking directions, and tape onto freezer bag.
Use a pre-filled sticker label, just peel and stick to your freezer bag.

Nutrition

Serving: 0.75cupCalories: 319kcalCarbohydrates: 4gProtein: 27.8gFat: 21.3g

Keyword Beef Recipes, Beef Tacos Crock Pot, Slow Cooker Ground Beef Tacos

Why you’ll love this Make Ahead Ground Beef Tacos

Flavorful and Delicious
You can (and should) make it in advance
Versatile dish
Time Saver
Kid Friendly
Minimal Clean up

How to Make a Ground Beef Tacos

What to serve/pair with your Homemade Ground Beef Tacos

Sides:

Elote – Mexican Street Corn
Sliced Avocado Salad
Black bean and Corn Salad

Desserts:

Fried Ice Cream
Flan
Sopapillas

Mocktails:

Pineapple Cooler
Jamaica Iced Tea
Horchata

Popular Substitutions and Additions

Substitutions:

Ground Turkey: You can substitute ground beef with lean ground turkey for a healthier twist on traditional beef tacos. It’s a lower-fat option that still delivers a flavorful and protein-packed filling.
Vegetarian Crumbles: For a meatless alternative, consider using vegetarian crumbles or plant-based ground meat substitute. These products mimic the texture and flavor of ground beef, making them suitable for vegetarian or vegan tacos.
Green Salsa: Instead of tomato salsa, opt for green salsa (salsa verde) to add a tangy and slightly spicy twist to your tacos. It complements the spices and herbs in the seasoning mix and offers a unique flavor profile.

Additions:

Avocado Slices: Add creamy avocado slices as a topping to your tacos. Avocado not only enhances the texture but also brings a rich, buttery flavor that pairs wonderfully with the seasoned beef.
Pickled Jalapeños: For a kick of heat and tanginess, include pickled jalapeño slices as a topping. They add a zesty punch to your tacos and contrast nicely with the savory filling.
Black Beans: Boost the fiber and protein content of your tacos by mixing in cooked black beans with the seasoned ground beef. It’s a hearty addition that enhances both the flavor and nutritional value of the meal.

How long will Ground Beef Tacos last in the fridge?

With proper cooling and storing techniques, your leftover ground beef tacos will stay fresh in the refrigerator for 4-5 days. Always check your leftovers before reheating to make sure that your leftovers have not spoiled in the fridge. Spoiled food has a distinct smell to it, and should not be consumed.

Make-Ahead Ground Beef Taco Recipe FAQs

What is the best way to freeze taco meat?

The best way to freeze taco meat is to first ensure it’s fully cooked and seasoned according to your preferences. Once cooked, allow the meat to cool to room temperature. Portion the meat into meal sized servings and place each portion in an airtight container or freezer bag.

Be sure to remove as much air as possible to prevent freezer burn. Label the containers or bags with the date to keep track of freshness.

Is taco meat good frozen?

Yes, taco meat is suitable for freezing. If you plan to freeze, make sure you allow your meal to cool completely and stored correctly.

Frozen taco meat retains flavor and texture for an extended period of time which makes it a great choice for freezing. Freezing is an excellent option to make meal preparation more convenient, especially for busy individuals.

How long will ground beef keep in the freezer?

Ground beef can be safely stored in the freezer for 4-6 months. Proper packaging, which minimizes exposure to air and moisture, is key to maintaining the beef’s quality during long-term storage.

After this period, the meat is still safe to eat, but it may begin to lose its flavor and its texture may be impacted.

What happens to ground beef when frozen?

When ground beef is frozen, its cold temperature slows down bacterial growth and enzyme activity, preserving the meat’s freshness and safety.

However, it may experience freeze burn if not well-sealed, which can result in dry and discolored patches on the meat’s surface.

How many pounds of ground beef to use for a crowd of people?

Ground beef is often a party favorite to be served because of its versatility. To serve crowd tacos, you’ll typically need approximately ½ to ⅔ pounds of ground beef per person. Depending on the serving size of the tacos and the appetite of your guests. For example, if you are making tacos for 20 people 10-12 lbs of ground beef should be enough for your crowd.

Why do Americans use ground beef for Tacos?

Ground beef is often the choice of protein used by Americans when making tacos because of its versatility, availability, and affordability.

It’s easy to prepare, season, and cook, making it a convenient choice for creating flavorful taco fillings that appeal to a wide range of tastes. Everyone wins when making ground beef tacos.

Are tacos considered to be a healthy meal?

Yes, tacos can be a healthy meal option when prepared with lean ground beef or other lean proteins, plenty of fresh vegetables, whole grain tortillas, and modest amounts of cheese and sour cream. The balance of ingredients and portion sizes plays a significant role in determining the overall healthiness of the meal.

Who created a taco?

The exact origin of the taco is debatable. It is believed to have originated in Mexico centuries ago. Tacos have evolved over time, with various regions and cultures contributing to their diverse range of fillings and styles.

Can this recipe be prepared ahead of time?

Yes, ground beef tacos can be prepared ahead of time and frozen as a convenient freezer meal. Beef freezes really well, which allows for batch meal prepping.

When you want the meal for dinner, thaw overnight in the fridge, and heat up as needed for a quick and easy meal.