Description
This simple and flavorful taco meat recipe combines ground beef or turkey with a blend of Mexican spices, black beans, corn, and green chiles for a hearty, versatile filling perfect for tacos, burritos, or salads. Tossed with fresh spinach at the end to add a nutritious touch, this dish is quick to prepare, making it ideal for weeknight dinners or meal prep.
Ingredients
Meat and Vegetables
- 2 pounds ground beef or ground turkey
- ½ cup diced onion (sautéed with the beef)
- 4-7 ounces chopped green chile (added with the beans and corn)
- 1 cup chopped baby spinach (tossed in at the end just to wilt)
Seasonings and Add-ins
- ⅓ cup Mexican Spice Mix (or taco seasoning)
- 1 can black beans (drained and rinsed)
- 1 can corn (drained)
- Kosher salt (only as needed)
- Freshly ground black pepper (only as needed)
Instructions
- Cook the Meat and Onion: In a large skillet over medium heat, cook and crumble the ground beef or turkey along with the diced onion. As the meat begins to brown and crumble, sprinkle the Mexican spice mix evenly to infuse the flavors.
- Drain Excess Grease: Once the meat is fully cooked through and the spices are well incorporated, drain any excess grease from the skillet to keep the dish from being too oily.
- Add Beans, Corn, and Green Chile: Stir in the drained and rinsed black beans, drained corn, and chopped green chile. Mix thoroughly to combine all ingredients well.
- Warm the Mixture: Continue cooking the mixture for an additional 1-2 minutes to warm everything through and allow the flavors to meld together.
- Adjust Seasoning and Add Spinach: Taste the taco meat and adjust the seasoning with kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper as needed. Finally, toss in the chopped baby spinach and cook just until it wilts, about 1 minute.
- Serve or Store: Serve the taco meat immediately in tacos, burritos, or over salads. Alternatively, let it cool completely before portioning into freezer-safe containers for easy meal prep and freezing.
Notes
- Use ground turkey for a leaner alternative to beef.
- The Mexican Spice Mix can be store-bought or homemade, typically containing chili powder, cumin, garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, and oregano.
- Adjust the amount of green chile based on your preferred spice level.
- Drain excess grease to reduce fat content and improve texture.
- Adding spinach at the end preserves its vibrant color and nutrients.
- This recipe is excellent for meal prep and freezes well for up to 3 months.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Mexican
