By Becky Hardin
Updated Apr 25, 2025
Letting this Crockpot Taco Meat simmer low and slow all day gives it an unbeatable texture—tender, juicy, and packed with rich, savory flavor. It’s the easiest way to make mouthwatering beef tacos that taste like they’ve been cooking for hours (because they have!). With just a few pantry staples and minimal prep, this recipe delivers a super satisfying, crowd-pleasing meal that’s perfect for busy weeknights, game day, or taco night with friends. Just set it, forget it, and get ready for compliments!
5-Star Review
“I love this recipe! I have made it twice and love the ease of throwing the meat, seasonings, and salsa in and walking away. The meat comes out nice and moist, not dried out as it can be on the stovetop. It’s delicious and I probably won’t make taco meat any other way from now on!” -Jenn
Crockpot Taco Meat Recipe
This Crockpot Beef Taco Meat is loaded with bold, fresh flavor thanks to a simple homemade taco seasoning —and it’s sure to become a family favorite. It makes a big batch, so you’ll have plenty of leftovers for easy meals throughout the week.
Want to lighten it up? Swap in ground turkey or ground chicken for a leaner option that’s just as tasty!
Ingredients1x2x3x
- ▢ 4 pounds ground chuck
- ▢ ¼ cup water
- ▢ 16 ounces taco sauce (click for recipe!)
- ▢ 6 tablespoons taco seasoning (click for recipe!)
- ▢ 1½ teaspoons granulated sugar optional
Video
Instructions
- Place all ingredients in a crockpot set on high heat. Break the ground chuck apart and mix well. Cook on low for 4 hours, covered, stirring occasionally. 4 pounds ground chuck, ¼ cup water, 16 ounces taco sauce, 6 tablespoons taco seasoning, 1½ teaspoons granulated sugar
- Spoon the meat from the crockpot, with a slotted spoon, onto a large paper towel-lined bowl. Let the excess fat drain from the beef for 10 minutes.
- Store until ready to use or prepare your favorite taco recipe and enjoy.
Equipment
- Crockpot
Becky’s Tips
- This crockpot taco meat comes out very tender, but can be a touch dry. Stir in a little taco sauce or picante sauce before serving to add moisture. If you want, you can add the beef to a skillet and give it a quick brown.
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
How to Make Crockpot Taco Meat Step by Step
Cook the meat : Place 4 pounds of ground chuck, ¼ cup water, 16 ounces of taco sauce, 6 tablespoons taco seasoning, and 1½ teaspoons granulated sugar in a crockpot set on high heat. Break the ground chuck apart and mix well. Cook on low for 4 hours, covered, stirring occasionally.
Drain the meat: Spoon the meat from the crockpot, with a slotted spoon, onto a large paper towel-lined bowl. Let the excess fat drain from the beef for 10 minutes then transfer the beef to a covered container and refrigerate until ready to use.
Refrigerate or use: Store until ready to use or prepare your favorite taco recipe and enjoy.
How to Store and Reheat
Store leftover crockpot taco meat in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. Reheat on the stovetop or in the microwave in 30-second increments until warmed through.
You can freeze this crockpot taco meat (make sure to let it cool completely in the fridge first!) in 1-pound portions in Ziplock bags for up to 3 months. Squeeze out as much air as possible before sealing. Let thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.
Serving Suggestions
To make tacos, you’ll need taco shells, diced tomatoes, shredded lettuce, shredded cheese, diced onion, chopped cilantro, and whatever else you love as taco toppings. We like to top our crockpot beef tacos with creamy guacamole , sour cream, and a nice tart pico de gallo . Set up a taco bar and get creative! Or, use the taco meat in this family-favorite Dorito casserole.
more taco recipes to try
Baked Chicken Tacos Recipe
Steak Tacos
Quesabirria Tacos
Crockpot BBQ Chicken Tacos
Crockpot Taco Meat for Beef Tacos
Equipment
- Crockpot
Ingredients
- 4 pounds ground chuck
- ¼ cup water
- 16 ounces taco sauce (click for recipe!)
- 6 tablespoons taco seasoning (click for recipe!)
- 1½ teaspoons granulated sugar optional
Instructions
- Place all ingredients in a crockpot set on high heat. Break the ground chuck apart and mix well. Cook on low for 4 hours, covered, stirring occasionally. 4 pounds ground chuck, ¼ cup water, 16 ounces taco sauce, 6 tablespoons taco seasoning, 1½ teaspoons granulated sugar
- Spoon the meat from the crockpot, with a slotted spoon, onto a large paper towel-lined bowl. Let the excess fat drain from the beef for 10 minutes.
- Store until ready to use or prepare your favorite taco recipe and enjoy.
Video
Notes
- This crockpot taco meat comes out very tender, but can be a touch dry. Stir in a little taco sauce or picante sauce before serving to add moisture. If you want, you can add the beef to a skillet and give it a quick brown.
Nutrition
By Becky Hardin
Published Jul 12, 2017
This Essential Grocery List is an absolute life saver for my family on the busy weeks. When I started this journey to learn how to cook, I quickly realized that the first step in cooking is having staple ingredients on hand. I want to avoid having to run out to the grocery store every single time I prepare a new recipe. Having a well-stocked pantry has made my life in the kitchen so much simpler, because when it’s time to cook, I have what I need.
Essential Grocery List
It’s so helpful to have a basic grocery list to help me remember which foods to buy at the store. This food shopping list is my go-to!
It’s better to stock up on things like grains, seasonings and spices, baking essentials, oils, condiments, canned and frozen foods, etc. so I can just grab them when I need them. These things have a long shelf life , so I keep them in my kitchen for convenience.
However, I do have to go to the supermarket sometimes, and there’s a way to make that trip easy and hassle-free: I keep a grocery list! If I go in blindly, I’ll leave with things I don’t need, and nothing that actually helps me prepare a good meal.
In the list below, I’ve compiled everything I always have on my stock-up grocery list.
I’ve got you covered! I created an easy grocery list filled with all of the essentials. Plus there’s a free printable version that you can take with you to the grocery store. It has everything you need to stock your pantry, your freezer, and your refrigerator.
Click to get my Free Printable Grocery List
What to Buy at the Grocery Store
This is the perfect grocery list filled with all the basics and essentials. It should help get you going if you’re new to cooking, or if you’re just left staring helplessly at an empty pantry and don’t know how to fill it.
When I first started cooking, things could seem overwhelming. I quickly realized that they more prepared I could be, the more confident I felt. If you already have the basics in your kitchen, then you can shop stress-free.
So print out our easy grocery list, stock up your pantry and fridge, and you’ll be cooking in no time!
Click to get my Free Printable Grocery List for the perfectly stocked pantry and freezer!
Fresh Produce
- Apples
- Bananas
- Strawberries
- Avocados
- Bell Peppers
- Carrots
- Broccoli
- Garlic
- Lemons/Limes
- Onion
- Parsley
- Cilantro
- Basil
- Potatoes
- Spinach
- Tomatoes
GRAINS
- Breadcrumbs
- Pasta
- Quinoa
- Rice
- Sandwich Bread
- Tortillas
MEAT/PROTEIN
- Chicken
- Eggs
- Ground Beef
- Sliced Turkey
- Lunch Meat
DAIRY
- Butter
- Sliced Cheese
- Shredded Cheese
- Milk
- Sour Cream
- Greek Yogurt
BAKING GOODS
- Baking powder
- Baking Soda
- Granulated Sugar
- Brown Sugar
- Flour
- Honey
- Vanilla Extract
- Dry Yeast
- Chocolate Chips
- Cocoa Powder
- Powdered Sugar
FREEZER
- Fruit and Berries
- Frozen Veggies (Corn, Peas, Broccoli, etc)
- Juice Concentrate
- Pizza or Other Convenience Meals
- Pie Crust
- Cookie Dough
CANNED/DRIED GOODS
- Chicken stock/broth
- Salsa
- Diced Tomatoes
- Jam/Jelly
- Peanut Butter
- Pasta Sauce
- Beans (Black Beans, Chickpeas, Baked Beans, etc)
- Soups
- Tuna
- Green Chiles
- Canned Veggies
- Coffee or Tea
Get more details on the best non-perishable and pantry foods
CONDIMENTS/SPICES
- Black Pepper
- Chili Powder
- Cinnamon
- Crushed Red Pepper
- Cumin
- Garlic Powder
- Ketchup
- Mustard
- Mayo
- Nutmeg
- Paprika
- Salt (Course Sea Salt and Kosher Salt)
- Soy Sauce
- Steak Sauce
- Hot Sauce/ Buffalo Sauce
- Salad Dressings
OILS/VINEGARS
- Apple cider vinegar
- Balsamic vinegar
- Coconut Oil
- Olive Oil
- Vegetable/Canola Oil
- Red Wine Vinegar
- White Vinegar
- Cooking Wine
- White Wine Vinegar
SNACKS
- Crackers
- Nuts
- Quick Oats
- Popcorn
- Tortilla Chips
- Cereal
Click to get my Free Printable Grocery List for the perfectly stocked pantry and freezer!
Click ☝🏻 for my FREE Grocery List Printable!
I hope this essential grocery list can help you buy what you need and make your home cooking so much easier!
Stock Your Kitchen
Find more ideas for your grocery list, stock up your kitchen, and print more cooking guides and charts to keep handy!
Non-Perishable Foods to Stock Up On
Frozen Vegetables to Stock Up On (and Recipes to Make)
Ultimate List of Cooking Herbs for Your Kitchen
Ultimate List of Cooking Spices for Your Kitchen
Cooking Oil 101: Types of Cooking Oils to Use
26 Types of Pasta and When to Use Them
What Fruits and Vegetables are in Season?
Meat Temperature Chart (Free Printable)
How to Meal Prep (Guide for Beginners)
Basic Cooking Measurements & Kitchen Conversion Chart
