Easy Ways to Cook Taco Meat for a Big Group

Cooking large amounts of taco meat, especially for a crowd, can often FREAK YOU OUT!

But follow our tips, and you can make it easy – and check out how many tacos for 20 people.

In this article, we will cover the following methods and examine the pros and cons of each.

Here are the methods we will look at

1. Stovetop Method:
   
2. Oven Method:
   
3. Slow Cooker Method:
   
4. Instant Pot/Pressure Cooker Method:
   
5. Grill Method:
   

Mastering the Stovetop: Efficient and Flavorful Taco Meat for Large Gatherings

Using a stovetop is easy for large-scale taco meat cooking – make sure you have a big pot.

How Do You Cook Large Amounts of Taco Meat On The Stove Top

Instructions:

1. Warm up a large pan over medium-high heat. Drizzle in the olive oil and add your finely chopped onion. Sauté the onions for about 4-5 minutes until they become soft and translucent. Make sure to stir frequently to avoid burning, and lower the heat to medium if necessary.
2. Introduce the ground beef to the pan. Use a sturdy spoon or spatula to crumble the beef into small pieces. Continue to cook until the beef is thoroughly browned. Once cooked, carefully drain about 3/4 of the excess liquid and fat from the pan.
3. Bring the pan back to medium-high heat. Sprinkle in the spices and pour in the tomato sauce. Stir everything together until the beef is well coated with the spices and sauce. Allow the mixture to simmer for around five more minutes, stirring regularly.

Ingredients:

• 4 teaspoons of olive oil
• 1 whole yellow onion, finely chopped
• 2 pounds of lean ground beef
• 4 teaspoons of chili powder
• 1/2 teaspoon of garlic powder
• 1 teaspoon of dried oregano
• 1/2 teaspoon of paprika
• 1 teaspoon of dried cumin
• 1 teaspoon of crushed red pepper (optional)
• Salt and pepper, adjusted to your preference
• 1/2 teaspoon of cornstarch (optional)
• 2 cups of tomato sauce

Instructions:

1. Warm up a large pan over medium-high heat. Drizzle in the olive oil and add your finely chopped onion. Sauté the onions for about 4-5 minutes until they become soft and translucent. Make sure to stir frequently to avoid burning, and lower the heat to medium if necessary.
2. Introduce the ground beef to the pan. Use a sturdy spoon or spatula to crumble the beef into small pieces. Continue to cook until the beef is thoroughly browned. Once cooked, carefully drain about 3/4 of the excess liquid and fat from the pan.
3. Bring the pan back to medium-high heat. Sprinkle in the spices and pour in the tomato sauce. Stir everything together until the beef is well coated with the spices and sauce. Allow the mixture to simmer for around five more minutes, stirring regularly.

This recipe is perfect for feeding a larger group or for meal prep. You can customize it with your preferred ground meat and adjust the seasoning to your liking.

Effortless Oven Magic: Preparing Large Batches of Taco Meat

Discover the ease and efficiency of cooking large-scale taco meat in the oven.

How Do You Cook Large Amounts of Taco Meat In The Oven

This is also a great way to make breakfast tacos; see how many for a big family breakfast.

1. Begin by preheating your oven to a temperature of 400 degrees Fahrenheit.
2. Take a large skillet and add your ground beef, diced onion, and minced garlic. Cook this mixture until the beef is thoroughly browned. Once done, make sure to drain off any excess grease.
3. Next, incorporate the black beans, your choice of taco seasoning, and a cup of chunky salsa into the skillet. Stir these ingredients together and allow them to cook for a few minutes. This will help the flavors to combine and the mixture to reach the desired thickness.
4. Now, arrange your hard taco shells in a large baking dish, ideally one that measures 9 x 13 inches. Spoon your beef mixture into each taco shell, pressing it down to ensure a good fill. Continue this process until all your taco shells are generously filled.
5. Sprinkle a layer of shredded cheddar cheese over each filled taco shell.
6. Place the baking dish in your preheated oven and bake for approximately 4 minutes. You’ll know it’s ready when the cheese has completely melted and is bubbling slightly.

Imagine Perfectly Cooked Taco Meat in a Crock Pot

The simplicity of creating perfectly cooked, flavorful taco meat in a crock pot is what makes this a popular method. 

It can also be used to keep the filling warm at the party, which is great when serving tacos to a big group.

Instructions

1. Prepare a clean, large crockpot and place the raw ground beef.

2. Add the diced onion, chopped garlic (or garlic powder), seasoning, water, or a little beef broth.

3. Mix the ground beef (you can also use ground turkey)with the seasoning to achieve flavorful taco meat.

Top Tip – use a pinch of cayenne pepper to enhance the flavors further. 

4. Cook the taco meat over medium to high heat for 2 to 3 hours. Frequently check and break up any larger chunks. Turn to low heat if it is almost cooked.

5. Drain the liquid using a strainer to prevent soggy meat and excessive fat content. Do not forget to use the temperature setting of your slow cooker.

Can you use an Instant Pot To Bulk Cook a Taco Meat Recipe?

Yes – the instant pot is a 7 in one kitchen appliance.

This Instant Pot Taco Style Meat is a dump-and-go way to make tacos.

Here Are The  Steps To Cooking Taco Meat In An Instant Pot

• Put 1 cup of water into the bowl of the Instant Pot, place the metal trivet to the pot, and put the ground beef (frozen or thawed) on top of the trivet.
• For frozen ground turkey or beef, pressure cook it for 20 minutes. For thawed meat, 14 minutes, followed by a quick release.
• Remove the beef and clean the pot.
• Put the pot on saute, and with a little vegetable oil, first add the diced onions and garlic, then the taco seasoning, cooking till ready
• You can now use the warmer function on the instant pot to keep the taco filling warm.

 Tips For Cooking Ground Beef In The Instant Pot

Water is Key: When cooking frozen ground beef in your Instant Pot, adding cold water to the pot’s base is essential. This step is crucial as it generates the steam needed for cooking.

Temperature Check: Always ensure your meat is cooked thoroughly using a thermometer. The internal temperature should reach at least 160 degrees Fahrenheit. If it hasn’t reached this temperature after the initial cooking time, secure the lid and cook for an additional 2-3 minutes.

Drain Unwanted Liquid: Once your ground beef is fully cooked, transfer it to a large bowl. Make sure to discard the leftover liquid and fat from the Instant Pot. This step helps to keep your meat from becoming too greasy or watered down.

 How Do You Keep Taco Meat Warm For A Party?

Slow Cooker: If you have a slow cooker or a crockpot, you can use it to keep the taco meat warm. Set it to the ‘warm’ setting if available. This method is great because it keeps the meat at a safe temperature. Plus it is easy to serve straight from the slow cooker.

Chafing Dishes: 

Oven: Set your oven to a low temperature (around 200°F or 93°C) and place the taco meat in a covered oven-safe dish. Stir occasionally to prevent it from drying out.

Insulated Food Carrier: If you’re transporting taco meat, an insulated food carrier can keep it warm for a few hours.

How To To Thaw Homemade Taco Meat

Thawing homemade taco meat safely is important to maintain its quality and prevent bacterial growth. 

The safest is Refrigerator Thawing: 

Simply move the frozen meat from the freezer to the refrigerator and let it thaw slowly. This can take 24 hours for every 5 pounds of meat, so plan ahead. Once thawed, the meat should be used within 3-4 days.

Cold Water Thawing: If you’re in a hurry, you can thaw your meat in a sealed plastic bag submerged in cold water. Change the water every 30 minutes to keep it cold and to speed up the thawing process. Cook or reheat the meat immediately after it’s thawed to a safe temperature before serving.

Microwave Thawing: If you’re really short on time, you can use the defrost function on your microwave to thaw the taco meat. I like this method the least as it gives uneven heating of meat and poses a risk to food safety. 

If using this method, using a probe thermometer, ensure all the meat is at a safe temperature before serving.