Easy Crockpot Ground Beef Tacos Recipe Perfect for Taco Tuesday
A simple and flavorful slow cooker ground beef taco recipe that is perfect for busy weeknights and Taco Tuesday. Tender, juicy, and packed with classic taco spices, this recipe is a crowd-pleaser that requires minimal prep.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 4-6 hours (low) or 2-3 hours (high)
- Total Time: 4 hours 10 minutes to 6 hours 10 minutes (low) or 2 hours 10 minutes to 3 hours 10 minutes (high)
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Cuisine: Mexican
Ingredients
- 1.5 pounds (680 grams) ground beef (85% lean preferred)
- 1 medium onion, finely chopped
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 cup (240 ml) tomato sauce (no-sugar-added brand recommended)
- 1/2 cup (120 ml) beef broth
- 2 tablespoons taco seasoning (store-bought or homemade with chili powder, cumin, paprika, oregano, salt, and pepper)
- 1 can (4 ounces / 113 grams) diced green chilies (optional but recommended)
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Soft taco shells or tortillas (for serving)
- Shredded cheese (for serving)
- Fresh cilantro (for serving)
- Diced tomatoes (for serving)
- Avocado slices (for serving)
- Sour cream (for serving)
Instructions
- Heat 1 tablespoon olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Add ground beef and cook, breaking it up with a spatula, until no longer pink, about 6-8 minutes. Drain excess fat if desired.
- In the same skillet, add the finely chopped onion and minced garlic. Cook until softened and fragrant, about 3-4 minutes.
- Transfer the browned beef, sautéed onion, and garlic into the crockpot. Add tomato sauce, beef broth, taco seasoning, and diced green chilies. Stir to combine evenly.
- Cover and cook on low for 4-6 hours or on high for 2-3 hours. Avoid lifting the lid too often.
- About 30 minutes before serving, taste and adjust salt, pepper, or seasoning if needed. If the mixture seems too wet, remove the lid and cook uncovered for the last 20 minutes to thicken.
- While the beef cooks, warm taco shells or tortillas and prepare toppings like shredded cheese, diced tomatoes, avocado slices, and fresh cilantro.
- Spoon the beef mixture into warm tortillas and garnish with desired toppings. Optionally, add a squeeze of fresh lime juice before serving.
Notes
Browning the beef and sautéing onions and garlic before slow cooking adds depth of flavor. Drain excess fat to avoid soggy filling. Cook low and slow for best tenderness. Lift the lid sparingly to maintain heat. Adjust seasoning at the end. Use fresh garlic and onion for best aroma. Optionally add smoked paprika or chipotle powder for smoky flavor. Leftovers store well in fridge for 3 days or freezer for 3 months.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: About 3 tacos with t
- Calories: 375
- Sugar: 4
- Sodium: 550
- Fat: 22
- Saturated Fat: 8
- Carbohydrates: 15
- Fiber: 3
- Protein: 25
Keywords: crockpot tacos, ground beef tacos, slow cooker tacos, easy taco recipe, taco tuesday, weeknight dinner, simple tacos