Tacos are a popular Mexican dish that typically consist of a tortilla filled with protein, vegetables, cheese, and various sauces. When making tacos at home, one of the most common questions is how much taco filling a pound of ground beef or other meat will make. The answer depends on a few factors.
Meat Options for Tacos
There are several different meats that work well for tacos:
- Ground beef – This is the most traditional taco meat. Lean ground beef provides plenty of beefy flavor.
- Ground turkey – A lighter alternative to ground beef. Be sure to buy ground turkey breast, not ground turkey thighs, for the leanest option.
- Ground chicken – Milder in flavor than beef or turkey, but still makes a tasty taco filling.
- Shredded chicken – Cooked chicken breasts or thighs shredded or chopped into small pieces.
- Carnitas – Small pieces of braised or roasted pork.
- Carne asada – Grilled steak cut into small strips.
- Chorizo – Spicy Mexican sausage.
- Soy crumbles – A meatless option for vegetarian tacos.
For the purposes of this article, we’ll focus on how much taco meat you can get from 1 pound of ground beef, which is the most popular taco filling.
How Many Ounces in a Pound of Ground Beef?
First, it’s important to understand how many ounces are in a pound. A standard pound contains 16 ounces. So if you purchase 1 pound of ground beef from the grocery store, that package will contain 16 ounces of meat.
How Many Tacos Can 1 Pound of Ground Beef Make?
Now let’s look at how many tacos 1 pound of ground beef can make. This depends on a few factors:
- Taco size – The standard taco is 4-5 inches across, but you can make smaller or larger tacos depending on personal preference or the size of your tortillas.
- Amount of meat per taco – The typical taco filling is 2-3 ounces of cooked ground beef per taco.
- Cook loss – Ground beef loses some volume and weight as it cooks. Expect approximately 15% cook loss for 1 pound of ground beef.
Taking these factors into account, here is an estimate of how many tacos 1 pound of ground beef will make:
For 4-inch tacos:
| Meat per Taco | Cook Loss | Total Cooked Meat | Tacos Made |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2 oz | 15% | 13.6 oz | 6-7 |
| 3 oz | 15% | 13.6 oz | 4-5 |
For 5-inch tacos:
| Meat per Taco | Cook Loss | Total Cooked Meat | Tacos Made |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3 oz | 15% | 13.6 oz | 4-5 |
| 4 oz | 15% | 13.6 oz | 3-4 |
As you can see, you can expect to get approximately 4-7 tacos per pound of ground beef, depending on the size of the tortillas and how much meat you use per taco.
Recipe to Make Taco Filling with 1 Pound Ground Beef
Here is a basic recipe for seasoned taco meat filling made with 1 pound of ground beef:
Ingredients:
- 1 pound lean ground beef
- 1 packet taco seasoning mix (or see homemade recipe below)
- 1/2 cup water
Instructions:
- In a skillet over medium heat, cook the ground beef, breaking it up with a wooden spoon as it cooks, until browned and crumbled. Drain excess fat.
- Add taco seasoning and water. Stir to combine and dissolve seasoning.
- Bring to a simmer and cook for 5 minutes until thickened.
- Remove from heat. Filling is ready to use for tacos.
For a homemade taco seasoning, combine:
- 2 tablespoons chili powder
- 1 1/2 teaspoons cumin
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1/2 teaspoon paprika
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon pepper
This makes enough seasoning for 1 pound of ground beef. You can adjust spices to taste.
Tips for Cooking Ground Beef for Tacos
Here are some helpful tips for cooking ground beef that’s flavorful, perfectly crumbled, and ready for tacos:
- Use 80/20 or 85/15 lean ground beef for the best texture and flavor.
- Cook over medium heat rather than high heat to prevent burning or overcooking.
- Break up the meat thoroughly with a wooden spoon as it cooks.
- Drain excess grease once meat is browned to prevent greasy tacos.
- Add taco seasoning and water and simmer for 5 minutes to let flavors meld.
- Taste and adjust seasonings as needed. Add more taco seasoning, cumin, garlic powder, etc to taste.
- For extra flavor, saute onion and garlic before adding ground beef.
Non-Beef Fillings for Tacos
While ground beef is the classic taco meat, there are plenty of non-beef fillings that also work wonderfully in tacos:
Ground Turkey or Chicken:
Follow the same recipe as above, substituting ground turkey or chicken for the ground beef. Saute with taco seasoning and water for delicious results. The cooking time may be slightly shorter than beef.
Shredded Chicken:
Poach or roast chicken breasts or thighs. Shred or chop chicken into small pieces. Season with cumin, chili powder, garlic, onion, oregano, and a squeeze of lime juice.
Carnitas:
Simmer pork shoulder or pork butt with spices and broth until very tender. Shred pork and saute with onions until browned and crispy.
Carne Asada:
Grill flank steak or skirt steak over high heat until charred outside but still pink inside. Let rest, then slice into thin strips against the grain. Season with lime juice, cilantro, and spices.
Chorizo:
Remove chorizo from casing and cook over medium heat until browned and cooked through, breaking up large chunks as it cooks. Drain excess grease. Season further with spices if desired.
Soy Crumbles:
Rehydrate soy crumbles per package instructions. Saute with taco seasoning and/or Mexican spices until heated through and lightly browned.
How to Store and Reheat Taco Meat
Properly storing leftover taco meat filling allows you to reuse it for several fast and easy meals.
- Refrigerate: Let taco meat cool fully, then transfer to an airtight container. Refrigerate for 3-4 days.
- Freeze: For longer storage, divide meat into freezer bags or containers in serving sizes. Freeze for 2-3 months.
- Reheat: Thaw frozen taco meat overnight in the fridge. Reheat refrigerated or frozen meat in a skillet over medium-low heat, adding a splash of water to prevent drying out.
Some easy ways to reuse leftover taco meat:
- Tostadas – Pile onto crunchy tostada shells along with beans, cheese, etc.
- Burritos – Roll up in flour tortillas with rice, beans, etc.
- Nachos – Top tortilla chips with taco meat, cheese, beans, etc. and bake until hot and melty.
- Taco Salads – Serve taco meat over lettuce with tomatoes, cheese, onions, avocado, etc.
- Stuffed peppers – Fill halved bell peppers with taco meat and cheese and bake until hot.
Cost Savings of Making Your Own Taco Meat
Making your own taco meat at home can provide big cost savings compared to buying prepared taco filling.
| Item | Grocery Store Price | Homemade Price | Savings |
|---|---|---|---|
| Seasoned ground beef (1 lb) | $5 | $3.50 | $1.50 (30%) |
| Seasoning packet | $1 | $0.30 | $0.70 (70%) |
| Total Savings Per Pound | $2.20 (44%) |
As you can see, making your own seasoned taco meat at home can save over 40% compared to buying pre-seasoned taco meat from the grocery store. So next taco night, try making your own filling from scratch!
Conclusion
When planning for taco night, you can expect 1 pound of ground beef to make approximately 4-7 tacos, depending on the size of the tortillas and amount of meat per taco. A pound of meat cooks down to around 13-14 ounces after cook loss. Follow a simple recipe to season the meat with taco seasoning and simmer until thickened and flavorful. For variety, you can also use ground turkey or chicken, or non-beef proteins like carnitas, carne asada, chorizo, or vegetarian crumbles. Making your own taco meat filling at home can save up to 44% compared to buying pre-seasoned taco meat. With proper storage and reheating, leftovers can be used for multiple meals throughout the week. Now you know exactly how far 1 pound of meat can take your taco night!