• Home
  • Email List
  • Cookbooks
  • FAQs
  • Instant Pot Secrets
  • Sponsor Me

365 Days of Slow Cooking and Pressure Cooking

Easy slow cooker and Instant Pot recipes for each day of the year

  • Filter Recipes
  • Instant Pot
  • Slow Cooker
  • Chicken
  • Beef
  • Pork
  • Meatless
  • healthy
  • Soups

June 12, 2013

Slow Cooker (no browning!) Spicy Beef Taco Filling…only 4 ingredients!

Can I tell you how happy I am when I don’t have to brown meat in a separate pan?!  This trick is so awesome and I’ll be using it again and again with my lean ground meats.  Simply put the ground meat in the slow cooker with some seasoning and turn it to low.  How easy is that?  This is a great recipe if you’re trying to think of something to get in the slow cooker very quickly before you head out for a few hours in the afternoon.  It literally takes like 2 minutes.  I used my homemade taco seasoning (but you can use the pre-packaged stuff if you prefer).  4 stars.
Slow Cooker (no browning!) Spicy Beef Taco Filling...only 4 ingredients! #easydinner #crockpotdinner
Slow Cooker (no browning) Spicy Beef Taco Filling

Makes 4 servings
Ideal slow cooker size:  3 quart

1 lb lean ground beef (I used 93% lean.  If you don’t use lean, it will be swimming in grease)
2 Tbsp tomato paste
1 Tbsp dried onion
2 Tbsp homemade taco seasoning
1.  Combine all the ingredients in your slow cooker.
2.  Use a spoon to break up the meat.
3.  Cover and cook on LOW for about 3-4 hours.
4.  Use a spoon to break up the meat again.  
5.  Serve in tacos!
Slow Cooker (no browning!) Spicy Beef Taco Filling...only 4 ingredients!

P.S.  Want some other yummy taco recipes?  Try these favorites!

5 ingredient Chicken Tacos
Tomatillo Beef Tacos
Ground Chicken Tacos

14 Comments Filed Under: 5 ingredients or less, All Recipes, Beef, Slow Cooker Tagged With: tacos, weeknight dinners, All Posts, 2-4 hours, 4 stars, easy, easy dinner

Comments

  1. sara chan says

    January 3, 2024 at 10:42 pm

    This slow cooker spicy beef taco filling is a game-changer! Just 4 ingredients, no browning needed. Super easy and packed with flavor. Perfect for busy days when you want a delicious meal with minimal effort. Highly recommend!

    Reply
  2. sara chan says

    January 3, 2024 at 2:22 am

    Absolutely love this easy Slow Cooker Spicy Beef Taco Filling recipe! Just 4 ingredients and no browning required. The flavors are incredible, and it’s a time-saver. Perfect for busy days – a new family favorite for sure! 🌮🔥 #tacotuesday #easyrecipe

    Reply
  3. Cathy says

    August 24, 2016 at 9:03 am

    Where is the recipe for the homemade taco seasoning?

    Reply
    • Karen says

      August 27, 2016 at 12:11 pm

      I’ve linked to it but I’m guessing you didn’t notice! Here is the link: http://utah.todaysmama.com/2013/05/21/taco-seasoningno-preservatives-sodium-lot-cheaper/

      Reply
  4. Martha says

    July 25, 2014 at 8:21 pm

    Brilliant, Karen! So quick and easy. Definitely my kind of recipe. I've included it in a roundup of Slow Cooker Taco Fillings I recently posted http://simple-nourished-living.com/2014/07/crock-pot-taco-fillings-recipes/

    Reply
  5. [email protected] says

    September 10, 2013 at 5:26 pm

    Yes, I think adding rice would work! Just add in twice as much water as rice. For example, add in 1/2 cup brown rice and 1 cup water. Let me know how it goes!

    Reply
  6. Anonymous says

    September 10, 2013 at 5:20 pm

    Would this work to add brown rice into this to extend the servings a bit? If so what would you suggest for directions in doing this. I don't have a lot of experience in crockpot cooking so I'm not sure if the meat would brown or if rice would cook nicely by adding the water and the rice with all the rest of that.

    Reply
  7. [email protected] says

    June 13, 2013 at 9:38 pm

    I love EASY recipes that still work. This is one of those 🙂 Hooray!

    Reply
  8. Chung-Ah | Damn Delicious says

    June 13, 2013 at 8:00 pm

    I love how easy this is to make!

    Reply
  9. Jennifer says

    June 13, 2013 at 2:33 pm

    4 Ingredients + slow cooker = Brilliant! Exactly the type of recipe that goes into my box! Also, I love your recipe for the taco seasoning. I am definitely going to try both. Thank you.

    Reply
  10. [email protected] says

    June 13, 2013 at 2:10 am

    yes, ground chicken or turkey would work great!

    Reply
  11. Anonymous says

    June 12, 2013 at 11:25 pm

    Can I use ground turkey or chicken?

    Reply
  12. [email protected] says

    June 12, 2013 at 8:17 pm

    no kidding, right? so easy!

    Reply
  13. Carole says

    June 12, 2013 at 8:16 pm

    Now, this I could manage. Thanks

    Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Welcome!

Karen photo

Hi, I’m Karen. I know that dinner time can be less than relaxing. Busy schedules and cranky kids and a hundred other things can lead to weariness when it comes to putting dinner on the table. I can help! I make homemade, family-friendly slow cooker and Instant Pot dinners and share the recipes with you.

Stay In Touch

  • Email
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • YouTube

Recent Posts

Categories

Archives

Amazon Associates Disclosure

Karen Petersen is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to amazon.com.

365 Days of Slow Cooking © 2026 · Privacy Policy

MENU
  • Home
  • Filter
  • Instant Pot
  • Slow Cooker
  • Chicken
  • Beef
  • Pork
  • Meatless
  • Healthy
  • Soups
  • Email List
  • Cookbooks
  • FAQs
  • Instant Pot Secrets