Mexican Meat Filling
Packed with bold flavors and a touch of heat, this Mexican Meat Filling is the ultimate versatile recipe for your favorite Mexican dishes. A savory blend of ground beef and optional ground pork is cooked to perfection with fragrant onions, garlic, and a medley of spices like cumin, chili powder, and paprika, then simmered with diced tomatoes and green chilies for a rich, saucy finish. With just 10 minutes of prep time and a quick 25 minutes on the stove, this hearty filling comes together effortlessly, making it ideal for tacos, burritos, enchiladas, or even as a topping for nachos. Garnish with fresh cilantro and a squeeze of lime for a zesty finishing touch that will elevate your meal to restaurant-quality perfection. Perfect for weeknight dinners or meal prep, this filling is sure to become a Mexican-inspired family favorite!
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Recipe Information
Ingredients
- 1 pound ground beef
- 0.5 pound ground pork (optional, can substitute with more ground beef)
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 medium onion, finely chopped
- 3 cloves garlic cloves, minced
- 2 tablespoons tomato paste
- 1 cup diced tomatoes with green chilies (canned)
- 1 teaspoon ground cumin
- 2 teaspoons chili powder
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- 1 teaspoon oregano
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 0.5 teaspoon black pepper
- 0.25 teaspoon cayenne pepper (optional, for extra heat)
- 0.5 cup beef broth
- 2 tablespoons fresh cilantro, chopped (for garnish)
- 4 wedges lime wedges (for serving)
Instructions
Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat.
Add the onion and sauté for 3-4 minutes until softened and translucent.
Stir in the minced garlic and cook for 1 minute, until fragrant.
Add the ground beef and ground pork to the skillet. Cook, breaking it up with a wooden spoon, until the meat is browned and no longer pink, about 5-7 minutes. Drain any excess fat if needed.
Reduce the heat to medium and stir in the tomato paste, cumin, chili powder, paprika, oregano, salt, black pepper, and cayenne pepper (if using). Cook for 1-2 minutes to toast the spices and develop the flavor.
Add the diced tomatoes with green chilies and beef broth. Mix well to combine.
Simmer the mixture for 10 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the liquid has reduced and the filling is thickened. Adjust seasoning if needed.
Remove from heat and let the filling cool slightly. Sprinkle chopped cilantro on top for garnish.
Serve warm as a filling for tacos, burritos, or enchiladas. Pair with lime wedges for an added burst of flavor.
Nutrition Facts
Calories |
1866 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 135.9 g | 174% | |
| Saturated Fat | 48.7 g | 244% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 1.3 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 484 mg | 161% | |
| Sodium | 4134 mg | 180% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 39.0 g | 14% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 9.8 g | 35% | |
| Total Sugars | 15.3 g | ||
| Protein | 122.4 g | 245% | |
| Vitamin D | 0.0 mcg | 0% | |
| Calcium | 235 mg | 18% | |
| Iron | 15.4 mg | 86% | |
| Potassium | 2872 mg | 61% | |
*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
