This Easy Mexican Ground Beef recipe is also quick to make; you can make it in a matter of minutes and it's packed with lots of flavors. You can use it for tacos, burritos or just serve with warm tortillas and rice.
Easy Mexican Ground Beef
I’m sure many people have a pound of ground beef in their freezer for those last minute meals in a hurry. Or just in case you need it. I know, because I always have a pound of ground beef in the freezer too. It is a lifesaver!
You as well as many of us, sometimes do not have the time to cook an elaborate meal, but still, want to serve a good meal for your family. At home, I also have those days, and since we love the authentic Mexican flavor in our meals, this Easy ground beef recipe packs those essential elements, it's tasty, quick to make, and it has a load of the Mexican flavors we enjoy.
This super easy ground beef casserole concentrates delicious juices from the ground beef; it tastes fantastic with few ingredients like tomatoes, garlic, and onions. But the final touch is given by the cilantro. Lots of cilantro.
In case you need more ideas for recipes using ground beef, check the recipe for Easy Picadillo here on the blog, is a very similar dish to this one but this one is a combination of ground beef and potatoes.
There is also the more elaborate version of the Picadillo using ground beef, potatoes, carrots, and peas. Plus a few extras like olives and capers. This last one is the recipe I used to stuff the Poblano Chiles Rellenos.
Other ideas for ground beef is making Mexican meatballs, like Chipotle Meatballs, Mint Meatballs, and Mexican Meatball soup.
How to make ground beef recipe:
JUMP TO SEE INGREDIENTS & INSTRUCTIONS
Directions:
- Season the meat with salt and pepper.
- Heat the oil in a medium-size skillet over medium heat. Add the ground beef and cook for about 5 minutes. It will start releasing its juices. 3. Add the chopped onion and garlic. Stir and keep cooking for two more minutes and then mix in the chopped serrano pepper and cook three more minutes.
- Stir in the tomatoes and cover the skillet. Cook for 8 minutes. After that time, check the seasoning to see if it needs more salt and pepper. And finally, mix in the chopped cilantro. Turn the heat off and allow the flavors to blend for 2-3 more minutes. You can serve this easy ground beef Mexican recipe with a side or rice, beans, a salad, or steamed vegetables. Warm tortillas are highly recommended or make some burritos with the meat.
I hope you enjoy this easy recipe!
Provecho!
If you are one of those people, like me, that always have a pound or two of ground beef in the freezer; please share in the comment section what is your favorite way to prepare it. And, if you share a quick and easy ground beef recipe, that will be even better.
Recipe in Spanish Carne Molida.
📖 Recipe
Mexican Ground Beef
Ingredients
- 1 Lb Ground Beef
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- 2 tablespoon vegetable oil
- ½ cup white onion chopped
- 2 large garlic cloves finely diced
- 2 serrano peppers o 1 jalapeño diced
- 3 medium tomatoes chopped (2-½ cups)
- 1 cup cilantro chopped
Instructions
- Season the meat with salt and pepper.
- Heat the oil in a medium-size skillet over medium heat. Add the ground beef and cook for about 5 minutes. It will start releasing its juices.
- Add the chopped onion and garlic. Stir and keep cooking for two more minutes and then mix in the chopped serrano pepper and cook three more minutes.
- Stir in the tomatoes and cover the skillet. Cook for 8 minutes. After that time, check the seasoning to see if it needs more salt and pepper. And finally, mix in the chopped cilantro. Turn the heat off and allow the flavors to blend for 2-3 more minutes.
Ginette Bisaillom
I made your picadillo this weekend and I stretched it with some TVP that I had roasted with seasonings that I happened to have leftover. It's very good!
JP
instructions don't include the potatoes nor the cilantro!
Mely Martínez
Hello JP,
This recipe doesn't include potatoes. The instructions for the cilantro are in the recipe box.
Happy cooking!
April L.
Sooooo good!
I made it as directed ( very unusual for me) and it was perfect.
Thank you for sharing!
Mely Martínez
Hi April,
Thank you for trying the recipe.
Gareth
Amazing! So delicious and easy! Next time I’m going to make double the amount and freeze the rest for easy meals on the go. I wanted to ask, how does the cooking time change if I double the ingredients? Thank you in advance!!
Mely Martínez
Hello Gareth,
It will take about 10 more minutes, make sure you use a larger frying pan, too.
Meg
What is the recommended serving size based on the nutritional facts you listed?
Mely Martínez
Hello Meg,
The nutritional value is generated by a plugin that divides the total amount of ingredients by the servings. In this case 4 servings.
It will be around 1-1/4 to 1-1/4 cup each.
Tony
Hi Mely, my go to for tacos & meat enchiladas. Ordered extra’s of your cook book to share..
Cynthia Bell-Hayes
How are the fresh tomatoes prepared?
Mely Martínez
Hello Cynthia,
Chopped as the ingredient list mentions and also you can see them in the photos. Happy cooking!
Tabitha
Best. Thing. Ever! Thank you for giving me the ability to make this at home. During lockdown, I've so been missing Mexican restaurants and tacos but this is so amazing! It's amazing if you add cumin but it's also delicious without. This will be a staple in my home going forward.
Penny Henderson
I made this today for our lunch after church. My husband likes a lot of things but rarely LOVES anything. He LOVED this meal so much. Your instructions were so easy and specific. I began following you today and I’m so glad I found your recipe and your instagram page.
Greg Rothschild
Loved this- so easy and so tasty. Gracias!
Lakisha
I can’t find Serrano pepper but I do have jalapeño and adobo can I use either of those?
Mely Martínez
Hello,
You can use jalapeño instead or also chipotles in adobo.
Kristen
We made this past Saturday and enjoyed it so much we are making it again on Thursday. Wouldn’t change a thing, thank you so much!
Mely Martínez
Hello Kristen,
Thank you fro trying this easy recipe with ground beef. Enjoy!
Sharon Shearer
It is easy & very good for tacos, burritos, taco salad, or alone.
Robin
My sister and I just made this for dinner tonight. It was delicious! We will be having this again. Thank you.
mmartinez
Hello Robin,
Thank you fro trying the Easy Mexican Ground beef recipe.
Sharon Shearer
This is just excellent, and like the title says, so easy and simple to make.
Vanessa
Can I use can diced tonatoes?
mmartinez
Hello Vanessa,
Do you mean the ones from the can? if those are the ones you are referring to, you can use them as a substitute for the fresh tomatoes.
Yolanda
This looks so nice! I have some ground venison I am wanting to cook tomorrow, and I think I will use it in place of the beef. Thank you, Mely!
mmartinez
Hello Yolanda,
I bet it will be very tasty with venison.
Yolanda Breidenbaugh
This meal looks so yummy! I will be trying it soon, Mely. 🙂
Theresa
We just had this for dinner tonight and it was absolutely delicious!!!!! We felt like we were in a Mexican restaurant and yet so simple. I made taco version this time with grilled corn tortilla's. This recipe has forever changed my taco recipe. The serrano's and cilantro is what really caught that restaurant feel (i've never bought serrano's before...our new love). My grandson (8) didn't find it too spicy and we love spice. Next time I will double the serrano's Thank you so much for sharing. I hope to find more easy recipes like this from you. Any suggestions? Thank you again 😀
mmartinez
Hello Theresa,
You can try the Easy Picadillo, ground beef with potatoes, kids love it. This is the link for the Easy Picadillo recipe
Theresa
Thank you! I've been searching your site and there are so many delicious choices. I will definitely try that one 🙂 I will never buy another taco packet after trying your easy and delicious recipe 🙂 I had posted it on my husbands FB (I don't have one) I can't wait to make it again.
mmartinez
Hello Theresa,
Thank for trying this easy Mexican ground Beef recipe.
Patricia J Cruz
Hello, M.Martinez. Just a quick note to point out, this or any picadillo recipe can also be made as a soupy version. Soupy picadillo con papas OR sopita de fideo is my "go to" when we are under the weather.
BTW, I love your site. Finding all sorts of recipes from regions of Mexico I have travelled.
God bless!
mmartinez
Hello Patricia,
Thanks for the great tip. Loe the idea!
John
I made this outside on my gas grill with a cast iron pan. My wife says it was a nice change from the steak or chicken fajitas I make all summer on the grill.
mmartinez
Hello John,
Such a clever idea! I need to try your version on my little portable gas grill. Thank you trying the recipe and for sharing this cool tip.
Beth
Used just a tad under 1 lb ground beef and 2-1/2 cups of chopped Roma and garden tomatoes. Seems like I've got a lot more tomato to mine than in your picture. Next time I'll up the onion, garlic and maybe switch to a serrano pepper. I'm not a heat addict, but I would like this more seasoned/hot. Otherwise, this is definitely a keeper. Fresh tortillas await!
mmartinez
Hello Beth,
Enjoy your meal! 😉
Maddie
Just made this and it.IS. AMAZING! Pairing it with roasted butternut squash for a Paleo friendly version. I have been following your recipes recently and have tried a few already. They make my house smell like my grandma's kitchen in Mexico! I'm showing my family that I too can make authentic Mexican food (even though I'm in Canada!)
Thank you!!!!
Maddie
mmartinez
Hello Maddie,
Yes, you can cook Mexican food, even in Canada, I know it is hard to find many of the ingredients, but this recipe for Easy Mexican ground Beef is so simple and delicious, and few ingredients. Enjoy!