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Home » Beginner Cook Recipes » Easy Comfort Food Recipes

Old El Paso Taco Instructions

Published: Jan 18, 2023 · Modified: Jul 1, 2025 by Wendi Spraker · This post may contain affiliate links · 1 Comment

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Sometimes we just need to know how to make a taco recipe for those Old El Paso Tacos and for that, we need the Old El Paso Taco Instructions!

two tacos on a holder

Old El Paso Taco Instructions

Contents show
1 Old El Paso Taco Instructions
2 Here's What You'll Need
3 Here's How You Do It
4 Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ's)
5 Tips and Tricks for Old El Paso Taco Instructions
6 Substitutions
7 Great Taco Toppings
8 Special Equipment
9 Watch Sarah Make Old El Paso Taco Instrucions
10 Can You Help Me Out
11 Old El Paso Taco Instructions
11.1 Ingredients
11.2 Instructions
11.3 Notes
11.4 Nutrition
12 A Verse to Share
12.1 You May Also Love:

This is the most loved taco recipe at my house, how about yours? The instructions are easy and the flavors are classic even if not authentic south of the border tacos.

Old El Paso Seasoning also works as a rub or flavoring on all kinds of meat. Try my recipe for Taco Seasoning Chicken and our Taco Seasoning for Chili! !

old el paso taco instructions ingredients

Here's What You'll Need

  • 1 lb beef
  • Taco shells and fixings (lettuce, cheese, sauce, etc.)
  • 1 packet of Old El Paso Taco Seasoning

Here's How You Do It

  1. Brown the beef
  2. Add the seasoning and then at the right time add some water.
  3. Cover and simmer for a bit. Easy!
5 old el paso taco instructions taco

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ's)

Can I Freeze This Taco Meat

Yes, you can freeze it! Place in a freezer safe container, remove as much air as possible and freeze for up to three months.

How Long Does this Last?

This taco meat will last up to 5 days if kept covered in the fridge.

Tips and Tricks for Old El Paso Taco Instructions

  • While beef is the recommended meat for this recipe, you can easily use turkey, EVP, chicken, pork or even sausage.
  • Chopped or shredded chicken makes a nice taco too!
  • Toppings and sauces make all the difference! Try something new and you'll be so surprised!
  • Drain the ground meat well after browning it if there is a lot of grease in the pan.
  • Only spoon about 1-2 Tbs of ground meat into your taco shell for the right balance of ingredients.
  • For added flavor, you can add some chili seasoning or simply use two packets per pound of ground beef.
  • Add more heat by adding Cayenne (be careful!)
  • More flavor using garlic powder and onion powder.

Substitutions

Ground Beef - you can use any of the following and it works out just fine: ground chicken, ground turkey, ground pork, any % ground beef, EVP, vegetarian crumbles, tofu, shrimp and fish.

Old El Paso Seasoning - You can use a different brand, but I don't recommend it. There are recipes out there for seasoning copycats. If you have never made tacos before, stick with the Old El Paso Taco Instructions first before branching out.

Taco Shells and Fixings - there's a whole world of toppings and shells, use any that you like and see the list below for some ideas

4 tacos on a plate

Great Taco Toppings

At a loss for ideas? No worries, here's a bunch...

  • Cheese - shredded or nacho
  • Queso
  • White Mexican Cheese
  • Lettuce
  • Spinach leaves
  • Onions
  • tomatos
  • Cilantro
  • toasted garlic
  • peppers
  • poblanos
  • cucumber
  • avocado
  • tomato sauce
  • rotel
  • pico de gallo
  • seeds/nuts
  • beans - all kinds
  • roasted corn

Special Equipment

You don't need any special equipment BUT these taco holders are pretty darn handy to have around.

If you click this photo (or some others in this post) you can go through to Amazon to compare prices. It is an Amazon affiliate link and I am an Amazon affiliate and receive a commission if you purchase through this link (so, thank you very much! All proceeds are used in support of this website)

And just look at these kids taco holders! I'm ordering them right now!

Watch Sarah Make Old El Paso Taco Instrucions

Can You Help Me Out

Please leave a 5 STAR comment in the comment section below. This helps others to find the recipes at Loaves and Dishes. Thank you!

two tacos on a holder

Old El Paso Taco Instructions

Sometimes we just need to know how to make a taco recipe for those Old El Paso Tacos and for that, we need the Old El Paso Taco Instructions!
5 from 1 vote
Print Pin SaveSaved! Rate
Course: main
Cuisine: American
Keyword: Old El Paso Taco Instructions
Prep Time: 5 minutes minutes
Cook Time: 10 minutes minutes
Total Time: 15 minutes minutes
Servings: 6 servings
Calories: 203kcal
Author: Wendi Spraker

Ingredients

  • 1 Tbs vegetable oil
  • 1 lb ground beef
  • ⅔ Cup water
  • 1 packet taco seasoning (¼ cup)

Instructions

  • In a skillet on the stovetop, heat a tablespoon of vegetable oil over medium heat until rippled and glistening in the pan.
  • Break up the ground beef and add to the pan. Using a spatula chop up the ground beef into the smallest possible bits and heat until the pink in the meat has turned to brown.
  • Reduce the heat to low. Add the ⅔ cup of water and the seasoning packet to the meat. Mix well and place a lid on the frying pan. Simmer with lid on for 3-4 minutes until the water has evaporated. Remove from the heat. Serve hot.

Notes

  • While ground beef is the recommended meat for this recipe, you can easily use ground turkey, EVP, ground chicken, ground pork or even sausage.
  • Chopped or shredded chicken makes a nice taco too!
  • Toppings and sauces make all the difference! Try something new and you'll be so surprised!
  • Drain the ground meat well after browning it if there is a lot of grease in the pan.
  • Only spoon about 1-2 Tbs of ground meat into your taco shell for the right balance of ingredients.
  • For added flavor, you can add some chili seasoning or simply use two packets per pound of ground beef.
  • Add more heat by adding Cayenne (be careful!)
  • More flavor using garlic powder and onion powder.
SUBSTITUTIONS
Ground Beef - you can use any of the following and it works out just fine: ground chicken, ground turkey, ground pork, any % ground beef, EVP, vegetarian crumbles, tofu, shrimp and fish.
Old El Paso Seasoning - You can use a different brand, but I don't recommend it. There are recipes out there for seasoning copycats. If you have never made tacos before, stick with the Old El Paso Taco Instructions first before branching out.
Taco Shells and Fixings - there's a whole world of toppings and shells, use any that you like and see the list below for some ideas

Nutrition

Nutrition Facts
Old El Paso Taco Instructions
Amount Per Serving
Calories 203 Calories from Fat 135
% Daily Value*
Fat 15g23%
Saturated Fat 6g30%
Trans Fat 1g
Polyunsaturated Fat 0.4g
Monounsaturated Fat 7g
Cholesterol 54mg18%
Sodium 523mg22%
Potassium 204mg6%
Carbohydrates 3g1%
Fiber 1g4%
Sugar 1g1%
Protein 13g26%
Vitamin A 547IU11%
Vitamin C 3mg4%
Calcium 14mg1%
Iron 2mg11%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.
Tried this recipe?Mention @loavesanddishes or tag #loavesanddishes!

A Verse to Share

Lately I've been chanting a bible verse because I've needed it. Maybe you need it too.

Phillippians 4:13

I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.

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Comments

  1. Wendi says

    February 01, 2023 at 4:54 pm

    5 stars
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Welcome!

Hi! I'm Wendi and I believe that food made with love and passion has power. It can bring people together AND carry them home. I'll show you how to get amazing flavor from simple dishes. Your family and friends will exclaim, "WOW! Amazing! I NEED this recipe!" Join me and nourish your body and soul.

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