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Quick 20-Minute Ground Beef Taco Skillet

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A fast, flavorful, and comforting one-pan meal that browns ground beef with spices, black beans, and corn, finished with melted cheese and a splash of lime. Perfect for busy weeknights and ready in under 20 minutes.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 lb (450g) 80/20 ground chuck
  • 1 medium yellow onion, diced
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 2 tbsp taco seasoning (store-bought or homemade)
  • 1 can (15 oz / 425g) black beans, drained and rinsed
  • 1 cup (150g) corn kernels
  • 1/2 cup (120ml) low-sodium chicken broth
  • 1 cup (100g) shredded Mexican cheese blend
  • 1 large lime, juiced
  • Optional toppings: sour cream, cilantro, sliced jalapeños, avocado, tortilla chips

Instructions

  1. Prep ingredients: Dice onion, mince garlic, drain/rinse beans, and measure spices.
  2. Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add ground beef and break into small crumbles. Cook until browned and no longer pink (about 7 minutes). Drain excess grease if necessary, leaving a little for flavor.
  3. Push beef to one side. Add diced onion to the empty space and cook for 2-3 minutes until softened. Add minced garlic in the last 30 seconds. Stir together.
  4. Sprinkle taco seasoning over the beef and onion. Stir to coat and let toast for 30 seconds. Pour in chicken broth and black beans. Simmer for 1-2 minutes to meld flavors.
  5. Add corn kernels and stir. Reduce heat to medium-low. Sprinkle cheese over the top without stirring. Let melt under residual heat (about 2 minutes).
  6. Remove skillet from heat. Squeeze lime juice over the dish and stir gently to distribute. Taste and adjust seasoning with salt or pepper if needed.
  7. Serve immediately hot from the skillet, topped with desired garnishes.

Notes

For best results, brown the beef properly to create caramelized edges (Maillard reaction). Use low-sodium broth to control salt levels. If the mixture is too dry, add a splash of broth; if too wet, simmer uncovered longer. Cheese may separate slightly if frozen and reheated.

Nutrition

Keywords: ground beef, taco skillet, quick dinner, weeknight meals, one pan, comfort food, easy recipe, Mexican food

Find it online: https://milacook.com/quick-20-minute-ground-beef-taco-skillet/