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Slow Cooker Tex-Mex Ground Meat

Slow cooker Tex-Mex ground meat is an easy recipe that produces a versatile filling. Using your preferred ground meat, black beans, corn, bell pepper, salsa and seasonings, this easy Tex-Mex inspired recipe can be eaten as-is or reused in other recipes. 

overhead shot of cooked crockpot Tex-Mex ground meat in a white bowl

Ingredients for Tex-Mex Ground Meat

  • Ground Meat
  • Black Beans
  • Corn
  • Onion
  • Jalapeño
  • Tomatoes
  • Seasoning: chili powder, cumin, oregano, paprika, garlic powder, salt, pepper

collage of ingredients for slow cooker Tex-Mex ground meat

How To Make Slow Cooker Tex-Mex Ground Meat

Slow Cooker

  1. Heat oil large skillet over medium-high heat. Season the ground beef with salt & pepper and to the skillet. Cook the beef, crumbling it as it cooks, until it is no longer pink. Drain grease and add the mixture to the slow cooker.
  2. Add all remaining ingredients to the slow cooker. Stir to mix well.
  3. Cook HIGH 2-3 hours or LOW 4-6.

Instant Pot

  1. Turn on the Instant Pot and select sauté. Once hot add the oil, ground beef, bell pepper, and onion Cook a 5-7 minutes or until meat is browned and vegetables soften. Crumble the meat as it cooks. Drain grease if necessary. Turn off the pressure cooker.
  2. Add all the remaining ingredients. Be sure to add 1 cup of chicken or beef broth. Stir to mix well.
  3. Close lid and seal valve. Set high pressure and cook for 10 minutes. When cooking time is complete, quick release the pressure.
overhead shot of uncooked crockpot Tex-Mex ground meat in a black slow cooker

before

overhead shot of cooked crockpot Tex-Mex ground meat in a black slow cooker

after

What Type of Ground Meat To Use

The choice of ground meat is up to you. I used ground beef but other options include ground turkey, pork, or chicken. I recommend you brown the meat and drain the grease before adding it to the slow cooker. If you’re using a very lean meat then you might not find the need to do this but I find that the end result is too greasy unless you do. Using the Instant Pot makes this step easy since you can do it directly in the pressure cooker. 

side shot of slow cooker Tex-Mex ground meat in a white bowl garnished with fresh cilantro

Tomatoes or Salsa?

Your choice of diced tomatoes, crushed tomatoes, or your preferred salsa can be used in this Tex-Mex ground meat recipe. If you use salsa, please note that the brand of salsa you choose may alter the taste of the dish. Good or bad. 

How To Serve Tex-Mex Ground Meat

When it comes to serving this flavorful ground meat, the sky is the limit! Seriously, this meat can be served in so many different ways. Suggestions include lettuce wraps, enchiladas, tacos, burritos or as a salad topping. 

closeup shot of crockpot Tex-Mex ground meat in a black slow cooker

Tips & FAQs

  • Store leftovers in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. 
  • To make this vegan-friendly, swap out the meat for tofu or omit the meat and double up on the black beans.
  • I use a 3.5-quart slow cooker for this recipe. If you have a larger slow cooker, you can double this recipe to feed a larger crowd. 

Tex-Mex Recipes

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overhead shot of cooked crockpot Tex-Mex ground meat in a white bowl

Slow Cooker Tex-Mex Ground Meat

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Slow cooker Tex-Mex ground meat is an easy recipe that produces a versatile filling. Using your preferred ground meat, black beans, corn, bell pepper, salsa and seasonings, this easy Tex-Mex inspired recipe can be eaten as-is or reused in other recipes.

  • Total Time: 3 hours 10 mins
  • Yield: 4 servings 1x

Ingredients

Units Scale
  • 1 1/2 pounds ground meat
  • 15 ounces canned corn (drained & rinsed)
  • 15 ounces canned black beans (drained & rinsed)
  • 15 ounces diced tomatoes, crushed tomatoes or salsa
  • 1 bell pepper, diced
  • 1 cup onion, diced
  • 1 tablespoon chili powder
  • 2 teaspoons cumin
  • 1 1/2 teaspoons salt (or more)
  • 1 1/2 teaspoons oregano
  • 1 teaspoon paprika
  • 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon pepper
  • 1 tablespoon oil
  • 1 cup low-sodium beef or chicken broth (for Instant Pot only)
  • 1/4 cup fresh cilantro, optional for garnish

Instructions

Slow Cooker

  1. Heat oil large skillet over medium-high heat. Season the ground beef with salt & pepper and to the skillet. Cook the beef, crumbling it as it cooks, until it is no longer pink. Drain grease and add the mixture to the slow cooker.
  2. Add all remaining ingredients to the slow cooker. Stir to mix well.
  3. Cook HIGH 2-3 hours or LOW 4-6.

Instant Pot

  1. Turn on the Instant Pot and select sauté. Once hot add the oil, ground beef, bell pepper, and onion Cook a 5-7 minutes or until meat is browned and vegetables soften. Crumble the meat as it cooks. Drain grease if necessary. Turn off the pressure cooker.
  2. Add all the remaining ingredients. Stir to mix well.
  3. Close lid and seal valve. Set high pressure and cook for 10 minutes. When cooking time is complete, quick release the pressure.
  • Author: Shannon Epstein
  • Prep Time: 10 mins
  • Cook Time: 3 hours

Nutrition

  • Serving Size:
  • Calories: 268
  • Sugar: 4.8 g
  • Fat: 4.9 g
  • Saturated Fat: 2.1 g
  • Carbohydrates: 22.9 g
  • Fiber: 5.8 g
  • Protein: 34.2 g
  • Cholesterol: 77.5 mg

 

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Jim

Monday 30th of August 2021

Hi, When I try to calculate the macros and calories for this recipe using My Fitness Pal, I get 47g Carbs, 7g Fats and 34g Proteins for 403 calories (per serving, 8 servings). Your numbers are 23g of Carbs, 5g of Fats, and 34g of Protein for 268 calories. I’m using 95% lean ground beef. Why so different?

Lorenzo

Friday 16th of March 2018

This looks delicious and hearty! Perfect meal any time of the day, and perfect post workout meal too!! Thanks

Jeff

Thursday 15th of March 2018

This was very tasty and it smelled great as it was being put together. I did not have any lettuce leaves but i did have a few taco shells in the pantry. I added some Colby-Jack cheese and some home made spicy salsa when it was done. Thank you for the great recipe.

Fit SlowCooker Queen

Monday 19th of March 2018

Sounds great! You're very welcome, I'm so glad to hear you enjoyed it.