If you’ve ever found yourself scrambling to prepare meals while trying to enjoy the great outdoors, we’ve got a game-changing hack for you. Prepping taco meat before your camping trip is a total lifesaver—it takes the stress out of mealtime and gives you more time to relax and have fun.

A close-up of seasoned ground beef in tomato sauce cooking in a black dutch oven, with a black spoon scooping some up for homemade sloppy joes. Hamburger buns are partially visible on the side, sitting on newspaper.

Whether it’s taco night or a hearty Dutch oven dish, having taco meat ready to go makes camping meals easier, tastier, and more convenient. We swear by this prep, and once you try it, you’ll never look at camp cooking the same way!

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A white skillet filled with cooked ground beef sits on a stovetop, with a wooden spoon resting on the pan. Cutting boards and a potted plant are in the background on a kitchen counter.

Table of Contents

Why You’ll Love This Post

Imagine having savory taco flavors ready to go at your campsite without the hassle. We’ve perfected our taco meat prep to make camping meals effortless and tasty. Whether it’s a hearty taco skillet, gooey dutch oven lasagna, or crispy walking tacos, this prepped meat will elevate your camping culinary experience.

A white skillet containing raw ground beef is placed on a stovetop, with a black spatula and a wooden-handled utensil resting in the pan, ready to cook the meat.

How to Prep Taco Meat for Camping

We like to start by cooking up a batch of lean ground beef at home—it’s easier and cleaner than trying to do it over a campfire. Here’s how we do it:

Ingredients

2-3 lbs lean ground beef
4 tbsp (2 packs) taco seasoning

A skillet filled with cooked ground beef sits on a stovetop, with a wooden-handled spatula resting on the pans edge. Steam rises from the meat, and cooking utensils are nearby on the stove.

Instructions

1. Cook the Meat: In a large skillet over medium-high heat, cook the ground beef until it begins to brown, breaking it up with a spatula as it cooks.

A hand holds a packet of Old El Paso Taco Seasoning Mix in front of a skillet filled with cooked ground beef on a stovetop.

2. Season It Up: Add the taco seasoning, stirring well to coat all the meat.

Three plastic bags filled with cooked ground beef are laid out on a wooden surface. Each bag is labeled with different meal options written in marker, such as Dutch oven chili and walking tacos.

3. Cool and Pack: Allow the seasoned meat to cool completely. Once cooled, divide it into 2-3 large freezer bags. Pro tip: Flatten the bags before freezing for easy storage and faster thawing at your campsite.

Recipes We Love to Make

Here are some of our favorite camping recipes that use this prepped taco meat:

Taco Skillet – A quick one-pan meal that’s loaded with veggies and topped with cheese.
Dutch Oven Sloppy Joes – Classic comfort food cooked over the fire, perfect for filling hungry bellies after a day of hiking.
Walking Tacos – Fun and customizable—serve taco meat straight from the bag of chips for minimal cleanup.
Dutch Oven Lasagna – Layered goodness cooked to perfection in a cast iron pot over coals.
Skillet Stuffed Peppers – Colorful bell peppers stuffed with taco meat and rice, cooked over an open flame for a smoky flavor.
Dutch Oven Nachos – Who doesn’t love nachos? Load up tortilla chips with taco meat and all your favorite toppings, then bake in a dutch oven until cheese is melted.

Tips & Tricks

Prep Ahead: Spending a little time prepping at home saves hours of cooking and cleaning at the campsite.
Double Duty Ingredients: Use taco meat in multiple meals to reduce waste and simplify your grocery list.
Pack Smart: Freeze meat in flat packs to save space in your cooler or camping fridge.
Label Everything: Make sure your freezer bags are labeled with contents and date for easy identification.
Variety Is Key: Plan meals that offer different flavors and textures to keep everyone excited about camp dining.

A Sharpie marker rests on a Ziploc bag labeled April 2025, Walking Tacos with a list: lettuce, Doritos, cheese, salsa, sour cream. The bag is on a white surface with a woven mat partially visible.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use ground turkey instead of beef for these recipes?

Absolutely! Ground turkey is a great alternative and works well with taco seasoning.

How long can I keep taco meat in the freezer?

Properly stored, taco meat can last in the freezer for up to 3 months.

Can I cook taco meat directly over a campfire?

You can, but we recommend pre-cooking at home for better control over food safety and cleanup.

Three large resealable plastic bags filled with cooked ground beef are labeled, with one labeled Walking Tacos and listing ingredients: lettuce, Doritos, cheese, and salsa. The bags are placed on a wooden surface.

There you have it – our favorite hack to using taco meat for camping meals! With these tips and recipes, your next outdoor adventure is sure to be delicious.

A frying pan on a stove contains cooked ground taco meat. A wooden spoon rests on the pans handle. The background shows a portion of a kitchen counter with a cutting board. Text at the top reads Taco Meat Camping Meal Plan.

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