Mexican Ground Beef Recipe?

[gigantalor]

Does anyone know how most Mexican restaurants cook their ground beef?

I've noticed that in some places it has a subtle almost "slim jim" taste...kinda how slim jims have a little vinegar taste. Could be part chorizo or something?

It's nothing like those packet mixes.

BTW, I called a place one time and asked what kind of cheese they use...and they told me White American. I was a little surprised, but that was right on the mark.

But I don't think they're gonna just give me their beef recipe over the phone.

Anyone with any inside info know the secret?

Thanks in advance.

 

[Gaeric]

One of the reasons it's not like a packet mix is probably the spices, when you grind your own spices & such it comes out so much better. I'd give you my recipe but there are other ones you can find online that don't use a packet mix that are probably better.

 

[lts5025]

Cumin, oregano, salt, onion powder, garlic powder, chili powder, lime

 

[Gaeric]

Try this:

2 tablespoons Mexican oregano
1 tablespoon chile powder
1 teaspoon cumin
1 teaspoon garlic powder
2 teaspoons onion powder
1/2 teaspoon salt

That's for 1lb of ground beef. It's not the one I use, but it's a fairly common recipe. When I make taco meat I will often shred the beef instead of using ground, but that's a lot more work. When you use ground beef you can do nice things like mincing chiles to put in there (I like a mix of jalapeno & chipotle w/o the adobo sauce).

 

[Heisenberg]

Does anyone know how most Mexican restaurants cook their ground beef?

I've noticed that in some places it has a subtle almost "slim jim" taste...kinda how slim jims have a little vinegar taste. Could be part chorizo or something?

It's nothing like those packet mixes.

BTW, I called a place one time and asked what kind of cheese they use...and they told me White American. I was a little surprised, but that was right on the mark.

But I don't think they're gonna just give me their beef recipe over the phone.

Anyone with any inside info know the secret?

Thanks in advance.

White American?

 

[Rex Kwon Do]

If I was a Mexican chef, and you told me the ground beef in a dish had a slight Slim Jim flavor, I'd chop your head off right there with my cleaver.

And then probably do myself in, as well.

 

[milliniar]

the secret is it's not really beef.

 

[Breakage]

You found the secret, ts. That's all it is, ground up Slim Jims.

 

[rbun]

White American?

White American!

 

[TexasDrugAddict**]

I don't know but these tacos from Taco Bueno are Muy Bueno.

 

[gigantalor]

Thanks for the replies, guys.

I've tried similar combinations to those posted...e.g. onion, garlic, cumin, etc.

But it's never quite like the restaurants.

I'm thinking maybe vinegar gives it that "slim jim" tang. And yes, it's just a very subtle slim jim (maybe pickled hot dog) flavor, and that's not necessarily a bad thing.

A google search turned up this recipe (which contains vinegar):

http://www.food.com/recipe/americas-test-kitchen-beef-tacos-314504

Maybe I'll give this a shot next time.

And yes, it's White American cheese. I usually buy it from the deli at Publix in a chunk and shred it myself. Tastes just like the shredded white cheese in the restaurants (which also seems to be what they use for the queso dip).

 

[sturmgeist]

Authentic mexican ground beef hardly has any seasoning in it at all. What you're tasting is beef juices and fat. Salt, pepper, onions and some red and green diced bellpepper for colour.

And any winey taste, such as you describe as vinegary, is almost always from the meat aging. Mexicans don't use fresh beef, they use ripe beef.

 

[Heisenberg]

White American!

Uggh. Asadero cheese ftw.

 

[Dale Denton**]

Cumin is the secret (pun not intended).

 

[osudude]

Try a little paprika.

 

[Sir Galahad]

Need Cilantro lime rice as a side dish.

 

[gigantalor]

Authentic mexican ground beef hardly has any seasoning in it at all. What you're tasting is beef juices and fat. Salt, pepper, onions and some red and green diced bellpepper for colour.

And any winey taste, such as you describe as vinegary, is almost always from the meat aging. Mexicans don't use fresh beef, they use ripe beef.

Yeah, I figured they didn't use much seasoning, it's usually a very mild taste vs the packet stuff.

That's interesting about the vinegar taste coming from "ripe beef". Makes sense, I guess. However, is that the same thing as "aged beef"? If so, I thought aged beef was usually pretty pricey. So, I'd be surprised at a Mexican restaurant using that.

 

[gigantalor]

Uggh. Asadero cheese ftw.

Interesting. I'll have to try it and see for myself. Searching the internet, people act like it's hard to find.

I know for a fact that White American tastes like the shredded white creamy cheese that they serve in the Mexican restaurants. Plus, that's what the guy told me they used at the one place.

 

[Heisenberg]

Interesting. I'll have to try it and see for myself. Searching the internet, people act like it's hard to find.

I know for a fact that White American tastes like the shredded white creamy cheese that they serve in the Mexican restaurants. Plus, that's what the guy told me they used at the one place.

Just find a Mexican market.

 

[new_mexico1]

Chile rellenos with asadeo cheese is where it's at. With New Mexico chile of course.