What Percent Fat for Taco Meat? Your Ultimate Guide

January 5, 2026 •

4 min read

The fat content of your ground beef directly influences the final juiciness and flavor of your tacos, with fat carrying much of the beef's savory taste. The best answer to "what percent fat for taco meat?" depends heavily on your preference for richness versus leanness, but most experts recommend a range between 80/20 and 90/10.

Quick Summary

The ideal fat content for taco meat is typically between 80/20 and 90/10, balancing flavor and greasiness. Higher fat ratios offer richer taste but require draining, while leaner versions provide a healthier, less greasy option.

Key Points

Fat equals flavor: Higher fat content, like in an 80/20 blend, provides a richer, juicier, and more flavorful taco filling.
Leaner options exist: For a healthier meal, a 90/10 blend is a great option, though it requires moisture to prevent dryness.
Always drain excess fat: With higher fat blends like 80/20, draining the rendered fat after browning is crucial to avoid greasy tacos.
Add moisture to lean meat: To prevent dry results with 90/10 beef, add water, broth, or tomato sauce during simmering to keep the meat moist.
Ground chuck is a classic: Commonly sold as 80/20, ground chuck is a popular choice for tacos due to its perfect balance of flavor and moisture.
Choose the right ratio for you: Your preference for flavor intensity versus health benefits should guide your choice between fattier and leaner ground beef.
Don't overcrowd the pan: For the best browning and texture, use a large skillet and don't overfill it, regardless of the fat percentage.

Understanding Ground Beef Percentages

When you see a label on ground beef that reads 80/20 or 90/10, it represents the lean-to-fat ratio. The first number indicates the percentage of lean meat, while the second number represents the percentage of fat by weight. This simple ratio has a profound impact on the taste, texture, and cooking process of your taco meat. A higher fat content often translates to more flavor and moisture, as fat renders and distributes during cooking. A leaner blend, while healthier, can sometimes produce a drier, less rich result if not cooked properly.

The Flavor-Forward Choice: 80/20 Ground Beef

For many home cooks and taco aficionados, 80/20 ground beef is the gold standard. This blend typically comes from ground chuck, a cut known for its rich, beefy flavor. The higher fat content is the key to creating a moist, deeply satisfying taco filling that prevents the meat from drying out, which is a common problem with very lean beef.

Key considerations for cooking with 80/20:

Moisture and Juiciness: The fat renders as the meat cooks, basting the beef and ensuring a juicy filling.
Intense Flavor: The extra fat adds a richer, more robust beef flavor that stands up well to bold taco seasonings.
Draining is a must: To avoid a greasy finish, it is crucial to drain the excess fat after browning the meat. A colander is an excellent tool for this, allowing the fat to drip away while leaving the flavorful beef behind. Some cooks prefer to use a paper towel to absorb the excess oil.

The Healthier Alternative: 90/10 Ground Beef

If health and a less greasy taco are your priorities, the 90/10 lean ground beef is an excellent choice. This is a popular option for those watching their fat intake without completely sacrificing flavor. This leaner blend still offers enough fat to contribute to the taste, but significantly reduces the overall greasiness.

Key considerations for cooking with 90/10:

Reduced Greasiness: With less fat to render, you won't need to drain nearly as much grease, making for a cleaner meal.
Risk of Dryness: The primary challenge with 90/10 is preventing it from becoming dry. To counteract this, many recipes call for adding a small amount of liquid, like water, beef broth, or tomato sauce, which helps to keep the meat moist while it simmers with the taco seasoning.
Sauce is Your Friend: Incorporating a thick salsa or a portion of canned tomato sauce is a great strategy to add moisture and flavor to a leaner meat base.

Other Ground Beef Ratios for Tacos

While 80/20 and 90/10 are the most common recommendations, other ratios can be used with slight adjustments:

73/27 Ground Beef: This is the highest fat blend often found in grocery stores. It provides maximum flavor and juiciness but requires diligent draining to prevent the tacos from becoming overly greasy. The fat content makes it very forgiving and a great choice for robust flavor.
85/15 Ground Beef: A balanced choice that sits between the rich 80/20 and the lean 90/10. It offers a good middle ground for flavor and health, and is versatile for many saucy dishes like sloppy joes or chili, including tacos.
93/7 Ground Beef: This is a very lean option, perfect for those on strict low-fat diets. To use it for tacos, it is nearly essential to add moisture, such as a broth or tomato sauce, to keep the meat from becoming dry and crumbly.

Comparison of Ground Beef Ratios for Tacos


Feature	80/20 Ground Beef	90/10 Ground Beef
Flavor	Rich and robust, deeply savory due to higher fat content.	Lighter beef flavor, still very satisfying, especially with added moisture.
Moisture	Excellent natural juiciness, but requires draining excess fat.	Can be prone to dryness; needs additional liquid (broth, sauce) to stay moist.
Grease	Renders a significant amount of fat that must be drained away.	Produces minimal grease, leading to a cleaner, less heavy taco.
Cooking	Brown over medium-high heat, then drain fat before simmering with seasonings.	Brown, then add liquid and seasoning to simmer and prevent drying.
Best For...	Traditional, restaurant-style tacos with a deep flavor profile.	Health-conscious options or when a lighter filling is preferred.

Cooking Tips for Perfect Taco Meat

No matter the fat content you choose, a few simple techniques can elevate your taco meat:

Break it down early: Use a wooden spoon or a meat chopper to break up the ground beef as it cooks. This is easiest to do at the beginning, before the meat fully browns, and helps ensure a fine, crumbly texture.
Don't over-crowd the pan: For best browning and to avoid steaming the meat, cook it in a large, wide skillet. This allows moisture to evaporate and the meat to develop a flavorful crust.
Add seasonings later: Add your taco seasoning after the meat has fully browned and been drained. This prevents the spices from burning and allows them to cook into the meat with a little liquid added.
Simmer for depth: After adding your seasonings and a little liquid, let the mixture simmer for a few minutes. This allows the flavors to meld together and the sauce to thicken slightly, creating a richer filling.

Conclusion

Ultimately, the best choice for what percent fat for taco meat comes down to a trade-off between flavor and health considerations. For a classic, rich, and juicy taco, the 80/20 blend is a top contender, provided you take the time to drain the excess grease. If a lighter, healthier meal is desired, a 90/10 blend is an excellent alternative, especially when you supplement the moisture with a touch of broth or tomato sauce. Both options can result in a delicious taco filling, so feel free to experiment to find your personal preference. For those looking for a versatile, flavorful option, the 85/15 offers a great middle ground. Finding the perfect ratio is part of the fun of cooking, and the right choice can transform your weekly taco night into a truly memorable meal.

Visit the official USDA website for detailed nutrition information

Frequently Asked Questions

The best choice depends on your preference. 80/20 ground beef offers a richer, more flavorful, and juicier result, but requires draining. 90/10 is leaner and healthier, but can be drier if you don't add moisture like broth or sauce.

To keep leaner beef, like 90/10 or 93/7, from drying out, add a small amount of liquid such as water, beef broth, or tomato sauce when you add the seasonings. This helps to create a flavorful sauce and keeps the meat tender and moist.

Yes, for fattier blends like 80/20 or 73/27, it's essential to drain the rendered grease after browning. This prevents the taco filling from becoming overly greasy. For very lean beef like 90/10, minimal or no draining is needed.

For maximum flavor and juiciness, ground beef with a higher fat content, such as 80/20 or 73/27, is best. The fat carries a significant amount of the beefy flavor.

Yes, you can use 93/7 ground beef for a very lean and healthy taco filling. However, you will need to add extra moisture, like tomato sauce or beef broth, to prevent the meat from becoming too dry and crumbly.

Draining the excess fat prevents greasiness but does not remove the flavor already absorbed by the beef. For fattier cuts, you can achieve rich flavor while still maintaining a pleasant texture by draining properly.

To achieve a fine, crumbly texture, use a wooden spoon or a meat chopper to break up the ground beef into small pieces as it cooks in the skillet. It is most effective to do this at the beginning of the cooking process.

Yes, ground chuck is a highly recommended cut for tacos. It typically comes in an 80/20 ratio and offers an excellent balance of moisture and rich, beefy flavor.

The 85/15 ratio is a great middle-ground option. It provides a good balance of flavor and leanness, making it versatile for many dishes, including tacos, without being overly greasy.