Originally Posted By: SatinSilver
You probably have to keep breaking up the meat with a metal spatula and cook it in a cast iron pan on high medium heat. Then let simmer for a while on low heat. Maybe that's where the issue is letting simmer for a long time to let the flavors meld. Maybe even try a crock pot to cook it all day. Kind of like chili.
Maybe trade your Taco in for a burrito. Sorry.
That's usually how I do it. Put the ground beef in at med/high temp, let it brown while I mash it up with my spatula. Once it is cooked well enough, add in the spices and let it simmer until most of the moisture is gone. The resulting beef tastes fine, but it doesn't taste anything like the restaurant stuff.
Originally Posted By: Old Mustang Guy
I bet your using leaner ground beef than they are. Maybe try 80/20.
I've tried all types. If I go with a high fat % ground beef, it just means I end up draining off more grease at the end. I settled on 90/10 because it means I get slightly more usable product once it is all cooked.
Originally Posted By: earlyre
they probably don't use that lean of beef.
and the cheese is likely not cheddar.
try making your own seasoning packet, recipes are all over the web, and most people usually have all the ingredients in their spice cabinets already.
in fact, here's one from my favorite TV Chef, Alton Brown:
Taco Potion #19
and if taco bell is your gold standard:
http://food-hacks.wonderhowto.com/how-to/clone-taco-bells-meat-aka-taco-meat-filling-0124399/
I'll give that a shot.