11 Best Ground Beef Seasoning Recipes (2024)

Looking to spice up your ground beef? I have you covered! For years, I seasoned my ground beef with the same old spices (garlic, onion, salt, & pepper). While this is a nice blend, there is so much more you can do with ground beef! So I’m excited to share 11 good ground beef seasoning recipes for everything from tacos, burritos, meatballs, burgers & more!

Let’s be real. Ground beef makes for super easy meals. However, it can be quite boring. Personally, I get bored of the same flavors over and over again.

In the following list, I have included some classic ground beef seasonings, but also some very unique blends you don’t see as often!

We’ll start with some dry seasoning blends that you can make now and store for later use. Then, I’ll show you some other ways to liven up your ground beef using fresher ingredients!

How Much Seasoning Per Pound of Ground Beef?

It all depends on your preference and how much flavor punch you like. Personally, I do 1-2 tbsp of seasoning per 1 pound of ground beef. This is the yield in the spice recipes to follow.

Keep in mind that it also depends on what seasoning you are using. If you just want a light, all purpose seasoning you don’t need as much. But if you’re wanting a good taco seasoning flavor, or a heavy italian seasoning flavor, you’ll want to add more.

FOR SALT: I have added salt in all the spice mixes at 1/2 tsp per pound of ground beef. This is what I would call a good starting amount. For some people, it will be the perfect amount, but others may want more. So just think of it like “1/2 tsp, plus more to taste.”

Now, IF you decide to double/triple the spice mixes for later, I recommend not adding salt. It is easier to adjust salt when actually making a dish.

Save these seasoning recipes for later by pinning to Pinterest

Choosing a Ground Beef Seasoning

So how do you choose the perfect ground beef seasoning for your meal? That is a great question. The answer is, it depends on the meal you are making! Here’s one question I highly recommend you ask before starting:

Is the ground beef the star of the meal, or just a complement?

If it is the star of the meal (for example, ground beef & rice) this is where it can get VERY boring. For meals like this, I highly recommend choosing a more unique seasoning blend (like my cumin cilantro-lime blend, for example!)

If the ground beef is just complementing the dish, on the other hand (like in soup, for example) you’ll want to think about which flavors would complement the ingredients in your recipe.

In this case, you may want to use one of my blends, or you might want to create your own. You can always use a little bit of the soup’s main seasonings in the ground beef as well.

How to Season Ground Beef

There are a few steps to follow anytime you are seasoning ground beef. The steps will change slightly depending on what ingredients you are adding for flavor:

1. If you are using fresh onion, cook it in the pan FIRST in a little olive oil. Cook until softened and tender.
2. Add the ground beef and begin chopping it up. Here, you’ll want to add garlic and any dry seasonings you are using.
3. Let the beef continue cooking until it is nicely browned.
4. If you are using fresh herbs or citrus (lemon or lime) add it here, by stirring it in at the end.
5. Enjoy your ground beef as the recipe calls for!

Note: if you are using a seasoning blend in BURGERS, the steps will be a little different. Add the ground beef to the raw ground beef in a bowl. Use your hands to mix in all the spices, then form into patties and cook.

Dry Ground Beef Seasoning Blends

Let’s start out by looking at 8 seasoning blends that use dry spices only. These can be whipped up super fast and stored in a container for later! Keep in mind that I’ve made the proportions to be perfect for 1 pound of ground beef. So if you’d like to make more to store for later, simply double or triple the recipe.

1. All-Purpose Ground Beef Seasoning

Whenever you need just a hint of seasoning in ground beef, without it being too punchy, use this seasoning! You’ll just need a few simple ingredients.

• 1 tsp onion powder
• 1 tsp garlic powder
• 1/2 tsp salt (plus more to taste)
• 1/2 tsp black pepper

Instructions: Brown beef in a skillet and add garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper. Cook until the meat is browned.

Best for: burgers, tacos, soup, burritos, alongside rice (works with most anything!)

2. Taco Seasoning

Classic taco seasoning is so much better when it is homemade, rather than bought in packets! The following recipe is super easy to make. Oh and by the way, if you’re on the go you don’t even have to stick to exact proportions. I have the ingredients memorized and sometimes I’ll just throw in a pinch of each to get a quicker taco flavor!

• 2 tsp chili powder
• 2 tsp ground cumin
• 1/2 tsp garlic powder
• 1/2 tsp onion powder
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 1/4 tsp paprika
• Pinch of oregano
• Pinch cayenne pepper (optional)

Instructions: Stir together all the spices and keep in a jar or plastic bag. Add to ground beef while it is browning in a pan.

Note: I recommend adding salt directly to the meat rather than including it in your taco seasoning blend.

Best for: tacos, taco salad, taco soup, nachos, burritos

3. Dried Herb/Italian Seasoning Blend

Anytime you want your ground beef to have an italian flavor, this is a great recipe to use! Once again, if you don’t want to measure you can always just sprinkle in the herbs and garlic and adjust as necessary.

• 1 tsp dried oregano
• 1 tsp dried basil
• 1/2 tsp dried thyme
• 1/2 tsp garlic powder
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 1/2 tsp black pepper

Instructions: Mix together all the spices and store in a jar or plastic bag. Mix into one pound of ground beef for hamburgers or meatballs. Or, add to browning ground beef for spaghetti. Add salt as desired.

Best for: burgers, spaghetti, meatballs

4. Basil Burger Seasoning

Burgers can get boring and bland too, am I right? One of my favorite burger seasonings has basil as the star! I like to serve these burgers on sourdough with a slice of melted parmesean cheese on top. Delicious!

• 2 tsp dried basil
• 1/2 tsp garlic powder
• 1/2 tsp onion powder
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 1/2 tsp black pepper

Instructions: Mix together all the spices and store in a jar or plastic bag. When you’re ready, mix into one pound of raw ground beef for hamburgers or meatballs. (If making meatballs, you will need to add other ingredients too so make sure to follow a recipe).

Best for: burgers, meatballs, alonside rice

5. Paprika Burger Seasoning

For a smokier burger seasoning, use this recipe.

• 3 tsp smoked paprika
• 1/2 tsp garlic powder
• 1/2 tsp onion powder
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 1/2 tsp black pepper

Instructions: Mix together all the spices and store in a jar or plastic bag. When you’re ready, mix into one pound of raw ground beef for hamburgers.

6. BBQ Ground Beef Seasoning

Another great way to season burgers is with a BBQ blend! Or, you can use this in BBQ beef sandwiches.

• 1 tbsp brown sugar
• 2 tsp smoked paprika
• 1 tsp chili powder
• 1 tsp garlic powder
• 1 tsp onion powder
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 1/2 tsp black pepper

Instructions: Mix together all the spices and store in a jar or plastic bag. When you’re ready, add to one pound of ground beef while browning. Or, mix into raw ground beef for BBQ hamburgers.

Best for: Sandwiches, BBQ burgers, alongside baked beans or veggies

7. Jamaican Jerk Seasoning

While Jerk seasoning is typically used on chicken, you can also try it on ground beef for a more unique meal. Serve alongside rice or veggies.

• 3/4 tsp garlic powder
• 3/4 tsp onion powder
• 1/2 tsp allspice
• 1/2 tsp brown sugar
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 1/4 tsp dried thyme
• 1/4 tsp ground ginger
• 1/4 tsp paprika
• pinch of nutmeg
• pinch of cloves
• pinch of black pepper

Instructions: Mix together all the spices and store in a jar or plastic bag. When you’re ready, add to one pound of ground beef while browning.

Best served alongside grilled veggies or rice

8. Chili Seasoning

Chili is a classic way to eat ground beef, and these are the seasonings that will make it taste amazing!

• 2 tsp chili powder
• 1 tsp cumin
• 3/4 tsp smoked paprika
• 1/2 tsp garlic powder
• 1/2 tsp onion powder
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 1/4 tsp black pepper

Instructions: Add to the ground beef for your chili while browning. This will help boost the overall chili flavor! Note: you can also use these spices to flavor the WHOLE batch of chili, but you will want to use more of each. This is specifically for the ground beef.

Best for: chili

Fresh Ground Beef Seasoning Blends

While the previous seasoning blends are great, I think you’re going to love these unique blends even more! These use fresher ingredients for punchier flavor.

9. Cumin Cilantro-Lime Seasoning

I am obsessed with this seasoning on my ground beef! It is great in tacos when you’re tired of the standard taco seasoning. Or, you can serve with rice on the side, with the beef as the star!

• 2 tsp cumin
• 1 garlic clove
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 1/4 tsp pepper
• 2-3 tsp lime juice
• 1/4 cup cilantro, minced

Instructions: Cook ground beef in a skillet over medium high heat. Once the beef starts to release its fat, add garlic and cook until fragrant. Add cumin, salt, pepper, and brown the beef. Once the meat is done and cooled, stir in lime juice and minced cilantro. (Add more lime & cilantro to taste if you need to!)

Best for: tacos, burritos, burrito bowls with rice & beans

10. Garlic Rosemary Seasoning

Fresh herbs are delicious in ground beef. Rosemary is one you don’t see as often, but it is truly delicious! This seasoning recipe can be used in meatballs, or as the star of the dish alongside rice.

• 1 tbsp minced fresh rosemary
• 2 cloves garlic
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 1/2 tsp black pepper

Instructions: To make meatballs, add these ingredients into one pound raw ground beef, along with other standard meatball ingredients (make sure to follow a recipe and just add these flavorings). Or, add ingredients while browning ground beef if serving alongside rice.

Best for: meatballs, ground beef & rice, soup

11. Chimichurri Ground Beef

One last way to seasong ground beef is with a sauce mixed in! Chimichurri ground beef sounds absolutely delicious. I’m going to direct you to this recipe for more information.

Freezing Your Seasoned Beef for Later

Making big batches of seasoned ground beef is GREAT for meal prep! You can make so many different meals fast this way. Here are the things I have done

1. Make & Freeze Burger Patties

4 of the blends above work great for burgers – the italian blend, basil blend, paprika blend, and BBQ blend. Your family won’t get bored of burgers as easily if they taste different each time!

Simply mix in the spices, and form the meat into patties with a whole in the center (helps them cook without shrinking as much). Then, flash freeze them on a baking sheet with parchment paper before putting them in a freezer ziploc bag.

2. Make Simple Ground Beef

Another option is to simply cook up the ground beef with your chosen seasoning blend. After letting it cool, portion it out into bags (either put it directly into freezer bags, or put individual portioned non-freezer bags into one larger freezer bag).

3. Make Freezer Meatballs

Lastly, you can take the ground beef and make meatballs! You’ll need a base recipe to use, plus your chosen seasonings. I love this tender meatball recipe. Using this, I would omit the oregano and simply insert my desired seasonings.

You can either freeze the meatballs raw or cooked (just make sure to flash freeze them so they don’t stick together!)

Conclusion

Ground beef can always use some seasonings to make it taste better! Serve your perfectly seasoned ground beef along with rice or mashed potatoes on the side, make burrito bowls for the freezer, or burgers for a group of friends! I hope you enjoy all of these mixes.