Why spend $1.79 on a package of taco seasoning that you can make yourself? Now, you will have to be okay with separating yourself from fun ingredients like msg, but it is worth it to be able to make tacos at home on a whim.
We use this recipe regularly to make taco meat for tacos and taco salads. It’s better with beef, but healthier with turkey.
Taco Meat
(serves 2-4 depending on use)
1 teaspoon vegetable oil
1 lb ground turkey or beef
1/2 teaspoon salt
freshly ground pepper
1 tablespoon grated onion
1 teaspoon ground cumin
1/2 teaspoon ground coriander
1/2 teaspoon chill powder
2 tablespoons salsa
2 tablespoons water
Heat a medium skillet to medium high heat and add the vegetable oil. Add the ground meat, salt, some pepper, the onion, cumin, coriander and chill powder. Break apart using a fork and stir until browned. Stir in the salsa and the water and simmer gently until the meat is cooked through.
Prep Time: 5 minutes | Cooking Time: 10 minutes | Total Time:15 minutes
{ 5 comments… read them below or add one }
Will have to give this a try! We love tacos around here and usually use the seasoning from Costco but its SO salty
Love your site i make this at home with turkey all the time for the health benefits. I find that if you heat your pan over high heat for about 4 minutes and then add the turkey and don’t break until it is caramelized and slightly crispy it results in a great depth of flavor almost a little bit beefy.
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great idea! High would be too high on my stove, but maybe medium high?
Katerina,
I will definitely try this the next time it’s soft taco night here. Thanks.
I agree with Melissa – most taco seasonings have way too much salt! And since most commercial salsas also contain a fair amount of salt/sodium, I think I might opt to leave out the salt in this recipe.
QUESTION: Since the ground beef or turkey will already have some amount of oil – that is *not* drained off in this recipe – why add an additional teaspoon of oil?
Melissa – I know, super salty!
Lee – You can drain off the fat if you are using beef for sure. The turkey and beef I buy is quite lean and so there isn’t much to drain and the oil is needed, but great point!