Wednesday, April 6, 2011

Seasoned Taco Meat from Scratch



This taco filling is a redo from an unnecessarily long recipe. I’m much happier with it now and hope you’ll be able to navigate it quickly.

Seasoned Taco Meat from Scratch
Printer Version
Skip the chemical laden taco spice packets. This re-worked recipe from an old magazine puts those things to shame.


Spice Mixture
2 tablespoons chili powder
1 teaspoon brown sugar

1 teaspoon ground cumin

1 teaspoon coriander
1 teaspoon sweet paprika
1/2 teaspoon salt

1/2 teaspoon dried oregano

1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
1/8 teaspoon cayenne pepper

1. Place all the spices together in a small bowl and set aside.

Taco Filling

1 tablespoon vegetable oil

1 onion, diced

3 medium garlic cloves, minced
Spice mixture, above

1 pound 90 percent lean (or leaner) ground beef, yak or bison 

1/2 cup plain tomato sauce

1/2 cup chicken broth 

2 teaspoons white vinegar


1. Heat oil in a large skillet over medium high heat. Add onion and cook, stirring occasionally, until softened, about 4 minutes.

2. Add garlic and spice mixture; cook, stirring constantly, until fragrant, about 1 minute. Add ground meat and cook, breaking meat up as you go. Deglaze the pan a little with extra broth if needed at this point. Scrape the pan bottom to prevent scorching, until meat is no longer pink, about 5 minutes.

3. Add tomato sauce, chicken broth and vinegar; bring to simmer. Stir frequently and break meat chunks up completely. Cook for about 10 minutes or so until the liquid is reduced and thickened, but mixture isn’t dry. Adjust seasonings with salt and pepper if needed.

Recipe and photograph by Laura Flowers.



21 comments:

Plain Chicken said...

I will try this next time we do tacos.

The Cooking Photographer said...

Cool Steph! This is the one I tend to use most and my favorite.

Laura

Amy said...

Sounds great! I have a go to recipe, but always like trying variations! Thanks!

Anonymous said...

Sounds amazing. I can't wait to try it.

Patricia @ ButterYum said...

Really, yak? Did you just throw that in there to see if we were paying attention?

:)
ButterYum

The Cooking Photographer said...

Nope my friend. It's yummy and my favorite meat right now. It also makes for fun puns and double entendres.

L

Monet said...

How did you know I had a packet of ground beef in my fridge and tacos on my mind? Thank you for sharing your creative culinary explorations...you inspire me, and I'm glad to know you. I hope you have a blessed day tomorrow. Much love and hugs from Austin!

Tia said...

looks tasty!

Anonymous said...

Yak.. hahaha It just sounds funny, don't think we have that here??
ZI was just talking to Dewey about what to do with leftover pork shoulder.. this will work!!! Thanks Laura!!!

Joanne said...

I need to send this to my mother. She still buys those MSG-laden packets and it gives me the chills.

Unknown said...

I have so needed this! I use a packet....yes you can spank me! ha

Thanks for the recipe.

Katie Mar said...

laura! please come cook for me at my house! these look delicious.

Betty @ scrambled hen fruit said...

This is such a handy recipe to have! I don't use the packets because of all the sodium- I'm going to try this mix for sure! :)

love lives in the kitchen said...

you make me feel hungry!!
have a great weekend,
justyna

Jess @ Sugar High said...

I've never seen brown sugar added to taco seasoning before, interesting! We already had homemade tacos this week, looks like we'll have to do it again next week. This recipe sounds great!

Jannett said...

sounds like a winning recipe... Great photo.. ;o)

Anonymous said...

This looks and sounds great. I am going to have to try it. I love your blog and enjoyed checking out all the recipes. Your photos are beautiful. Have a great weekend, too.

Unknown said...

Sounds like an awesome recipe. Cumin and chili pepper always taste great with ground beef! Got to try this the next time I make tacos :-)

Simones Kitchen said...

That looks delicious and you're right; those premade packages for taco's are terrible. With far too much salt and really not good in the taste department either. This looks so much better!

Susi's Kochen und Backen said...

I've been making my own taco spice mix for years but really love the addition of brown sugar you have in yours. I will definitely be trying your version the next time we are having tacos. Thanks for sharing!

steph chows said...

count me in!!

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