Ready When You Are

As I endeavor to meet September head-on, I am happy to share a great make-ahead meal idea for you and your family this week.  I find that having some good food in the refrigerator helps during a busy week.

This Tacos Anytime recipe is a favorite at our house.  I make my own taco seasoning, which means the flavors are perfect for us, and I know it’s gluten free (often an issue with packaged taco seasoning). I often cook up a big batch of the Taco meat, using either beef or turkey, along with a pan of my Savory Rice with Ginger and Cilantro and put them to work all week.  The taco meat and rice in warmed tortillas are perfect for a weeknight dinner and they double as filling for burrito bowls during the week in lunches, quick dinners and late night snacks.  Add your favorite toppings – we like tomatoes, cheese, cilantro and sour cream and you’re set.

I hope you enjoy having these dishes ready when you are as well.

Tacos Anytime

Homemade taco seasoning is the bomb. It ensures delicious, savory, gluten free tacos that are the perfect spice level for you and your family. I like to make a double batch of the seasoning and keep it in my pantry so it's ready when I am. I often make a batch of taco meat and Savory Rice with Ginger and Cilantro and keep them in the refrigerator for quick meals throughout the week.

Servings 4 people

Prep Time 10 minutes mins

Cook Time 20 minutes mins

Total Time 30 minutes mins

Ingredients

• 2 tbsp chili powder regular or ancho
• 1/2 tsp garlic powder
• 1/2 tsp onion powder or dried minced onions
• 1/4 tsp crushed red pepper
• 1/2 tsp oregano
• 1 tsp paprika sweet or hot
• 1 tbsp ground cumin
• 1 tsp kosher salt
• 1/2 tsp ground black pepper

Taco Meat

• 2 pounds lean ground beef or ground turkey
• 1/2 tsp kosher salt
• 1/4 tsp ground black pepper
• 1/4-1/2 cup water
• 8 small corn tortillas
• 1 medium tomato chopped
• 1/2 cup colby jack cheese shredded

Instructions

Make the Taco Seasoning

• Combine the taco seasoning ingredients in a small jar
  
• Mix the seasoning together and set aside. I love to make a double or triple batch of this and keep it in the pantry - ready at a moment's notice
  

Make the Taco Meat

• Place the 2 pounds of ground beef or turkey in a large sauté pan over medium heat. Sprinkle with the salt and pepper
  
• Brown the meat, breaking up with a wooden spoon, until no pink remains. Drain the meat if it generates more fat than you like
  
• Add the taco seasoning a tablespoon at a time and the water a 1/4 cup at a time until the meat reaches your desired flavor and generates a small amount of sauce
  
• Scoop the meat into warmed tortillas and add your favorite toppings - I like tomatoes and cheese. I also often serve these tacos with my Savory Rice with Ginger and Cilantro. And…..
  
• I love to make this taco meat and rice on a Sunday and have them in the refrigerator for the week. Perfect for quick taco and burrito bowl meals or snacks any time day or night
  

Cuisine: Mexican