Yesterday, while at work, I asked my sweet husband to please let me know what was on his mind for dinner.
No response.
While on my afternoon walk, I came to the conclusion that when it comes to salads, I could really care less. It’s not the veggies; I actually love them. It’s not the coolness; my iron stomach and taste buds like food at any temperature. The reality is that I just like other things so much more than salads. Those things fill me up, body and soul, and salads? Salads do not.
I was so overcome with excitement that I had finally released myself from the salad stronghold that I practically floated all the way back to the office. Which is where my sweet, sweet husband then told me that he wanted salad for dinner. At a loss for words and ideas, I finally decided that if he wanted a salad, I would give him a salad. A taco salad.
Let’s get serious guys: we all know what taco salad is for. It’s service on this great Earth has limited it to being the perfect vessel for getting all the unhealthy Mexican food we can think of into our stomachs without the feeling like you’re eating something unhealthy. Really, that’s it. The end. Finito. Case in point: mounds of guacamole:
{Side note: I understand guac can be healthy in limited quantities, but definitely not in the proportions that taco salad requires} Now, this doesn’t mean that you can’t make taco salad a tad bit healthier. You can. It just still won’t compare to your morning bowl of oatmeal. Just sayin’ is all.
But you can make it with ground turkey, create your own spice mixture, and add any veggies you might want on there. Just make sure you keep the guac…you’ll thank me later 😉
EASY TACO SEASONING
- 1 Tbsp chili powder
- 1 Tbsp corn starch
- 1 tsp salt
- 1 tsp pepper
- 1 tsp cumin
- 1 tsp instant coffee (you’ll thank me later)
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1/2 tsp onion powder
- 1/2 tsp paprika
- 1/2 tsp oregano
- 1/2 tsp red pepper flakes
First you have to brown your meat. I chose ground turkey, but you could do beef or even ground chicken (which I happen to love WAY more than ground turkey). WARNING: the following image is not the prettiest. I have yet to see raw ground turkey look beautiful, but 10 points to whoever can point me to a pretty raw ground turkey photo!
Once the meat is almost cooked all the way through, add all of the ingredients along with 3/4 cup of water. I left the juices from the meat because there should not be a ton of fat and it adds so much more flavor.
Simmer on the stove top for about 10-15 minutes until the liquids evaporate and the mixture thickens.
You have to start with a bed of lettuce. You know, health food? Because this is what makes taco salad OK to eat, right? I added some shredded carrots for extra crunch too:
Oh, and some corn kernels. More health food.
Top with 1/4 of the meat mixture.
And add cheese and crumbled tortilla chips to your heart’s (or your waistband’s) desire.
Now for the glamour shot! I remember there was a day I would rather have eaten caterpillars than consumed Catalina dressing. I cannot, for the life of me, figure out why! It’s packed full of sugar and adds the best contrast to taco salad. Juvenile. Anyway, here she is, all decorated with about 2 Tbsp Catalina dressing and a MOUND of guac on the side!
Heaven. And y’all? The coffee makes this SO.MUCH.BETTER.
I think we all know that I needed to end the meal with some mud pie ice cream too.
Let’s get serious: whiskey glasses are the perfect vessel for carby, sugary, Oreo-laden goodness that we all crave at the end of a long day.
You guys make me smile 🙂
thanks for this! I always feel like I’m looking for a good seasoning mixture for tacos that I can make myself, to cut down on the sodium. can’t wait to try it!
OMG!!! What brand is that ice cream?!?!?!!
Okay, so I moved to Africa in September 2008 and when I left, my favorite ice cream was Starbucks Mud Pie. And I love ALL ice cream, it is a daily thing for me, so this was really high honors. But then when I came home in December 2009 for Christmas… no mud pie anywhere! I didn´t realize other companies made it.
Okay I am aware I sound insane but after 2 years without ice cream I need to do my research so I can get off the plane in America and go right to the grocery store 🙂
oh man, i think it’s dreyers or something? it’s a seasonal thing and i was just in the mood…but i bet starbucks is better!
Wow! I love your kalidiscope of spices there…beautiful and I can imagine quite tasty! I’ll definitely have to try that out. Thank you for sharing this and for the beautiful photos showing your process. Absolutely love it!
dude, youre hilar. love the caterpillar statement. (it just took me way too long to spell caterpillar.)
taco salads are the only salad my husband requests for dinner. but he asks for them all the time!
Haha! I just ordered a taco salad last night.. totally pretending that it was the healthiest thing I could have gotten. Mounds of beans, chicken, guacamole… yep. Healthy.
That taco salad look sooo good! Puts me in the mood for tacos.
Amen, sister! I am so not a salad person! That guac looks so good! In the past, I couldn’t stand guacamole, but the last year or so it has totally grown on me!
I know that feeling about salads. I tend to avoid them. You can be healthy via other types of dishes
You should put some plain yogurt on the taco salad. It’s an amazing substitute for sour cream. Looks delicious as it is though!
Have you ever tried creamy french dressing on your taco salad? It is seriously the best.
I know that ice cream!! It’s one of my faves: Edy’s Slow Churned Mudpie Medley!
Good choice, yummy.
Love the tumbler of icecream. It is the perfect size though.
I only like salads out at restaurants. I hate buying a ton of ingredients to make one at home and they never taste as good.
My partner often suggests that we have “man salads” for dinner, which usually translates to a heap-load of meat, beans, cheese or what-have-you conveniently stacked on a bed of greens. He’d appreciate this recipe greatly 🙂
Making your own taco seasoning is such a great idea! I never think to make taco salads at home but that looks delicious.
Great idea for the homemade taco seasoning – I’m truly borderline obsessed with taco salads. It’s my favorite go-to meal ever. I use black beans, too!
taco salads are the best kind in my book!
That salad looks delicious! I love taco salads!
Oh yum. Tacos are a regular at my house. I usually take the super easy route of a taco pack though. Must try this spicing soon.
This looks delicious, Heather!
I find that if I call it a “fiesta” salad instead of taco salad, my brain switches away from the mounds of required guacamole. Although, now that you mention it… my fiesta salads were missing something… Hahaha.
I am kind of made that you just made me crave Mexican food when there isn’t one decent Mexican restaurant where I live. I need to go back to Texas for that 😉
No joke, I was looking for a packet of taco seasoning yesterday and thought, “I should just make my own!” Thank you for the recipe!!!!
My boyfriend is going to love this recipe!! And I am going to love your seasoning mix!! Thanks so much for that – I’ve always refused to buy the pre-packaged kind but wasn’t able to pull together a smashing “homemade” one … yay, now this has come to an end! 🙂
I’m serious, totally on board with your homemade taco mix. Duh?! Smart idea, no need for a cheap store bought package.
I often serve pudding in scotch glasses, it’s good portion control, lol.
Guac — get in my face!
Definitely going to have to try the instant coffee trick. I’m a sucker for Mexican food.
I love taco salad because I really just love tortilla chips and nixing the taco shell part leaves more room for chips!
My husband more often that not gives me that same response when I ask him what he wants for dinner. Very frustrating!!!
The taco seasoning sounds awesome!!
I still dont know why I read foodie blogs before lunch. Now I’m ready for taco salad! Yum!
Just found your blog and love your recipes. This one looks delicious and is definitely a much more “fun” version of a salad!
This look great Heather! Keith has been doing all the cooking so he might need to make tacos tonight! 🙂
Love the coffee idea, I will need to try that. Thanks!
I’m pro salad, but I guess it’s all in personal preference. I also mound it with veggies so the lettuce is barely even noticed by the time I’m through… so it’s pretty filling. :p
But a taco salad seems like a great compromise! It definitely has a little more bulk to it than your average salad. 🙂
I can’t believe your hubby wanted salad! Too funny! The taco salad looks fab:)
Yum – I LOVE taco salad! And mud pie ice cream! And yeah, let’s get serious about taco salad – it is usually just masquerading as a healthy salad (but I still love it) 😉
Thank you so much for sharing an easy taco seasoning. I normally go for the packets, but they have so much added sodium. I actually think I have all the ingredients in my pantry to make this one – yay!
What an awesome spice mix! I’ll have to try it out 🙂
~Alyssa
coffee?! Really? Cool! How did you figure out to add this in?
Anyways, delicious looking dish and very entertaining writing 🙂
Looks like I’ll have taco salads on the mind until I can get my hands on the right ingredients!
I love taco salad and yours look so good!!
That’s a might tasty Taco Salad!!
And you’re so right about the whisky glass! Perfect size for ice cream 🙂
While I don’t eat meat, I love that you made your own taco seasoning. I love taco salads, and I love to make nachos too, which have a similar feel, with more chips and less topping.
I’m with you – salads are good, but they need more to them to be filling.
I love my banana soft serve in a whiskey glass. It’s so much more fun like that
Mmmmm…we seriously have some variation of taco salad at least three times a week. Love it.
Lol, very cute post!! I completely agree with you about salads! What a great idea, your taco salad looks delicious, I just may have to try it with some instant coffee! Great pics, even the ground turkey! 😉
I literally laughed out loud at your husband saying he wanted salad right after your salad epiphany! That happens to us all the time 🙂
Yum! I love taco salad!!!! I always add black beans to health it up!
You did NOT just post this!! Girl I am making tacos tonight and have been looking forward to them for DAYS! I was just going to use some Ortega seasoning but I am totally using yours!! Oh em gee… you have no idea how much I love you right now.
Raw meat, of any kind, is definitely among the “least photogenic” foods – no doubt. BUT, your seasoning mix and salad all-together? Ow oww, lookin’ good 😉
Whisky glasses for small ice cream servings = brilliant.