Review: Cooks Illustrated "Home Made" Taco Meat!!

[Jeanne G]

This weekend we were at the bookstore, and of course, I found myself checking out all the cooking magazines. I picked up Cooks Illustrated and browsed thru and found a recipe for Taco Meat (no Ortega packages :D ). So, I quickly jotted the recipe down on the back of a receipt!! ;) I just made it tonight to bring to a friend's on Saturday and it's really great!!! It makes me feel good to make it from scratch vs. from the packet (not that I don't like the packet, just this seems better and healthier!).

I thought I'd share and if anyone's interested I'll post the recipe. And maybe someone out there has their own recipe to share to compare?
Happy Taco Eating!
Jeanne

[cher48603]

Jeanne,

I'd love to have the recipe. Most of the package mixes have too much sodium in them.

Thanks!!

Cheryl

[jjsooner73]

When I discovered cumin sometime ago, I decided to make my own 'taco meat'. I don't have a recipe, just add by taste, but use cumin, mexican oregano, salt, pepper, paprika, and I think I'm forgetting something important here.

I'd be interested to see the recipe, Jeanne--just for comparison's sake.

And, my middle name is Jeanne--but pronounced Jean. Is that how your is?

[Jeanne G]

Cheryl & Jennifer,
Here it is! I doubled this recipe since it's feeding a small group, and subed ground turkey and ground chicken for the beef. I did use a potato masher to make sure the meat was all broken up.

Taco Meat (Cooks Illustrated)

2 T oil (I used less)
small onion, chopped
3 garlic cloves, minced
2 T chili powder
1 t cumin
1/2 t oregano
1/4 t cayanne
salt
1 lb 90% lean beef
1/2 c canned tomato sauce * see note !
1/2 c canned chicken broth * see note !
1 t brown sugar
2 t cider vinegar
black pepper

Heat oil over med. heat for 2 min. Add onion and cook until softened - approx 4 min. Add garlic, spices & 1/2 t salt. Cook until fragrant approx. 1 min. Add beef & cook 5 minutes. Add tomato sauce, chix broth, brown sugar & vinegar, simmer. Reduce heat and simmer uncovered approx 10 min and stir until no more chunks remain and until dry(* Here's my note, it took almost 30 minutes to reduce until it was "semi-dry"! So possibly reduce the amount of these liquids, but I don't know if the difference is because I used turkey/chix vs. beef - and I'd think beef would be "juicier". Just a heads-up). Season with salt and pepper.

Enjoy! We're using this in soft tacos but I did taste it and it was good. I thought that the amount of chili pwder sounded like A LOT but it wasn't at all (and I like spicy foods!). So, I did add a little more spice for my own taste. But this is great to be able to make something healthier (and at least you know what's in it!).
I hope you enjoy!

ps Jennifer my name is pronounced as if spelled Jeannie, kind of you to ask!! But we do share a name, no matter the pronunciation! I hope you like this recipe. :) I don't think I could have come up with something like this with out help!!

[cher48603]

Jeanne,

Thanks for the recipe. It sounds great. I like the idea of the cider vinegar and brown sugar.

Cheryl

[Little Bit]

Oooh! Jeanne! I love your bunny avatar! How Cute! :)

[Jeanne G]

Little Bit
Thank you !!! I'm going to meet a (hopeful) mate/friend for my bunny tomorrow/today in Columbus! Bunnies are so cute!!!! Thanks for enjoying my bunny avatr!!!

[cooktoday]

And Hi from another Jeanne pronounced Jeannie. I have been reading this board and realy love it. I haven't made the tacos yet, thanks for the review, but I love the magazine and at the end of the year purchase the bound volumes to keep. I love all the basic recipes they publish, Pasta Primavera and Fried Rice are two that come to mind. I find the recipes are generally better than a lot of other versions, but pretty labor intensive. And that's okay when you love to cook!

[Jeanne G]

Originally posted by cooktoday
I haven't made the tacos yet, thanks for the review

You are welcome! :) I made these earlier in the week and brought them to a friend's for dinner last night, and everyone REALLY loved the meat (filled tacos)!!! I thought I'd share it with everyone that they were a big hit!

Kind of appropriate for the Cinco de Mayo weekend!

[Chiffonade]

Try the spice mix with ground or shredded cooked turkey for an alternative to beef.

[CindyWeightWatcher]

This recipe is great, I've been searching for
a taco seasoning recipe. The packaged version is
so high in sodium. Again, I can't recommend this
enough.

[sneezles]

As someone who has made taco meat from scratch for years and years and years...I tried this recipe not long after I purchased the same issue of Cook's Illustrated. It is an unusual recipe but not really authentic and I won't make it again. I much prefer the truer taste that you get without the chicken broth, tomato, brown sugar and vinegar.

[Jeanne G]

Originally posted by sneezles
As someone who has made taco meat from scratch for years and years and years...

Why not share YOUR recipe that you think is authentic/wonderful, etc?! :)

[sneezles]

Originally posted by Jeanne G


Why not share YOUR recipe that you think is authentic/wonderful, etc?! :)

I didn't mean to imply that my recipe was authentic/wonderful just one that we prefer.

Taco Meat
1 1/2 pounds ground bee
1/2 cup onion, finely minced
2 cloves garlic
3 tbs chili powder
1 tsp dried oregano (Mexican oregano is preferred but regular will do)
2 tsp cumin
1/4 tsp ground red pepper
1/2 tsp salt

In a large skillet sauté the onion until soft. Add the ground beef and cook until no longer pink; add the spices, mixing well. Reduce heat to low, add one cup of water to pan and simmer 20-30 minutes; adding more water if needed to prevent the mixture from getting too dry.
This is also a recipe that is not held to exact measurements. Sometimes I don't even measure just eyeball it.

[SandyM]

Your recipe is almost exactly what I make, Sneezles. Thank God for Penzeys.......;)

[Jeanne G]

Sneezles,
Thanks for sharing! You mentioned that the one from CI isn't really authentic, and I don't know how to tell if it is authentic. So thank you so much for sharing your own tried/true recipe!!! It is always nice to try something that someone's been making for years with success!!
Jeanne

[valchemist]

Originally posted by sneezles

Taco Meat
1 1/2 pounds ground bee




Just trying to think of where I can buy the bees. or do I have to grind those little buggers up myself?

val
;)

[sneezles]

Jeanne,
The CI article did say that they had tried other recipe and they found them lacking but down here in Tex-Mex land simple is usually the best. I tried the CI recipe but was very leary of the brown sugar & vinegar and found the end product more like a spaghetti sauce (but a lot thicker).

[sneezles]

Thanks, Val!

[Jeanne G]

Originally posted by sneezles
Jeanne,
... down here in Tex-Mex land simple is usually the best.

I would say you'd know since you are in the heart of that type of food!! Personally, I really liked CI's version but am always open to try others! ;) That's what is so nice about this board, there's so many opinions so you get to see all sides!

Thanks again!!!

[Abby]

I have always made homemade taco meat, and my recipe is similar to CI's but rather than using tomato sauce, brown sugar and vinegar, I use a little ketchup (gasp!). It's really good and saucy!

[browneye]

My recipe is almost identical to Sneezles', which I have been making for years, actually my dad taught me when I was a kid, at the time he told me his mexican friend taught him how. I don't know if that was true or just a fun thing to tell your daughter, (he was prone to spinning yarns! :D) but we like the recipe!

The only difference is I add worcestershire sauce and a little bit of tomato sauce just to moisten the beef, as we tend to use really ultra-lean beef now or a beef/turkey combo, and it can be a bit dry. I also take the Cholula bottle sauce (?SP) and give it a few shakes in there! :D
I agree with sneezles- the sugar thing really looks wierd to me in the CI recipe, but I guess I shouldn't judge as I've never tried it!

:D

[carolyn.1]

All these recipes look wonderful, but you have to add Littlebits homemade "Taco Meat Filling with Black Beans & Tomatoes" to your [to try list]. I don't believe I'll go any further than hers. I could eat the whole pan by myself with a spoon:D :D

Carolyn

[NewMrsG]

Just bumping up to thank Sneezles for her seasoning recipe - we used it last night with chicken and it was really, really yummy! My plan was to throw the chicken in the crockpot and let it stew all day, but we were both gone too long yesterday to do that, so we just cut up chicken breasts, coated it in the seasoning and sauteed. (DH, who was in charge of dinner, didn't realize that you can't throw onions in the processor to chop, so it ended up as more of a paste, but was really good that way!).

Thanks so much!

[jjsooner73]

Originally posted by NewMrsG
(DH, who was in charge of dinner, didn't realize that you can't throw onions in the processor to chop, so it ended up as more of a paste, but was really good that way!).


:confused: I almost always chop my onions in a food processor...I just don't do it enough to puree them and they turn out chopped just fine.

[NewMrsG]

It was actually one of the mini-processors - not sure if they work differently, but I know I've never been able to chop onions in one. The regular sized processor is likely different. Should have been more specific ...

[Lrimerman]

I found a CI Beef Taco recipe on this BB that was from May/June 2002, I came across it this summer I think and have been using it since. It is the same recipe posted on this thread. I like it, but it does remind me more of sloppy joe flavor. I will have to try Sneezles suggestion. I can't use the packets of seasoning as they all contain MSG and I am allergic.

I love tacos, and I recently made a Taco Soup that calls for spice packet, and I just subbed my own blend of spices, it was great.

Thanks for posting this thread.

Lisa

[Deanna]

At the risk of annoying anybody, I'm going to post the following recipe that I found in Dana Carpender's 500 Low Carb Recipes. We tried it and liked it. I'm posting it just for comparison, and for any low-carbers who may be interested.


* Exported from MasterCook *

Taco Seasoning

Recipe By :Dana Carpender
Serving Size : 16 Preparation Time :0:00
Categories : Condiments, Seasoings, Sauces Low Carb


Amount Measure Ingredient -- Preparation Method
-------- ------------ --------------------------------
2 tablespoons chili powder
1 1/2 tablespoons cumin
1 1/2 tablespoons paprika
1 tablespoon onion powder
1 tablespoon garlic powder
1/8 teaspoon cayenne pepper -- less makes a more mild seasoning, more takes the spice up a notch

Combine all the ingredients, blending well, and store in an airtight container. Use 2 tablespoons of this mixture to flavor 1 pound of ground beef, turkey, or chicken.

Description:
"Makes enough to season 4 pounds of ground meat"
Source:
"500 Low-Carb Recipes"
Yield:
"8 tablespoons"

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Per serving: 10 Calories (kcal); trace Total Fat; (27% calories from fat); trace Protein; 2g Carbohydrate; 0mg Cholesterol; 11mg Sodium
Food Exchanges: 0 Grain(Starch); 0 Lean Meat; 0 Vegetable; 0 Fruit; 0 Fat; 0 Other Carbohydrates

NOTES : Many store-bought seasoning blends include sugar or cornstarch -- my food counter book says that several popular brands have 5 grams of carbs in 2 teaspoons! This is low-carb, very easy to put together, tastes great, and is even cheaper than the premixed stuff.

Nutr. Assoc. : 0 0 0 0 0 0

[Little Bit]

Just hunted this one down on the BB, since its' creation had completely slipped my mind. Thanks for the reminder!


Taco Meat Filling with Black Beans, Tomatoes and Peppers

1 pound ground round
3 small onions, diced fine
1 can Ro-Tel diced tomatoes and peppers, plus all its' liquid
1 can of black beans, plus all its' liquid
4 tablespoons Penzey’s Taco Seasoning (or other taco seasoning blend)(mixed with 1/4 cup of water, to blend)
1/2 teaspoon cumin
Olive Oil

Plenty of water, to simmer

Saute the onions in a bit of olive oil til tender. Remove to another dish.
Brown the meat. Add the vegetables and seasonings, and plenty of water.
Let simmer down slowly to blend the flavors, until the sauce is nice and thick

[colleency]

Originally posted by sneezles
Taco Meat
1 1/2 pounds ground bee

I made Sneezles Bee tacos last night. :D I really messed them up. I put two tablespoons of cumin in. Then I realized my error and dug most of it back out. And I overcooked it, so it was dry, completely overlooking the "don't let it get dry."

But we still enjoyed it, and I'm going to try it again I think. I will add a little less cayenne, and some tomato sauce. I will also endeavor not to let it dry out.

Thank you!

[sneezles]

Originally posted by colleency


I made Sneezles Bee tacos last night. :D Poor bees!http://www.vfb-zh.ch/gaestebuch/images/smilies/rosie.gif http://www.vfb-zh.ch/gaestebuch/images/smilies/no.gif



really messed them up. I put two tablespoons of cumin in. Then I realized my error and dug most of it back out.

I wouldn't consider this a mistake since I love cumin and rarely actually measure for this recipe...http://www.vfb-zh.ch/gaestebuch/images/smilies/tasty.gif


And I overcooked it, so it was dry, completely overlooking the "don't let it get dry."

Sometimes I need to simmer longer than expected if the guys haven't nade it home for dinner when it's done so I just keep adding water and let it simmer longer...http://www.vfb-zh.ch/gaestebuch/images/smilies/wink.gif

[Laura B]

Hey, Deanna. I am REALLY annoyed with you for posting that recipe. ;) Seriously, thanks for sharing. (I cannot imagine why anyone would be annoyed by you sharing a recipe, crazy woman! :D )

[scrappycat]

I thought I'd throw this one into the mix. It is the Taco Bell's seasoning mix from the Copycat website.
Pam


* Exported from MasterCook *

Taco Bell's Taco Seasoning Mix And Tacos

Recipe By :Todd Wilbur
Serving Size : 0 Preparation Time :0:00
Categories : Main Dish Seasonings

Amount Measure Ingredient -- Preparation Method
-------- ------------ --------------------------------
2 tablespoons flour
2 teaspoons chili powder
1 1/2 teaspoons dried minced onion
1 1/4 teaspoons salt
1 teaspoon paprika
3/4 teaspoon crushed beef bullion cube
1/4 teaspoon sugar
1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper
1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
1 dash onion powder

Combine all of the ingredients in a small bowl. Prepare taco meat using 1 pound of ground beef and following the same spunky directions as on the original package:

"BROWN ground beef; drain. Add seasoning mix and 3/4 cup of water. Bring to a boil; reduce heat. Simmer uncovered, 10 minutes, stirring occasionally.

HEAT taco shells or tortillas as directed on package.

SERVE bowls of seasoned ground beef, lettuce, tomato and cheese. Pass the taco shells or tortillas and let everyone PILE ON THE FUN!"

Makes 12 tacos.


Source:
"Todd Wilbur's Top Secret Recipes at http://www.topsecretrecipes.com"
S(Formatted for MC5):
"08-18-1999 by Joe Comiskey - joecomiskey@netzero.net"
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Per Serving (excluding unknown items): 88 Calories; 1g Fat (12.9% calories from fat); 3g Protein; 18g Carbohydrate; 3g Dietary Fiber; 0mg Cholesterol; 2717mg Sodium. Exchanges: 1 Grain(Starch); 0 Lean Meat; 0 Fat; 0 Other Carbohydrates.


Nutr. Assoc. : 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

[Gail K.]

I know that Jeanne G graciously posted this recipe quite some time ago; however, I discovered it yesterday during a BB search. I made the Cooks Illustrated tacos last night and all I can say is "YUM!!!". Such a wonderful flavor. Thank you, Jeanne. I made it with ground turkey and sauteed the onions in cooking spray rather than oil.
Usually, I just make my tacos by browning off some ground turkey and adding salsa until heated through (also very good and healthy).

I served the taco meat in warmed tortillas along with shredded cheddar, sour cream, diced tomatoes, and sliced scallions. Homemade tacos are one of my family's favorite meals (also the easiest).

[greysangel]

another thumbs up for the CI taco meat filling! YUM YUM! This reminded me of the WW take out tonight skinny chimichanga filling...but even spicier and better :D

JeAnne

[Beth H]

I wanted to bump up this thread - I made the CI taco filling last night and loved it. They definitely were the best tacos that I had ever made. :)

I did have to let the meat mixture simmer for longer than stated in the recipe - it took about 25 minutes for the meat to become "dry." I'm excited for leftovers tonight!