Lauren Allen – Page 9

Taco Seasoning

We always opt for making this easy Taco Seasoning recipe because it’s healthier, cheaper, and more flavorful than any packet from the store. It only takes 5 minutes to stir together a few simple spices. You can use this easy taco seasoning in a variety of Mexican recipes, like Taco Salad, Taco Pie, Mexican Pizza…

We always opt for making this easy Taco Seasoning recipe because it’s healthier, cheaper, and more flavorful than any packet from the store. It only takes 5 minutes to stir together a few simple spices.

You can use this easy taco seasoning in a variety of Mexican recipes, like Taco Salad, Taco Pie, Mexican Pizza and Walking Tacos.

Homemade Taco Seasoning is the flavor hero of our Taco Night.

The two main reasons I like to make my own taco seasoning are: 1. it’s healthier than store bought, with ingredients you recognize and have on hand. 2. It’s so much more flavorful than anything in a packet! So let’s ditch the seasoning packets that often have unhealthy fillers and we’ll take our Taco Tuesdays to the next level! And if you’re a true taco enthusiast, you absolutely must make our easy baked tacos, birria tacos or tacos al pastor.

The Cast of Characters:

All of the ingredients needed to make homemade taco seasoning.

How to make Taco Seasoning:

Combine: Mix all ingredients in a bowl. Voila!

Use 2 Tablespoons of mix for one seasoning packet called for in a recipe. Refer to recipe card notes for single packet serving measurements.

Two images showing easy taco seasoning with all the spices stirred together in a bowl, then after it's in a spice jar with a scoop of seasoning in a teaspoon.

Store taco seasoning in an airtight container in your spice cupboard for up to 6 months.

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Taco Seasoning

This homemade Taco Seasoning recipe is completely natural, healthy, and made in 5 minutes with simple spices from your pantry. It's cheaper and tastes better than any packet from the store.

Course Main Course, Side Dish

Cuisine American, Mexican

Prep Time 5

Total Time 5

Servings

Calories 64kcal

Author Lauren Allen

Cost 3

Ingredients

1/4 cup chili powder
1 teaspoon garlic powder
1 teaspoon onion powder
1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper
1 teaspoon dried oregano leaves
2 teaspoon paprika
2 Tablespoons ground cumin
4 teaspoons salt
2 teaspoons freshly ground black pepper
crushed red pepper flakes , optional

US Customary – Metric

Instructions

Mix all spices together until well combined. (See note for one single packet recipe).
Use 2 tablespoons in place of one "packet" of taco seasoning, or to season one pound of meat.
Store taco seasoning in an airtight container in a cool, dry place, for up to 6 months.

Notes

Yield: about ½ cup taco seasoning. Serving size: 2 Tablespoons.

For ONE Packet Taco Seasoning replacement:

1 tablespoon chili powder
¼ teaspoon garlic powder
¼ teaspoon onion powder
Pinch of cayenne pepper
¼ teaspoon dried oregano
½ teaspoon paprika
1 ½ teaspoons ground cumin
1 teaspoon salt
½ teaspoon black pepper

Nutrition

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Photography by Nikole from The Travel Palate.

I originally shared this recipe June 2020. Updated June 2024.

Meal Plan (183)

Using a weekly meal plan is the best way to cook healthier for your family, save money, and time! This week’s menu includes our popular Cold Noodle Salad, Mediterranean Meatball Bowl, Steak Kabobs, Tomato Pie and Chicken Taquitos. Did you know you can SAVE your favorite recipes and ANY of my meal plans? Simply create…

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Customize this Meal Plan

Using a weekly meal plan is the best way to cook healthier for your family, save money, and time! This week’s menu includes our popular Cold Noodle Salad, Mediterranean Meatball Bowl, Steak Kabobs, Tomato Pie and Chicken Taquitos.

Did you know you can SAVE your favorite recipes and ANY of my meal plans? Simply create an account (it’s free)!

To save this meal plan to your recipe collection, click here. You can even swap out recipes with your favorites.

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Monday: Cold Noodle Salad $12.88 (price without protein)

Tuesday: Mediterranean Meatball Bowl $14.27

Wednesday: Steak Kabobs $19.08

Thursday: Tomato Pie $10.74

Friday: Chicken Taquitos $8.04

We’ve been sharing 5-day weekly meal plans for many years now and we love the feedback we get from those of you who found our meal plans and who are using them regularly.

Each meal plan has 5 dinner recipes that will serve approximately 4 adults. We’ve tried to be thoughtful about including recipes that the whole family will love as well as varying the recipes to include a variety of different meals so that you’re not having chicken every night!

Why Meal Plan?

If you’re reading this, you probably already have your own ideas about why meal planning is a good idea for your family, but here’s what we think:

1. Prep Ahead Instructions:

Our meal plans come with prep-ahead instructions for every recipe. Even 5 minutes of cutting veggies or prepping a sauce ahead of time will make all the difference in your attitude about making dinner that night.

2. Budget Information:

Not only are these meal plans FREE but we’ve also included a rough estimate of budget info for each recipes to help you with your grocery planning. You can also swap out recipes and add more budget friendly recipes with just a few clicks. Learn more here.

3. Edit and Customize Meal Plans:

We know families each have unique needs, that’s why we’ve worked hard to make our meal plans fully customizable. You can swap out recipes, change serving sizes, and change the shopping list. Learn more here.

4. New Meal Plans Each Week:

There’s a new meal plan EVERY WEEK and we offer low carb, budget, and seasonal meal plans too.

5. Get Weekly Meal Plans Sent Straight To Your Inbox:

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Click the link below to print out your shopping list, and you’re ready to go!

**NOTE: You’ll notice the shopping list includes categories like “pantry staples”, and “spices”. Hopefully, those are items you already have on hand, and you can cross them off of the list.

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Did you know you can customize this meal plan, swap out recipes, and make your own shopping list? Register for a free account or login to get started!

Print Shopping List

Add this meal plan to your collection.

Each 5-day meal plan includes a printable grocery shopping list with budget information, to help save time and money!

Yes, I want free meal plans!

Day 1

Day 2

Mongolian beef on a plate with rice and chopped green onion on top.

Day 3

Chicken Fajita Pasta served in a skillet with a scoop of salsa on top.

Day 4

Five chicken taquitos lined on a plate with a bowl of salsa on the side.

Day 5

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The BEST Black Bean Burgers

Our homemade Black Bean Burger recipe is packed with protein, fiber, and on the table in just 30 minutes. Best of all, it’s so flavorful and good, you wont miss the meat. Want more vegetarian recipes? Try Pupusas, Vegetarian Stuffed Peppers, Veggie Enchiladas, or a Buddha Bowl! How to Make Black Bean Burgers: Chop Vegetables:…

Black bean burger served in a hamburger bun topped with sauce, tomato and avocado.

Our homemade Black Bean Burger recipe is packed with protein, fiber, and on the table in just 30 minutes. Best of all, it’s so flavorful and good, you wont miss the meat.

Want more vegetarian recipes? Try Pupusas, Vegetarian Stuffed Peppers, Veggie Enchiladas, or a Buddha Bowl!

The BEST Black Bean Burger on a hamburger bun with chipotle mayo, lettuce, tomato, and avocado.

The best Black Bean Burgers you’ll ever make.

I’ve had my share veggie burgers and I can promise you this Black Bean Burger has it all; flavor packed, holds together like a regular burger, affordable, and easy to make. Plus each patty has 12 grams of protein, plenty of fiber, and is much lower in fat and cholesterol than your traditional ground beef burger.

How to Make Black Bean Burgers:

Chop Vegetables: use a food processor to very finely mince the bell pepper, onion, and garlic. Transfer veggie mixture to a fine mesh strainer then press out as much excess liquid as possible.

Mash Beans: Drain and rinse black beans then blot with paper towel to remove extra water. Mash well with fork.

Two images showing green bell pepper, onion, and garlic finely chopped in a food processor, then black beans mashed in a glass mixing bowl.

Form Patties: Add veggie mixture to bowl with black beans and mix in spices and beaten egg. Stir in breadcrumbs. Divide mixture into 4 or 5 portions and form into patties.

Two images showing all the ingredients in a bowl for homemade Black Bean Burgers before and after they are combined.

To Grill: Oil your grill then add the black bean burger patties and cook for about 4-5 minutes on each side.

To cook in Oven: bake on a lined baking sheet, at 375 degrees F for 10 minutes on each side.

To cook on Stovetop: cook patties in a greased grill pan or skillet over medium heat, for 4-5 minutes on each side.

Two images showing simple black bean burgers being grilled, then after it's on a hamburger bun with toppings, with the top bun removed to show the toppings.

Serve: on a hamburger bun or in a lettuce wrap with chipotle mayo and your favorite toppings like lettuce, tomatoes, cheese, avocado, onion, sautéed mushrooms, jalapeños, or pickles.

Make Ahead and Freezing Instructions:

To Make Ahead: Assemble black bean burger patties and keep covered in the refrigerator until ready to cook.

To Freeze: Place raw or cooked black bean burger patties flat inside a freezer safe bag or container with parchment paper in between the layers. Freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw completely before cooking, or cook from frozen, over medium heat.

Serve With:

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The BEST Black Bean Burger

This homemade Black Bean Burger recipe is packed with protein and fiber, and on the table in just 30 minutes. They're inexpensive and absolutely delicious.

Course Main Course

Cuisine American, Vegetarian

Prep Time 15

Cook Time 10

Total Time 25

Servings

Calories 365kcal

Author Lauren Allen

Cost 5