Who doesn’t love a good taco Tuesday? Between the toppings and flavor of all that’s involved, you can’t go wrong. Everyone has the option to create their favorite taco and have it topped with whatever their heart desires. It’s the ultimate go-to meal whether it’s lunch or dinner. However, we all know there’s one ingredient that’s the real stow shopper and for once, we’re not talking about the guacamole. We’re referring to the taco meat. Taco meat is the heart of Taco Tuesday so knowing how to make it just right is essential to the success of your taco Tuesday or any taco day. Many people think it’s just some meat and seasoning but there’s so much more to cooking taco meat to perfection. Here’s how to do so!
Which Meat to Chose?
First off, we all know there are endless possibilities when it comes to tacos, but what’s more important- The meat or the toppings? We’ll let you decide that one, but for the purpose of this article we’re going to talk about the meat. The meat should be considered the main attraction of the taco. Most people think of ground beef when they hear the word “taco,” but there are way more options than that. Here are the most common meat options you’ll find-
- Ground beef
- Chicken
- Fish
- Barbacoa
- Pork
- Ground turkey
There’s even tofu for non-meat eaters. No matter what type of meat you chose to fill your taco with, make sure it has a good balance of fatty and lean. You don’t want too much fat or you’ll be left with soggy, greasy tacos but too lean will leave you with less flavor. Consider finding meat that is 80%-90% lean. That’s the sweet spot for the perfect balance.
What Seasonings?
One of the things people love most about taco’s is the iconic “taco” flavor, but what makes up that amazing blend of zest and spice? A whole lot of seasonings! However, most of the time these seasoning that you already have in your own kitchen cupboard. The most common ingredients you’ll find in taco seasoning are:
- Chili powder
- Garlic powder
- Dried oregano
- Paprika
- Cumin
- Crushed red pepper
- Salt and pepper
And of course, everyone has their own twist or turn to add to their favorite seasoning. However, if there’s one thing we can all agree on it’s that you can’t have tacos without taco seasoning no matter the meat or the toppings.
Is There a Technique?
Of course there is! You can’t just throw it all together, fry it up, and hope for the best. From start to finish, tacos are a work of art. Whether you’re slow-cooking pork in the crockpot or cooking ground beef in a skillet, you’ll want to make sure you focus on flavor and not to burn the meat. The last thing you want to have is overcooked, dry taco meat. Even taco seasoning can’t save you there. So knowing how to cook your piece of meat is one of the most important techniques for making taco meat. Another important technique is to know when to add the seasoning, but this will depend on your type of meat. For example, if you’re making ground beef then you don’t want to add the seasoning until after you’ve cooked the ground beef and drained the excess grease. This way you know when the meat is done cooking and you don’t under or overcook it.
Tacos are considered one of the most loved meals of all time. Thankfully, it’s also one of the easiest! Whether it’s your first time making tacos or your millionth, it’s safe to say that there is a right way to make tacos.