When I first got married, I made taco meat the same way my mother always had, 1 lb ground beef + 1 seasoning pkt and water = taco meat. But as I got older, and money got scarcer, I began experimenting with ways that I could make everything stretch further, including our meat. Meat is expensive, so I really want to get the most bang for my buck. I started out just adding a can of tomatoes to my taco meat. That was received well; the tomatoes stayed on the tacos better because they were already in the meat, and it was one less thing to balance on top. The latest thing I've added is cooked pinto beans. I put these in our chili, so it seemed like a natural pairing for the taco meat. It is super YUMMY! My husband isn't that into beans, and he even liked it - score! I also learned to stretch the meat even further by not serving tacos, but making nachos or taco salads instead. This makes it easy for Joe and I to fill up with using little meat. A pound of beef now makes at least 6 meals + leftovers for us, just by using the above tips!
I also add pintos to tacos, I mash them up some. Always put them in tacos for my grandkids and they never knew.
ReplyDeleteHighly suggest adding rice! We are not a bean family but when I am really hard up, I add rice to stretch the meat. It is perfect to stuff in a pocket (pizza dough, enchilada, or chimi) because it all tastes like the yummy taco seasoning and meat and there isn't much in it!! I am going to check your recipe now :)
ReplyDeleteGood idea! My husband isn't really a bean eater, but since our taco meat is similar to our chili meat, I can get it past him ;-)
Deletegreat idea..I am always looking to help stretch our meat a few days further!
ReplyDeleteThank you... me too!
DeleteThese are great ways to stretch meat! I sometimes add Spanish rice or, if I'm feeling extra sneaky, minced mushrooms. (They look like ground beef and pick up the taco seasoning flavor, but help make the meat go farther.)
ReplyDeleteI'd love if you'd come join my How To Tuesday link party, too.
http://housewifehowtos.com/link-party-2/how-to-tuesday-link-party-9/
I never would have thought of mushrooms - might work too, since my husband loves them! I joined your link party, thank you so much for the invite!
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