2tablespoongrape-seed oil(extra virgin olive oil or other cooking oil)
4teaspoonkosher salt(more or less to taste)
2teaspoonblack pepper(more or less to taste)
Homemade Taco Sauce
4tablespoontomato paste
1tablespoonchili powder
3teaspoononion powder
3teaspoongarlic powder
3teaspoonsmoked paprika
2teaspooncumin
1teaspoonred pepper flakes
1-½cupschicken broth
Your choice of toppings
1cupshredded cheese((a melting cheese such as cheddar cheese, Monterey jack, mozzarella, or a Mexican cheese) )
2cupsshredded lettuce
2cupschopped tomato
½cupsliced black olives
1cupsour cream
Instructions
Prepare all the toppings and set aside.
Place a skillet or frying pan over medium high heat and add grape-seed oil or other cooking oil. Add ground turkey to the skillet and break apart using a large spoon. Seasonally liberally with kosher salt and pepper and continue to brown until meat is no longer pink (DO NOT OVERCOOK). After browning, place browned turkey meat on a clean plate. Set aside.
Making the homemade taco sauce
Place the same skillet over medium high heat, add the tomato paste and the remaining of the dried ingredients to the skillet and saute for about 1 minutes or so while constantly moving the ingredients around in the skillet (this works well with a whisk). This helps to wake up the flavors and allows the rawness of the tomato paste to cook out.
Begin to slowly add in the chicken broth and continue whisking until all ingredients are combined. Add the browned turkey meat back to the skillet and gently stir. Bring to a gentle boil, lower the temperature, and let simmer for about 5 minutes. If sauce looks too thick, slowly add in a little more chicken broth. Taste and adjust seasoning.
If using your favorite store brand taco sauce: After browning the turkey meat, follow the instructions on the jar or packaging.
While turkey meat is simmering, heat up your taco shells and fill them with the saucy turkey taco meat and your favorite toppings.
Squeeze fresh lime juice over the top (optional) and enjoy.
Notes
Add cooking oil (grape-seed oil, extra virgin olive oil, avocado oil, or other cooking oil) before adding your ground turkey to the skillet (turkey meat is a lean meat and needs a healthy fat for added flavor)
Season liberally
Do not overcook the ground turkey
Add tomato paste as the base for the taco sauce
Saute tomato paste and seasonings together before adding liquid
Add chicken broth as the liquid instead of water when creating the sauce (this adds more flavor)
Buying store brand taco sauce doesn't make you less of a cook (I buy it myself) remember it's about making things easier, so you can spend more time doing the things you enjoy
Taco meat freezes beautifully (just take out the freezer and defrost in the fridge overnight) for a make ahead weeknight dinner
Use to make taco salad, burritos, burrito bowls, lettuce wraps, nachos or tostadas