Taco Meat

To save on meat costs, afford leaner ground beef, and make it healthier, I combine ground beef or ground turkey with black beans for taco meat. I use the taco meat in tacos, taco casserole and nachos. I also make my own taco seasoning. We like the taste better and there is no added sodium.

Taco Meat

1 pound lean ground beef or ground turkey
1 can of black beans, no salt added
2 T chili powder
2 T cumin
2 T paprika
2 t  onion powder
2 t  garlic powder
2 t  oregano
1 t  ground pepper
2 t  corn starch (optional)
1 1/2- 1 cups water

1.  Brown ground beef or ground turkey in a large pan on the stove over medium-high heat.  Drain off any excess fat.
2.  Pour black beans in colander and rinse thoroughly before adding to the ground beef.
3.  Add 1 1/2 cups water and all the spices.  Mix the corn starch with a little water before adding to mixture.  (The corn starch helps thicken the mixture, but you can do without it.) 
4.  Bring the mixture to a boil and then simmer for 5-10 minutes.