In addition to craving Chinese food lately, tacos have also creeped their way up to the top of my must-eat list. Nothing sounds better right now than a hot and crispy taco with tons of ice-cold toppings and infinite amounts of shredded cheddar cheese. RIGHT?!
At the same time, I also have a craving for fitting into my bikini next month, and have been attempting to cut back on carbs starting this week. It’s…not going well.
Everything has carbs!
Well, everything I like, anyway. Cereal, fruit, cereal, yogurt, cereal, popcorn, cereal, the 12-packs of King’s Hawaiian Sweet Rolls Ben won’t stop buying on his way home from work, and did I mention cereal?
Still wanting to satisfy my latest craving, I met myself halfway and whipped up a hot and crispy taco for dinner tonight, but traded carb-laden taco shells, for low-carb endive leaves.
I’m calling them Low-Carb Taco Boats, and they are JUST the ticket! The endive leaves are super crunchy and actually hold up better than regular corn tortilla shells, which can get soggy and fall apart. Plus their mild taste really lets the toppings shine through. PLUS I seasoned the meat with my own homemade taco seasoning. It’s SO simple and there’s no additives like caking agents you’ll sometimes find in store bought blends. Love that!
Start the taco boats by getting the endive “boats” ready. I picked up a pack of endive from Trader Joe’s that included two regular heads and one purple head. Since we’re need a pretty sturdy “boat” to hold all the taco fillings, I stuck to the regular endive as the purple is more delicate.
Cut the stem end off the endive and peel back the leaves, then wash and pat them dry. That’s it! Boats = ready.
Next, prepare the taco filling by browning 1lb ground beef.
Drain the cooked ground beef, return it to the pan, then hit it with single serving homemade taco seasoning – just enough for 1lb of meat, aka the equivalent of a store bought taco seasoning packet. My homemade version combines chili powder, garlic powder and onion powder with other seasonings like cumin, paprika and oregano. Sprinkle the blend in with 1/4 cup water then mix it with the ground beef.
Taco Boat assembly is next! Lay out a variety of toppings, taco-bar style, which could include tomatoes, salsa, cheddar cheese, green onion, red onion, and crumbled goat cheese.
Spoon some taco meat into the endive leaves, then add any combination of toppers that you like!
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Homemade Taco Seasoning
Description
Homemade Taco Seasoning is made with spice cupboard staples, and is free from additives, preservatives, and artificial coloring!
Ingredients
- 2-1/2 teaspoons chili powder
- 3/4 teaspoon cumin
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon regular or smoked paprika
- 1/4 teaspoon pepper
- 1/8 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/8 teaspoon onion powder
- 1/8 teaspoon red chili pepper flakes
- 1/8 teaspoon dried oregano
Directions
- Mix together seasonings, then add to 1lb cooked and drained ground beef with 1/4 cup water. Mix well.
This recipe is courtesy of Iowa Girl Eats, http://iowagirleats.com.
Crunch-tastic, people – and so fun to eat!
 
I guess I’m in the minority but this recipe was flavorless and did not season 1 lb of meat. I would double it at least!
I’m sorry to hear that, Jamie! I just used this recipe for a pound of ground beef earlier in the week and it was delicious and flavorful. Is it possible your ingredients were old and/or mis-measured?
I love this recipe. Have you made it in bulk? If so, what are the measurements for each spice? Thank you!
You bet! Here’s a large batch seasoning recipe for you! https://iowagirleats.com/large-batch-homemade-taco-seasoning/
This is the recipe I keep coming back to over and over again! We’re having tacos for dinner tonight :).
[…] Tacos (I don’t use a recipe, but I do love this taco seasoning) […]
This was wonderful! Now, I’m going to make the large batch. Best homemade version yet! I doubled the red pepper because we like it spicy.
[…] Tacos (I don’t use a recipe, but I do love this taco seasoning) […]
I love the idea low sodium seasoning. Do you have a bulk version of your recipe. My husband makes tacos a lot because he can just grab a seasoning packet. I thought maybe a jar of it where it’s already done and he can just measure out a serving. I love your recipes that reduce the processed stuff.
I don’t, but I love that idea for a future post! Will definitely keep in mind. :)
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Hi Kristin! Just wanted to let you know your taco boats are spot on and You absolutely hit it with the shredded cole slaw! I grew up on the San Diego border so learned alot of traditional Mexican cooking from my friends mothers. Many dishes use cabbage…..fish tacos, among other dishes. The slaw mix just makes it more delish! You rock!
I’m so glad to hear it, Ellen – yes, love my slaw!
[…] combos for salad night. Usually I’ll season sauteed ground beef or diced chicken with my homemade taco seasoning then mound the meat onto lettuce and top with crushed tortilla chips, shredded cheese, chopped […]
[…] Low-Carb Taco Boats – Iowa Girl Eats […]
[…] 1 package of taco seasoning (Or you can use homemade – I like this recipe) […]
[…] Courtesy of iowagirleats.com […]
[…] and I liked that I knew exactly what I was putting into the seasoning. I adapted a recipe from Iowa Girl Eats and can now never go back to store bought seasoning […]