Spicy Fresh Taco Seasoning with Jalapeño and Lime
The fresh version with cayenne added - all the brightness, now with heat that builds.
This is what happens when you refuse to choose between the spicy version and the fresh version. Cayenne in the seasoning blend, fresh jalapeño in the pan, lime juice at the end. It sounds like overkill and it is not overkill - the jalapeño brings a fresh grassy heat while the cayenne brings a deeper background warmth, and they work together rather than competing. The lime cuts through all of it and keeps everything tasting bright rather than just hot. This is the version you make for people who think they don't like spicy food and then watch them reach for seconds.
Prep: 10 min • Cook: 15 min • Serves: 4
Ingredients
- 1 lb Ground Turkey (or beef, chicken, or pork)
- 1 Tbl Olive Oil
- 0.5 Red Onion, finely diced
- 1 Jalapeño, finely diced (keep seeds for extra heat)
- 2 Roma Tomatoes, diced
- 6 tsp Paprika
- 1.5 tsp Garlic Powder
- 1.5 tsp Cumin
- 1 tsp Dried Oregano
- 0.25 tsp Cayenne Pepper
- 0.5 tsp Salt
- 1.5 tsp Cornstarch
- 0.5 cup Water
- 1 Lime, juiced and zested
Instructions
- Heat olive oil in a sauté pan over medium heat. Add red onion and cook for 3-4 minutes until softened.
- Add ground turkey and cook, breaking it up, until cooked through. (Using beef? Drain the fat before continuing.)
- Mix paprika, garlic powder, cumin, oregano, cayenne, salt, and cornstarch in a small bowl.
- Add jalapeño and tomato to the pan. Cook for 2 minutes.
- Stir in the seasoning blend and water. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer 5 minutes until thickened and glossy.
- Remove from heat. Add lime juice and zest and stir through.
- Taste. If you want more heat, add another pinch of cayenne. You probably do.