This is a bold statement, but I am prepared to make it. Diced green chilies are the best canned food item in the grocery store. There, I said it!
I am constantly stocking up on cans of this stuff. Green chilies add so much flavor and dimension to your cooking without being too spicy. In my opinion, it is the best and only thing that sends my Mexican-inspired dishes over the edge. These canned green chilies burst with flavor. Admittedly, I usually eat one or two straight from the can before adding it to my dishes.
This item is an essential staple in my cooking. They are so versatile! Some favorite dishes that I include diced green chilies are Hot Corn Dip, taco meat, salsa, guacamole, chili, and inside quesadillas. You can leave them diced or chop them up finer for dips or non-cooked items.
Since I am making tacos for my father-in-law’s girlfriends’ birthday tonight, I thought it would be an awesome idea to share my taco meat recipe. It is simple and delicious, tried and true. I will be using lettuce cups as my tortillas, but feel free to use flour, corn, whatever you like!
Taco Meat
You’ll need:
2 lbs ground chuck
1 8 oz can diced green chilies
3 cloves garlic, minced
2 tablespoons hot taco sauce, in the Mexican aisle
1 teaspoon chili powder
Salt and pepper to taste
Begin with browning your meat. Heat a cast iron skillet on high. Liberally salt and pepper your ground chuck and chuck it in the pan. Brown on high heat for 8 minutes, allowing the meat to get a deep color without burning. My rule of thumb for this is let the meat sit in the pan for 3 minutes, stir. Then let sit for 3 minutes again, stir. You may feel like the meat will burn before then, but I promise you will be rewarded with delicious meat with great texture.
Drain the excess fat from the pan, then add your green chilies and chopped garlic towards the end of cooking, being sure to not burn the garlic. Stir.
Add taco sauce and chili powder, stir.
Cook until meat is browned and cooked through. Add this to tacos, quesadillas, burritos, enchiladas, anything! You will be surprised how well the beef works with the green chilies.
Write me and tell me your favorite canned pantry staple! Happy cooking!