I love the packaged Old El Paso Taco seasoning sold in the stores. It's so convenient, tasty, and always brings on childhood nostalgia. I thought it'd be a great idea to make a paleo version of taco salad so while in the grocery store recently, I reached to put some Old El Paso Taco seasoning into my grocery cart... then put it right back on the shelf. The ingredients on the back of the package? Maltodextrin, Sugar, Soybean Oil, Silicon Dioxide, "Natural Flavor", Ethoxyquin, corn starch. What? What? And what?? No thanks. I'm on a clean eating roll & that little package is not going to mess it up! So with 2 minutes of extra effort, I made my own Paleo / 21 DSD / Whole30 taco seasoning. And while I was in the kitchen, I made guacamole too!

Paleo Taco Seasoning Recipe

Ingredients

• 1 tablespoon chili powder
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1 teaspoon onion powder
• 1/8 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
• 1/4 teaspoon dried oregano
• 1/2 teaspoon paprika
• 1.5 teaspoons ground cumin
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon black pepper
• 2 teaspoons arrowroot powder

Mix all ingredients.

I used this on 2 pounds of grass-fed ground beef. After the beef has browned and the seasoning has mixed in, I added 1/2 cup of paleo beef bone broth and brought the heat down to a very low simmer for 10 minutes. This last step allows the flavor to really mingle and absorb and for the sauce to let that arrowroot powder thicken.

Paleo Guacamole Recipe

Ingredients

• 2 large ripe avocados
• 8 cherry tomatoes (diced)
• juice from 1/2 a lime
• 1/4 onion (diced)
• 1 clove garlic (minced)
• 1/4 cup cilantro (minced)
• salt & pepper to taste

Peel and mash avocadoes in a bowl. Mix in diced tomatoes, garlic, onion, cilantro. Add in lime juice, salt & pepper, and mix well. Chill for 15-30 minutes to let the flavors blend.