Let's Do Lunch Community

I'm just about to whip up a batch of it in the crockpot for my lunches this week...

Taco Soup

2-3 Lbs. of ground beef (Lean)
2 cans  black beans
1 can white beans
1 can of red kidney beans
1 lg. 64 oz can of diced tomatoes
1 packet of hidden valley ranch powdered dip mix
1 packet of taco seasoning
1 small can of corn

Brown hamburg and drain fat, add to crock pot then add all other remaining ingredients simmer in crock pot for about 2-3 hours
Make sure you drain all the beans and corn before adding to the pot
do not drain the tomatoes

Hi Rightwife,

It all looks fine except for the ranch mix.  Also, be sure your taco mix has no or low sugar.  Hope this helps.

(In Faith)  LP

also, I think it's recommended to mix small amount of ground beef with ground white turkey meat. Apparently, the turkey meat takes on the flavor of the beef but provides less fat to the dish.

Hi Guys,

Just wanted to chime in once more.  It is recommended to mix turkey or chicken in when possible, but it is also perfectly fine to just have lean ground beef when that is all you have.  Especially in soups.    Enjoy! 

(In Faith)  LP

Thanks for the input!

Why no ranch? This is what the back of the package says:

Total Fat: 0G
Cholest: 0G
Sodium: 135mg
Total Carb: 1g
Fiber: 0g
Sugars: 0g
Protein: 0g

The list of ingredients is as follows: Maltodextrin, buttermilk, salt, monosodium glutamate, dried garlic, dried onion, lactic acid, calcium lactate, citric acid, spices, artificial flavor, xanthan gum, calcium stearate; carboxymethlcellulose, guar gum.

It is just seasoning... less fat and calories than the Taco Mix, actually.

I went ahead and started cooking it. I added the ranch seasoning for this time. It seemed pretty harmless to me. I've got it simmering in the crockpot, and it smells SOOO delicious! If it is a success, I will add it to the  recipe section

Hi Rightwife,

maltodextrine is sugar. Being the first ingredient on the list tells you that this has more sugar than anything.
buttermilk (especially dried) is very fattening
monosodium glutamate (MSG) makes us retain water and is added to foods to make people crave them.
artificial flavor (this is often used to describe different types of sugar and sugar alcohols) 

I know it's alot to learn at first.   

(In Faith)  LP

TheRightWife wrote:The list of ingredients is as follows: Maltodextrin, buttermilk, salt, monosodium glutamate, dried garlic, dried onion, lactic acid, calcium lactate, citric acid, spices, artificial flavor, xanthan gum, calcium stearate; carboxymethlcellulose, guar gum.

Just FYI:
1) According to Roger Troy, it IS ok to use this occasionally when added to a recipe, because such a small amount is in each serving. It is NOT ok to use this as a sprinkle on popcorn because it would be so much more concentrated than when used in a recipe.

2) The items marked in red are sugars; the items marked in orange are milk products.

Little Princess: Thank you for taking the time to break this down for me. Labels can be so misleading! Here I thought it was a sensible ok choice, and it turns out that ranch seasoning is not that great for you at all, lol.

EnJae: That is great news! I've made an enormous 5 qt crockpot FULL of the taco soup, and there is only 1 small packet or ranch seasoning disbursed throughout it. Hopefully this is diluted enough! One bowl is quite filling!

Again, thanks everyone for their insight!

Question: What seasonings could i use in place of Ranch seasoning to get a similar effect? I noticed garlic and onion mentioned in the ingredients... perhaps a mixture of the two?

hi right wife
    i googled ranch dressing and this is what i came up with:

    1 teaspoon dried parsley
3/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
1 teaspoon seasoned salt
1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
1/4 teaspoon onion powder
1/8 teaspoon dried thyme  

and here is a recipe for taco seasoning:

  INGREDIENTS (Nutrition)
1 tablespoon chili powder
1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
1/4 teaspoon onion powder
1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
1/4 teaspoon dried oregano
1/2 teaspoon paprika
1 1/2 teaspoons ground cumin
1 teaspoon sea salt
1 teaspoon black pepper

you add as much to your dish to acheive desired flavor
             
                          hope this helps
                                G-d bless you
                                          kris

You are a life saver Kris! Thanks a million!

Rightwife, you are most welcome!    Please know that any and all advice you are given here is out of love for you and a desire to see you succeed! 

kris you rock!    I'm going to try both of these spice mixes myself!  *HUGS*


(In Faith)  LP