The Unexpected (And Cheap) Way To Give Your Tacos A Boost Of Flavor

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Next to utilizing the best steak cuts for tacos (we're especially fond of skirt and flank steaks), nothing beats a pan of well-seasoned ground beef, chicken, or pork. Though, regardless of your meat selection, the key to truly exceptional tacos almost always pertains to the seasonings used in the cooking process. If you aren't particularly eager to spend your hard-earned money making another platter of grilled flank steak tacos with stone fruit salsa, there's an easy way to simplify your next batch of tacos with a convenient seasoning upgrade.

Thanks to one affordable condiment, you can enhance the flavor of your preferred taco meat in a flash. All you need is a small amount of yellow mustard. Especially if you think your homemade taco recipe could benefit from a bit of tangy flavor, classic yellow mustard is a cheap and easy way to brighten your filling of choice. The addition of vinegar gives this favored condiment just the right amount of zesty flavor without sharp or acidic undertones.

Fortunately, adding yellow mustard to your usual blend of dried seasonings is simple. When you're almost finished cooking or browning your meat over the stove, add your preferred spices and a squeeze or two of yellow mustard. Then all you need to do is stir everything together until the mustard and spices have been fully incorporated. Besides adding this boldly hued condiment directly to your pan of cooked meat, you can also use yellow mustard to create a tangy, pourable taco sauce.

To create a saucy, tenderizing taco sauce, whisk your preferred spices in a small bowl with a squeeze of yellow mustard and a small amount of water. Add the sauce to your taco meat before serving or allow your meat to simmer in the sauce on the stove until you're ready to eat.

Beyond water, you can also include more Mexican-inspired additions for extra flavor. Mix in a few blended chipotle peppers in adobo sauce or a few spoonfuls of your favorite salsa or hot sauce. You can also make a more involved pan sauce by combining yellow mustard, water, and cooking oil with an authentic mole starter such as Magaya Foods Mole Xico Mole Paste from Amazon. Yellow mustard is a delightful way to elevate rich and warm mole sauce, which is typically composed of seasonings and ingredients including chilis, fruits, and cocoa. 

Besides using mustard to create intricate pan sauces, you can also use the condiment to make a cool, mouthwatering topping. Instead of adorning your next batch of tacos with plain sour cream, mix a scoop or two of sour cream or Greek yogurt with a squeeze of yellow mustard, a bit of lime juice, and some sugar and salt. Next to fresh, five-ingredient pico de gallo and shredded cheese, a creamy mustard sauce is sure to add a cool and zesty burst of flavor to your next plate of tacos.