Slow Cooker Ranch Chicken Tacos

Switch up taco night with these 4-ingredient slow cooker ranch tacos! The chicken shreds perfectly and is packed with flavor. Dinner has never been easier!

Ranch seasoning powder is the secret weapon in so many delicious recipes! It adds the best flavor in recipes like this Mississippi pork roast, my poolside dip, or these yummy chicken bacon ranch pinwheels.

Ranch Chicken Tacos

I love ranch AND I love tacos! Put the two together and I’m in heaven! These are so easy to make with only 4 ingredients. Groceries can be expensive with a family and this is the perfect meal on a budget! Simply throw it all in the slow cooker and dinner is ready when you are. The ranch seasoning mixed with the taco flavors is such a delicious combination and the chicken shreds perfectly! This slow cooker ranch chicken can be enjoyed in tacos, or on nachos, or add it to a salad or a rice bowl. The possibilities are endless!

Any kind of taco meat made in the slow cooker is the way to go! It’s easy to prepare the meat is always tender. Try this sweet pulled pork, pork chili verde, or this tasty salsa chicken. All easy slow cooker recipes that never disappoint!

Ingredients For Slow Cooker Ranch Tacos

It doesn’t get any easier than a 4 ingredient dinner! You’re going to love how easy these slow cooker ranch tacos are to prepare. It is also a very inexpensive meal to feed your family! I love this recipe when I’m trying to make more budget-friendly dinners. Follow the recipe card below for exact measurements!

Chicken Breasts: Boneless skinless chicken breast is my favorite, but boneless skinless chicken thighs would also be delicious!

Ranch Seasoning Packet: I always have these packets on hand! It adds great flavor to so many recipes.

Taco Seasoning: I always use my homemade taco seasoning because it’s so quick and easy to make! It also lasts up to 6 months!

Chicken Broth: Adds flavor as it cooks all day in the chicken broth.

Slow Cooker Ranch Tacos Recipe

This recipe is SO simple and prepped in no time at all! It only takes 5 minutes to throw it all together then the slow cooker does all the work. My kids beg for these tacos to be on the weekly rotation because they’re just that good!

Add Chicken to the Slow Cooker: Place the chicken into the bottom of the slow cooker.

Sprinkle on the Seasonings: Sprinkle the taco seasoning and ranch powder over the chicken.

Pour in the Chicken Broth: Pour the chicken broth over the seasonings.

Cook: Cover the slow cooker with the lid and cook on low for 6 hours or high for 4 hours.

Shred and Enjoy: Shred the chicken using two forks. Serve with tortillas and your favorite taco toppings.

Add the chicken, taco seasoning, and ranch powder into the slow cooker.

Pour the chicken broth over the ingredients and cook for 4 hours on high or 6 hours on low.

Shred the chicken using two forks and serve in tortillas with your favorite toppings.

Tips and Variations

These slow cooker ranch tacos are so versatile, and there are lots of ways to make it just the way you like it! Follow my tips and ideas below for switching up how you make this delicious dinner.

Add Veggies: Throw in some sliced onions or sliced bell peppers in the slow cooker with the rest of the ingredients. They will soften as they cook with the chicken while adding extra nutrition to your meal.

Beans: Canned beans would be a tasty texture to add to the chicken. Try pinto beans or black beans, or use your favorite beans because any kind would work in this recipe. Just drain and rinse the beans before adding them to the slow cooker.

Easy Cleanup: To make cleanup easier, line your crock pot with a slow cooker line or spray with nonstick cooking spray.

Shredding Tips: An easy way to shred the chicken is by using a stand mixer or an electric hand mixer. Two forks will do the trick, but I find that the chicken shreds better and much easier with the mixer.

Serving: Skip the tortillas and serve this chicken over a salad, rice, or on a plate of nachos!

Can I Use the Instant Pot?

Want to speed up the cooking time? These ranch chicken tacos can easily be made in an instant pot. Add all of the ingredients to the pot. Secure the lid in the “seal” mode then cook on “manual” mode for 25 minutes. Allow the instant pot to release the steam then you can shred the chicken and enjoy!

Storing Leftover Slow Cooker Ranch Tacos

These slow-cooker ranch tacos make the best leftovers! I’d recommend doubling the recipe because it’s perfect for making lunches and dinners all week long.

In the Refrigerator: Store leftover chicken in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 5 days.

In the Freezer: Once cooled, place the leftovers in a sealable bag or airtight container. Store in the freezer for up to 3 months.

To Reheat: Thaw frozen meat in the refrigerator then reheat the salsa chicken in the microwave or over the stove until warmed through.

More Mexican-Inspired Recipes

Slow Cooker Ranch Chicken Tacos

4 hrs 5 mins

Addicting Bean Dip

25 mins

Strawberry Horchata

6 hrs 15 mins

Crockpot Salsa Chicken

6 hrs 10 mins

Print

Slow Cooker Ranch Chicken Tacos

Switch up taco night with these 4-ingredient slow cooker ranch tacos! The chicken shreds perfectly and is packed with flavor. Dinner has never been easier!
Course Dinner
Keyword easy, slow cooker ranch chicken tacos
Prep Time 5 minutes minutes
Cook Time 4 hours hours
Total Time 4 hours hours 5 minutes minutes
Servings 6 people
Calories 199kcal
Author Alyssa Rivers

Ingredients

2 pounds boneless skinless chicken breasts1 package taco seasoning1 package ranch dressing powder 1 cup chicken broth

Instructions

Place the chicken into the bottom of the slow cooker.
Sprinkle the taco seasoning and ranch powder over the chicken.
Pour the chicken broth over the seasonings.
Cover the slow cooker with the lid and cook on low for 6 hours or high for 4 hours.
Shred the chicken using two forks. Serve with tortillas and your favorite taco toppings.

Notes

Updated on May 02, 2024

Originally Posted on September 09, 2012

Nutrition

Calories: 199kcal | Carbohydrates: 6g | Protein: 32g | Fat: 4g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 1g | Trans Fat: 0.02g | Cholesterol: 98mg | Sodium: 1141mg | Potassium: 566mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 1g | Vitamin A: 593IU | Vitamin C: 4mg | Calcium: 9mg | Iron: 1mg

Addicting Bean Dip

Bring out the chips and start dipping because this is the most addicting bean dip you will ever have! It’s creamy, cheesy, and loaded with tasty Mexican-inspired flavors. Garnish with toppings, and take this to your next gathering!

This appetizer will have you dipping all night long! If you love tasty appetizers, try this easy million dollar dip, my poolside dip, or stick with a classic 7-layer dip.

Bean Dip

This addicting bean dip will be your go-to staple for every party or gathering! It’s loaded with all your favorite Mexican-inspired dip flavors and you will devour every bite. It starts with canned refried beans but is taken up a level by all the yummy goodness you add to the beans. Triple the cheese flavor with sour cream, cream cheese, and shredded cheese! Then season with salsa and taco seasoning and you have an addicting bean dip that you can’t stop dipping into. Bake until the cheeses melt and enjoy all night long. I can’t wait for you to see why this bean dip is so addicting!

The cheese in this bean dip gets me every time! There’s just something about a creamy cheesy dip that keeps you coming back for more. Try more of my faves like this chili cheese dip, my jalapeno popper dip, or this crowd-pleasing Rotel dip.

Ingredients You’ll Need

Grab your bean dip ingredients at the grocery store and throw them together in no time at all! These are just some of our favorite ways of dipping. Our go-to is always with tortilla chips, but you can serve it with anything! The ways to enjoy this bean dip are endless!

Refried beans: Canned refried beans make this recipe simple and easy!

Sour cream: Creates a creamy base for the dip.

Cheddar cheese: Melty cheese in the dip is heaven!

Cream Cheese: Thicken the dip with the soft and creamy texture of cream cheese.

Salsa: Add more flavor and a little kick to the dip if you like it spicy.

Taco seasoning: Taco seasoning brings in so much bold flavor with this dip.

Tomatoes, Olives, and Cilantro: Garnish the top of your bean dip and enjoy!

Bean Dip Recipe

It only takes minutes to make this tried and true bean dip recipe! Simple ingredients for a simple dip. Bake until hot and bubbly and it’s ready to devour. This dip is perfect for parties, game days, or gatherings.

Preheat Oven: Preheat oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit.

Mix the Bean Dip: In a large mixing bowl, combine refried beans, sour cream, 2 cups shredded cheese, cream cheese, salsa, and taco seasoning.

Spread Into Baking Dish or Skillet: Spread the mixture evenly in an 8×8-inch baking dish or skillet

Top With Cheese and Bake: Top with the remaining 1 cup shredded cheese then bake for 20-25 minutes. 

Garnish and Serve: Garnish with your favorite toppings if desired and serve with tortilla chips!

Combine the refried beans, sour cream, cream cheese, salsa, taco seasoning, and 2 cups of cheese.

Spread the bean dip in a skillet of baking dish, top with remaining cheese, and bake.

Tips and Variations

I love changing up a dip if you need some extra ideas enhancing it or giving it a kick of heat. From making this to the slow cooker to adding in more toppings and flavors, I’m giving you all the tips!

Serving Ideas: Serve with Fritos, fresh cut veggies, on top of nachos, or slathered on tacos or burritos.

Cheese: Have fun with your cheese choice and add pepper jack or Colby jack shredded cheese to the dip mixture.

Add Protein: For a heartier dip, add cooked ground beef or shredded chicken to the bean dip mixture.

Add Heat: Like a little heat? Add jalapeños, red pepper flakes, or a dash of Cayenne pepper to make a spicy, but don’t make it too spicy for the kiddos.

Squeeze of Lime: Fresh lime juice is a great addition to refresh this dip.

Make Bean Dip in the Slow Cooker

You can make this in the slow cooker by adding everything together and cooking on low for 2 to 3 hours or until warm and your cheese is melted. Add extra cheese on top and serve.

Storing Bean Dip

We love to make our bean dip hot and right out of the oven but it warms up perfectly if you have leftovers. Follow these simple steps to enjoy bean dip for later!

In the Refrigerator: Once the bean dip cools completely then add to an airtight container. You can store it in the refrigerator for 2 to 3 days.

To Reheat: Reheat leftovers in the microwave for 2 to 3 minutes or on the stovetop, stirring occasionally. Once it is warm you are ready to serve!

Make in Advance: If you want to make the bean dip ahead of time but can’t bake it, prepare it and put it in the pan you plan to bake it in. Tightly cover with plastic wrap then refrigerate until ready to bake. This will last about 2 days in the refrigerator.

Tasty Dips To Try

Loaded Texas Trash Dip

30 mins

Sausage Dip

20 mins

Spinach Dip

25 mins

Caramelized Onion and Bacon Dip

1 hr 15 mins

Print

Addicting Bean Dip

Bring out the chips and start dipping because this is the most addicting bean dip you will ever have! It’s creamy, cheesy, and loaded with tasty Mexican-inspired flavors. Garnish with toppings, and take this to your next gathering!
Course Appetizer, Side Dish
Cuisine American, Mexican
Prep Time 5 minutes minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes minutes
Total Time 25 minutes minutes
Servings 10 people
Calories 187kcal
Author Alyssa Rivers

Ingredients

1 16 ounce can refried beans1 cup sour cream3 cups cheddar cheese, shredded and divided8 ounces cream cheese softened1/2 cup salsa3 Tablespoons taco seasoning

Optional toppings:

tomatoesolivescilantro

Instructions

Preheat oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit.
In a large mixing bowl, combine refried beans, sour cream, 2 cups shredded cheese, cream cheese, salsa, and taco seasoning.
Spread the mixture evenly in an 8×8-inch baking dish or skillet.
Top with the remaining 1 cup shredded cheese and bake for 20-25 minutes.
Garnish with your favorite toppings if desired and serve with tortilla chips!

Notes

Updated on May 01, 2024

Originally Posted on September 26, 2019

Nutrition

Calories: 187kcal | Carbohydrates: 2g | Protein: 9g | Fat: 16g | Saturated Fat: 10g | Cholesterol: 48mg | Sodium: 381mg | Potassium: 103mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 1g | Vitamin A: 616IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 274mg | Iron: 1mg

Monster Cookies

Monster cookies are slightly crisp on the outside, and soft and chewy in the center. They are loaded with peanut butter, oats, M&M candies, AND chocolate chips! Big monster cookies win every time!

Give me ALL the oatmeal in my cookies! I love the added texture it adds. If you’re like me, try these no-bake cookies, our favorite oatmeal fudge bars, or stick with a classic oatmeal cookie recipe.

Monster Cookies

Monster cookies start with a classic cookie recipe but the add-ins are where it’s at! They are loaded with peanut butter, chocolate, and oatmeal resulting in the best chewy texture! Plus, they have chocolate chips AND M&M’s! What’s better than a cookie that has both?! Everyone goes crazy over this recipe and you’ll be asked to make them again and again. My kids love these cookies because I make them nice and BIG…just what a monster cookie should be!

Cookies are a staple food at our house and it’s always fun to switch it up! Try some more favorites like these iced oatmeal cookies, these yummy clothespin cookies, or these brookies!

Ingredients to Make Monster Cookies

These cookies use classic ingredients that you probably already have in your pantry! I might need to run to the store and grab some M&M’s but it’s so worth it! Check out the recipe card at the bottom of the post for the exact measurements.

Unsalted Butter: Butter provides richness and a buttery flavor.

Granulated Sugar: Adds sweetness to the dough.

Light Brown Sugar: Brown sugar adds a warm caramel undertone, enhancing sweetness and creating a chewy texture in the cookies.

Creamy Peanut Butter: You will LOVE the added peanut butter flavor in this cookie.

Eggs:  Use room-temperature eggs.

Vanilla Extract: Vanilla is always a must in cookie dough.

All-Purpose Flour: Gives structure to the cookies.

Old-Fashioned Rolled Oats: Adds the best texture to the cookies.

Salt: This enhances all of the flavors in this cookie recipe.

Baking Powder and Baking Soda: These help the cookies rise and make them light and soft.

Mini M&M Candies: It’s not a monster cookie if it doesn’t have M&M’s!!

Mini Semi-Sweet Chocolate Chips: The more chocolate the better if you ask me!

Monster Cookie Recipe

We love baking on the weekends at our house! This is the perfect recipe to let them help you make. They love making monster cookies because the name is fun and there are lots of ingredients they can easily measure by themselves.

Preheat Oven/ Prepare Pan: Preheat the oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit and line 2 baking sheets with parchment paper.

Beat the Butter and Sugars: Use a hand mixer or a stand mixer fitted with a paddle attachment to beat the butter, sugar, and brown sugar together on medium-high speed for 3-4, until light and fluffy.

Add the Peanut Butter, Eggs, and Vanilla: Add the peanut butter and mix until combined. Add the egg and vanilla and mix again until combined. Scrape down the sides and bottom of the bowl as needed to make sure everything is fully incorporated.

Combine the Dry Ingredients: In a medium bowl whisk together the flour, oats, salt, baking powder, and baking soda.

Mix the Wet and Dry Ingredients: Add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture and mix until just combined. Stir in M&M’s and chocolate chips by hand.

Scoop the Cookie Dough: Use a medium-sized cookie scoop to scoop the dough onto the prepared baking sheets, leaving at least 2 inches between them.

Bake: Bake for 9-11 minutes but do not overbake them! They will look just set on the edges and a little doughy in the center.

Cool: Remove them from the oven and allow them to cool on the pan for 5 minutes before transferring to a cooling rack.

Cream the butter and sugars then mix in the
peanut butter.

Mix in the eggs and vanilla.

Combine the dry ingredients then mix with the wet ingredients.

Fold in the mini chocolate chips and mini M&M’s.

How to Keep Cookies From Spreading

To keep your monster cookies from spreading too much, be sure to use exact measurements, no guesstimating! Use room temperature ingredients, particularly the butter and eggs. You can also stop cookies from spreading too much by chilling the dough for 15-30 minutes before baking.

Storing Monster Cookies

Make a big batch of monster cookies to enjoy all week long! My kids love leftover cookies in their lunches. Follow my tips below for storing and freezing leftovers.

At Room Temperature: Store leftover monster cookies in an airtight container on the counter for up to 5 days. To keep them extra fresh, place a plain slice of sandwich bread in the container! This helps the cookies maintain moisture over time.

In the Freezer: Freeze leftover cookies after they’re baked and cooled. Place them in a freezer-safe container and freeze for up to 3 months. You can also freeze the cookie dough after scooping it into balls. When ready to bake, place the frozen cookie dough on a baking sheet and add 2-4 minutes to the baking time.

Tips and Variations

Have fun making these monster cookies! Here are some tips and ideas on how to make these cookies just the way you want them. I can’t wait for you to taste the peanut butter, chocolate, and oaty goodness!

Chocolate Chips and M&M’s: I used mini chocolate chips and mini M&M’s, but you may use the regular size of either or both of them! You may also swap one out for the other, or use milk chocolate chips instead of semi-sweet.

Chunky Peanut Butter: For added crunch, use chunky peanut butter instead of smooth.

Oats: You can use quick oats instead of old-fashioned, but they will make the cookie a little cakier instead of chewier as they tend to absorb more moisture.

Add Coconut: If you love coconut, then add shredded coconut! Replace 1/3 cup of the chocolate chips or M&M’s with shredded coconut.

DO NOT OVER-BAKE: Don’t over-bake the cookies! If the edges have turned a deep golden brown, they have baked too long. These cookies need to be just barely set around the edges when they come out of the oven. The center will look under-baked, but they will continue to cook as they cool on the baking sheet.

More M&M Inspired Desserts

M&M Cookie Bars

55 mins

M&M Cookies

18 mins

Monster Cookie Dough Cupcakes

30 mins

Brown Butter M&M Cookies

45 mins

Print

Monster Cookies

Monster cookies are slightly crisp on the outside, and soft and chewy in the center. They are loaded with peanut butter, oats, M&M candies, AND chocolate chips! Big monster cookies win every time!
Course Dessert
Cuisine American
Keyword m&m cookies, monster cookies, peanut butter oatmeal cookies
Prep Time 15 minutes minutes
Cook Time 11 minutes minutes
Total Time 26 minutes minutes
Servings 18
Calories 282kcal
Author Alyssa Rivers

Ingredients

½ cup unsalted butter, room temperature¼ cup granulated sugar¾ cup light brown sugar½ cup creamy peanut butter2 large eggs, room temperature2 teaspoons vanilla extract1 cup all-purpose flour1 ½ cups old-fashioned rolled oats½ teaspoon salt¼ teaspoon baking powder1 teaspoon baking soda cup mini M&M candies cup mini semi-sweet chocolate chips

Instructions

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit and line 2 baking sheets with parchment paper.
Use a hand mixer or a stand mixer fitted with a paddle attachment to beat the butter, sugar, and brown sugar together on medium-high speed for 3-4, until light and fluffy.
Add the peanut butter and mix until combined. Add the egg and vanilla and mix again until combined. Scrape down the sides and bottom of the bowl as needed to make sure everything is fully incorporated.
In a medium bowl whisk together the flour, oats, salt, baking powder, and baking soda.
Add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture and mix until just combined. Stir in M&Ms and chocolate chips by hand.
Use a medium-sized cookie scoop to scoop the dough onto the prepared baking sheets, leaving at least 2 inches between them.
Bake for 9-11 minutes but do not overbake them! They will look just set on the edges and a little doughy in the center.
Remove them from the oven and allow them to cool on the pan for 5 minutes before transferring to a cooling rack.

Notes

Updated on April 30, 2024

Originally Posted on May 08, 2019

Nutrition

Calories: 282kcal | Carbohydrates: 33g | Protein: 5g | Fat: 15g | Saturated Fat: 7g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 4g | Trans Fat: 0.2g | Cholesterol: 33mg | Sodium: 173mg | Potassium: 149mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 21g | Vitamin A: 206IU | Vitamin C: 0.05mg | Calcium: 37mg | Iron: 2mg

How to Bake with Yeast

You asked for help with yeast, so I have created a “How to Bake with Yeast” guide just for you! Yeast doesn’t have to be intimidating, and I hope that by the end of this post, you will be an expert!

Some of my favorite recipes that I use with yeast are my Grandma’s Perfect Homemade Bread, or these yummy Poffertjes!

What is Yeast and Why Do I Use It?

To put it simply, yeast is a leavening agent, which means it’s the ingredient that makes bread and batters fluffy and porous. Yeast is a natural leavening agent while baking powder and baking soda are chemical leavening agents. Baking powder and baking soda are to cakes what yeast is to bread. 

How Does Yeast Work?

Yeast is actually made up of microscopic fungi. It’s a living organism that feeds off sugars and nutrients and converts them into carbon dioxide, which creates spaces within a dough and fills them with gas. Gluten strands hold the gas in place, like filling a balloon with air. All these spaces filled with carbon dioxide cause the dough to rise and expand, which will determine texture and flavor. 

Gluten Window Test

To test whether your gluten is strong enough (meaning checking to see if your dough worked enough and will rise and expand) you can do a gluten window test. This is when you stretch the dough out between your hands like a square window. If the dough holds and stretches nicely, the gluten is strong enough, and it will hold together, creating a bread with good rise, texture, and flavor.

Dough with strong gluten is smooth and can be stretched without tearing.

Dough with weak gluten will easily tear when pulled apart.

What Affects How Dough Rises?

It’s really important to check if your yeast is healthy. If it’s old or not good anymore, it won’t be able to do its job of making your dough rise.

Age of Yeast: If your yeast is expired, it won’t make your dough rise.

Liquid Temperature: Most recipes call for warm water or milk to grow yeast. However, you should make sure that the water isn’t too hot. If it’s too hot, the yeast will start to die. The ideal temperature for yeast to grow in is 100-110°F. Yeast will die at 140°F.

Room Temperature: When you are trying to get your dough to rise, the temperature of the room matters a lot! If the room is too cold, the yeast works really slowly, and your bread will turn out hard and dense with no flavor. If it’s too hot, the yeast works fast. The dough will flatten with the slightest disturbance and deflate in the oven if it is over proofed.

Quality of Flour: If your flour is old, it won’t have the proper nutrients to feed the yeast, which will result in flat or dense loaves.

What is Proofing Time?

Proofing means letting your dough rest for a specific amount of time before it’s ready to bake or cook. Follow this carefully based on your recipe. If you don’t let it rest enough, your dough will be dense. If you let it proof for too long, the dough will flatten, and the yeast will eventually die off. Keep in mind that when it comes to bread and baking with yeast, the longer your dough proofs, the more flavor it will develop.

Before the dough is proofed.

Properly proofed dough.

Is My Dough Over Proofed or Under Proofed?

Indentation Test: Press your finger gently into the dough. If the indentation remains and doesn’t bounce back, it’s likely over proofed. If it springs back quickly and completely, it’s likely under proofed.

Appearance: If the dough looks excessively puffy, has a sticky surface, or appears to be deflated or collapsed, it may be over proofed. If the dough is dense and compact, it is underproofed.

Texture: Over proofed dough may feel too soft or delicate. It might lack the elasticity and structure typically associated with properly proofed dough. Under proofed dough may feel tough and resistant when touched.

Smell: An over-proofed dough might have a slightly sour or fermented smell, indicating that the yeast has exhausted its food source.

Time: If the dough has been proofing for significantly longer than the recommended time in the recipe, it’s likely over-proofed. If it hasn’t doubled in size, it’s likely underproofed.

Yeast Measurements

When it comes to baking with yeast, I like to follow a recipe that already has all the measurements laid out to keep things simple, but as a rule of thumb, for every 1 cup of flour, you’ll want ¼ -½  teaspoon of yeast

Active Dry Yeast vs Instant Yeast

Active Dry Yeast: This needs to be “activated” before you can use it in your recipe. To do this, dissolve it in a bowl of warm water and sugar to activate active dry yeast. Then, add it to the wet ingredients.

Instant Yeast: Also called “rapid rise” or “Quick rise” yeast, this is typically whisked together with the dry ingredients and mixed right into the dough. No activation required.

When to Use Active Dry Yeast or Instant Yeast

Both yeasts can be used interchangeably at a 1:1 ratio; the difference is the time it takes for your dough to proof. Baking with yeast can be simple, you just need to know which kind to use!

When to Use Active Dry Yeast: If you are baking bread, have the time, and want a bread that’s deep and rich in flavor, I would use this yeast. There is a lot more wiggle room when it comes to giving the dough a longer proofing process when you use active dry yeast.

When to Use Instant Yeast: This is great for things like cinnamon rolls or quick, simple bread (used for sandwiches or toast).

How to Know if Your Yeast Has Expired

The best way to test your yeast, whether it’s active dry, or instant, is to mix one packet (or 2 ¼ teaspoons) of the yeast with ½ cup of warm water and 1 tablespoon sugar or honey. Whisk the ingredients together and let the mixture sit undisturbed for at least 15 minutes. The mixture should become foamy or bubbly at the top. If it doesn’t foam up, then the yeast is bad and should be thrown out. 

What your mixture will look like using yeast that is expired

Using good yeast will result in a frothy mixture.

How to Store Yeast

Whether you buy your yeast in the packets, in the little jars, or in the vacuum-sealed packets, I recommend storing the yeast in the fridge or freezer. While both active dry yeast and instant yeast are shelf stable and can be kept at room temperature, they will last much longer if they are kept refrigerated or frozen.

Storing Yeast at Room Temperature: A sealed, unopened jar of yeast or vacuum-sealed packet has a shelf life of two years, although I’ve heard it is supposed to be good indefinitely.  For the packets, I have found that keeping them around for longer than a year will typically result in the yeast becoming inactive.

Storing Refrigerated Yeast: Once a jar has been opened, it must be refrigerated, or it will go bad within a few months. In the fridge, a jar of yeast will last at least four months, sometimes a little bit longer.

Storing Yeast in the Freezer: A jar of yeast can be stored in the freezer for at least 6 months and even up to a year.

**Always test your yeast if you are unsure whether it will work. **

Yeast Storage Test Results

During the tough times of the pandemic in 2020, when bread was hard to find, I got a big pack of yeast and split it into smaller jars. I put three in the freezer for later and kept one in the fridge. I used the one in the fridge over the next year, and it stayed good the whole time.

Later, in 2023, I decided to buy new yeast from the store. But guess what? The yeast I kept in the freezer for three years still worked perfectly fine! I made sure to check it every month to make sure it was still good. So, if you want to keep yeast for a long time, store it in the freezer and test it regularly.

Can I Use Yeast for a Sour Dough Starter?

Yes, you can use active dry yeast to start a sourdough starter! This is a much quicker and easier way to create your starter. If you are looking to do this from scratch, without yeast, check out my Sourdough Starter post!

Ingredients:

1 cup all-purpose flour (you can also use bread flour or a wheat flour blend) 

1 cup cold water 

A pinch of active dry yeast (just less than ¼ teaspoon)

Instructions:

Mix everything with a spatula, place it in a glass or plastic container, and lightly cover it with a lid. You want your starter to be able to breathe. 

In about 12 hours, the starter will have matured and has more than doubled in size.

Take ¼ cup of the mature starter, mix it with 1 cup of cold water and 1 cup of flour, mix everything together, and place it again in a container with the lid loosely secured. This process is called feeding the starter. ***You can either use the rest of the mature starter or discard it in the garbage. Never dump the starter down the drain. **

Feed the starter every 12 hours if it’s kept at room temperature or every 2-3 days if it’s in the fridge. 

The longer you keep it alive with regular feedings, the richer it will be.

Flour, water, and yeast for a sourdough starter.

Add the flour and yeast to a large mason jar and
pour in the water.

Stir to combine and loosely cover with a lid.

In about 12 hours, the starter will mature and
double in size.

Recipes to Bake with Yeast

Quick 45 Minute Cinnamon Rolls

45 mins

Grandma’s Perfect Homemade Bread

3 hrs 45 mins

Poffertjes

1 hr 5 mins

Focaccia Bread

2 hrs 45 mins

Homemade Teriyaki Sauce

Teriyaki Sauce is super easy, takes only 10 minutes to make and is way better than store-bought! Made with simple ingredients, this is going to become a staple for your kitchen.

Making your own sauces is way easier and cheaper than you think. Try these other homemade sauces that you are going to love like this Homemade Fry Sauce , this classic Cheese Sauce, and this easy Yum Yum Sauce!

Reason’s You’ll Love This Teriyaki Sauce Recipe

It’s EASY (takes less than 10 minutes): Homemade is always better than store-bought but sometimes, that comes at the cost of time! Not with this recipe! It comes together in less than 10 minutes and it’s packed with so much flavor.

It’s FRESH: Store-bought sauces and seasonings are so handy but they can lost their flavor. Making this fresh means that all of your meals will be elevated.

You can MAKE IT AHEAD OF TIME: Yep, you read that right. Go ahead and make this when you need it and store it in an airtight container for up to 2 weeks.

Ingredients in Homemade Teriyaki Sauce

Using fresh garlic and ginger is key here, it will create the best flavor in this teriyaki sauce. It’s tangy, thick and full of a perfect blend of sweet and spice. Find the list of measurements for each ingredient located in the recipe card below.

Low sodium soy sauce: I love using low sodium because it still has all the flavor and is better for the heart.

Brown sugar: You can use either dark or light brown sugar in this recipe with excellent results.

Apple cider vinegar: This gives it a bit of tang that is custom in teriyaki sauce.

Garlic cloves minced: You will want to use fresh garlic not jarred or powder. It will give you the best flavor this way.

Sesame oil: Look for sesame oil near the olive and canola oils. It can also be found near the bottles of vinegar.

Freshly grated ginger: Fresh ginger looks like a root, it is covered in a tough outer skin that’s brown and can be found in the produce section of the store.

Water: You will want to use cold water to mix better with the cornstarch.

Cornstarch: This will thicken the sauce to the most ideal consistency.

How to Grate Ginger

Use a knife to peel back as much ginger as you need. Using the smallest holes of a cheese grater, grate the ginger. You can also use a zester to grate the ginger. To preserve the rest of the ginger for another use, only peel as much as you need. Cover the peeled end tightly with plastic wrap and store it in the fridge.

How to Make Teriyaki Sauce

Just heat, stir and serve and you have the best teriyaki sauce that is going to be awesome! It is quick and easy to make, plus will store well for you to use your homemade sauce over and over again.

Heat: In a medium-sized saucepan over medium-high heat whisk together soy sauce, brown sugar, apple cider vinegar, garlic, sesame oil, and ginger. Heat it to a simmer.

Thicken: In a small bowl whisk together the water and cornstarch. Slowly whisk into the saucepan. Whisk the sauce constantly until it starts to thicken.

Enjoy: Remove from heat and cool.

To a saucepan, add ingredients and heat it to a simmer.

Whisk together the water and cornstarch slurry then add it to the saucepan.

Whisk the sauce constantly over medium heat until it starts to thicken.

How to Use Teriyaki Sauce as a Marinade

Teriyaki Sauce can be used in many different ways. You can use it as a marinade, salad dressing, and topping for all sorts of dishes. We love to use this sauce on simple stir fry, as the sauce for slow cooker chicken and to top salads. It also makes a great dipping sauce for your Egg Rolls and Pot Stickers! YUM! Use this incredible sauce whenever you need a great sauce to accompany an already wonderful meal. Here are more scrumptious recipes to use this homemade teriyaki sauce with.

Grilled Hawaiian Teriyaki Chicken Skewers

25 mins

Baked Sesame Teriyaki Salmon

25 mins

Sheet Pan Teriyaki Chicken with Vegetables

40 mins

Easy 20 Minute Beef Teriyaki

Tips

This teriyaki sauce is the perfect combination of salty, sweet, spicy and savory! Try these extra tips for the best flavor!

Make teriyaki sauce gluten-free: Look for gluten-free soy sauce and you have a luscious gluten-free sauce that will taste amazing.

Substitute the sugar: You can trade out the brown sugar for honey or maple syrup if you desire. The honey and maple syrup will change the consistency and taste just a bit. So adapt the other ingredients as needed. You may need to add a bit more cornstarch slurry to thicken it as desired.

Brown Sugar: Light and dark brown sugar work great in this recipe. The dark brown sugar will give the sauce a deeper flavor.

How to Store Homemade Teriyaki Sauce

Use the homemade sauce immediately as needed or store it in a tightly sealed jar for up to two weeks. This teriyaki sauce is perfect to make ahead as the flavors actually meld together and the teriyaki sauce gets better with time.

Print

10 Minute Homemade Teriyaki Sauce

Teriyaki Sauce is super easy, takes only 10 minutes to make and is way better than store-bought! Made with simple ingredients, this is going to become a staple for your kitchen.
Course Sauce
Cuisine Asian American
Keyword homemade teriyaki sauce, teriyaki sauce
Prep Time 5 minutes minutes
Cook Time 5 minutes minutes
Total Time 10 minutes minutes
Servings 2 cups
Calories 735kcal
Author Alyssa Rivers

Ingredients

1 cup low-sodium soy sauce1/2 cup brown sugar2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar3 garlic cloves minced2 teaspoons sesame oil1 teaspoon fresh grated ginger1/4 cup water3 tablespoons cornstarch

Instructions

In a medium-sized saucepan over medium-high heat whisk together soy sauce, brown sugar, apple cider vinegar, garlic, sesame oil, and ginger. Heat over medium-high heat and bring it to a simmer.
In a small bowl, whisk together the water and cornstarch then add it into the saucepan. Whisk the sauce constantly until it starts to thicken.
Remove from heat and cool. Use the homemade sauce immediately as needed or store it in a tightly sealed jar for up to two weeks.

Video

Notes

Originally Posted on June 18, 2021

Updated on April 29, 2024

Nutrition

Calories: 735kcal | Carbohydrates: 155g | Protein: 14g | Fat: 8g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 3g | Monounsaturated Fat: 3g | Sodium: 8538mg | Potassium: 664mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 111g | Vitamin A: 1IU | Vitamin C: 3mg | Calcium: 155mg | Iron: 6mg

Bang Bang Shrimp Tacos

These Bang Bang Shrimp Tacos are made with deliciously crunchy shrimp cooked to perfection and coated in a special sauce that’s just bursting with flavor! It’s a meal that’s sure to impress.

Who doesn’t love a delicious shrimp recipe? Check out some other favorites like this Honey Walnut Shrimp or this Hunan Shrimp!

Reasons You’ll Love Them!

You can control the spice! By making these at home, you can crank up the heat or take it down a notch to keep them mild. Just adjust the amount of sriracha sauce!

Ready in 30 Minutes: Who doesn’t love a meal that is quick, easy and delicious?!

Restaurant Quality: If you have ever had the bang bang shrimp tacos from Bonefish Grill, you are going to be obsessed with this recipe! Just like them (even better in my opinion) and now you can have them at home!!

Are Bang Bang Shrimp Tacos Spicy?

Every time one of my recipes has a sauce on it, one of the first questions that I always get asked is, “Is it spicy?”. These tacos have a bit of heat to them but since you are making them at home, thats so easy to adjust! The ingredient that keeps them nice and hot is the sriracha sauce. You can put either more or less of that ingredient in to make these bring on the heat or stay nice and mild.

What is in Bang Bang Shrimp?

These tacos get all of their flavor from the bang bang sauce! I make it at home cause it’s so easy! Here are all of the ingredients that you need. Check out the recipe card at the bottom of the post for all of the exact measurements!

Large shrimp, peeled, deveined, tails removed: These are big shrimp that are already prepared for cooking, so you don’t have to do any extra work.

Salt and pepper: These are just basic seasonings that make your food taste better.

Whole milk: This makes the shrimp coating nice and thick.

Egg: This makes the coating stick to the shrimp so that the outside can get crispy.

Cornstarch: This makes the outside of the shrimp nice and crispy when you fry them.

Oil: You can use vegetable oil or canola oil to fry your shrimp in.

Bang Bang Sauce

Mayonnaise: This is what makes the sauce creamy.

Honey: It’s a sweetener for the sauce, making it taste nice and balanced.

Sweet chili sauce: This adds a bit of sweet and spicy flavor to the sauce.

Sriracha sauce: This sauce is spicy and gives the Bang Bang sauce a kick.

Salt: This enhances the flavor in the sauce.

Toppings

Corn tortillas: These are soft wraps you can put your shrimp in, kind of like tacos.

Purple cabbage, shredded: It’s crunchy and colorful, adding something extra to your shrimp wraps.

Cilantro: This is a fresh herb that adds a tasty, refreshing flavor to your meal.

Lime wedges: Squeezing these over your shrimp adds a tangy taste, making it even yummier.

How to Make Bang Bang Shrimp Tacos

This recipe is so simple and you will be enjoying this meal in less than 30 minutes!

Make the Sauce: Prepare the bang bang sauce by adding the mayonnaise, honey, sweet chili sauce, sriracha, and salt to a medium bowl. Whisk to combine and set aside. 

Cook the Shrimp

Whisk: In a large bowl, whisk together the milk and egg.

Toss the Shrimp: Season the peeled and deveined shrimp with salt and pepper. Add the shrimp to the milk and egg mixture then toss to coat.

Heat up the Oil: Heat the oil in a heavy-bottomed deep pot. Add enough oil to come up about 5 inches. Heat to 375 degrees Fahrenheit.

Coat the Shrimp: In a shallow bowl, add the cornstarch. Working in batches, use tongs to remove 1 shrimp from the milk mixture, letting any excess liquid drip off. Coat the shrimp in cornstarch then place in the hot oil.

Cook in Oil: Fry until golden brown and cooked through about 2-3 minutes. Remove the shrimp with a slotted spoon and drain on paper towels. Repeat this process with the remaining shrimp. 

Add the Sauce: Toss the shrimp with the bang bang sauce and serve in tortillas with your favorite toppings!

Make the bang bang sauce.

Season the shrimp with salt and pepper.

Toss the shrimp in the egg and milk mixture.

Coat the shrimp in cornstarch.

Fry the shrimp.

Pour the bang bang sauce over the shrimp
and toss to coat and assemble the tacos.

Tips and Variations

These are just a few extra ways to customize your bang bang shrimp tacos. They’re fast and easy and packed with flavor. Your family will love these tacos!

Add Spice: Want to make these tacos even spicier? Add red chili flakes to the sauce or a 1/4 teaspoon of cayenne pepper!

Toppings: There are so many delicious toppings to add to your tacos to customize the flavors. Try adding sliced jalapenos, pico, mango salsa, or corn!

Swap the Tortillas: I used corn tortillas in this recipe, but you can also use flour tortillas if you prefer.

Warm Your Tortillas: To heat flour tortillas all at once, I like to wrap them in foil and place them in a 375 degrees Fahrenheit oven while I’m getting everything ready. It’s also easy to warm tortillas individually in the microwave (just put one on a plate) by heating it for 10-15 seconds.

Make it a Bowl or Salad: Ditch the tortillas and add the bang bang shrimp to a rice bowl or salad. It’s easy to serve your shrimp just the way you like. Use the same toppings you would for tacos!

Storing Leftovers

These bang bang shrimp tacos are best eaten fresh but can be stored in the fridge and enjoyed later as well. Make sure to store the shrimp, toppings, and tortillas separately. They are perfect for lunch the next day!

In the Refrigerator: Store leftover shrimp in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. Store toppings and tortillas separately.

To Reheat: Heat leftover shrimp in the microwave until warmed through. Assemble the tacos and enjoy!

More Popular Thai Recipes to Try!

Coconut Curry Chicken

4 hrs 30 mins

Thai Glazed Chicken Wings

55 mins

Thai Basil Chicken

25 mins

Drunken Noodles (Pad Kee Mao)

20 mins

Print

Bang Bang Shrimp Tacos

These Bang Bang Shrimp Tacos are made with deliciously crunchy shrimp cooked to perfection and coated in a special sauce that’s just bursting with flavor! It’s a meal that’s sure to impress.
Course Appetizer
Cuisine American, Thai
Keyword bang bang shrimp tacos, crispy shrimp, fried shrimp, saucy shrimp
Prep Time 15 minutes minutes
Cook Time 15 minutes minutes
Total Time 30 minutes minutes
Servings 4 people
Calories 322kcal
Author Alyssa Rivers

Ingredients

1 pound large shrimp, peeled, deveined, tails removed salt and pepper, for seasoning3/4 cup whole milk1 large egg3/4 cup cornstarchoil for frying

Bang Bang Sauce

cup mayonnaise2 tablespoons honey3 tablespoons sweet chili sauce 1 tablespoon sriracha sauce¼ teaspoon salt

For Serving

corn tortillaspurple cabbage, shreddedcilantrolime wedges

Instructions

Bang Bang Sauce

Prepare the bang bang sauce by adding the mayonnaise, honey, sweet chili sauce, sriracha, and salt to a medium bowl. Whisk to combine and set aside.

Shrimp

In a large bowl, whisk together the milk and egg.
Season the peeled and deveined shrimp with salt and pepper. Add the shrimp to the milk and egg mixture then toss to coat.
Heat the oil in a heavy-bottomed deep pot. Add enough oil to come up about 5 inches. Heat to 375 degrees Fahrenheit.
In a shallow bowl, add the cornstarch. Working in batches, use tongs to remove 1 shrimp from the milk mixture, letting any excess liquid drip off. Coat the shrimp in cornstarch then place in the hot oil.
Fry until golden brown and cooked through about 2-3 minutes. Remove the shrimp with a slotted spoon and drain on paper towels. Repeat this process with the remaining shrimp. 
Toss the shrimp with the bang bang sauce and serve in tortillas with your favorite toppings!

Nutrition

Calories: 322kcal | Carbohydrates: 39g | Protein: 3g | Fat: 17g | Saturated Fat: 3g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 9g | Monounsaturated Fat: 4g | Trans Fat: 0.04g | Cholesterol: 60mg | Sodium: 515mg | Potassium: 100mg | Fiber: 0.3g | Sugar: 17g | Vitamin A: 159IU | Vitamin C: 2mg | Calcium: 66mg | Iron: 0.4mg

Strawberry Horchata

Elevate the flavors of traditional horchata with this strawberry horchata recipe! It’s a creamy drink soaked in rice water and cinnamon sticks, then sweetened with a strawberry puree. Everyone loves the strawberry version of this rich, milky Mexican drink!

Any time the weather gets warmer, I love to break out all of the refreshing drink recipes! Some of my favorites are Brazilian lemonade, a mango lassi, or a mint julep

What is Strawberry Horchata?

Horchata is a popular Mexican drink known as a sweetened rice milk and this strawberry horchata version is even better! It starts with a blended combination of rice, milk, vanilla, and cinnamon sticks then mixes with a sweet strawberry puree. Then comes the addition of sweetened condensed milk and evaporated milk. It adds the perfect sweetness and creaminess to the drink! I love balancing out the creamy cinnamon sweetness by adding a fresh strawberry puree makes this horchata irresistible.

It’s super creamy, refreshing, and filled with sweet strawberry flavor. The fresh strawberry flavor adds the perfect touch. In fact, strawberries are the perfect touch in a lot of my favorite recipes. Try this tasty salad, this easy cake, or the best strawberry banana bread!

Ingredients You’ll Need

This homemade strawberry horchata uses simple ingredients that you get at the grocery store. It is a true authentic Mexican treat and a perfect refreshing drink for a warm day.

Cinnamon Sticks: Find these at your local grocery store in the spice section.

Vanilla: This is the best flavor combination with vanilla.

Rice: Long-grained white rice is best.

Hot Water: It is best to use hot water. After soaking in the rice it becomes a creamy milk rice.

Sugar: Add in more sugar to sweeten or less if it is too sweet.

Strawberries: The star of this drink! Use fresh strawberries and save some to garnish when serving.

Lemon Juice: The acidity balances out the sweetness and brightens the flavors in the strawberry puree.

Sweetened Condensed Milk: The creamy sweetness this adds to the strawberry horchata is a must!

Evaporated Milk: Adds richness and creaminess to the horchata.

Ice: Horchata is served with ice so that it is nice and cold!

How to Make Strawberry Horchata

Homemade strawberry horchata is time-consuming but only because of the time it needs to soak. The rest of the recipe is very easy and I walk you through all the steps! Plan ahead of time to make this refreshing beverage. It’s worth it!

Soak: Break the cinnamon sticks into pieces and the cinnamon, vanilla, rice, and hot water to a container or bowl and stir until combined. Cover and refrigerate for at least 6 hours to soak the rice.

Blend the Strawberry Mixture: Prepare a strawberry sauce by adding the strawberries, sugar, and lemon juice to a blender and blend until smooth. Pour into a container, cover, then refrigerate until you are ready to finish preparing the horchata.

Blend and Strain the Rice Mixture: After the rice mixture has soaked for at least 6 hours, add it to a blender and blend for 2-3 minutes on high speed. Strain through a fine mesh strainer lined with cheesecloth or a coffee filter into a large pitcher, but discard all of the solids.

Add in the Both Kinds of Milk and Strawberry Puree: Add in the sweetened condensed milk, and evaporated milk. Stir in the strawberry puree.

Serve: Taste and adjust to your preferences by adding cold water, a little more sugar, or milk. When it tastes the way you like, fill the rest of the pitcher with ice and fresh strawberries. Serve immediately.

Combine the cinnamon sticks, rice, water, and vanilla. Cover and refrigerate for 6 hours.

Add the strawberries, sugar, and lemon juice to a blender.

Blend the strawberry mixture until smooth.

Blend the rice water mixture.

Strain the blended rice water mixture.

Mix the evaporated milk and sweetened condensed milk with the rice water mixture.

Strawberry Horchata Tips

Here are some extra tips below to make your strawberry horchata a success! Everyone loves horchata and the added strawberry flavor is a crowd-pleaser.

Use Frozen Strawberries: You can use frozen strawberries to make your puree! Thaw them completely before blending them with the remaining ingredients. This will allow you to make delicious strawberry horchata when strawberries are out of season.

Dairy-Free Option: You can make this a completely dairy-free recipe by using dairy-free sweetened condensed milk and evaporated milk.

Rinse the Rice: Sometimes horchata can be a little too chalky for some people. To lessen the chalkiness, rinse the rice under cold water until the water is clear before using it in the recipe.

Storing Leftovers

Strawberry horchata can be a little time-consuming, that’s why it’s great to make ahead of time. It’s a labor of love, but so worth every sweet sip!

In the Refrigerator: Store leftovers in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.

Make in Advance: The strawberry puree may be made a day in advance and kept chilled in the refrigerator for 1 week. You can also freeze the puree in the freezer for up to 3 months. Move it to the refrigerator to thaw before using.

In the Freezer: Store in an airtight container or Ziplock bag for up to 1 month. Move it to the refrigerator to thaw. It can take up to 24 hours to completely thaw.

Make These Tasty Strawberry Drinks

Strawberry Horchata

6 hrs 15 mins

Copycat Starbucks Strawberry Acai Refresher

5 mins

Lava Flow Drink

10 mins

Strawberry Mango Smoothie

5 mins

Print

Strawberry Horchata

Elevate the flavors of traditional horchata with this strawberry horchata recipe! It’s a creamy drink soaked in rice water and cinnamon sticks, then sweetened with a strawberry puree. Everyone loves the strawberry version of this rich, milky Mexican drink!
Course Beverage
Cuisine Mexican, Mexican American
Keyword Agua de Horchata de Fresa, creamy strawberry horchata, Homemade horchata, Horchata, strawberry drink
Prep Time 15 minutes minutes
soaking time 6 hours hours
Total Time 6 hours hours 15 minutes minutes
Servings 10 servings
Calories 115kcal
Author Alyssa Rivers

Ingredients

2 cinnamon sticks1 tablespoon vanilla extract1 cup long-grain rice4 cups hot water1 ½ pounds strawberries, washed and hulled¼ cup granulated sugar1 teaspoon lemon juice1 14-ounce can sweetened condensed milk1 12-ounce can evaporated milkicefresh strawberries, for garnish

Instructions

Break the cinnamon sticks into pieces and the cinnamon, vanilla, rice, and hot water to a container and stir until combined. Cover and refrigerate for at least 6 hours.
Prepare a strawberry sauce by adding the strawberries, sugar, and lemon juice to a blender and blend until smooth. Pour into a container, cover, and refrigerate until you are ready to finish preparing the horchata.
After the rice mixture has soaked for at least 6 hours, add it to a blender and blend for 2-3 minutes on high speed. Strain through a fine mesh strainer lined with cheesecloth or a coffee filter into a large pitcher. Discard all of the solids.
Add in the sweetened condensed milk, and evaporated milk, then stir in the strawberry puree.
Taste and adjust to your preferences by adding cold water, a little more sugar, or milk. When it tastes the way you like, fill the rest of the pitcher with ice and fresh strawberries. Serve immediately.

Nutrition

Calories: 115kcal | Carbohydrates: 26g | Protein: 2g | Fat: 0.4g | Saturated Fat: 0.1g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 0.1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 0.1g | Cholesterol: 0.1mg | Sodium: 7mg | Potassium: 132mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 9g | Vitamin A: 11IU | Vitamin C: 40mg | Calcium: 27mg | Iron: 0.5mg

Weekly Menu Plan #2

This weekly meal plan helps you reuse ingredients to make your life easy! If that’s not what meal plans are for then I don’t know what is!

Try these recipes that are family favorites! I LOVE being able to utilize leftovers of this Slow Cooker Kalua Pulled Pork to make nachos with the next day!

What’s for Dinner?

Now that we are on week two, we are mixing up a few of my favorites with some recipes that will make this weekly meal plan a fun twist. These are fresh new ideas and I think you will love them! Each meal will feed a family of 4-6 and it includes a shopping list!

Monday: Slow Cooker Kalua Pork

Tuesday: Oven Baked Sheet Pan Nachos

Wednesday: Thai Basil Beef

Thursday: Instant Pot Spaghetti

Friday: Air Fryer Chicken Fajitas (They only take 20-Minutes!)

Weekly Menus

Don’t like something on the menu? Don’t worry! I have a weekly meal plan coming out each week and you can switch out and replace any meals that you want! If you want to make sure that you receive all of the meal plans every week, sign up for my newsletter here!

Slow Cooker Kalua Pulled Pork

5 from 3 votes
Tender slow cooker kalua pulled pork is salty, smokey melt-in-your-mouth perfection. Enjoy authentic Hawaiian luau pork flavor at home with this super simple 3 ingredient masterpiece.

View Recipe

Sheet Pan Nachos

5 from 2 votes
Oven Baked Sheet Pan Nachos are filled with a layer of chips, ground beef, refried beans, black olives, chopped tomatoes, corn, and cheese sprinkled over top, then baked to perfection. The possibilities are endless!

View Recipe

Thai Basil Beef

4.67 from 6 votes
Thai basil beef is simple and delicious! It’s made with a homemade Thai sauce that has a bold and brilliant flavor and can be thrown together in less than 30 minutes. It is SOO GOOD!

View Recipe

10 Minute Instant Pot Spaghetti

4.79 from 19 votes
For those nights when you need something fast and easy turn to 10 minute Instant Pot Spaghetti. Superbly seasoned beef and tender noodles all cook together in a delectable sauce and is ready in no time.

View Recipe

20 Minute Air Fryer Chicken Fajitas

5 from 1 vote
These air fryer fajitas are packed to the brim with flavor but only take a few minutes to make! They are perfect for those on-the-go, busy nights, and everyone will go crazy over them!

View Recipe

Why Should I Meal Plan? 

If you haven’t tried planning your meals ahead of time, this is going to be a game-changer for you! Here’s why I swear by meal planning:

Time Saver: No more 4:00 PM panic about dinner. With a meal plan, you know exactly what’s on the menu, what you need, and how long it takes to cook.

Money Saver: Prepare to be amazed – meal planning works wonders for your wallet. When you organize your shopping list for the week, then you’ll easily spot opportunities to buy in bulk and creatively repurpose leftovers for future meals. It’s a clever approach that keeps more money in your pocket.

Bye-Bye Takeout: When meals are planned and groceries are stocked, you’re less likely to hit the drive-thru. That means more savings and healthier eating. Win-win!

Each weekly meal plan has a grocery list that is easy to print and convenient for taking with while grocery shopping. Simply cross off or check mark each grocery item as you go!

Fresh Salads to Go with Your Meal!

Caesar Wedge Salad

10 mins

Chicken and Apple Salad with a Honey Dijon Vinaigrette

20 mins

Very Berry Cheesecake Salad

15 mins

Santa Fe Salad

20 mins

Meal Planning with Leftovers

I only meal plan Monday-Friday because we sometimes have plans over the weekend or I have leftovers that we can have to finish off the week! If you do have leftovers, make sure to store them properly in an airtight container in your fridge.

Post Updated on April 26, 2024

Originally Posted on June 27, 2015

Baked Parmesan Garlic Herb Salmon in Foil

This baked parmesan garlic herb salmon in foil will win you over! The foil seals in the amazing flavor and bakes the salmon to tender and flaky perfection! 

I LOVE salmon and it’s always my favorite thing to order it’s on the menu! I can’t get enough of how delicate and delicious it is. You have to try these tried and true favorites like Air Fryer Salmon, these Croquettes, and my Garlic Brown Sugar Glazed Salmon!

Baked Parmesan Garlic Herb Salmon in Foil

Making the salmon in foil keeps the flavors and moisture in for a fool-proof dinner that is luscious. I LOVED the flavor that the parmesan garlic herb gave to this salmon. It turns out tender and flakey and packed with all of my favorite flavors. The garlic herb butter takes salmon to the next level! It’s so tender and flakey that the salmon literally falls apart with a fork. Broiling the top for a couple of minutes crisps the edges and creates the perfect finishing touch. Get ready for this baked salmon in foil to melt in your mouth!

The method of baking salmon in foil just may be my very favorite! It’s easy to prepare and it bakes up quickly for those busy nights. And the best part is that clean-up is a breeze! I just crumble up the foil and throw away the mess. For more foil dinners try making these hobo dinners, these fajitas, or another easy salmon recipe with summer veggies!

Ingredients Needed

Super easy with simple ingredients, you can prep this baked parmesan garlic herb salmon recipe in no time! Most of the ingredients you most likely will have on hand. Follow the recipe card below for exact measurements.

Salmon: This works for all varieties of salmon and cuts. I used king salmon, but pick your favorite!

Butter: You want it good and soft but not melted.

Lemon Juice: Lemon and salmon are the perfect pairing of flavors.

Olive oil: Adds moisture and helps everything stick together.

Garlic: Fresh minced garlic will taste best but you can use jarred in a pinch.

Parmesan Cheese: Grate your own cheese for the best flavor and melting ability.

Italian Seasoning: A perfect blend of several herbs that taste amazing together.

Salt and Pepper: Season to taste.

Fresh Parsley: Fresh parsley adds color and a bit of freshness!

The Best Parmesan Garlic Encrusted Salmon Recipe

This baked parmesan garlic salmon in foil is my go-to meal to impress my quests. Especially when they stop by last minute because it’s super easy to get to the dinner table. A five-star baked salmon meal that will wow your family!

Prep: Preheat the oven to 425 degrees Fahrenheit. Layout a piece of foil long enough to fold up the salmon inside.

Make the Garlic Herb Butter: In a small bowl combine the softened butter, lemon juice, olive oil, garlic, parmesan cheese, Italian seasoning, salt, pepper, and parsley.

Prep the Salmon: Place the salmon skin side down on the foil. Spread the mixture evenly on top of the salmon. Gather the foil around the edges of the salmon, but do not cover the salmon completely.

Bake: Bake for 10-12 minutes or until the salmon is firm. Broil the top for the last 1-2 minutes to brown.

Garnish: Remove from the oven and garnish with additional chopped parsley and parmesan cheese if desired.

Mix together the garlic herb butter until combined.

Place the salmon skin side down on the foil.

Spread the butter mixture on top of the salmon and bake.

All About Baked Salmon in Foil

Picking good-quality salmon at the grocery store can be intimidating so here is what you need to know! Here are my tips to help you out and to know the differences between salmon at the store.

Types of Salmon: Wild, farm, and International are all types of salmon that can be found in stores today. There are a lot of pros and cons so I would highly recommend doing your research. I would recommend avoiding internationally caught or farmed salmon at all costs. They are not regulated like the US and they often use antibiotics, and pesticides that are not allowed in the US. They also often misuse wastewater, potentially contaminating the fish.

Cuts of Salmon: Salmon is sold as a whole filet, a small filet, or as salmon cuts. Whole and small filets are the most common and easiest to cook and find. Salmon steaks are U-shaped with part of the spine in the middle.

What to Look For In Buying Salmon: When buying fresh salmon, look for glossy and firm-to-touch. Salmon meat should be bright and saturated in color. Do not buy salmon that is chalky, dry, sticky, or too soft to the touch. Avoid salmon that has cracks or breaks in the muscle or collagen sheaths. Fish should smell fresh, clean, and slightly briny like the ocean, never fishy.

Fresh vs Frozen: Buy fresh if you are using the fish within 2 days, otherwise stick to frozen. Salmon is often frozen immediately after being caught and preserves the nutrients and freshness.

Tips For Making Baked Parmesan Garlic Herb Salmon in Foil

So juicy and so full of flavor these tips are going to help make an amazing foil salmon! Once you pick your salmon this baked salmon in foil is easy to make and tastes amazing with my parmesan garlic herb butter.

Golden Crust: When the salmon is just about done, open the foil and broil for the last 2-3 minutes. This will create a perfect crust on top of the salmon!

When is the Salmon Done? The best way to tell if salmon is done is to look at it. The salmon flakes easily when it is finished cooking and it will also change in color from translucent to opaque. The internal temperature should be 135 degrees Fahrenheit.

Do Not Overcook: It is easy to overcook salmon and then it becomes tough and dry. It is better to undercook it slightly and let it finish cooking as it rests than to overcook it.

Using Frozen: I use frozen salmon filets all the time and they work beautifully. Thaw them overnight in the fridge. You can also thaw the salmon in a bowl of cold water that you change every 10-15 minutes till it is thawed.

Can I leave the Skin? Yes if your salmon has the skin on, you can leave it on! It has great nutrients. Be sure to rinse your salmon and pat dry with a paper towel before placing the skin side down on the foil.

Storing Leftover Salmon

This baked salmon in foil is great for lunch the next day! The salmon warms up perfectly and the leftovers are still flakey and delicious.

In the Refrigerator: Leftovers can last for up to 3-4 days when stored properly in an airtight container in the refrigerator.

To Reheat: When you are ready to eat your leftovers, cooking them up in the air fryer is my favorite way! Reheat them in an air fryer at 350 degrees Fahrenheit for 4-5 minutes. It keeps the texture perfectly flaky every time. Alternatively, you can reheat any leftovers in the microwave until warmed through!

Perfect Sides to Serve With Salmon

Lemon Rice

Parmesan Garlic Roasted Potatoes

40 mins

Roasted Lemon Parmesan Garlic Asparagus

13 mins

Parmesan Garlic Air Fryer Carrots

15 mins

Print

Baked Parmesan Garlic Herb Salmon in Foil

This baked parmesan garlic herb salmon in foil will win you over! The foil seals in the amazing flavor and bakes the salmon to tender and flaky perfection! 
Course Dinner, Main Course
Cuisine American
Keyword baked salmon, baked salmon in foil, salmon baked in foil
Prep Time 10 minutes minutes
Cook Time 15 minutes minutes
Total Time 25 minutes minutes
Servings 6 Servings
Calories 222kcal
Author Alyssa Rivers

Ingredients

1 1/2 pounds salmon of choice4 tablespoons butter, softened 1 tablespoon lemon juice1 tablespoon olive oil 4 cloves garlic minced1/2 cup parmesan cheese, grated1/2 teaspoon Italian seasoning1/2 teaspoon salt1/4 teaspoon pepper2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped

Instructions

Preheat the oven to 425 degrees Fahrenheit. Cut a piece of foil long enough to fold up around the salmon. Place the foil on a baking sheet.
In a small bowl combine the softened butter, lemon juice, olive oil, garlic, parmesan cheese, Italian seasoning, salt, pepper, and parsley.
Place the salmon skin side down on the foil. Gather the foil around the edges of the salmon, but do not cover the salmon completely. Spread the mixture evenly on top of the salmon.
Bake for 10-12 minutes or until the salmon is firm. Broil the top for the last 1-2 minutes to brown.
Remove from the oven and garnish with additional chopped parsley and parmesan cheese if desired.

Video

Notes

Updated on April 26, 2024

Originally Posted on October 12, 2015

Nutrition

Calories: 222kcal | Carbohydrates: 1g | Protein: 23g | Fat: 13g | Saturated Fat: 5g | Cholesterol: 79mg | Sodium: 320mg | Potassium: 569mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 1g | Vitamin A: 347IU | Vitamin C: 3mg | Calcium: 41mg | Iron: 1mg

Banana Chocolate Chip Muffins

Treat yourself to these delicious Banana Chocolate Chip Muffins! With just a handful of ingredients and easy steps, you’ll have moist and flavorful muffins ready to enjoy for breakfast (or to snack on!) in no time.

Try out some more favorite muffin recipes like these Applesauce Muffins, these healthy Morning Glory Muffins or these classic Blueberry Muffins with a Sugared Glaze.

Reason’s You’ll Love It

Moist: Because of the added banana, these muffins turn out so moist and soft every time.

Pantry Ingredients: You won’t be running to the store for this recipe! Aside from ripened bananas (which I now always have on hand because of these) you probably already have everything ready to go in your kitchen!

Easy Recipe: This recipe takes about 30 minutes to make, from start to finish. It doesn’t get much better than that!

Ingredients in Banana Chocolate Chip Muffin Recipe

These ingredients are classic and simple. I bet that you have most of them already in your kitchen, ready to go! Check out the recipe card at the bottom of the post for all of the exact measurements.

Overripe Mashed Bananas: The bananas add in natural sweetness, moisture, and of course, banana flavor.

Large Egg: Leave your egg out while you are preparing the ingredients so that when it’s time to mix it in, it’s room temperature.

Sour Cream: This ingredient contributes to moist texture and adds a subtle tanginess.

Vanilla Extract: A splash of vanilla will make these muffins nice and sweet.

Unsalted Butter (melted): This adds in a richness and flavor to the banana chocolate chip muffins.

Vegetable oil: This, in addition to the bananas, keeps the muffins nice and moist.

Brown Sugar: I love brown sugar and how it always adds in a deep, sweet flavor.

Sugar: Keeps these nice and sweet!

Flour: I used all purpose flour in this recipe.

Baking Soda and Baking Powder: These act as leavening agents keeping a light and airy texture.

Salt: Salt enhances all of the flavors in the recipe.

Milk Chocolate Chips: You can use semi-sweet chocolate chips if you prefer!

Instructions for Making Banana Chocolate Chip Muffins

These banana chocolate chip muffins are next level and you will love every single bite. My kiddos eat these up so I like to double the batch and save some for later!

Prep the oven and the pan: Preheat the oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit and spray a muffin liner with pan spray and, if desired, line it with muffin liners.

Combine wet ingredients and sugars: Add the mashed bananas, egg, sour cream, vanilla, butter, oil, brown sugar, and granulated sugar to a large bowl and beat with a hand mixer until combined.

Add dry ingredients to wet ingredients: Add the flour, baking soda, baking powder, and salt to a medium bowl and whisk until combined. Add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients and mix until just combined.

Fold in the chocolate chips: Fold in the chocolate chips by hand. Scoop the batter into the prepared muffin pan until each muffin well is ⅔ of the way full.

Bake and cool: Bake for 18-22 minutes, until a toothpick comes out clean from the center of a muffin. Let the muffins cool for 5-10 minutes before serving.

Mix the wet ingredients into a large bowl

Combine the dry ingredients in a separate bowl

Combine the wet and dry ingredients then fold in the chocolate chips

Pour the batter into the muffin cups and bake

Must Try Tips

We all want our recipes to turn out delicious! Here are a few things I learned that make this banana chocolate chip muffin recipe even better:

Save those old bananas! If you have bananas turning black, peel them and freeze them for these delicious banana muffins! Let the frozen bananas thaw and drain off the excess liquid before mashing them for the recipe.

Add-Ins: Switch things up by substituting the milk chocolate chips for semi-sweet chocolate chips, mini chocolate chips, or use ½ cup of chocolate chips and ½  cup of chopped walnuts or pecans.

Make mini muffins! My kids LOVE mini muffins! They are just so cute and tiny! Spray a mini muffin pan well or use mini muffin liners. Fill them ⅔ of the way full and bake for 14-16 minutes at 375 degrees Fahrenheit, until the tops are lightly browned.

How to Store Leftover Muffins

Room Temperature/Refrigerator: Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 5 days at room temperature, or up to 10 days in the refrigerator.

Freezer: You can freeze these muffins for up to 3 months. Thaw them at room temperature for 1-2 hours.

More Delicious Banana Recipes

Like I said, I love bananas! They make everything so soft and delicious. Here are a few more of my favorite banana recipes. Try a few out and let me know which on it your favorite!

Banana Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting

Nutella Banana Bread

55 mins

Sour Cream Banana Bread

1 hr 15 mins

Banana Pudding Cheesecake

8 hrs 15 mins

Print

Banana Chocolate Chip Muffins

With just a handful of ingredients and easy steps, you’ll have moist and flavorful muffins ready to enjoy for breakfast (or to snack on!) in no time.
Course Breakfast
Cuisine American
Keyword banana chocolate chip muffins, easy banana chocolate chip muffins
Prep Time 15 minutes minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes minutes
Total Time 35 minutes minutes
Servings 12 muffins
Calories 270kcal
Author Alyssa Rivers

Ingredients

1 cup overripe bananas, mashed (about 3 large bananas)1 large egg, room temperature¼ cup sour cream1 ½ teaspoons vanilla extract¼ cup unsalted butter, melted2 tablespoons vegetable oil¼ cup brown sugar, packed½ cup granulated sugar1 ⅔ cup all-purpose flour1 teaspoon baking soda1 teaspoon baking powder½ teaspoon salt1 cup milk chocolate chips

Instructions

Preheat the oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit and spray a muffin liner with pan spray and, if desired, line it with muffin liners.
Add the mashed bananas, egg, sour cream, vanilla, butter, oil, brown sugar, and granulated sugar to a large bowl and beat with a hand mixer until combined.
Add the flour, baking soda, baking powder, and salt to a medium bowl and whisk until combined. Add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients and mix until just combined.
Fold in the chocolate chips by hand. Scoop the batter into the prepared muffin pan until each muffin well is ⅔ of the way full.
Bake for 18-22 minutes, until a toothpick comes out clean from the center of a muffin. Let the muffins cool for 5-10 minutes before serving.

Nutrition

Calories: 270kcal | Carbohydrates: 40g | Protein: 3g | Fat: 11g | Saturated Fat: 6g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 2g | Monounsaturated Fat: 2g | Trans Fat: 0.2g | Cholesterol: 29mg | Sodium: 208mg | Potassium: 116mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 24g | Vitamin A: 209IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 47mg | Iron: 1mg
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