Sausage Fajita Meal Prep Bowls

These fajita bowls are AMAZING! Colorful, TASTY, hearty, easy to put together, and they reheat REALLY well!

This idea came together one afternoon when I needed to make something quickly so I simply used up several things (sausage & lots of bell peppers!) I already had in my kitchen and crossed my fingers.

I love when this works out because it was fast & easy and it turned out SO GOOD and flavorful.

Sausage is often on sale and peppers are plentiful and in-season this time of year, which makes for a budget-friendly meal, too!

What’s my take on highly processed meats such as pepperoni and sausage?

The studies are clear.

We should limit our consumption of highly processed meats due to many possible and/or proven health risks.

At my house, we consume bacon, sausage, or pepperoni about once a week or sometimes just several times per month.

They are part of our life because we do enjoy these things!

What do WE look for?!

Here’s my helpful list (and YES, it’s really hard to believe this much crap can be hidden and added to things!)
If possible choose meats containing:

• No antibiotics

• No nitrates: Sodium nitrate/sodium nitrite

• No BHA (butylated hydroxyanisole)

• No BHT (butylated hydroxytoluene)

• No Smoked/naturally smoked/smoke flavor

• No Corn syrup

• No Aspartame

• Uncurred

• Look for humanely-raised, pasture-raised meats whenever possible

• Look for lower sodium

Good luck shopping!

And just so you know, I personally believe that we don’t need to obsess or be ULTRA rigid with our healthy lifestyle…I believe that it’s great to be educated, but even better not to stress over every small thing!

What’s really in those seasoning packets?!

I love to mix up my own seasonings with organic spices because those little packets of taco seasoning are usually made with canola and soybean oils linked to inflammation, sugar, anti-caking agents, and natural flavors.

Not to mention making my own taco seasonings actually tastes better too! YIKES. Many/most of us grew up with the packets and had no idea!

BEST Homemade Taco Seasoning Mix

You’ll never purchase those store-bought packets again, after making them yourself!!

So simple, delicious, and lasts for several months – so double or triple this recipe and keep it handy in a small glass container near your stove.

Ingredients:

• 2 Tbsps chili powder

• 1/2 tsp garlic powder

• 1/2 tsp onion powder

• 1/2 tsp crushed red pepper flakes

• 1/2 tsp dried oregano

• 1 tsp paprika

• 3 tsps ground cumin

• 2 tsps sea salt

• 2 tsps ground black pepper

Instructions for taco seasonings:

In a small mixing bowl, whisk all ingredients until combined well.
Store in an airtight container.

To use your homemade spice mix in recipes, start with a smaller sprinkle – taste test to decide the amount of spice for your family’s taste.

Usually, 1-2 Tablespoons per pound of ground meat is the perfect amount.

Cheese please:

Instead of buying pre-shredded cheese, I like to find a block of grass-fed cheese ON SALE and shred it myself….or better yet enlist one of the kids for this duty.

Many pre-shredded varieties are coated in very strange things (anti-caking & clumping garbage) that actually interfere with the natural texture and melting quality.

4 servings

Ingredients:

• 1 red onion, sliced into strips

• 1 large red bell pepper, sliced into strips

• 1 large green bell pepper, sliced into strips

• 1 large yellow bell pepper, sliced into strips

• 1 Tbsp avocado oil or olive oil

• 12 ozs nitrate-free pepperoni or sausage, sliced diagonally

• sea salt and ground black pepper, to taste

• 1 or 2 Tbsps homemade taco seasoning, to taste

• 3 fresh garlic cloves, minced

• 1/2 cup low sodium stock or bone broth

• 1/2 cup freshly shredded cheese of choice

To serve:

• a handful of fresh cilantro, chopped

• fresh lime wedges

• cooked brown rice, quinoa, or cauliflower rice

Instructions:

Slice your onion and peppers into thick slices as shown.

Heat your oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the sausage and cook, stirring frequently, until it begins to brown.

Add in the veggies and very lightly sea salt, add freshly ground pepper, taco seasoning to taste, about 1-2 tablespoons, then add your minced garlic.

Saute everything for 3-5 minutes while continuously stirring. Pour in your bone broth and stir the brown bits from the bottom of the pan.

Reduce your heat to very low and sprinkle everything with your freshly grated cheese and allow it to melt for a couple of minutes.

Remove from heat and garnish with fresh cilantro.

Divide equally among 4 meal prep bowls and serve with cooked brown rice or quinoa, and lime wedges, if desired.

Store in a sealed container in the fridge for up to 4 days for meal prep.
Enjoy!
Rachel

The post Sausage Fajita Meal Prep Bowls first appeared on Clean Food Crush.

from Clean Food Crush https://ift.tt/S3OY9PN