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Home » Recipe Index

Creamy Carrot and Lentil Soup

July 22, 2022 by Tanya 1 Comment

overhead of two bowl of carrot and lentil soup with cilantro garnish and two spoons

A creamy and hearty meatless soup! This Carrot and Lentil Soup is protein-packed and full of flavor. It works well as a side or main dish. Budget-friendly and naturally Vegan!

overhead of two bowl of carrot and lentil soup with cilantro garnish and two spoons

This post contains affiliate links, please read my full disclaimer here.

Full Recipe Ingredients/Instructions are available in the 
recipe card at the bottom of the post. 
You can find important tips/tricks in the
blog post.

An absolutely delicious bisque-like soup made in one pot! Start the soup season with this carrot soup and a side of crusty bread. Create a big batch to share with family and friends, and let the warm spices distract you from the Fall chill outside. You'll impress everyone, and they'll be coming back for more.

Serve Carrot and Red Lentil Soup alongside Air Fryer Bone-In Chicken Breasts and a Cranberry Pecan Apple Salad. If this meal doesn't scream fall I don't know what does.

overhead of a bowl of carrot and lentil soup with cilantro garnish and two spoons

Ingredients and Tools Needed

ingredients for carrot and lentil soup

Ingredients you'll need for Carrot and Red Lentil Soup:

  • Olive oil
  • Carrots
  • Shallots
  • Fresh Ginger
  • Ground Cumin
  • Ground Cinamon
  • Paprika
  • Vegetable broth
  • Dried red lentils
  • Coconut milk
  • Salt and black pepper to taste
  • Fresh Cilantro for serving

Tools you'll need are:

  • Immersion blender
  • Large pot or dutch oven
  • Wooden spoon

How to make Carrot and Lentil Soup

Heat the olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add the carrots, shallots, and ginger, and cook until the carrots start to soften.

carrots, shallots, and ginger in a large pot

Add the spices and cook until fragrant stirring occasionally, about 2-3 more minutes.

carrot, shallots, ginger and spices in a large pot

Then add the vegetable broth and lentils. Bring to a boil and simmer for 20 minutes or until lentils and carrots are tender.

vegetable broth and lentils added to a large pot

Use an immersion blender to puree the soup until creamy. Alternatively, transfer to a high-speed blender. Remember to let steam escape the blender while blending the soup.

soup blended with an immersion blender

Return the soup to the pot and stir in the coconut milk. Add water to thin the soup if necessary. Season with salt and pepper to taste.

finished soup being stirred with a wooden spoon

Can you freeze Carrot Lentil Soup?

Of Course! Making a large batch to save for later? Or do you need to portion out individual servings? This soup freezes very well.

Before freezing, allow the carrot red lentil soup to cool to room temperature. Freeze soup in an airtight container for up to 3 months.

Thaw completely before reheating and serving.

What to serve with Carrot and Lentil Soup

While this wonderful recipe is hearty and absolutely delicious, serving it with crusty bread or warm naan bread will bring it full circle. Use the bread to soak up the leftover bits in the bottom of your bowl.

overhead of two bowl of carrot and lentil soup with cilantro garnish and two spoons

Do lentils need to be soaked for carrot and lentil soup?

Nope! For this Carrot and Red Lentil Soup recipe soaking the red lentils is unnecessary. While rinsing them off before adding them to the lentil soup is okay.

How to garnish Carrot soup with red lentils

Top off the finished carrot and lentil soup with a couple of swirls of coconut milk and freshly chopped cilantro.

Additional garnishes you may love are:

  • Croutons
  • Chilli flakes
  • Fresh Parsley
  • Plain yogurt or greek yogurt
  • Drizzle of olive oil
overhead of two bowl of carrot and lentil soup with cilantro garnish and two spoons

Looking for more tasty recipes? Try these out:

  • Pressure Cooker Lentil Soup with Sausage {Video}
  • Creamy Cauliflower Soup
  • Carrot Soufflé
  • Air Fryer Carrots (Sweet or Savory)
  • Creamy Yellow Squash Soup
  • Beet Soup Recipe

If you have tried this delicious soup recipe or any other recipe on my blog, please rate it and let me know how it turned out in the comments below!

overhead of a bowl of carrot and lentil soup with cilantro garnish and two spoons
Print Recipe
5 from 1 vote

Creamy Carrot and Lentil Soup

A creamy and hearty meatless soup! Protein packed and full of flavor, it works well as a side or main dish. Budget-friendly and naturally Vegan! You'll impress everyone and they'll be coming back for more.
Prep Time10 minutes mins
Cook Time22 minutes mins
Total Time32 minutes mins
Course: Main Course, Side Dish, Soup
Cuisine: American
Keyword: Carrot and Lentin Soup
Servings: 4 People
Calories: 351kcal
Author: Tanya

Equipment

  • 1 immersion blender

Ingredients

  • 2 tablespoons Olive Oil
  • 1 Pound Carrots Sliced
  • 2 Shallots Thinly sliced
  • 1 inch Ginger Peeled and grated
  • 1 teaspoon Cumin
  • ¼ teaspoon Cinnamon
  • ½ teaspoon Paprika
  • 4 cups Vegetable broth
  • ⅔ cup Dried red lentils
  • 1 cup Coconut milk Canned, shake first.
  • Salt and pepper to taste
  • Cilantro for serving

Instructions

  • Heat the olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add the carrots, shallots, and ginger, and cook until the carrots start to soften.
  • Add the spices and cook until fragrant, about 2-3 more minutes.
  • Add the vegetable broth, and lentils. Bring to a boil and simmer for 20 minutes or until lentils and carrots are tender.
  • Use an immersion blender to puree the soup until creamy. Alternatively, transfer to a high-speed blender. Remember to let steam escape the blender while blending the soup.
  • Return the soup to the pot and stir in the coconut milk. Add water to thin the soup if necessary. Season with salt and pepper to taste.

Notes

  • You don't need to soak the red lentils for this recipe. Just rinse and add them to the recipe. 
  • Choose your favorite soup toppings, like croutons, chili flakes, fresh parsley, yogurt, or a drizzle of olive oil. 
  • Serve with nice crusty bread or naan bread. 

Nutrition

Serving: 1cup | Calories: 351kcal | Carbohydrates: 36g | Protein: 10g | Fat: 20g | Saturated Fat: 12g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 6g | Sodium: 1038mg | Potassium: 838mg | Fiber: 13g | Sugar: 9g | Vitamin A: 19587IU | Vitamin C: 10mg | Calcium: 76mg | Iron: 5mg

Easy Dirty Rice Recipe

July 20, 2022 by Tanya 2 Comments

large white bowl of dirty rice

A deliciously seasoned side dish packed with flavor and easy to prepare in one pot! Don't let this Dirty Rice fool you, it's substantial flavor and ingredients could make this a hearty main dish as well. Packed with the holy trinity, robust flavor, ground sausage, and chicken livers, your guests will surely love it!

large white bowl of dirty rice

This post contains affiliate links, please read my full disclaimer here.

Full Recipe Ingredients/Instructions are available in the 
recipe card at the bottom of the post. 
You can find important tips/tricks in the
blog post.

Combine the Holy Trinity and other Cajun seasonings to this one-pot wonder. This dish is a perfect stand-alone one-pot dinner or a delicious side to Fried Catfish! This will be the best dirty rice your family has.

This recipe has been one of our favorites for years because of its authentic taste. Authentic dirty rice has chicken livers and/or gizzards in addition to ground pork. Feel free to change up the meats in this recipe to your liking. I tend to stick with this version for my family and friends.

If you love this dish, try our Instant Pot Cajun Dirty Rice or Creamy Cajun Chicken Pasta (Instant Pot)!

white pot of dirty rice with wooden spoon

Ingredients and Tools Needed

Ingredients you'll need

  • Ground Pork Sausage - ground beef can be used as a substitute
  • Chicken Livers - finely chopped or minced chicken livers
  • Onion
  • Celery Stalks
  • Green bell pepper
  • Garlic
  • Creole Seasoning - If you don't have access to creole seasoning, try our Homemade Cajun Seasoning.
  • Dried Thyme
  • Worcestershire Sauce
  • Hot Sauce
  • Long Grain White Rice
  • Beef Broth
  • Water
  • Bay Leaf
  • Fresh Parsley

Tools you'll need

  • Large pot or large dutch oven with lid
  • Meat chopper (optional but well worth it)
  • Knife
  • Cutting board
  • Measuring cups and spoons
  • Wooden Spoon
  • Fork
dirty rice ingredients

How to make this Dirty Rice recipe

Add pork sausage and chicken livers to a large pot over medium heat and sauté until the meat has browned. I use a meat chopper to get the meat nice and ground.

Add the onion, celery, green bell pepper, minced garlic, Creole seasoning, dried thyme, Worcestershire sauce, and hot sauce. Stir and cook until onions and bell peppers have softened a bit, about 2-3 minutes.

large pot with sauteed meat and celery

Add rice, beef broth, and water and stir with a wooden spoon, ensuring all brown bits are removed from the bottom. Place bay leaf on top of the mixture.

Bring the mixture to a simmer. Once it begins to simmer, reduce heat to low and cover the pot with a tight-fitting lid.

Allow to cook for 18 minutes over low heat, then remove the pot from heat. Leave the lid on the pot for an additional 5 minutes.

large pot with rice, broth, meat and bay leaf

Open the lid and remove the bay leaves. Add chopped parsley and fluff the rice with a fork. Serve and enjoy.

finished pot of dirty rice with fresh parsley on top

What to serve with Dirty Rice

Is a one-pot meal not enough? Try these yummy additions to serve alongside Dirty Rice

  • Classic Southern Cornbread Recipe
  • Juicy Air Fryer Turkey Thighs
  • Southern Green Beans

What is the Holy Trinity?

Onion, Green bell peppers, and Celery are known as the holy trinity in Cajun or Creole cooking. These three ingredients are a base for many Creole dishes.

How to store leftover Dirty Rice

Store leftover dirty rice in the refrigerator for 5-6 days in an airtight container.

Freeze dirty rice in a freezer Ziploc bag or airtight container for up to 3 months. Allow the rice to cool before storing it in the freezer.

Turn leftover dirty rice into stuffed peppers! Hollow out bell peppers, cut them in half, and fill them with 1 cup of dirty rice. Sprinkle some cheese on top and bake at 350 for 20-30 minutes until the peppers have softened and the cheese is melty.

Why do they call it Dirty Rice?

Dirty rice, cajun rice, or rice dressing are all a variety of the same rice dish. The dirty name comes from the rice's color when paired with finely ground meat.

Cajun rice or rice dressing is usually made with ground beef, venison, or pork, whereas dirty rice can contain organ meats, like chicken livers or gizzards, such as this recipe.

Notes

  • If you’re not a fan of livers, feel free to replace them with ground beef or ground turkey. Please note that the chicken livers give an authentic tasting dirty rice. 
  • If you're looking for a healthier version, replace the ground pork with ground turkey, and swap out white rice for brown rice.

Looking for more rice recipes? Try these out:

  • Yellow Rice
  • Broccoli Rice Casserole
  • Easy Flavorful Kale Rice
  • Pressure Cooker (Instant Pot) Brown Rice
  • Jamaican Instant Pot Rice and Beans
  • Instant Pot Cajun Dirty Rice

If you have tried this or any other recipe on my blog, please rate it and let me know how it turned out in the comments below!

large white bowl of dirty rice
Print Recipe
5 from 1 vote

Easy Dirty Rice Recipe

A deliciously seasoned side dish, packed with flavor and easy to prepare in one pot! Don't let this Dirty Rice fool you, it's substantial flavor and ingredients could make this Dirty Rice a hearty main dish as well.
Prep Time15 minutes mins
Cook Time40 minutes mins
Course: Main Course, Side Dish
Cuisine: Southern
Keyword: Dirty Rice
Servings: 8 servings
Calories: 394kcal
Author: Tanya

Ingredients

  • 1 pound ground pork sausage
  • ½ pound chicken livers finely chipped
  • 1 large onion chopped
  • 2 stalks celery chopped
  • ½ green bell pepper chopped
  • 1 tablespoon garlic minced
  • 1 tablespoon creole seasoning
  • 1 teaspoon thyme dried
  • 1 tablespoon worcestershire sauce
  • 1 tablespoon hot sauce
  • 2 cups long grain white rice rinsed
  • 1 ¼ cup beef broth
  • 1 cup water
  • 1 bay leaf
  • ¼ cup fresh parsley chopped

Instructions

  • Add pork sausage and livers to a large pot over medium heat and sauté, until the meat has browned.
  • Add the onion, celery, green bell pepper, minced garlic, Creole seasoning, dried thyme, Worcestershire sauce, and hot sauce. Stir and cook until onions and bell peppers have softened a bit, about 2-3 minutes.
  • Add rice, beef broth, and water and stir with a wooden spoon, ensuring all brown bits are removed from the bottom. Place bay leaf on top of the mixture.
  • Bring the mixture to a simmer. Once it begins to simmer, reduce the heat to low and cover the pot with a tight-fitting lid. Allow to cook for 18 minutes over low heat, then remove the pot from heat. Leave the lid on the pot for an additional 5 minutes.
  • Open the lid and remove the bay leaves. Add chopped parsley and fluff the rice with a fork. Serve and enjoy.

Notes

  • If you’re not a fan of livers, feel free to replace them with ground beef or ground turkey. Please note that the chicken livers give an authentic tasting dirty rice. 

Nutrition

Serving: 1cup | Calories: 394kcal | Carbohydrates: 41g | Protein: 18g | Fat: 17g | Saturated Fat: 6g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 3g | Monounsaturated Fat: 7g | Trans Fat: 0.1g | Cholesterol: 139mg | Sodium: 605mg | Potassium: 394mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 1g | Vitamin A: 3691IU | Vitamin C: 18mg | Calcium: 41mg | Iron: 4mg

Southern Green Beans

July 13, 2022 by Tanya Leave a Comment

Southern Green Beans is a delicious side dish with smoked turkey, fresh green beans, and cajun seasoning. This melt-in-your-mouth dish will be your new favorite way to take your Sunday dinner or special occasion to the next level.

pot filled with green beans and smoked turkey with a wooden spoon

This post contains affiliate links, please read my full disclaimer here.

Full Recipe Ingredients/Instructions are available in the 
recipe card at the bottom of the post. 
You can find important tips/tricks in the
blog post.

I'm no stranger to making flavorful green beans. I love smothered green beans as well as making green beans in a pressure cooker. But my all-time favorite has to be southern-style green beans.

What are southern green beans?

The best thing about this southern green bean recipe is the flavorful broth created by slow-cooking smoked turkey necks before simmering the green beans. They soak up all that wonderful cooking liquid and become incredibly tender and rich.

The green beans are cooked low and slow until they are nice and soft. They should not be waxy or crunchy, but tender. This ultimate comfort food will be a hit at your next holiday party or backyard barbecue.

Ingredients

ingredients for southern green beans in small dishes on a white background

These are the ingredients needed to make this green bean recipe from scratch.

  • Butter
  • Onion 
  • Garlic 
  • Smoked turkey necks 
  • Chicken broth 
  • Cajun seasoning 
  • Black pepper 
  • Green beans 

How to make southern green beans

Here are brief instructions on how to make this flavorful green bean recipe.

Stovetop: 

Melt the butter in a large pot over medium heat, add the onions, and sauté until softened. Add the garlic and sauté for an additional minute. 

translucent onions in a saute pan

Add the turkey necks, chicken broth, water, cajun seasoning, and black pepper, and bring the pot to a simmer. Once the broth begins to simmer, reduce heat to medium-low and cover. Cook on medium-low heat until turkey necks start to become tender, about 1-2 hours (depending on the size of your turkey necks).  

cooked turkey in a pot with broth

Add green beans to the pot and cover. Continue to cook, occasionally stirring, until they become tender, about 35-45 minutes.

Remove the turkey neck from the pot, shred the meat from the bone, add it back to the pot and discard the bone. 

green beans in white bowl with napkin

Serve the green beans with a slotted spoon.

white bowl with green beans and smoked turkey

Pressure cooker: 

Press “sauté” on the pressure cooker. Once the display reads “hot,” add the butter and saute the onions for 4 minutes. Add the garlic and sauté for an additional minute. Press “cancel” on the pressure cooker.

Add the turkey necks, chicken broth, water, cajun seasoning, and black pepper. Cover, press “pressure cook,” and set it on high pressure for 35 minutes. Once it’s done cooking, allow the pot to naturally release pressure for 5 minutes, then carefully release the remaining pressure. 

cooked turkey in an instant pot with broth

Add the green beans, cover, and press “pressure cook.” Cook on high pressure for 10 minutes. When it’s finished, allow it to naturally release the pressure for five more minutes, then carefully release the remaining pressure. 

green beans and smoked turkey in an instant pot

Remove the lid and scoop the beans out with a slotted spoon into a large serving bowl.  

cooked green beans and smoked turkey in an instant pot

Expert Tips

Here are some tips for making this great side dish.

  • Depending on how large the turkey necks are, they may need to cook a little longer. 
  • The beans should be perfectly soft and have a melt-in-your-mouth texture, and they shouldn’t be crunchy or mushy. 
  • Cook these southern-style green beans in a pan on the stove, baked in the oven, instant pot, or slow cooker. They just need to be cooked until they’re soft and the flavors have been soaked up. Any of these cooking methods will work for this.  

Variations 

Old-fashioned southern green beans can be adapted to fit your tastes and preferences. Here are some tips you can use to make this one of your favorite side dishes.

  • Add red potatoes to make southern green beans with potatoes. 
  • Make it sweet by adding brown sugar. 
  • Pour in a tablespoon of vinegar for a tangy flavor.  
  • Use garlic powder and onion powder instead of fresh onions and garlic if you need.
  • Make it spicy by adding red pepper flakes or cayenne pepper.  
  • Toss in some fresh herbs right before serving for a bright flavor at the end. 
  • Add Worcestershire sauce or mushrooms for a more savory flavor. 
  • Substitute the smoked turkey with other smoked meats like bacon or a ham hock. 
  • Use creole seasoning rather than cajun seasoning. 
white bowl with green beans and smoked turkey with a wooden spoon

How to choose the best green beans 

When choosing fresh green beans from the grocery store, look for a bright green color and a supple texture with no brown spots or soggy beans.

It takes a little patience to get a tender green bean when cooking them on the stove, but it's entirely worth it for this great recipe.  

You can also use canned beans or frozen beans. These will already be soft, so you won't need to cook them as long as you would fresh beans.

All you need to do is add them to the pot liquor created by the smoky flavor from the slow-cooked turkey.

How to serve 

This easy green bean recipe can be served with your favorite southern dishes like collard greens, pork chops, Air fryer fried chicken, perfect air fryer steak, southern-style shrimp and grits, or southern candied sweet potatoes.     

How to store 

Refrigerate: Keep leftover green beans in an airtight container in the fridge for up to five days. 

Freeze: Store an extra batch of these beans in a large freezer bag in the freezer for up to three months.

Reheat: When you're ready to eat this leftover dish, reheat it in the microwave in 30-second increments until they are warm all the way through. You can also reheat them in a pot on the stove if you'd rather.

Meal prep: If you're making this delicious side dish for special occasions, like Thanksgiving or Christmas dinner, you can prep it in advance and have it ready to cook the day of the event. It's best to serve it the same day it's cooked for the best flavor. 

FAQs

How can I make vegetarian southern green beans? 

You can easily cook these southern-style green beans without meat to make them vegetarian or vegan. To make them vegetarian, leave out the smoked turkey. To make them vegan, replace the chicken stock with vegetable stock as well. 

What’s the difference between string beans and green beans? 

String beans and green beans are the same type of green beans. Some green beans have a fibrous string running down the center, but that has been removed mainly by farmers planting only the variation without the string. 

Can I cook southern green beans in a slow cooker? 

Yes, you can cook this southern green beans recipe in a crock pot. The key is to get the beans to that perfect, soft texture and not overcook them.

Print Recipe
4.67 from 6 votes

Southern Green Beans

Southern Green Beans is a delicious side dish with smoked turkey, fresh green beans, and cajun seasoning. This melt-in-your-mouth dish will be your new favorite way to take your Sunday dinner or special occasion to the next level.
Prep Time10 minutes mins
Cook Time2 hours hrs
Total Time2 hours hrs 10 minutes mins
Course: Side Dish
Cuisine: American
Keyword: southern green beans, southern green beans recipe
Servings: 8 people
Calories: 142kcal
Author: Tanya

Equipment

  • 6 Qt Pressure Cooker
  • Dutch Oven

Ingredients

  • 2 Tablespoon unsalted butter
  • 1 Yellow onion chopped
  • 2 Garlic cloves chopped
  • 1 lb smoked turkey necks
  • 2 cups Chicken broth
  • 1 cup water
  • 1 teaspoon cajun seasoning
  • ½ teaspoon black pepper
  • 2 lbs Green beans trimmed and snapped into pieces

Instructions

Stovetop Instructions

  • Melt butter in a large pot over medium heat. Add onion and sauté until softened, about 4 minutes. Add garlic and sauté for an additional minute.
  • Add turkey necks, chicken broth, water, cajun seasoning, and black pepper.
  • Bring to a simmer. Once the broth begins to simmer, reduce heat to medium-low and cover. Cook on medium-low heat until turkey necks start to become tender, about 1-2 hours (depending on the size of your turkey necks).
  • Add green beans to the pot and cover. Continue to cook, stirring occasionally, until the green beans become tender, about 35-45 minutes.
  • Remove from heat.
  • Remove the turkey neck and remove meat from the bone. Add meat back into the pot and discard the bone.
  • Serve the green beans with a slotted spoon. Enjoy.

Electric Pressure Cooker Instructions

  • Press “sauté” on the pressure cooker. Once the display reads “hot,” add butter. Add onions and sauté for 4 minutes. Add garlic and sauté for an additional minute. Press “cancel” on the pressure cooker.
  • Add turkey necks, chicken broth, water, cajun seasoning, and black pepper. Cover. Press “pressure cook” and pressure cook on high pressure for 35 minutes. Once pressure has been done, natural release for 5 minutes, then carefully release the remaining pressure.
  • Add green beans. Cover and press “pressure cook” and pressure cook on high pressure for 10 minutes. Once the timer is up, allow to natural release for 5 minutes. Then quickly release any remaining pressure.
  • Serve and enjoy.

Notes

The amount of time needed to cook the turkey necks initially will depend on the size of the turkey necks. Larger turkey necks will take longer to cook.

Nutrition

Calories: 142kcal | Carbohydrates: 10g | Protein: 12g | Fat: 7g | Saturated Fat: 3g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 2g | Trans Fat: 0.1g | Cholesterol: 74mg | Sodium: 360mg | Potassium: 357mg | Fiber: 3g | Sugar: 5g | Vitamin A: 1020IU | Vitamin C: 15mg | Calcium: 65mg | Iron: 2mg

Juicy Air Fryer Turkey Thighs

July 12, 2022 by Tanya 4 Comments

cropped-air-fryer-turkey-thighs-0656.jpg

It's so easy to cook these juicy turkey thighs in the air fryer! Beautifully seasoned with crispy skin and done in 30 minutes.

Air fried turkey thigh on a plate with green beans and a fork

This post contains affiliate links, please read my full disclaimer here.

Full Recipe Ingredients/Instructions are available in the 
recipe card at the bottom of the post. 
You can find important tips/tricks in the
blog post.

Crispy skin turkey and a juicy center are what we all want in a turkey thigh. Rub on these wonderful creole spices and it's soon to be the star of your family's dinner!

Add this to your air fryer Thanksgiving recipes too. Perfect for a new couple or a single person. You don't have to prepare a traditional oven-roasted turkey to enjoy Thanksgiving dinner. Nor do you have to spend hours tending to an entire turkey and sharing oven space with other yummy dishes.

Pair air-fried turkey thighs with Cheesy Scalloped Potatoes and Smothered Green Beans. Round it out with Easy Cornbread Muffins and for dessert, a Sweet Potato Bundt Cake. Don't think you have to wait until November to enjoy all of these dishes, air fryer turkey can be enjoyed all year round for as long as your air fryer is working!

plate of green beans and a turkey thigh

Air Fried Turkey Thigh Ingredients and Tools Needed

  • Poultry Seasoning
  • Creole Seasoning
  • Kosher Salt
  • Garlic Powder
  • Black Petter
  • Bone-in, skin-on turkey thighs - Roughly 2 pounds of bone-in, skin-on turkey thighs

Tools needed for this recipe:

  • Air Fryer
  • Quick read thermometer
  • Small bowl
  • Paper towel
air fryer turkey thigh ingredients

How to make Air Fryer Turkey Thighs

Mix poultry seasoning, creole seasoning, kosher salt, garlic powder, and black pepper in a small bowl. Set aside. 

Pat chicken thighs dry. Rub seasonings on both sides of the chicken thighs, and under the skin. Let sit for 30 minutes. Feel free to skip the 30-minute wait if you're in a hurry. 

raw turkey thighs rubbed with seasoning blend

Preheat your air fryer to 380 degrees Fahrenheit (193 Celcius). 

Place turkey thighs, skin side down, in the preheated air fryer basket, and cook for 20 minutes. After 20 minutes, flip the turkey thighs and cook for an additional 10-15 minutes. 

prepped turkey thighs skin side down in air fryer basket
checking the temperature of the turkey thigh with a meat thermometer
close up of 2 turkey thighs cooked through in air fryer basket

Remove from the air fryer and let the turkey rest for 5 minutes. Serve and enjoy.

Is an air fryer turkey juicy?

When food is placed into an air fryer and turned on circulating hot air cooks and crisps up the food. Because turkey thighs are higher in fat than turkey breasts, no additional oil or butter is needed for the turkey to maintain its moisture. Whereas a boneless turkey breast will need a little spritz of oil to help keep it moist.

Moreover, if you cook either a turkey thigh or turkey breast too long, they'll become dry.

Prepping turkey thighs for the air fryer

Make sure you've thawed the turkey completely before prepping, this will ensure you get a proper read on the thermometer when they've finished cooking.

Pat your turkey thighs dry with paper towels and season or marinade per your recipe instructions before placing it into the air fryer. Making sure your chicken is dry will ensure the seasonings stick to the chicken and the skin gets crispy.

If you're skittish about touching raw turkey, food-grade gloves are a great option!

How long does it take to air-fry a turkey per pound?

Cooking time for a turkey in an air fryer can differ depending on the size of your turkey and air fryer. You can absolutely make an air-fried whole turkey as well. A good rule for air fryer whole turkey or turkey parts is 8-10 minutes per pound.

Where do you check a turkey thigh temperature?

Using a meat thermometer, place the tip into the thickest part of the turkey thigh without touching the bone. Ensure you're not touching the bone or the temperature reading will be inaccurate. For a fully cooked, yet still juicy turkey thigh the internal temperature needs to reach 170-175 degrees Fahrenheit.

close up of turkey thigh cooked through in air fryer basket

Storing and Reheating Air Fryer Turkey Thighs

Storing:

Store turkey thighs in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.

Reheating:

Reheat leftover turkey thighs in a 350-degree Fahrenheit preheated air fryer and cook for 10 minutes, flipping halfway through so the top can re-crisp.

Air Fryer Turkey Thigh Recipe Notes:

  • The turkey thigh should reach a temperature between 170-175 degrees Fahrenheit. Use a quick read thermometer to ensure the turkey thighs are done. 
  • I like to allow my turkey thighs to sit at room temperature for a few minutes to absorb the seasonings. Feel free to skip this step if you’re short on time. In the alternative, you can season the turkey thighs beforehand, about 1-2 days, and refrigerate them until ready to cook.

Looking for more Air Fryer or Turkey recipes? Try these out:

  • Roasted Air Fryer Turkey Breast (Bone-In or Boneless)
  • Juicy Air Fryer Turkey Burgers
  • Air Fryer Roasted Turkey Legs or turkey wings
  • Air Fryer Sweet Potato Wedges
  • Air Fryer Cornish Hens
  • Seasoned Air Fryer Broccoli

 If you have tried this air fryer recipe or any other recipe on my blog, please rate it and let me know how it turned out in the comments below!

plate of green beans and a chicken thigh
Print Recipe
5 from 4 votes

Air Fryer Turkey Thighs

It's so easy to cook these juicy turkey thighs in the air fryer! Beautifully seasoned with a crispy skin and done in 30 minutes.
Prep Time40 minutes mins
Cook Time30 minutes mins
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: American
Keyword: Air fryer turkey thighs
Servings: 4 People
Calories: 363kcal
Author: Tanya

Ingredients

  • 2 teaspoons Poultry seasoning
  • 1 ½ teaspoons Creole seasoning
  • ¾ teaspoon Kosher salt
  • ½ teaspoon Garlic powder
  • ½ teaspoon Black pepper
  • 2 pounds Bone-in, skin-on turkey thighs

Instructions

  • In a small bowl, combine poultry seasoning, creole seasoning, kosher salt, garlic powder, and black pepper. Set aside.
  • Pat turkey thighs dry. Rub seasonings on both sides of the turkey thighs, as well as under the skin. Let sit for 30 minutes. If you're in a hurry, feel free to skip the 30-minute wait.
  • Preheat your air fryer to 380 degrees Fahrenheit (193 Celcius).
  • Place turkey thighs, skin side down, in preheated air fryer basket and cook for 20 minutes. After 20 minutes, flip the turkey thighs and cook for an additional 10-15 minutes.
  • Remove and allow thighs to rest for 5 minutes. Serve and enjoy!

Notes

  • The turkey thigh should reach a temperature between 170-175 degrees Fahrenheit. Use a quick read thermometer to ensure the turkey thighs are done. 
  • I like to allow my turkey thighs to sit at room temperature for a few minutes to absorb the seasonings. Feel free to skip this step if you’re short on time. In the alternative, you can season the turkey thighs beforehand, about 1-2 days, and refrigerate them until ready to cook.

Nutrition

Serving: 4g | Calories: 363kcal | Carbohydrates: 2g | Protein: 43g | Fat: 19g | Saturated Fat: 6g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 6g | Monounsaturated Fat: 6g | Cholesterol: 141mg | Sodium: 1428mg | Potassium: 576mg | Fiber: 0.4g | Sugar: 0.1g | Vitamin A: 340IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 31mg | Iron: 4mg

The Most Popular Jamaican Herbs and Spices and How to Use Them

July 11, 2022 by Tanya 2 Comments

collage of scotch bonnet pepper, thyme, and green onion with text that says popular Jamaican herbs and spices

Jamaican spices and herbs are the heart and soul of Jamaican cooking and are used to build unforgettable flavors.  

collage of scotch bonnet pepper, thyme, and green onion with text that says popular Jamaican herbs and spices

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Authentic, made-from-scratch Jamaican food is built around fresh herbs and spices. Ingredients like pimento, turmeric, Jamaican curry powder, and aromatics like fresh thyme and scallions come together in traditional Jamaican recipes to create a tantalizing experience for the senses and the taste buds! This is one food culture that doesn’t shy away from flavor. 

Discover the most popular Jamaican herbs and spices, and how to use them in the island’s most popular recipes, 

Scotch Bonnet Pepper 

scotch bonnet peppers on white background

The Scotch bonnet pepper may have a mild, if not cute name, but these peppers are hot, hot, hot! The Scotch bonnet pepper is part of the habanero family, and is used in cooking throughout the Caribbean. Depending on when the pepper is picked, it can be bright orange, yellow, or even green, red, or brown. 

It's difficult to fully describe how a Scotch bonnet pepper tastes; this is one pepper you have to try to appreciate. Most cooks will tell you that Scotch bonnet peppers are slightly fruity, even a little sweet, and, depending on how you prepare them, tons and tons of spicy flavor. 

Spice mixes and sauces are a must in Jamaican cuisine, and Scotch bonnet peppers are one of the most popular ingredients in recipes like Jamaican Escovitch Fish and Jamaican Stew Peas. Scotch bonnet peppers are also used to make Jamaican curry and jerk seasonings!

thyme on white background

Thyme

No Jamaican kitchen is complete without fresh thyme. Did you know there are close to 100 varieties of this aromatic herb in Jamaica? 

Thyme is often used in soups, stews, and as a seasoning for meat and fish. Braised oxtails with thyme, Saltfish Fritters, and Caribbean Green Seasoning build their base flavor around versatile, herbaceous thyme.

Escallion (Jamaican Scallion)

Scallions are a staple in Jamaican cooking, and many dishes just wouldn’t be the same without them. Mild and delicious Jamaican scallions look similar to other alliums, with the exception of their skin which is a purplish red at the bulb. Jamaican rice and peas wouldn’t be complete without the zip of scallion flavor (and thyme and ginger!).

Scallions are used to enhance the flavors in Jamaica’s national dish Ackee and Saltfish.

If you can't find scallions, a green onion can be used.

Curry Powder

Jamaican curry powder on white plate

Jamaican curry powder recipes can have some variations, but most start with a base of turmeric, Scotch bonnet peppers, ginger, coriander, and cumin. When used in stews, soups, or meat dishes, the result is a warm, comforting meal that’s hearty and hard to resist.

Popular Jamaican recipes like Jamaican Curry Goat, use curry powder to balance out the gaminess of the goat meat and give the dish a vibrant flavor. Jamaican curry powders tend to have more turmeric, and less spice, than their Indian counterparts, 

Jerk Seasoning

jerk paste in white bowl

Jerk is a style of Jamaican cooking native to the island that uses a hot, spicy marinade to rub on chicken or pork before being grilled. If you’ve never tried authentic Jamaican jerk seasoning you’re missing out. It’s as eye-wateringly good, as it is mouth-wateringly good!

Jerk seasoning, or paste, recipes usually involve a mix of Scotch bonnet peppers, pimento, ginger, lime, garlic, sugar, onions, thyme, and soy sauce. It’s basically a who's who of spices and flavors, and incredibly addicting. Jerk chicken and jerk pork are popular Jamaican dishes.

Turmeric

Jamaican turmeric is an essential Jamaican food ingredient. The turmeric found on the island is known for its intense flavor, bright orange-yellow color, and high concentration of curcumin, which in addition to adding a pronounced ginger-like flavor to food, is also good for reducing inflammation and arthritic pain.

The pastry dough that surrounds a sizzling hot and savory Jamaican beef patty (yum!) is made with turmeric, along with curry powder, flour, butter, and sugar. Turmeric is also one of the spices used to create Jamaican curry powder.

Pimento

pimento berries on white plate

Pimento is a dried, unripe berry from the Pimenta dioica tree. You may also know pimento as allspice or Jamaican pepper. This fragrant spice has notes of cinnamon, cloves and nutmeg, which makes it perfect for both savory and sweet dishes. Pimento is so invitingly aromatic, and presents itself as a wonderfully warm spice, that it works with everything from pimento-smoked jerk chicken, to pimento-spiced rice and ackee pimento flan!

The berries can be added whole to a dish for added flavor, but remove before serving. Or simply crush them in a mortar and pestle and add them to your dish. I love crushed pimento in my cornmeal porridge.

I hope you liked learning a bit more about popular herbs and spices in Jamaica. This guide and these Jamaican recipes will have you feeling like you're on the island.

Air Fried Lobster Tail Recipe (Fast & Easy)

July 7, 2022 by Tanya 30 Comments

This Lobster Tail Recipe is easy and delicious and quickly made in your Air Fryer. It's also coated with a  delicious garlic buttery sauce and air fried to perfection.

lobster tail on plate

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Air Fryer Bacon Wrapped Shrimp Recipe

June 29, 2022 by Tanya 2 Comments

finished air fryer bacon wrapped shimp in air fryer basket

These air fryer bacon-wrapped shrimp are the perfect appetizer or main dish. These shrimp are easy to make, and they taste amazing! 

finished air fryer bacon wrapped shimp in air fryer basket

This post contains affiliate links, please read my full disclaimer here.

Full Recipe Ingredients/Instructions are available in the 
recipe card at the bottom of the post. 
You can find important tips/tricks in the
blog post.

If you're looking for an easy and delicious air fryer appetizer or main course, you must try air fryer bacon-wrapped shrimp. And if you love bacon, this recipe is right up your alley.

The shrimp are wrapped in bacon, and then they are air fried to perfection. The result is a crispy, flavorful shrimp that will surely be a hit with your family and friends. 

Like my air fryer bacon-wrapped chicken recipe, this shrimp has a sweet, spicy, and smokey flavor combined in one. With minimal prep, this is an air fryer recipe you'll want to make again and again. 

hand holding up bacon wrapped shrimp over air fryer

Ingredients and Tools Needed

  • Shrimp: I use defrosted, large or jumbo shrimp, raw shrimp that has been deveined, peeled, and with the tail on. You can also use shrimp with the tail off. I keep the tail on so it can easily be picked up.
  • Bacon: Use center-cut bacon. I'd avoid thick-cut bacon as it'll take longer to cook. 
  • Seasonings: Brown sugar and chili powder give these shrimp that delicious sweet and spicy flavor profile. 
  • Air fryer: These shrimp work best in the air fryer. 
  • Toothpicks: Toothpicks are used to secure the bacon to the shrimp. 
ingredients needed for bacon wrapped shrimp

How to make air fryer bacon-wrapped shrimp

First, cut your slices of bacon into thirds. Add brown sugar and chili powder to a small bowl and mix until combined. Pat the shrimp dry. Place the shrimp into the brown sugar and mix, coating both sides of the shrimp. 

raw shrimp in brown sugar and chili powder mix

Wrap each shrimp with a piece of bacon and secure the bacon to the shrimp with a toothpick. 

Place the shrimp wrapped in bacon into the bottom of an air fryer basket in a single layer. Do not overlap them. Cook in batches if necessary. 

raw shrimp wrapped in raw bacon secured with a toothpick
raw shrimp wrapped in raw bacon inside air fryer basket

Air fry at 360 degrees Fahrenheit for 12-15 minutes. 

bacon wrapped in shrimp in air fryer basket

Remove and serve alone or with a dipping sauce. 

bacon wrapped shrimp on white plate with a dipping sauce

The best shrimp to use in bacon wrapped shrimp

Defrosted, large, or jumbo shrimp will work best in this recipe. Large shrimp gives the bacon and shrimp enough time to cook simultaneously. Make sure to devein the shrimp and remove the shell before cooking. I do not recommend pre-cooked shrimp in this recipe. 

How to change up the seasonings

If you're not a fan of spice, feel free to modify the shrimp seasonings to your liking. You could add salt and pepper to the shrimp. You could also marinate the shrimp in barbecue sauce. 

Can I make this bacon-wrapped shrimp in the oven?

Absolutely! But it'll take a few more steps if you want similar results to this air fryer. Here's an oven-baked bacon-wrapped shrimp recipe. 

What to serve with bacon wrapped shrimp?

These bacon-wrapped shrimp are great on their own but pair well with a dipping sauce. I like to dip mine in honey mustard. You could dip them in ranch, remoulade sauce, or ketchup. 

I usually serve these as an appetizer but feel free to pair them with a side to make them the main meal. They would go great with yellow rice, plantains, or your favorite salad. 

Notes

  • I do not preheat the air fryer for this recipe. If you preheat, decrease the cooking time by a couple of minutes.
  • If using frozen shrimp, defrost the shrimp before proceeding with the recipe.
  • Feel free to change up the shrimp seasoning and use sauces like bbq sauce instead.

Looking for more air fryer appetizer recipes? Try these out:

  • Air fryer chicken wings
  • Air fryer zucchini fritters
  • Fried pickles

 If you have tried this Air fryer shrimp wrapped in bacon recipe or any other recipe on my blog, please rate it and let me know how it turned out in the comments below!

finished air fryer bacon wrapped shimp in air fryer basket
Print Recipe
5 from 2 votes

Air Fryer Bacon Wrapped Shrimp Recipe

These air fryer bacon-wrapped shrimp are the perfect appetizer or main dish. They are easy to make, and they taste amazing!
Prep Time10 minutes mins
Cook Time12 minutes mins
Total Time22 minutes mins
Course: Appetizer
Cuisine: American
Keyword: air fryer bacon wrapped shrimp, bacon wrapped shrimp
Servings: 4 people
Calories: 305kcal
Author: Tanya

Equipment

  • Large Air Fryer
  • Toothpicks

Ingredients

  • ½ cup brown sugar
  • ½ Tablespoon chili powder
  • 12 oz raw large or jumbo shrimp shell remove, deveined, with tails on
  • 6 slices bacon cut into thirds

Instructions

  • Add brown sugar and chili powder in a small bowl and mix until combined. Pat the shrimp dry.
  • Place the shrimp into the brown sugar and mix, coating both sides of the shrimp.
  • Wrap each shrimp with a piece of bacon and secure the bacon to the shrimp with a toothpick.
  • Place the shrimp wrapped in bacon into the bottom of an air fryer basket in a single layer. Do not overlap them. Cook in batches if necessary.
  • Air fry at 360 degrees Fahrenheit for 12-15 minutes.
  • Remove and serve alone or with a dipping sauce.

Notes

  • I do not preheat the air fryer for this recipe. If you preheat, decrease the cooking time by a couple of minutes.
  • If using frozen shrimp, defrost the shrimp before proceeding with the recipe.
  • Feel free to change up the shrimp seasoning and use sauces like bbq sauce instead.

Nutrition

Calories: 305kcal | Carbohydrates: 29g | Protein: 16g | Fat: 14g | Saturated Fat: 5g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 2g | Monounsaturated Fat: 6g | Trans Fat: 0.1g | Cholesterol: 129mg | Sodium: 724mg | Potassium: 218mg | Fiber: 0.3g | Sugar: 27g | Vitamin A: 462IU | Vitamin C: 0.01mg | Calcium: 74mg | Iron: 1mg

An Easy to Follow Guide for How to Cook Dried Beans

June 27, 2022 by Tanya 5 Comments

plates of dried beans on white background

Once you learn how to cook dried beans from scratch, you’ll want to say ‘goodbye’ to the canned stuff!

plates of dried beans on white background

This post contains affiliate links, please read my full disclaimer here.

Full Recipe Ingredients/Instructions are available in the 
recipe card at the bottom of the post. 
You can find important tips/tricks in the
blog post.

There’s a lot to love about cooking with dry beans: they’re inexpensive, easy to store, and don’t take up a lot of space in the kitchen. There are so many dried bean recipes that they can take you all the way from spring to winter, and you’ll never make the same recipe twice.

If you’re just learning how to cook dried beans, the process can seem a little intimidating. After all, you’ve probably been buying the canned stuff for years! Don’t worry. The great news about learning how to cook dried beans is that there are a ton of methods and techniques for bringing this versatile kitchen ingredient to life.

Whether you’re cooking dried black beans or cooking dried pinto beans, the process and result remain the same: perfectly tender beans ready to be added to your next dish!

You'll find varying advice when it comes to prepping beans for cooking. These include the overnight soak, the quick soak, and the cooking beans without soaking. Each has its benefits and cons, and you'll need to figure out your preferred method.

For a quick guide on how to best cook dried beans, keep reading.

Size of beans and cook times

The size of the bean will affect how long you need to cook the beans.

SizeCook Time
Small beans (black beans, pinto beans, navy beans)60 - 90 minutes
Medium beans (Great northern)90-120 minutes
Large beans (Lima beans, Butter beans, red kidney beans)90- 160 minutes

Cook times will vary depending on whether the beans are soaked and how old the beans are.

Sort and rinse the beans

It’s not uncommon to find small pebbles within a bag of dried beans. Biting down on that can be pretty painful. No matter how you cook dried beans, always give them a good rinse first to remove any debris. Also, remove any old and shriveled beans.

hand holding red kidney beans

Soaking beans overnight

dried kidney beans beans soaking in water

Soaking dried beans overnight is a tried and true method. If you’re able to plan ahead, allowing the dried beans to soak overnight will give you beans that are plump, tender, and a little creamy. This method, known as rehydrating the beans, also ensures that the bean around the skin remains intact when cooking.

Why is it important to soak dried beans before cooking? Soaking dried beans overnight has the added benefit of helping them cook a little faster. And if you’ve ever looked up methods for cooking beans, the number one question home cooks have is: how to cook dried beans fast!

One of the most common reasons why people soak dried beans is because it helps remove some complex sugars that our body cannot digest. That's what causes you to feel gassy or bloated after eating them.

There's also an advantage of soaking when your beans are older. Older beans tend to take longer to cook, so soaking them overnight will help cut the cooking time significantly.

Soaking beans overnight is pretty easy. Simply fill a bowl with water, add your beans, and cover the bowl with plastic wrap, or an airtight lid, until you’re ready to use them the next day. Don’t worry about heating the water. Lukewarm filtered water works just fine.

Alternatively, you could start soaking the beans in the morning, if you plan on using them that night for dinner. How long to soak dried beans really depends on when you need to use them and the size of the bean, but plan on 6-8 hours.

When you’re ready to cook the beans, drain the water and cook them on the stovetop.

Quick soaking beans

Quick soaking dried beans requires a bit more prep time than overnight soaking dried beans, but the results are equally delicious.

The benefit to the quick soak method is that this gives you the flexibility to incorporate the beans into a recipe the very same day you plan to use them.

For the quick soak method, place the dried beans in a pot of water on the stovetop, and bring it to a boil. When the water is boiling, remove from the heat, cover the pot with a lid and let the beans soak for about an hour. Depending on what type of dried beans you’re using, this time may vary slightly.

Disadvantages of soaking beans

Soaking beans has a few disadvantages. First, beans soaked in water are known to have a tad bit less flavor, especially if the soaking water is drained and replaced with fresh water. In order to avoid this, cook the beans in the liquid they soaked in.

Beans soaked are also known to lose color pigment if soaked and the bean water is drained and replaced with fresh water.

Another disadvantage of soaking beans is that it can cause them to lose some of their nutritional value. This is because the soaking process can leach out some of the vitamins and minerals from the beans. And if you drain the soaking water and drain it, you'll be flushing nutrients down the sink.

How to cook dried beans without soaking

The no soak method for cooking dried beans has pros and cons. If you’re in a jam, the no-soak method will still give you plump delicious beans, but prepare to add roughly one to two hours of additional cooking time.

The downside to this method is that it can cause the bean skin to break. However, if your goal is super creamy beans, this method might be for you. Adding a few aromatics will create a rich bean broth that’s great for bean soup recipes.

To cook dried beans from scratch without soaking, place your beans in a large pot and cover with a few inches of water. Bring the water to a simmer, and stir the pot about every thirty minutes. When the beans have cooked for between two to three hours, check for tenderness.

Remove the beans from the stove and let sit for another thirty minutes. Feel free to add any additional salt or seasonings to the beans at this time.

How to cook dried beans in Instant pot or pressure cooker

Cooking dried beans in an Instant Pot is one of the quickest ways to cook dried beans, it’s also one of the easiest. No soaking, no simmering necessary.

Cooking beans in a pressure cooker or instant pot allows you to cook up to a pound of dried beans at a time.

Using a ratio of one cup of beans to four cups of water, simply place the beans and water in the instant pot, and cook on the high-pressure setting. The amount of time needed will vary by bean size and type.

Release the steam naturally to help keep the skin of the bean intact.

pinto beans in white bowl

How to cook beans in a Slow Cooker

Cooking beans in a slow cooker is a simple, convenient method that allows flavors to infuse over a long period. When used properly, this method yields deliciously tender beans without needing to monitor it closely - combine your beans with desired seasonings in your slow cooker, set it to the appropriate temperature setting, and let the machine do its work for you!

Using a ratio of one cup of beans to three cups of water, simply place the beans and water in the slow cooker, and cook on low or high. The amount of time needed will vary by bean size and type.

Typically, I cook beans on low for 6-8 hours or high for 3-4 hours.

Tips for cooking dried beans

  • Toss your old beans
  • The age of the bean matters when it comes to cooking times and bean quality. Beans older than 2 years old will maintain their hard exterior, even with a good soak. For beans this old, it’s best to throw them out.
  • Salt beans halfway through cooking.

What to cook beans in?

I use water. And use the bean water for flavor. You can also use chicken broth. 

Recipes using Dried Beans

  • Instant Pot Pinto Beans
  • Southern Pinto Beans
  • Rice and Beans
  • Baked Beans
  • Bean Pie
  • Butter beans
plates of dried beans on white background
Print Recipe
4.34 from 3 votes

How to Cook Dried Beans from Scratch

Once you learn how to cook dried beans from scratch, you’ll want to say ‘goodbye’ to the canned stuff!
Prep Time10 minutes mins
Cook Time1 hour hr
Total Time1 hour hr 10 minutes mins
Course: Main Course
Servings: 12
Calories: 127kcal
Author: Tanya

Ingredients

  • 1 lb dried beans about 2 ⅓ cups
  • 6 cups water or broth
  • Seasonings (salt, fresh herbs, etc)

Instructions

  • Prepare the Beans. Rinse and sort through the beans. Then decide if you will soak, quick soak, or not soak.

Quick Soak

  • Place rinsed beans in a large pot. Cover with 6-8 cups of water. Bring to a boil and boil for 2 minutes. Remove from heat and cover with lid and let stand for 1 hour.

Overnight Soak

  • Place rinsed beans in a large pot. Cover the beans with 6-8 cups of cold water. Let stand overnight or for about 6-8 hours.

Cooking the Beans

  • Add aromatics like fresh herbs. Bring beans and water to a simmer over medium heat. Cook beans until tender, for about 1-2 hours, depending on the size of the beans. Add salt halfway through cooking.

Notes

  • The size of the bean will affect how long you need to cook the beans.
Size Cook Time
Small beans (black beans, pinto beans, navy beans) 60 - 90 minutes
Medium beans (Great northern, 90-120 minutes
Large beans (Lima beans, Butter beans, red kidney beans) 90- 160 minutes
  • Cooking the beans in the soaking water will result in flavorful beans. You may discard the soaking water and cook the beans in fresh water. 

Nutrition

Calories: 127kcal | Carbohydrates: 23g | Protein: 9g | Fat: 0.4g | Saturated Fat: 0.1g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 0.2g | Monounsaturated Fat: 0.03g | Sodium: 10mg | Potassium: 514mg | Fiber: 6g | Sugar: 1g | Vitamin C: 2mg | Calcium: 35mg | Iron: 3mg

Easy Oven-Baked Shrimp Recipe

June 24, 2022 by Tanya 2 Comments

cooked shrimp on a baking sheet

This easy and delicious oven-baked shrimp recipe is one of the most foolproof ways of cooking shrimp. This method makes seasoned shrimp that's cooked to perfection.

cooked shrimp on a baking sheet

This post contains affiliate links, please read my full disclaimer here.

Full Recipe Ingredients/Instructions are available in the 
recipe card at the bottom of the post. 
You can find important tips/tricks in the
blog post.

When it comes to cooking shrimp, one of the best methods is oven-baking. This method ensures that the shrimp are cooked evenly and remain juicy and flavorful. Plus, it's a hands-off method that frees up your time so you can enjoy your meal.

Cooking shrimp in the oven is easy and laid back. It's one of the reasons why this method of cooking shrimp is ideal for my meal planning and prepping days.

The steps are simple; shrimp are coated in a light seasoning of your choice and then roasted in the oven until cooked through. This dish can be served as an appetizer or main course and will please any shrimp lover.

Check out my other shrimp recipes, like this Jamaican Jerk shrimp or my air fryer shrimp recipe.

How to make oven-baked shrimp

First, gather your ingredients. I prefer to use thawed large or jumbo shrimp that has been peeled and deveined. I also use olive oil and dry seasonings.

Preheat your oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit. Pat your shrimp dry with a paper towel. Then, place the shrimp in a large bowl. Add the oil and seasonings to the shrimp and toss to coat all the shrimp with the oil and seasonings.

raw and seasoned shrimp on baking sheet

Place the seasoned shrimp on a large sheet pan and spread them in a single layer.

Place the baking sheet in the oven on the center rack and bake for 7-10 minutes (depending on the size of the shrimp) until the shrimp is pink and opaque.

Remove shrimp from the oven and enjoy.

cooked oven baked shrimp with lemon slices

What's the best shrimp to use?

You can bake any kind of shrimp in the oven, but I suggest using high-quality, large, or jumbo shrimp raw shrimp. If using shrimp of a smaller size, reduce the oven bake time by a minute or two. You can bake the shrimp with the shell on or off as well.

Can I use frozen shrimp?

Absolutely! You can bake shrimp frozen in the oven following the same method; you need to cook them a few minutes longer.

How to season oven-baked shrimp?

The choices of seasonings on shrimp are up to you. I like to use my all-purpose seasoning for this recipe, but you could keep it simple with some salt and black pepper and a little bit of garlic powder. Other suggested seasonings are:

  • Sunshine seasoning
  • Jerk seasoning
  • Cajun seasoning
  • Lemon pepper seasoning
  • BBQ seasoning
close up photo of shrimp on sheet pan

Shrimp is not only delicious, but it's also healthy and easy to prepare. This makes it the perfect ingredient for any dish, whether serving it as an appetizer or main course. I like to use oven-baked shrimp in salads, in fried rice, or simply just snack on them as an appetizer. 

Looking for more quick oven-baked recipes? Try these out:

  • Oven-baked fish
  • Salmon baked in the oven
  • Oven-baked bacon

If you have tried this Oven-baked shrimp recipe, or any other recipe on my blog, then please rate it and let me know how it turned out in the comments below!

cooked shrimp on a baking sheet
Print Recipe
5 from 3 votes

Easy Oven-Baked Shrimp Recipe

This easy and delicious oven-baked shrimp recipe is one of the most fool proof ways of cooking shrimp. This method makes seasoned shrimp that's cooked to perfection.
Prep Time5 minutes mins
Cook Time7 minutes mins
Total Time12 minutes mins
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: American
Keyword: oven baked shrimp
Servings: 4 people
Calories: 111kcal
Author: Tanya

Ingredients

  • 1 lb large or jumbo shrimp
  • 1 Tablespoon olive oil
  • 2-3 teaspoons of all-purpose seasoning or seasoning of your choice

Instructions

  • Preheat your oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit. Pat your shrimp dry with a paper towel. Then, place the shrimp in a large bowl. Add the oil and seasonings to the shrimp and toss to coat all the shrimp with the oil and seasonings.
  • Place the seasoned shrimp on a large sheet pan and spread them in a single layer.
  • Place the baking sheet in the oven on the center rack and bake for 7-10 minutes (depending on the size of the shrimp) until the shrimp is pink and opaque.
  • Remove shrimp from the oven and enjoy.

Notes

  • Use shrimp of equal sizes to ensure they cook evenly. 

Nutrition

Calories: 111kcal | Carbohydrates: 1g | Protein: 15g | Fat: 5g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 3g | Trans Fat: 0.01g | Cholesterol: 143mg | Sodium: 642mg | Potassium: 128mg | Vitamin A: 204IU | Calcium: 61mg | Iron: 0.3mg

Air Fryer Bone-In Chicken Breasts Recipe

June 23, 2022 by Tanya 15 Comments

cooked bone-in split chicken breats in air fryer

Make the most juiciest and delicious air fryer bone in chicken breasts in less than 30 minutes! This recipe is quick, delicious, and the perfect way to make chicken in your air fryer.

cooked bone in chicken breasts in air fryer basket

This post contains affiliate links, please read my full disclaimer here.

Full Recipe Ingredients/Instructions are available in the 
recipe card at the bottom of the post. 
You can find important tips/tricks in the
blog post.

This chicken breast in the air fryer is a game-changer. I've done boneless skinless chicken breasts in the air fryer, and it's fantastic. But it's time for the bone-in chicken to get some shine.

Chicken in the air fryer comes out delicious and juicy and full of flavor. This skin-on chicken comes out with crispy, flavorful skin while the meat inside stays tender and juicy. And this all happens in less than 30 minutes!

Try my other air fryer chicken recipes, like air-fried chicken and roasted whole air fryer chicken. Or try my air fryer turkey breasts.

How to make bone-in chicken breast in an air fryer

First, gather your ingredients. I use the following.

air fryer bone in chicken breasts on white plate with seasoning on sides
  • Bone-in, skin-on split chicken breasts - I use 2 bone-in, skin-on chicken breasts that are about 12 oz each. This is the amount of bone-in chicken breasts that will usually fit in a 5-quart air fryer.
  • Seasoning - I use my all-purpose seasoning for this recipe. Feel free to use any seasonings of your choice, like Barbeque, lemon pepper, or jerk seasoning. Or keep it simple with a bit of salt and pepper, garlic powder, and onion powder. 

Then, preheat your air fryer to 360 degrees Fahrenheit.

Next, pat your chicken breasts dry with a paper towel. Drying the chicken breasts will allow the seasonings to stick to the breasts

hand drying chicken breasts

Sprinkle all sides of the chicken breasts with the seasoning. Also, gently lift the skin and sprinkle seasoning under the skin.

Place the seasoned chicken breast in the preheated air fryer basket, skin side down. Cook the chicken on this side for 15 minutes.

split bone-in chicken breasts in air fryer basket
bone-in chicken breasts in air fryer basket

After 15 minutes, open the air fryer basket and flip the chicken breast with tongs. Cook the chicken breast, skin side up, for an additional 8-10 minutes until the chicken breast is done and cooked to an internal temperature of 165 degrees Fahrenheit.

cooked bone-in split chicken breats in air fryer

Remove the chicken breast from the air fryer and place it on a cutting board. Allow the chicken to rest for 5 - 10 minutes before slicing and serving.

sliced chicken breasts on plate with green beans on side

How long does it take to cook a chicken breast in an air fryer?

The total cook time of this chicken breast will take about 25 minutes in the air fryer. Larger chicken breasts will take a little longer to cook, while smaller chicken breasts will cook quicker. Check your chicken breasts with a quick read thermometer to ensure the chicken has reached an internal temperature of 165 degrees Fahrenheit.

How to check the internal temperature of chicken breasts?

Using a quick-read thermometer is the best way to ensure your chicken is fully cooked and not overcooked. To use a quick read thermometer, place the thermometer in the thickest part of the chicken breasts.

thermometer checking temperature of bone in chicken breasts

Do I need to put oil on chicken breasts in the air fryer?

I don't use additional oil on these skin-on, bone-in chicken breasts; however, you can if you like. The skin on the chicken releases oil while it cooks, resulting in crispy skin. Just make sure to pat the chicken dry before seasoning.

If using oil, I suggest using oils with a higher smoke point, like olive oil or avocado oil. You could also rub the chicken breast with flavored butter or mayo. This will add additional flavor and gets your chicken nice and golden.  

Why use bone-in chicken breasts?

Bone-in chicken breast is more cost efficient and usually cheaper per pound then boneless chicken breasts. The bone and the skin help keep the chicken juicy while it cooks. If you love crispy skin, this also works best.

What to serve this with?

This goes well with sides like fried cabbage, mashed potatoes, air fryer baked potato, asparagus, green beans, broccoli, and a nice salad.

How to make boneless, skinless chicken breast?

I cook boneless, skinless chicken breast at 400 degrees Fahrenheit for about 13-14 minutes, flipping halfway. I do add a bit of oil to boneless breasts.

I hope you love this recipe as much as we do!

If you have tried this air fryer bone-in chicken breasts recipe, or any other recipe on my blog, then please rate it and let me know how it turned out in the comments below!

cooked bone-in split chicken breats in air fryer
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4.82 from 16 votes

Air Fryer Bone-In Chicken Breasts

Make the juiciest and most delicious air fryer bone-in chicken breast in less than 30 minutes! This recipe is quick, delicious, and perfect for making chicken in your air fryer.
Prep Time5 minutes mins
Cook Time25 minutes mins
Total Time30 minutes mins
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: American
Keyword: air fryer bone in chicken breasts
Servings: 2 people
Calories: 311kcal
Author: Tanya

Equipment

  • 1 Large Air Fryer

Ingredients

  • 2 bone-in chicken breasts 12 oz each
  • 1 ½ Tablespoons all-purpose seasoning or seasoning of your choice.

Instructions

  • Preheat your air fryer to 360 degrees Fahrenheit.
  • Next, pat your chicken breasts dry with a paper towel.
  • Sprinkle all sides of the chicken breasts with the seasoning. Also, gently lift the skin and sprinkle seasoning under the skin.
  • Place the seasoned chicken breast in the air fryer basket, skin side down. Cook the chicken breast on this side for 15 minutes.
  • After 15 minutes, open the air fryer basket and flip the chicken breast with tongs. Cook the chicken breast, breast side up, for an additional 8-10 minutes until the chicken breast is done and cooked to an internal temperature of 165 degrees Fahrenheit.

Notes

  • If the chicken breasts are patted dry, you will not need any additional oil for this recipe. Drying the chicken breasts will allow the seasoning to stick to the chicken. 
  • I use 12 oz chicken breasts for this recipe. Larger breasts will need an additional minute or two while smaller breasts will need about a minute or two less. Use a quick read thermometer to ensure the chicken has reached an internal temperature of 165 degrees Fahrenheit.

Nutrition

Calories: 311kcal | Protein: 38g | Fat: 17g | Saturated Fat: 5g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 4g | Monounsaturated Fat: 7g | Trans Fat: 0.2g | Cholesterol: 116mg | Sodium: 114mg | Potassium: 398mg | Vitamin A: 150IU | Calcium: 20mg | Iron: 1mg

Mushroom Tart

June 22, 2022 by Tanya 4 Comments

Browned mushrooms baked on puff pastry.

Perfect for a lunch or light dinner, this puff pastry mushroom tart is one tasty meat-free recipe. With flavors of onion, garlic, thyme and balsamic, and with two types of cheese, this simple recipe is sure to impress.

A mushroom tart cut into squares to serve.

This post contains affiliate links, please read my full disclaimer here.

Full Recipe Ingredients/Instructions are available in the 
recipe card at the bottom of the post. 
You can find important tips/tricks in the
blog post.

This simple recipe is a must for all of my mushroom and cheese lovers! Perfect for a light lunch, brunch or dinner, this mushroom tart is wonderfully flavorful and a real joy to make, serve and eat!

A puff pastry sheet is topped with gruyere and parmesan cheese, before adding the mushrooms that are cooked with shallots, garlic and balsamic. Every bite is an explosion of flavor.

Serve this up with your favorite salad side for one delicious meal.

Be sure to try my Creamy Mushroom Sauce and Cream Cheese Stuffed Mushrooms too!

Mushrrom tart cut into squares on a baking sheet.

How to make this mushroom tart recipe

Gather your ingredients. You'll need the following:

  • Mushrooms - Any kind of mushrooms works but I love using baby bella (also known as cremini) mushrooms. You could also use white button mushrooms.
  • Puff Pastry - any store-bought puff pastry works fine. If frozen, make sure to defrost according to the instructions on the package. You could also use any homemade puff pastry.
  • Seasonings -  shallots, dried thyme, garlic cloves, and balsamic vinegar give amazing flavor to this mushroom tart.
  • Cheese - I use both gruyere cheese and parmesan cheese.
  • Oil, butter, and egg - You'll need to cook the shallots, garlic and mushrooms in a little fat before adding them to the tart. An egg wash will make the puff pastry nice and golden.
Ingredients to make the recipe.
  • Preheat the oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit. Heat the butter in a skillet over medium heat. Add the shallots, and dried thyme and saute for 2-3 minutes.
  • Add the garlic and saute until fragrant. Then remove the shallots and garlic from the skillet.
Shallots and garlic being sautéed.
  • Add the olive oil to the skillet. Once it is heated add the mushrooms in a single layer. Cook in batches if necessary, stirring occasionally.
  • Once the mushrooms are browned, add the shallots and garlic back into the skillet, followed by the balsamic vinegar. Cook until the vinegar caramelizes.
Mushrooms being browned in a skillet.
  • Place the pastry sheet on a sheet pan and use a knife to score the edges of the puff pastry creating a border. Then poke holes in the bottom of the puff pastry using a fork. Do not poke holes in the border
  • Top the puff pastry with gruyere and parmesan cheese, followed by the mushroom mixture. Brush the egg on the border of the puff pastry. Bake in preheated oven for 20-25 minutes or until golden. Top with chopped parsley before serving.
Cheese and mushrooms topping a puff pastry sheet.

What are the best mushrooms to use?

I used cremini mushrooms to make this tart, but you can use any fresh mushrooms you like or a mix of different varieties. Portobello, chestnut or shitake will all work great. Slice them fairly thinly before cooking, and be sure to brown them well to get rid of their moisture.

Can you make it ahead of time?

I prefer to serve this mushroom tart warm out of the oven, but leftovers will keep well covered in the fridge for up to 3 days and can be served cold or reheated. You can cook up the mushrooms a day or two ahead of time and keep the refrigerated, that way it will just take a few minutes to prep before baking.

What do you serve it with?

This flavorful vegetarian tart is wonderful served up with a side salad for a brunch, lunch or light dinner. I like to garnish it with some fresh parsley for a pop of color. Try it with some of these favorites salads:

  • Creamy Dill Potato Salad
  • Carrot Raisin Salad
  • Fresh Corn Salad
  • Kale and Broccoli Salad
A mushroom tart cut into pieces and garnished with fresh parsley.

Recipe Notes and Tips

  • Be sure to cook the mushrooms well to remove the water that they hold. This will help to stop the pastry from getting soggy.
  • If your puff pastry sheet is frozen, be sure to allow time for it to defrost before topping and baking.
  • I use dried thyme, but other dried herbs can be used.
  • Try adding some blue cheese or crispy bacon bits to the tart for a different flavor.

More Mushroom Recipes

  • Slow Cooker Garlic Herb Mushrooms
  • Air Fryer Fried Mushrooms
  • Cream of Mushroom Soup
  • Mushroom and Parmesan Instant Pot Risotto
A mushroom tart cut into squares to serve.
Print Recipe
5 from 1 vote

Mushroom Tart

Perfect for a lunch or light dinner, this puff pastry mushroom tart is one tasty meat-free recipe. With flavors of onion, garlic, thyme and balsamic, and with two types of cheese, this simple recipe is sure to impress.
Prep Time10 minutes mins
Cook Time40 minutes mins
Total Time50 minutes mins
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: American
Keyword: cheese and mushroom tart, puff pastry mushroom tart, vegetarian mushroom tart
Servings: 8 servings
Calories: 334kcal
Author: Tanya

Ingredients

  • 1 tablespoon butter
  • 2 shallots thinly sliced
  • 2 teaspoons dried thyme
  • 2 garlic cloves minced
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 12 ounces mushrooms sliced
  • 2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar
  • 1 puff pastry sheet
  • 1 cup shredded gruyere cheese
  • ½ cup shredded parmesan cheese
  • 1 egg whisked
  • Parsley for serving

Instructions

  • Preheat the oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit. Heat the butter in a skillet over medium heat. Add the shallots, and dried thyme and saute for 2-3 minutes.
  • Add the garlic and saute until fragrant. Then remove the shallots and garlic from the skillet.
  • Add the olive oil to the skillet. Once it is heated add the mushrooms in a single layer. Cook in batches if necessary, stirring occasionally.
  • Once the mushrooms are browned, add the shallots and garlic back into the skillet, followed by the balsamic vinegar. Cook until the vinegar caramelizes.
  • Place the pastry sheet on a sheet pan and use a knife to score the edges of the puff pastry creating a border. Then poke holes in the bottom of the puff pastry using a fork. Do not poke holes in the border
  • Top the puff pastry with gruyere and parmesan cheese, followed by the mushroom mixture. Brush the egg on the border of the puff pastry. Bake in preheated oven for 20-25 minutes or until golden. Top with parsley before serving.

Notes

  • Be sure to cook the mushrooms well to remove the water that they hold. This will help to stop the pastry getting soggy.
  • If your puff pastry sheet is frozen, be sure to allow time for it to defrost before topping and baking.
  • I use dried thyme, but other dried herbs can be used.
  • Try adding some blue cheese or crispy bacon bits to the tart for a different flavor.

Nutrition

Calories: 334kcal | Carbohydrates: 18g | Protein: 11g | Fat: 24g | Saturated Fat: 9g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 2g | Monounsaturated Fat: 12g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 48mg | Sodium: 327mg | Potassium: 217mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 2g | Vitamin A: 294IU | Vitamin C: 2mg | Calcium: 239mg | Iron: 2mg

Top 21 Summer Recipes

June 21, 2022 by Tanya Leave a Comment

summer recipes pinterest image

We're in the thick of summer which means less time to cook and more time to chill in the sun. This recipe roundup should give you several ideas to help you enjoy your summer to the max while still providing delicious meals for your family.

The perfect summer recipes are, of course, easy summer recipes. These recipes will be delicious and easy to make! If the kids are home from school with you they would enjoy helping you pull them together!

How to make the perfect summer feast?

For summer recipes, make foods that are easy and fast to make. Summer is great for grilling, quick pasta dishes, and easy summer salads.

Easy Summer Recipes

Quick and Easy Jamaican Banana Fritters

This popular Caribbean recipe is the perfect way to use up ripe bananas. Made with a few ingredients and fried quickly on the stovetop, this recipe is perfect for those summer mornings.

Creamy Yellow Squash Soup

Simple and easy to make, this delicious yellow squash soup is the perfect way to make the most of the season’s produce. Ready to serve in around 30 minutes, it’s perfect to serve for lunch or a sit-down appetizer.

Easy Southern Pickled Shrimp

These Southern pickled shrimp are one delicious and easy appetizer! Fun and colorful to serve, they are perfectly briny with just a little spice. They make for a wonderful addition to serve at a party.

Rasta Pasta

This easy shrimp Rasta Pasta recipe is a delicious way to mix up your weeknight meals! This Caribbean-style pasta is made with my homemade jerk seasoning and is loaded full of flavor.

Pressure Cooker (Instant Pot) BBQ Chicken

It’s so quick and easy to make a batch of shredded BBQ chicken in your pressure cooker. You just need four ingredients and it’s ready to enjoy in less than 30 minutes! For best results, use my bbq seasoning and bbq sauce, or use whichever is your favorite.

BBQ Air Fryer Ribs

Speaking of BBQ, how about tender flavorful ribs that are ready in less than an hour. Thanks to the air fryer, it's totally possible.

North Carolina Instant Pot Pulled Pork

This BBQ Pork recipe is made with NC Western-style BBQ sauce. This shredded pork is perfect for those long summer days.

Homemade BBQ Sauce

This thick and sweet BBQ sauce is perfect for all your summertime BBQ needs. It's homemade and the perfect balance of flavor to add to any of your favorite BBQ meats.

Vinegar BBQ Sauce (North Carolina Style)

You can't have summertime without delicious BBQ! This NC Western-style bbq sauce is a vinegar-based sauce that goes well with dishes like pulled pork or chicken. Make a huge batch and use it for all your summertime BBQs.

Nashville Style Hot Chicken Tenders (Air Fryer Recipe)

These Nashville style hot chicken tenders are so easy to make in the air fryer! These tenders are so wonderfully crispy and juicy, they rival any you’ve had in a restaurant! Ready to serve in less than half an hour.

Quick and Easy Mongolian Beef

If you are looking to mix up your weekly meals, this easy Mongolian beef is perfect for you! This rich and flavorful dish is on the table in 20 minutes and is a dish the whole family will love. Serve with rice or noodles for a filling and well balanced weeknight dinner.

Quinoa Avocado Salad

This salad is perfect for summer! It makes a big batch for a big family but believe me, they'll love it. Feel free to cut the recipe in half for less people.

Shrimp and Bacon Spinach Salad Recipe

There isn't much better than seasoned shrimp, spinach, and bacon covered in a delicious dressing. This Shrimp and Bacon Spinach Salad is the perfect quick recipe for the summer months.

Beet and Orange Salad

Beets come alive during the summer time heat. Pair these roasted beets with orange and top it with a delicious sweet orange dressing. Feta cheese, toasted walnuts, and arugula are added to make this the perfect summer salad.

Southern Cucumber Salad

This Southern cucumber salad is a refreshing and healthy way to cool down on hot summer days. Made with a simple red vinegar dressing, it's the perfect quick and easy refreshing salad.

Zesty and Easy Grilled Marinated Vegetables

There's nothing like grilled vegetables to beat the summer heat. Covered in an easy lemony dressing, these vegetables are the perfect summer side for all your outdoor cooking.

Marinated Air Fryer Vegetables Recipe

Sometimes the weather is just too hot to turn on the oven or go outside to grill. That's when these marinated vegetables in the air fryer come in hand. Made with your favorite summer vegetables like zucchini and bell peppers, this recipe is perfect for those long summer days.

Broccoli Slaw

This easy broccoli slaw is covered in a range and delicious vinegar dressing that makes the flavors pop. It's the perfect cool side dish to accompany any summer feast.

Fresh Corn Salad Recipe

With a refreshing honey vinaigrette, this corn salad is perfect for picnics and cookouts. The fresh ingredients will make you forget all about your winter cold!

Southern Potato Salad Recipe

The perfect side dish for any occasion, this Southern potato salad is tangy and creamy. Easy enough to make on the fly or ahead so you can enjoy it at your next BBQ!

Southern Chess Pie

Looking for a summer dessert recipe? Then this delicious and easy to make Southern Chess Pie is a perfect choice! Made with a few simple ingredients, I just know you will love this sweet and rich pie! Use homemade pie crust or store bought.

This post was originally published on July 15, 2021. It has been updated with additional recipes.

Homemade All-Purpose Seasoning Recipe

June 21, 2022 by Tanya 3 Comments

homemade spice blend mixed with spoon sticking out and parsley on left

This all-purpose seasoning blend is the perfect mix of spices that all home cooks should have on hand. Made with everyday spices, this will elevate any meat, seafood, or vegetable recipe.

homemade spice blend mixed with spoon sticking out and parsley on left

This post contains affiliate links, please read my full disclaimer here.

Full Recipe Ingredients/Instructions are available in the 
recipe card at the bottom of the post. 
You can find important tips/tricks in the
blog post.

I started making my homemade spice blends years ago once I realized what a pain it is to grab five spice bottles from the pantry, especially on busy weeknights. Rather than grabbing different spice bottles from the pantry every time you're in the kitchen, take some time to make this spice blend ahead of time and use it as your everyday seasoning.

This homemade seasoning is incredibly easy to use and can be added to any dish to enhance its flavor. Simply sprinkle it on top of whatever you're cooking, like burgers, fish, or chicken, or add it to your favorite soups and stews.

Be sure to try my homemade bbq seasoning and fish seasoning too.

What is all-purpose seasoning?

It is a blend of spices that can add flavor to any dish. The mix includes salt, pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, and paprika. These spices are in many recipes, and combining them all in one beforehand will add tons of flavor to your food.

The ingredients for all-purpose seasoning

seasonings in white bowl with measuring spoons next to it

This all-purpose seasoning blend only uses seven ingredients! Feel free to start here and add or sub as you wish. This recipe includes:

  • Kosher Salt
  • Garlic Powder
  • Onion Powder
  • Black pepper
  • Dried Oregano
  • Paprika
  • Cayenne pepper

How to make your all-purpose seasoning blend

Mix all ingredients and store it in an airtight container.

How to use all-purpose seasoning

You can use this seasoning to flavor any dish, whether it's meat, stews, or snacks. Add all-purpose seasoning before cooking to flavor meat, vegetables, or fish and seafood.

If flavoring a stew, like stewed chicken or curry, add the all-purpose seasoning to the meats before making the stew. The same goes for meats like pork chops and ribs, add the seasoning to the meat prior to cooking. 

Use 2-3 teaspoons of all-purpose seasoning per pound of meat, seafood, or vegetables.

You can also sprinkle all-purpose seasoning on your favorite snacks, like crispy chickpeas or popcorn.

Instructions for storage

Store this DIY all-purpose seasoning in an airtight container. It will keep fresh for several months. Make sure to use dried spices that are not stale. Stale spices will lead to a blend with no flavor.  

Why make your own seasoning blend?

One of the benefits of all-purpose seasoning is that you control the ingredients. If you are trying to watch your sodium intake, then using all-purpose seasoning can be a great way to flavor your food without adding extra salt. All-purpose seasoning can also help to boost the flavor of any dish that might be lacking in flavor. If your food is starting to taste a bit bland, then adding all-purpose seasoning can help to give it a little boost.

homemade spice blend mixed with spoon holding spice up

Notes on all-purpose seasoning

  • Feel free to change up this seasoning to suit your taste. Use the herbs and spices you think will go best in your dish. Some suggestions include changing the herb from oregano to dried dill, basil, or crushed rosemary. If you want a smokier flavor, sub smoked paprika for the paprika in this recipe. You could add a bit of sugar for a sweet and salty blend.
  • The benefit of this blend is that you control the number of spices and salt. Make this blend salt free by eliminating the salt or drastically reducing it.
  • I use Kosher salt in this recipe but feel free to use any salt you prefer. If using table salt, you will need to lessen the amount of salt as table salt is denser and would lead to salty seasoning.
  • You'll want to make sure you're using dried herbs and spices, as this will allow your seasoning to be stored for longer.
  • Make a big batch or small batch by adjusting the amounts of ingredients.
  • Make sure that your ingredients aren't stale. Rub a little of each between your fingers; if they release an aroma, they are good to use.

Looking for more homemade seasoning blends and sauces? Try these out:

  • Jerk seasoning
  • Homemade chicken seasoning
  • Jamaican Curry Powder

 If you have tried this Homemade spice blend, or any other recipe on my blog, then please rate it and let me know how it turned out in the comments below!

homemade spice blend mixed with spoon sticking out and parsley on left
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4.72 from 7 votes

Homemade All-Purpose Seasoning Recipe

This all-purpose seasoning blend is the perfect mix of spices that all home cooks should have on hand. Made with everyday spices, this will elevate any meat, seafood, or vegetable recipe.
Prep Time5 minutes mins
Total Time5 minutes mins
Course: Seasoning
Cuisine: American
Keyword: all-purpose seasoning
Servings: 10 servings
Calories: 8kcal
Author: Tanya

Ingredients

  • 2 Tablespoons Kosher Salt
  • 1 Tablespoon Garlic Powder
  • 1 Tablespoon Onion Powder
  • 2 teaspoons Black pepper
  • 2 teaspoons Dried Oregano
  • 2 teaspoons Paprika
  • ¼ teaspoon Cayenne pepper

Instructions

  • Combine in a small bowl. Store in an airtight container.
  • Use to season your meats, seafood, vegetables, and stews.
  • Use 1-2 teaspoons of seasoning per pound of food.

Notes

  • This makes about ⅓ cup of seasoning. 
  • The benefit of this blend is that you control the number of spices and salt. Make this blend salt free by eliminating the salt or drastically reducing it.
  • I use Kosher salt in this recipe but feel free to use any salt you prefer. If using table salt, you will need to lessen the amount of salt as table salt is denser and would lead to salty seasoning.
  • Make sure that your ingredients aren't stale. Rub a little of each between your fingers; if they release an aroma, they are good to use.

Nutrition

Calories: 8kcal | Carbohydrates: 2g | Protein: 0.3g | Fat: 0.1g | Saturated Fat: 0.03g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 0.05g | Monounsaturated Fat: 0.02g | Sodium: 1397mg | Potassium: 37mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 0.1g | Vitamin A: 227IU | Vitamin C: 0.2mg | Calcium: 13mg | Iron: 0.4mg

Beet and Orange Salad

June 16, 2022 by Tanya 4 Comments

Overhead shot of roasted beet and orange salad in a white bowl.

Colorful and full of texture and flavor, this roasted beet and orange salad is a delicious side dish to serve alongside your favorite meals. Made with arugula and topped with feta cheese and walnuts, this vibrant salad is sure to become your favorite thing!

Beet and orange salad with arugula.

This post contains affiliate links, please read my full disclaimer here.

Full Recipe Ingredients/Instructions are available in the 
recipe card at the bottom of the post. 
You can find important tips/tricks in the
blog post.

Beets are one of my favorite veggies, and this salad is going to be on repeat for me this summer!

Sweet and earthy beets are served with arugula and juicy orange segments and topped with salty feta and crunchy roasted walnuts before being tossed in a honey and orange vinaigrette. This salad is vibrant in color and flavor.

Simple to make, this beet and orange salad comes together easily with a few fresh ingredients for a side salad that's perfect to enjoy in the warmer weather.

Be sure to try my Beet Soup Recipe and Crispy Air Fryer Beet Chips too!

Beet and orange salad in a white bowl next to serving spoons.

How to make beet and orange salad

  • Gather your ingredients.
Ingredients to make the recipe.
  • Preheat the oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit. Place peeled and cut beets in a greased baking dish and cover with olive oil. Bake for 40 minutes or until tender. Remove from oven and set aside.
Roasted beets in a baking dish.
  • While the beets are roasting, place all the ingredients for the dressing in a small bowl and mix to combine.
The salad dressing in a glass bowl.
  • Once the beets are done, Add the arugula to a large bowl. Pour half the dressing over the arugula and toss to coat.
  • Top the salad with roasted beets, oranges, walnuts, and feta cheese crumbles. Then pour the remaining dressing over the salad. Serve and enjoy.
The salad tossed together in a white bowl.

Can you make it ahead of time?

This beet and orange salad is best served as soon as it's made so that the arugula doesn't wilt and the oranges are super fresh and juicy. To get ahead of things, you can roast the beets a day ahead of time and keep them covered in the fridge, that way, it will take minutes to build the salad when you are ready to serve it.

Can you make it a fuller meal?

As it is, this salad makes for a refreshing and colorful side dish that will be a welcome accompaniment to any table. You can easily turn this into a full meal that's perfect for lunch or a light dinner by adding in some protein. Cooked chicken breast works wonderfully, or add in some chickpeas for a vegetarian option.

What do you serve it with?

The sweetness and freshness of this salad work wonderfully with chicken, beef, and seafood. It's a great option for your summer BBQs too! Try it with some of these favorites:

  • Spinach Stuffed Chicken Breasts
  • Shredded Italian Beef Sandwiches
  • Air Fryer Turkey Burgers
  • Easy Oven Baked Salmon
Arugula salad with roasted beets and sliced oranges.

Recipe Notes and Tips

  • Make this recipe vegan by swapping the honey in the dressing for maple syrup, and skipping the feta.
  • The arugula can be swapped for other greens like romaine lettuce or baby spinach.
  • Let the beets cool a little before tossing them with the other ingredients. If they are too hot, the arugula will wilt.

More Salad Recipes

  • Creamy Dill Potato Salad
  • Fresh Corn Salad
  • Black-Eyed Pea Salad
  • Southern Style Macaroni Salad
Overhead shot of roasted beet and orange salad in a white bowl.
Print Recipe
5 from 2 votes

Beet and Orange Salad

Colorful and full of texture and flavor, this roasted beet and orange salad is a delicious side dish to serve alongside your favorite meals. Made with arugula and topped with feta cheese and walnuts, this vibrant salad is sure to become your favorite thing!
Prep Time10 minutes mins
Cook Time40 minutes mins
Total Time50 minutes mins
Course: Salad
Cuisine: American
Keyword: beetroot salad recipe, orange salad with beets, roasted beet salad
Servings: 6 servings
Calories: 298kcal
Author: Tanya

Ingredients

  • 6 beets peeled and cut into wedges
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 2 cups baby arugula
  • 3 oranges peeled and cut into segments
  • ½ cup toasted chopped walnuts
  • ½ cup feta cheese crumbles

Dressing

  • ¼ cup olive oil
  • 2 tablespoons white wine vinegar
  • 1 tablespoon honey
  • 1 tablespoon orange juice
  • Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions

  • Preheat the oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit. Place the beets in a greased baking dish and cover with olive oil. Bake for 40 minutes or until tender. Remove from oven and set aside.
  • While the beets are roasting, place all the ingredients for the dressing in a small bowl and mix to combine.
  • Once the beets are done, Add the arugula to a large bowl. Pour half the dressing over the arugula and toss to coat.
  • Top the salad with roasted beets, oranges, walnuts, and feta cheese crumbles. Then pour the remaining dressing over the salad. Serve and enjoy.

Notes

  • This salad is best served when made.
  • Make this recipe vegan by swapping the honey in the dressing for maple syrup, and skip the feta.
  • The arugula can be swapped for other greens like romaine lettuce or baby spinach.
  • Let the beets cool a little before tossing with the other ingredients. If they are too hot, the arugula will wilt.
  • To toast walnuts - The walnut pieces can be toasted in the oven on a sheet pan or on the stovetop. To toast in the oven, lay the walnuts on a sheet pan and place them in a preheated oven of 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Toast for 8-10 minutes. To toast on the stovetop, add walnuts to a non-stick skillet and allow to toast on medium heat for 4-5 minutes.

Nutrition

Calories: 298kcal | Carbohydrates: 21g | Protein: 5g | Fat: 23g | Saturated Fat: 4g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 6g | Monounsaturated Fat: 11g | Cholesterol: 11mg | Sodium: 214mg | Potassium: 470mg | Fiber: 5g | Sugar: 15g | Vitamin A: 393IU | Vitamin C: 41mg | Calcium: 122mg | Iron: 1mg

Southern Cucumber Salad

June 15, 2022 by Tanya 7 Comments

Southern cucumber salad with red onion in a bowl with wooden salad spoons.

Fresh, zingy and refreshing, this Southern cucumber salad comes together quickly and easily with a few simple ingredients. Tossed in a red wine vinaigrette, this healthy and light salad is perfect for the summertime.

Southern cucumber salad with red onion in a bowl with wooden salad spoons.

This post contains affiliate links, please read my full disclaimer here.

If you've got some fresh cucumbers to use up, this salad is a must make! So easy to make and super tangy and refreshing, this Southern cucumber salad is perfect for those summer cookouts.

Made from scratch and low in fat, calories and carbs, this is a great accompaniment to your BBQ feast, or, serve it alongside your favorite weeknight dinners.

Thinly sliced cucumber and red onion is tossed in a simple red wine dressing for a bold and delicious bite.

Be sure to try my Sweet Chili Thai Cucumber Salad and Cucumber Ginger Juice too!

How to make Southern cucumber salad

  • Place sliced cucumbers in a colander that has been placed over a bowl or dish. Sprinkle kosher salt over sliced cucumbers. Stir to ensure salt gets over all the cucumbers. Let sit for about 15-30 minutes. The liquid will drip from the cucumbers.
Slicing the cumbers.
Salting the cucumbers.
Draining the water from the cucumber slices.
  • Using a paper towel or clean kitchen towel, remove excess moisture from the cucumber slices and place the slices in a large bowl.
  • Add red onion, red wine vinegar, sugar, black pepper, and crushed red pepper (if using) to the bowl and stir till combined. Cover and refrigerate for 1 hour. Serve and enjoy.
Sliced red onion and cucumbers in a bowl.

Do you have to salt the cucumbers?

Salting the cucumbers removes excess water so that your salad is nice and crunchy and water doesn't pool in the bottom. If you are serving this straight away, then you can skip this step, but the flavors are best when the salad is chilled for at least an hour before serving.

What else can you add to this salad?

This Southern cucumber salad is super delicious just as it is, but you can easily adapt it to suit your own tastes. For a creamy salad, stir in a little sour cream, or try adding fresh herbs like dill, cilantro or basil for a different flavor. You can also add in other thinly sliced crunchy veggies like carrot or radish too.

What do you serve it with?

This refreshing salad is a great addition to a cookout, potluck or BBQ and it's great to take on picnics. It works great with all kinds of chicken, fish and meat dishes, try it with some of these favorites:

  • Spinach Stuffed Chicken Breasts
  • Crispy Air Fryer Fish
  • Air Fryer Steak Bites
  • Sous Vide Pork Chops
Southern cucumber salad served in a white bowl.

Recipe Notes and Tips

  • Salting the cucumber will allow the dressing to stick to the cucumbers and keep them crunchy.
  • Any kind of cucumbers will work in this recipe. If your cucumber has a waxy exterior, consider peeling it before making this recipe.
  • Make it your own by adding fresh herbs like dill or basil.

More Salad Recipes

  • Creamy Dill Potato Salad
  • Fresh Corn Salad
  • Black-Eyed Pea Salad
  • Creamy Broccoli Cauliflower Salad
Southern cucumber salad with red onion in a bowl with wooden salad spoons.
Print Recipe
5 from 6 votes

Southern Cucumber Salad

Fresh, zingy and refreshing, this Southern cucumber salad comes together quickly and easily with a few simple ingredients. Tossed in a red wine vinaigrette, this healthy and light salad is perfect for the summertime.
Prep Time20 minutes mins
Chill Time1 hour hr
Total Time1 hour hr 20 minutes mins
Course: Salad, Side Dish
Cuisine: American
Keyword: cucumber red onion salad, easy cucumber salad, vegan cucumber salad
Servings: 4 servings
Calories: 39kcal
Author: Tanya

Ingredients

  • 2 medium-sized cucumbers thinly sliced (about 1 lb)
  • 2 teaspoons kosher salt
  • ½ red onion sliced
  • ¼ cup red wine vinegar
  • 2 teaspoons white granulated sugar
  • ⅛ teaspoon black pepper or to taste
  • ⅛ teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes optional

Instructions

  • Place sliced cucumbers in a colander that has been placed over a bowl or dish. Sprinkle kosher salt over sliced cucumbers. Stir to ensure salt gets over all the cucumbers. Let sit for about 15-30 minutes. The liquid will drip from the cucumbers.
  • Using a paper towel or clean kitchen towel, remove excess moisture from the cucumber slices and place the slices in a large bowl.
  • Add red onion, red wine vinegar, sugar, black pepper, and crushed red pepper (if using) to the bowl and stir till combined. Cover and refrigerate for 1 hour. Serve and enjoy.

Notes

  • Salting the cucumber will allow the dressing to stick to the cucumbers and keep them crunchy.
  • Any kind of cucumbers will work in this recipe. If your cucumber has a waxy exterior, consider peeling it before making this recipe.
  • Make it your own by adding fresh herbs like dill or basil.

Nutrition

Calories: 39kcal | Carbohydrates: 9g | Protein: 1g | Fat: 1g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 1g | Sodium: 1169mg | Potassium: 249mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 5g | Vitamin A: 177IU | Vitamin C: 5mg | Calcium: 29mg | Iron: 1mg

What is Oxtail?

June 14, 2022 by Tanya 6 Comments

raw oxtail

Everything you need to know about oxtail, from how to prepare this humble cut of meat, to the health benefits of oxtail, and everything in between!

oxtail inside pot

If you’ve never purchased, prepared, or tried oxtail meat, you probably have a lot of questions. Like, what is it made of? Is oxtail from an actual tail? And, what the heck is an ox?

Let’s start at the beginning - or because we’re talking about a tail, the end! Oxtail is a cross-cut section of beef that a butcher cuts from a cow’s tail. The cut is usually from the uppermost part of the tail or the middle section. Because the tail is thicker at the top and becomes thinner the closer you get to the end, oxtail pieces can vary in size and shape.

No matter which cut you use, the one thing all oxtail pieces have in common is that they’re super gelatinous and filled with connective tissue, but that’s not necessarily a bad thing. Because oxtail meat is best prepared by braising, slow cooking, or using a pressure cooker, all of that connective tissue gets broken down and gives any dish it touches a rich, beefy flavor. 

Oxtail meat is considered a delicacy and is popular in countries around the world, and for good reason - it’s deliciously tender, full of meaty flavor, and easy to prepare. If you’ve never tried it, you’ve got to add it to your grocery list. 

raw oxtail

Oxtail health benefits 

Oxtail has a surprising amount of health benefits. The connective tissue in and around an oxtail is filled with collagen. When the meat and connective tissues around the it melts down during the cooking process, it turns into a collagen-rich broth, which isn’t just incredibly flavorful it also has some meaningful health benefits. Collagen has the potential to support the growth of healthy hair and nails, while also relieving joint pain and preventing bone loss. Some health professionals also say it promotes healthy skin. Sounds pretty good to me!

Because oxtail is red meat, it’s a great source of iron, which helps move oxygen through the body, and prevents anemia.

Where to buy oxtail

You don’t have to go to a specialty grocer to find oxtail meat, it’s available at most local grocery stores. I’m usually able to find oxtail cuts in the pre-packaged meat section. But, if you don’t see them there, your butcher should have a few pieces behind the meat counter. You'll also usually find it at international grocery stores.

When you’re buying oxtail, keep in mind that unlike other cuts of beef, oxtail may appear to be more bone than meat. And that’s okay. Part of the reason oxtail meat is so rich is that when the bones are braised, the bone marrow melts into whatever dish you’re preparing, so less meat doesn’t necessarily mean less flavor.

If you buy oxtail directly from the butcher, rather than in the refrigerated meat section, you can also select your own pieces. Ask for the larger, thicker cuts, they have a bit more meat and a larger section of bone, which means more marrow!  

Why is oxtail so expensive?

There's no doubt that oxtail is pricey! Prices can vary from about $10 per pound or more. The cut is considered a delicacy and is not as widely available as other cuts of meat, which also contributes to its higher price. Although expensive, many people will pay for the prime cut of meat to make delicious they love and are familiar with. The fact that when cooked right, oxtail melt in your mouth. There is nothing like a piece of oxtail that has been cooked low and slow.

Best Tips for cooking

If you're looking for a delicious way to cook oxtail, here are some tips to help you get the most out of your meal.

  • Oxtail is best cooked slowly over low heat. This allows the meat to become tender and fall off the bone. If you're in a hurry, a pressure cooker will work fine, but you'll still need to cook the oxtail for about 40 minutes or more until tender.
  • When cooking oxtail, be sure to add water or stock to the pot. This will help to keep the meat moist and prevent it from drying out.
  • Oxtail can be cooked in a variety of ways, including braising, stewing, or even baking. Experiment with different methods to find the one that best suits your taste.
  • Don't forget to season your oxtail with salt and pepper before cooking. This will help to bring out the natural flavors of the meat.
  • Oxtail is best served with a flavorful gravy or sauce. This will help to keep the meat moist and add extra flavor to your dish.

Following these tips, you'll be able to cook up a delicious oxtail meal that everyone will enjoy.

Mouthwatering recipes

Chefs around the world love working with oxtail because it’s so rich and fall-off-the-fork tender. 

The most popular oxtail recipes always involve slow cooking, braising or pressure cooking. Think comforting soups, stews, and ragus with a super-rich flavor, thanks to the oxtail bones. 

oxtail recipes

Jamaican Oxtails Recipe

One of my absolutely favorite oxtail recipes. Using a pressure cook to do most of the work, means the oxtails take just an hour to cook. Garlic, onions, carrots and habanero pepper create a savory base, while the cooked butter beans add heartiness.

 

Photo Credit: www.bonappetit.com

Oxtail and Red Wine Stew

Another irresistible oxtail recipe, and one that’s sure to get your taste buds tingling! Few things in life are better than slow cooking beef and fresh vegetables in red wine. 

Photo Credit: food52.com

Heartwarming Oxtail Pho Recipe on Food52

Looking for a dish that is filled with aromatic spices? An anise and coriander broth make this recipe for Oxtail Pho , a soup you’ll want to make again and again.

Photo Credit: www.sweetteaandthyme.com

Slow Cooked Southern Oxtails Recipe

These Southern cooked oxtail are made using a sous vide, resulting in tender delicious oxtail.

Photo Credit: www.foodfidelity.com

"Can't Stand It" Braised Beef Oxtail Tacos in Spicy Chili Sauce

Turn that leftover taco meat into tacos! These braised beef oxtail are placed in a toasted tortilla and topped with pickled onions for loads of flavor.

Photo Credit: www.allrecipes.com

Oxtail Ragu

Pulling any remaining meat from the oxtails can give you some pretty amazing leftover dishes. If you make oxtail ragu, reheat the leftover oxtail to make an oxtail ragu sandwich. Simply take a Kaiser roll, or other thick bakery sandwich roll, pile the ragu meat inside, and viola! The perfect solution to leftover oxtail.

Photo Credit: kennethtemple.com

Oxtail Quesadillas

Another easy way to use leftover oxtail meat. Grab some flour tortillas, cheese, and a few other simple ingredients for the perfect weeknight meal.

These tips and recipes will make you an oxtail pro.

Zesty and Easy Grilled Marinated Vegetables

June 13, 2022 by Tanya 8 Comments

vegetables in foil packets on sheet pan with reynolds wrap box on side

Summertime is the perfect time to fire up the grill and cook some delicious vegetables. These Grilled Marinated Vegetables are the perfect side dish for your next BBQ feast.

vegetables in foil packets on sheet pan with reynolds wrap box on side

As a Reynolds Wrap® Ambassador, I’m excited to show you how to use Reynolds Wrap® Heavy Duty Foil.

Summer is finally here, and I couldn't be more excited to get on the grill. I'm talking grilled steaks, hamburgers, hot dogs; you name it! But let's not forget about delicious summer grilled vegetables.

Grilling vegetables is a great way to cook them up quickly and easily. However, when grilling, sometimes small cut vegetables can burn, stick to the grill grates, or fall right through. To avoid these issues, cook your cut veggies in foil packets made with Reynolds Wrap® Heavy Duty Foil. The only foil I trust on the grill is Reynolds Wrap®. Reynolds Wrap® is high quality and safe for cooking, making the foil my go-to in the kitchen and on the grill.

I like to marinate my vegetables before adding them to the foil packet and the grill. Marinating your veggies in advance will add great flavor and moisture, ensuring that they come out perfectly cooked every time.

Ingredients Needed

ingredient collage of sliced vegetables and marinade ingredients
  • Summer vegetables - I use zucchini, yellow squash, red bell peppers, white onions, and white button mushrooms. Feel free to mix it up and your favorite summer vegetables.
  • Marinade Ingredients - I use olive oil, fresh lemon juice, Italian seasoning, minced garlic, kosher salt, and black pepper. This bright and zingy marinade pairs perfectly with these vegetables.
  • Reynolds Wrap® Heavy Duty Foil - After marinating the vegetables, I add them in the middle of a piece of Reynolds Wrap® Heavy Duty Foil and create foil packets before adding them to the grill. The foil packet protects the vegetables and allows them to cook quickly and easily without the risk of them burning or falling through the grill grates. 

How to make Grilled Marinated Vegetables

Prep the veggies

First, slice your zucchini, yellow squash, white onion and red bell pepper. Cut the mushrooms in half. Place the cut vegetables in a large bowl and set them aside.

Whisk olive oil, fresh lemon juice, Italian seasoning, minced garlic, Kosher salt and black pepper in a separate bowl. Pour this mixture over the vegetables and stir to combine, ensuring all the vegetables are coated.

Cover and allow to marinate for 20-30 minutes.

Meanwhile, preheat your grill to medium-high heat, between 375-400°F.

collage of whick and marinade and marinated vegetables in glass bowl

Prepare a foil packet

Tear off six 16-inch sheets of Reynolds Wrap® Heavy Duty Foil and divide the marinated vegetables into the center of each sheet. Bring the long sides of the foil to the center so the ends meet over the vegetables. Double fold the ends, then double fold the short ends to seal the packet.

collage of creating a foil packet

Grill the vegetables

Add the foil packets to the preheated grill and grill for 15-20 minutes until the vegetables are tender.

foil packets on a grill

Remove the foil packets with gloves or tongs. Wait 5 minutes before opening them. Season the vegetables with additional salt and pepper to taste. Serve and enjoy. 

vegetables wrapped in foil on sheet pan

Why marinate the vegetables?

Marinating vegetables enhances your favorite vegetables without overpowering them. It's a great way to infuse herbs into your favorite vegetables. My marinade recipe is delicious, but you can experiment with different herbs and spices to find a marinade that you love.

How to cut vegetables for grilling?

I like to cut my vegetables into thin slices. I keep the mushrooms halved to stay nice and juicy once cooked.

How long can you marinate vegetables before grilling?

It depends on the type of vegetable. For example, denser vegetables like potatoes and carrots can marinate for up to 24 hours, while more delicate veggies like zucchini only need 30 minutes.

Avoid marinating delicate vegetables too long as they can become mushy.

Can I add protein to these grilled vegetables?

Sure! Grilled chicken, shrimp, or steak would be great additions to these marinated grilled vegetables. Add the protein to the foil packets with the vegetables right before grilling. If adding chicken, cut them into bite-sized pieces to ensure they cook through. 

grilled marinated vegeatbles on a sheet pan lined with heavy duty foil

Why foil packets are the best for grilling vegetables.

Foil packets are the best for grilling these marinated vegetables. Using Reynolds Wrap® Heavy Duty Foil allows the vegetables to be prepped and cut before grilling, enabling the vegetables to cook in the marinade. You also don't have to worry about the cut vegetables burning or falling through the grates.

Reynolds Wrap® is high quality, durable, and strong enough to survive the grill's heat. Once I'm done grilling, I just throw the foil away, making cleanup a breeze.

Why Heavy Duty?

I use Reynolds Wrap® Heavy Duty Foil to protect my vegetables from the direct heat of the grill. It’s perfect for tough jobs when you need something stronger and more durable than regular foil, like grilling or freezing your favorite foods. You won’t have to worry about rips or tears during these tough jobs. 

Reynolds Wrap® Heavy Duty Foil is also available in a wider 18-inch roll, making it perfect for lining the grill or making larger foil packets.

Can I bake these foil packets in an oven?

Absolutely! Just preheat your oven to 375°F. Place the foil packets on a sheet pan and bake for 15-20 minutes until the vegetables are tender.

Serving Suggestions

These grilled vegetables pair perfectly with your favorite meals. Top them on your favorite grain, like quinoa or brown rice, or serve them alongside your favorite steak or fish.

Notes on Grilled Marinated Vegetables

  • These grilled veggies can be stored in the refrigerator for 3-4 days. I do not suggest freezing these vegetables. 
  • Use tongs are heat-resistant gloves to remove the cooked foil packets from the grill. Wait a few minutes before opening as the steam inside the foil packet will be hot. 

I hope you enjoy these marinated grilled vegetables as much as we do!

More delicious summer recipes?

  • BBQ Sheet Pan Nachos
  • Jamaican Jerk Shrimp
  • Fresh Corn Salad Recipe
close up photo of grilled vegetables in foil packets
vegetables in foil packets on sheet pan with reynolds wrap box on side
Print Recipe
5 from 3 votes

Zesty and Easy Grilled Marinated Vegetables

These Grilled Marinated Vegetables are the perfect side dish for your next BBQ feast.
Prep Time10 minutes mins
Cook Time15 minutes mins
Marinating Time15 minutes mins
Total Time45 minutes mins
Course: Side Dish
Cuisine: American
Keyword: grilled vegetables, marinated grilled vegetables
Servings: 6 people
Author: Tanya

Ingredients

  • Reynolds Wrap® Heavy Duty Foil

Vegetables

  • 1 medium zucchini thinly sliced into rounds
  • 1 yellow squash thinly sliced into rounds
  • 1 white onion thinly sliced
  • 1 red bell pepper thinly sliced
  • 8 oz white button mushrooms cut in half

Marinade

  • 4 Tablespoons olive oil
  • 2 Tablespoons fresh lemon juice from 1 lemon
  • 2 teaspoons Italian seasoning
  • 2 teaspoons minced garlic
  • 1 teaspoon Kosher salt
  • ¼ teaspoon black pepper
  • Additional salt and pepper to taste

Instructions

  • Place zucchini, yellow squash, white onion, red bell pepper, and white button mushrooms in a large bowl. Set aside.
  • Whisk together olive oil, fresh lemon juice, Italian seasoning, minced garlic, Kosher salt, and black pepper in a separate small bowl. Pour this mixture over the vegetables in the large bowl and stir to combine, ensuring all vegetables are coated.
  • Cover and place vegetables in the refrigerator for for 20-30 minutes.
  • Meanwhile, preheat your grill to medium-high heat, between 375 - 400 degrees Fahrenheit.
  • Tear off six 16-inch sheets of Reynolds Wrap® Heavy Duty Foil and divide the marinated vegetables into the center of each sheet. Bring up the long sides of the foil, so the ends meet over the vegetables. Double fold the long ends, then double fold the short ends to seal the packet. 
  • Add the foil packets to the preheated grill and grill for 15-20 minutes, until the vegetables are tender.
  • Carefully remove the foil packets from the grill with gloves or tongs. Wait 5 minutes before carefully opening foil packets. Season with additional salt and pepper to taste. Enjoy.

Notes

  • These grilled veggies can be stored in the refrigerator for 3-4 days. I do not suggest freezing these vegetables. 
  • Use tongs that are heat-resistant gloves to remove the cooked foil packets from the grill. Wait a few minutes before opening as the steam inside the foil packet will be hot.

Air Fryer Sweet Potato Wedges

June 9, 2022 by Tanya 1 Comment

Air fryer sweet potato wedges on a plate with a dip.

Perfect for a side dish or game day appetizer, these yummy sweet potato wedges are so quick to cook in the air fryer. Tossed in a sweet and salty seasoning, these restaurant-quality wedges take minutes to prep and cook. Everyone will be asking for seconds!

Air fryer sweet potato wedges on a plate with a dip.

This post contains affiliate links, please read my full disclaimer here.

Full Recipe Ingredients/Instructions are available in the 
recipe card at the bottom of the post. 
You can find important tips/tricks in the
blog post.

Whether you are looking for a tasty side to serve with dinner, or an easy-to-make appetizer whilst watching the game, these air fryer sweet potato wedges tick all the right boxes!

Seasoned with a mix of brown sugar, cinnamon, paprika, and cayenne, these wedges have the most wonderful sweet and salty flavor with a hint of spice. Quick to prep and super quick to air fry, the edges have a great crisp and the middles are perfectly soft and tender.

A tasty change to your usual potato fries, and healthier too!

Be sure to try my Mashed Sweet Potatoes and Southern Candied Sweet Potatoes too!

Close up of sweet potato wedges in an air fryer basket.

How to make air fryer sweet potato wedges

  • Gather your ingredients and cut the sweet potatoes.
Ingredients to make the recipe.
  • Place the sweet potatoes in a large bowl and toss them with olive oil.
  • In a small bowl, mix the brown sugar, salt, garlic powder, onion powder, black pepper, cinnamon, smoked paprika, and cayenne pepper.
  • Pour the spice mixture into the bowl with the sweet potatoes and toss to coat.
Sweet potato wedges in a bowl.
Seasonings mixed together.
Cut sweet potato tossed in the seasoning.
  • Preheat the air fryer to 375 degrees Fahrenheit. Air fry for 14 minutes, flipping halfway through cooking time. Serve with your favorite dipping sauce.
Cooked sweet potato wedges in an air fryer basket.

Do you need to peel the sweet potatoes?

I prefer not to peel the sweet potatoes. It's less work and I enjoy the different textures of the skin and insides. The skins also contain fiber and nutrients. If you prefer to, you can peel them before tossing them in the oil and seasonings.

How do you get the wedges crispy?

Sweet potatoes do tend to be less crispy than regular white potatoes. That's just an element I'm willing to give up because the flavor of these is amazing.

You'll still want to use oil to ensure the sweet potatoes do not dry out. Make sure that the wedges are really well coated all over with the oil, I like to use my hands to make sure all of the edges have a good coating. Make sure that your air fryer is fully preheated and cook them in a single even layer. If the sweet potato wedges are overlapping, they will steam and be soggy.

What do you serve them with?

These air fryer sweet potato wedges are great served as an appetizer with favorite dips like remoulade sauce, Homemade BBQ Sauce, and ketchup, or, serve them up as a side with favorite mains. They work wonderfully with:

  • Air Fryer Steak Bites
  • Spinach Stuffed Chicken Breasts
  • Easy Oven Baked Salmon
  • Air Fryer Turkey Burgers
Close up of sweet potato wedge fries.

Recipe Notes and Tips

  • Make sure not to overcrowd the air fryer. Cook in batches if necessary.
  • Cut the sweet potato wedges as evenly as possible.
  • To make sweet potato fries, cut them thinner and you may need to reduce the cooking time slightly.
  • Leftovers will keep well for 3 days covered in the fridge. Reheat them at 400 degrees Fahrenheit for 3 to 5 minutes to crisp them back up.

More Air Fryer Recipes

  • Air Fryer Baked Sweet Potato
  • Marinated Air Fryer Vegetables
  • Air Fryer Fish Tacos
  • Air Fryer Cornish Hens
  • Air Fryer Frozen Hamburgers
Air fryer sweet potato wedges on a plate with a dip.
Print Recipe
5 from 1 vote

Air Fryer Sweet Potato Wedges

Perfect for a side dish or game day appetizer, these yummy sweet potato wedges are so quick to cook in the air fryer. Tossed in a sweet and salty seasoning, these restaurant quality wedges take minutes to prep and cook. Everyone will be asking for seconds!
Prep Time10 minutes mins
Cook Time14 minutes mins
Total Time24 minutes mins
Course: Appetizer, Side Dish
Cuisine: American
Keyword: air fried sweet potato, how to air fry sweet potato, seasoned sweet potato wedges
Servings: 2 servings
Calories: 274kcal
Author: Tanya

Ingredients

  • 2 medium sweet potatoes cut into wedges
  • 1 Tablespoon olive oil
  • ½ Tablespoon brown sugar
  • 1 teaspoons salt
  • ½ teaspoon garlic powder
  • ½ teaspoon onion powder
  • ¼ teaspoon black pepper
  • ¼ teaspoon cinnamon
  • ¼ teaspoon smoked paprika
  • Pinch of cayenne pepper

Instructions

  • Place the sweet potatoes in a large bowl and toss them with the olive oil.
  • In a small bowl, mix the brown sugar, salt, garlic powder, onion powder, black pepper, cinnamon, smoked paprika, and cayenne pepper.
  • Pour the spice mixture into the bowl with the sweet potatoes and toss to coat.
  • Preheat the air fryer to 375 degrees Fahrenheit. Air fry for 14 minutes, flipping halfway through cooking time. Serve with your favorite dipping sauce.

Notes

  • Make sure not to overcrowd the air fryer. Cook in batches if necessary.
  • Cut the sweet potato wedges as evenly as possible.
  • To make sweet potato fries, cut them thinner and you may need to reduce the cooking time slightly.
  • Leftovers will keep well for 3 days covered in the fridge. Reheat them at 400F for 3 to 5 minutes to crisp them back up.

Nutrition

Calories: 274kcal | Carbohydrates: 50g | Protein: 4g | Fat: 7g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 5g | Sodium: 1289mg | Potassium: 790mg | Fiber: 7g | Sugar: 12g | Vitamin A: 32188IU | Vitamin C: 6mg | Calcium: 78mg | Iron: 2mg

Air Fryer Tilapia

June 7, 2022 by Tanya 2 Comments

A fork cutting a tilapia fillet on a white plate.

Quick to cook and delicious to eat, tilapia fish fillets come out perfectly when cooked in the air fryer. Simply seasoned, this mild-tasting white fish is wonderfully flaky and perfect for a healthy weeknight dinner the whole family will love.

A fork cutting a tilapia fillet on a white plate.

This post contains affiliate links, please read my full disclaimer here.

Full Recipe Ingredients/Instructions are available in the 
recipe card at the bottom of the post. 
You can find important tips/tricks in the
blog post.

If you are looking for a tasty way to mix up your fish dinner, this air fryer tilapia recipe will hit the spot. Seasoned with my homemade fish seasoning, it's super quick to prep and cook and you can be serving it in less than 15 minutes.

Low in calories, carbs and fats and high in protein, this is a great healthy dinner that tastes amazing. You only need a couple of ingredients too, which you'll likely have to hand already.

Serve it up with your favorite veggie, potato, and salad sides for a filling meal that even your picky eaters will love.

Be sure to try my Air Fryer Whole Fish and Marinated Air Fryer Salmon too!

A tilapia fillet in an air fryer basket garnished with fresh parsley.

How to make air fryer tilapia

Gather your ingredients.

Ingredients to make the recipe.

Preheat the air fryer to 400 degrees Fahrenheit.

Season the filets with fish seasoning or any dry seasonings of your choice.

Two tilapia fillets seasoned.

Place the filets in the preheated air fryer basket. Spray the top of the fish filets with a little oil.

Air fry the filets for about 7-10 minutes until the fish is flaky.

Serve with lemon slices and chopped parsley if desired.

Cooked tilapia filets in the air fryer basket.

What does tilapia taste like?

If you don't like an overly fishy taste, then tilapia fillets are perfect for you! They are very mild with a touch of sweetness, similar to red snapper. It has a firm but flaky texture and is a great option for those that don't usually like fish. When cooked, it will take on the flavor of the fish seasoning.

Can you use other seasonings?

I always have some of my fish seasoning to hand in my pantry, it takes minutes to make and I always make a big batch so it's ready to use. You can use a store-bought fish seasoning, or mix things up with your own blends! Tilapia is very mild in flavor, so it will work well with pretty much any combination! Try it with some of these other seasoning recipes:

  • Lemon Pepper Seasoning
  • Homemade Cajun Seasoning
  • Jamaican Jerk Seasoning

Can you make it ahead of time?

This tilapia recipe is best served as soon as you have air-fried it, and as it is so quick to prep and cook, that's not too much hassle at all! If you do have leftovers, they will keep well in the fridge for up to 3 days and can be reheated in the air fryer at 360 degrees Fahrenheit for around 3 minutes to heat through. You can also add it cold to salads.

Can you make this in the oven?

Yes! I love oven-baked fish. Just preheat your oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit and bake on a lined sheet pan for about 15-20 minutes.

What do you serve it with?

This air fryer tilapia is great to serve with salads, vegetables, or potato sides for a healthy and well-balanced dinner. Try it with some of these favorites:

  • Marinated Air Fryer Vegetables
  • Creamy Dill Potato Salad
  • Broccoli Slaw
  • Air Fryer Carrots
Two air fryer tilapia fillets on a plate with lemon slices.

Recipe Notes and Tips

  • I used thawed tilapia for this recipe. If cooking the tilapia from frozen, cook for about 10-12 minutes. 
  • If thawing the tilapia fillets, pat them dry well before seasoning to remove excess water.
  • Any high heat oil will do well in this recipe, such as canola, olive oil, avocado oil, etc.
  • These fillets will take between 7 and 10 minutes to cook through. The cooked fish should be firm but flaky and be an even white color throughout.

More Air Fryer Seafood Recipes

  • Crispy Air Fryer Fish
  • Air Fryer Fish Tacos
  • Air Fryer Crab Legs
  • Air Fryer Scallops with Garlic Herb Butter
  • Crispy Air Fryer Fried Shrimp
A fork cutting a tilapia fillet on a white plate.
Print Recipe
5 from 1 vote

Air Fryer Tilapia

Quick to cook and delicious to eat, tilapia fish fillets come out perfectly when cooked in the air fryer. Simply seasoned, this mild tasting white fish is wonderfully flaky and perfect for a healthy weeknight dinner the whole family will love.
Prep Time5 minutes mins
Cook Time7 minutes mins
Total Time12 minutes mins
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: American
Keyword: air fried tilapia, how to air fry tilapia fish, tilapia fillets air fryer recipe
Servings: 4 servings
Calories: 166kcal
Author: Tanya

Ingredients

  • 2-4 tilapia filets rinsed and patted dry
  • 2 teaspoons of fish seasoning
  • Oil for spraying
  • Lemon slices and chopped parsley for serving

Instructions

  • Preheat the air fryer to 400 degrees Fahrenheit.
  • Season the filets with fish seasoning. Place the filets in the preheated air fryer basket. Spray the top of the fish filets with a little oil.
  • Air fry the filets for about 7-10 minutes until the fish is flaky.
  • Serve with lemon slices and chopped parsley if desired.

Notes

  • I used thawed tilapia for this recipe. If cooking the tilapia from frozen, cook for about 10-12 minutes. 
  • If thawing the tilapia fillets, pat them dry well before seasoning to remove excess water.
  • Any high heat oil will do well in this recipe, such as canola, olive oil, avocado oil, etc.
  • These fillets will take between 7 and 10 minutes to cook through. The cooked fish should be firm but flaky and be an even white color throughout.

Nutrition

Calories: 166kcal | Carbohydrates: 1g | Protein: 34g | Fat: 3g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 85mg | Sodium: 89mg | Potassium: 520mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 1g | Vitamin A: 26IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 27mg | Iron: 1mg

Beef and Bean Stew

May 24, 2022 by Tanya 19 Comments

Overhead shot of a bowl of beef and bean stew.

Wholesome and hearty, this homemade beef and bean stew is sure to warm your body and soul! Easy to make in one pot, this stew is loaded with fresh veggies and tender beef for a filling family dinner that's full of flavor and goodness.

Overhead shot of a bowl of beef and bean stew.

This post contains affiliate links, please read my full disclaimer here.

Full Recipe Ingredients/Instructions are available in the 
recipe card at the bottom of the post. 
You can find important tips/tricks in the
blog post.

When it comes to comfort food, you can't beat a good stew. Wonderfully hearty and chunky, this beef and bean stew is perfectly flavorful and so easy to make.

Great for meal prep and freezer meals, this recipe is loaded with protein whilst remaining pretty low in calories and fats, plus you get lots of healthy vitamins and minerals from the fresh veggies.

Easy to make from scratch, this budget friendly stew is all cooked in one pot on the stovetop so even the clean up is a breeze! The stew beef is slow cooked and wonderfully tender and delicious. This is sure to become a favorite with the whole family!

Be sure to try my Brunswick Stew and Brown Stew Chicken too!

Close up of the beef and bean stew garnished with fresh parsley.

How to make beef and bean stew

  • Gather your ingredients.
Ingredients to make the recipe.
  • Heat the oil in dutch oven or large pot over medium heat. Add the beef to the pot and brown on all sides, about 1-2 minutes per side. Make sure not to overcrowd the pot. Cook in batches if necessary.
Browning the beef cubes.
  • Once the beef is done browning, remove it from the pot. Add the onions and carrots and cook until soft, about 5-6 minutes.
Vegetables cooking in the Dutch oven.
  • Then add in the garlic, thyme, and dried sage. Cook until the garlic is fragrant, about 1 minute.
  • Add the salt, pepper, bay leaves, beef broth, and pinto beans. Add the beef back to the pot. Bring this mixture to a boil, then reduce the heat to a simmer. Cover and simmer for about 2 hours or until the beef is tender. Remove the lid for the last 30 minutes of simmering.
Broth and beans added to the pot and stirred with a wooden spoon.

Can you make it ahead of time?

I love making stews as they are great for leftovers and freezer meals - cook them once and enjoy twice! Leftovers will keep well in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days, and up to 6 months when frozen.

Let the stew cool fully before storing. Frozen stew should be thawed in the fridge overnight and it can be reheated in a pot on the stovetop.

What's the best beef to use?

Traditionally, stews are a budget friendly meal. Because the beef is slow cooked, you can use cheaper and tougher cuts of beef so it's much kinder on your wallet! For best results, use beef stew meat, you can buy it already cut into cubes in some places which cuts down on your prep time. Don't use expensive cuts of steak in this recipe as they won't stand up well to the long cook time.

What do you serve it with?

This beef and bean stew is delicious just by itself, serve it in a bowl like a soup and it will leave you feeling satisfied! For a larger meal, you can easily serve it with some of these favorite sides:

  • Air Fryer Dinner Rolls
  • Mashed Sweet Potatoes
  • Garlic Mashed Potatoes
  • Buttery Instant Pot Green Beans and Potatoes

Is it healthy?

This homemade stew is a great option for a well balanced diet. Thanks to the beef and beans it's high in protein, and the veggies add a lot of nutrients and fiber. One serving is just under 400 calories and it's pretty low in fats too. This is one stew you can feel great about!

Beef and bean stew served in a white bowl.

Recipe Notes and Tips

  • Feel free to add in extra veggies if you like! Mushrooms and bell peppers are both great choices!
  • I like to use a Dutch oven to make this stew as it heats evenly so you don't get hotspots that can scorch the bottom. You can use a large pot if you don't have a Dutch oven.
  • Brown the beef well, it should be pretty dark brown when you remove it from the pan. This is how you get the flavor.
  • If making ahead of time, let the stew cool fully before refrigerating or freezing.

More Beef Recipes

  • Boneless Roast Beef
  • Air Fryer Beef Tenderloin
  • Shredded Italian Beef Sandwiches
  • Quick and Easy Mongolian Beef
  • Braised Beef Shanks
Overhead shot of a bowl of beef and bean stew.
Print Recipe
4.70 from 23 votes

Beef and Bean Stew

Wholesome and hearty, this homemade beef and bean stew is sure to warm your body and soul! Easy to make in one pot, this stew is loaded with fresh veggies and tender beef for a filling family dinner that's full of flavor and goodness.
Prep Time10 minutes mins
Cook Time2 hours hrs 10 minutes mins
Total Time2 hours hrs 20 minutes mins
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: American
Keyword: beef stew with pinto beans, healthy beef stew, stovetop beef stew
Servings: 6 servings
Calories: 397kcal
Author: Tanya

Ingredients

  • 2 tablespoons neutral cooking oil
  • 2 pounds beef stew meat cut into 1 inch pieces
  • 1 large onion chopped
  • 2 large carrots sliced
  • 4 garlic cloves minced
  • 1 teaspoon fresh thyme chopped
  • ½ teaspoon dried sage
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • ½ teaspoon black pepper
  • 2 bay leaves
  • 3 cups beef broth
  • 2 15oz cans pinto beans

Instructions

  • Heat the oil in dutch oven or large pot over medium heat. Add the beef to the pot and brown on all sides, about 1-2 minutes per side. Make sure not to overcrowd the pot. Cook in batches if necessary.
  • Once the beef is done browning, remove it from the pot. Add the onions and carrots and cook until soft, about 5-6 minutes.
  • Then add in the garlic, thyme, and dried sage. Cook until the garlic is fragrant, about 1 minute.
  • Add the salt, pepper, bay leaves, beef broth and pinto beans. Add the beef back to the pot. Bring this mixture to a boil, then reduce the heat to a simmer. Cover and simmer for about 2 hours or until the beef is tender. Remove the lid for the last 30 minutes of simmering.

Notes

  • Feel free to add in extra veggies if you like! Mushrooms and bell peppers are both great choices!
  • I like to use a Dutch oven to make this stew as it heats evenly so you don't get hotspots that can scorch the bottom. You can use a large pot if you don't have a Dutch oven.
  • Brown the beef well, it should be pretty dark brown when you remove it from the pan. This is how you get the flavor.
  • If making ahead of time, let the stew cool fully before refrigerating or freezing.

Nutrition

Calories: 397kcal | Carbohydrates: 26g | Protein: 42g | Fat: 13g | Saturated Fat: 3g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 2g | Monounsaturated Fat: 6g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 94mg | Sodium: 1314mg | Potassium: 1076mg | Fiber: 8g | Sugar: 3g | Vitamin A: 3417IU | Vitamin C: 5mg | Calcium: 120mg | Iron: 6mg

Jamaican Green Banana Porridge (Creamy and Delicious)

May 11, 2022 by Tanya 6 Comments

green banana porridge in white bowl with green banana and nutmeg in background

This Jamaican Green banana porridge is a delicious breakfast staple that is delicious and healthy. Creamy, smooth, and flavorful, it's a recipe your whole family will love.

green banana porridge in white bowl with green banana and nutmeg in background

This post contains affiliate links, please read my full disclaimer here.

Porridge is one of my all-time favorite breakfast items. Most mornings, we would usually have cornmeal porridge or oatmeal, but if we had green bananas in the house, this was the porridge we were making.

Green banana porridge takes a little bit of prep but the results are totally worth it. The porridge is smooth, thick, creamy, and flavored with spiced and sweetened with condensed milk. This delicious and healthy breakfast can't be beaten!

If you're a fan of Jamaican food, try my other Jamaican breakfast recipes, like this ackee and saltfish and these Jamaican banana fritters.

How to make Jamaican green banana porridge

Gather your ingredients. This banana porridge uses raw green bananas.

ingredients for jamaican green banana porridge

The skin on a green banana is tough and you will need to peel the green banana by cutting the skin off.

How to remove the peel from a green banana

Peel and cut your green bananas by using a pairing knife. Start by cutting off the stem of the banana. Then, create a slit down the side of the banana and then remove the peel.

collage image of green banana being peeled

Blend the green banana with milk

Once peeled, add green banana, coconut milk, and almond milk to a blender. Blend on medium speed until the mixture is smooth.

peeled green banana and milk in blender
blended ingredients for green banana porridge in blender

Cook the porridge on the stove

Meanwhile, bring water and ½ teaspoon of salt to a boil in a pot.

Add mixture from blender to boiling water and stir until the banana mixture is dissolved in the water. Reduce heat and continue to cook on medium heat, stirring occasionally, for about 12 minutes, until the porridge thickens.

green banana porridge boiling in pot

After 12 minutes, stir in vanilla extract, allspice, cinnamon, and nutmeg, and allow to cook for an additional 2 minutes.

Remove from heat and stir in condensed milk to taste.

condensed milk being added to pot of green banana porridge

Serve and enjoy.

What are green bananas?

Green bananas are unripe bananas. They are usually firmer and less sweet than ripe bananas. They are typically cooked, usually by boiling, before being eaten. Green bananas are available in most supermarkets in the produce section or in international markets.

Is Green banana porridge healthy?

Yes! Green bananas contain a good amount of dietary fiber and are a good source of potassium. These are important for keeping the digestive system healthy and preventing constipation. They also contain vitamins and minerals that can help boost the immune system, improve heart health, and increase energy levels.

spoon lifting porridge out of bowl

Notes on Green banana porridge

  • To make this recipe vegan, sub the condensed milk with vegan condensed milk.
  • If you find that porridge is too thick and making large bubbles, stir in a little more water.
  • Uses any spices you like to season, like a whole cinnamon stick, pimento berries, or almond essence. Remove any whole spices before serving.
  • Remember to stir the porridge often to prevent lumping.
  • Serve this with your favorite breakfast items, like toast, fruit, and a nice cup of coffee.

I hope you enjoy this Jamaican banana porridge as much as we do.

Looking for other Jamaican recipes? Try these out.

  • Jamaican saltfish fritters
  • Brown stew chicken
  • Jamaican festival

If you made this green banana porridge recipe, I'd love to hear from you. Please leave a comment below. Your feedback is greatly appreciated. Thanks so much!

green banana porridge in white bowl with green banana and nutmeg in background
Print Recipe
4.67 from 6 votes

Creamy Jamaican Green Banana Porridge

This Jamaican Green banana porridge is a delicious breakfast staple that is delicious and healthy. Creamy, smooth, and flavorful, it's a recipe your whole family will love.
Prep Time10 minutes mins
Cook Time14 minutes mins
Total Time24 minutes mins
Course: Breakfast
Cuisine: Caribbean
Keyword: green banana porridge, jamaican green banana porridge
Servings: 4 people
Calories: 355kcal
Author: Tanya

Equipment

  • Blender

Ingredients

  • 4 green bananas peel removed
  • 1 cup coconut milk
  • 1 cup unsweetened almond milk or any milk of your choice
  • 2 cups water
  • ½ teaspoon Kosher salt
  • 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract
  • ½ teaspoon ground Cinnamon
  • ½ teaspoon ground nutmeg
  • ¼ teaspoon ground allspice
  • ½ cup sweetened condensed milk or to taste

Instructions

  • Add peeled green bananas, coconut milk, and almond milk to a blender. Blend on medium speed until the mixture is smooth.
  • Meanwhile, bring water and ½ teaspoon of salt to a boil in a pot.
  • Add mixture from blender to boiling water and stir until the banana mixture is dissolved in the water. Reduce heat and continue to cook on medium heat, stirring occasionally, for about 12 minutes, until the porridge thickens.
  • After 12 minutes, stir in vanlla extract, allspice, innamon, and nutmeg, and vallow to cook for an additional 2 minutes.
  • Remove from heat and stir in condensed milk to taste.

Notes

  • Peel and cut your green bananas by using a pairing knife. Start by cutting off the stem of the banana. Then, create a slit down the side of the banana and then remove the peel.
  • To make this recipe vegan, sub the condensed milk with vegan condensed milk.
  • If you find that porridge is too thick and making large bubbles, stir in a little more water.
  • Uses any spices you like to season, like a whole cinnamon stick, pimento berries, or almond essence. Remove any whole spices before serving.
  • Remember to stir the porridge often to prevent lumping.

Nutrition

Calories: 355kcal | Carbohydrates: 50g | Protein: 6g | Fat: 17g | Saturated Fat: 13g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 2g | Cholesterol: 13mg | Sodium: 532mg | Potassium: 693mg | Fiber: 4g | Sugar: 33g | Vitamin A: 104IU | Vitamin C: 2mg | Calcium: 201mg | Iron: 2mg

Air Fryer Steak Bites

May 10, 2022 by Tanya 5 Comments

Cooked steak bites in the air fryer basket.

Juicy, tender and so delicious, these air fryer steak bites are perfect for a main meal or tasty appetizer to share. Simply seasoned and quickly cooked, you can have these on the table in less than 15 minutes.

Close up of steak bites garnished with fresh herbs.

This post contains affiliate links, please read my full disclaimer here.

Full Recipe Ingredients/Instructions are available in the 
recipe card at the bottom of the post. 
You can find important tips/tricks in the
blog post.

I'm so happy to introduce you to my current air fryer favorite! These steak bites are so good you'll be eating them right out of the basket! Tender and juicy steak has never been easier to cook!

I've been air frying steak for a while and it's such a great way to make a quick steak dinner.

These air fryer steak bites are a great quick and easy option for a delicious weeknight dinner, but I also love serving them up as tasty appetizers to serve to guests. Just pop some toothpicks in, arrange them on a plate, and they are going to disappear quickly!

Simply seasoned with everyday ingredients, these are super quick to prep and cook and are a guaranteed hit!

Be sure to try my Air Fryer Steak Fajitas too!

Air fryer steak bites garnished with fresh parsley.

How to make air fryer steak bites

  • Gather your ingredients
Ingredients to make the recipe.
  • Place the steak in a large bowl and coat it with olive oil.
  • Then add the kosher salt, black pepper, garlic powder, and onion powder. Toss to coat.
Cubes of raw steak in a bowl with oil and seasonings.
  • Cook at 400 degrees Fahrenheit for 7-10 minutes.
Seasoned steak in an air fryer basket.
Cooked steak bites in the air fryer basket.

What's the best steak to use?

Most cuts of steak will work well in this recipe, ideally, you'll want something fairly thick with a decent amount of fat for the best flavor. I used boneless ribeye, but sirloin, cap, or filet mignon will all work great. It's best to avoid flank and skirt as these cuts are pretty thin.

How are they seasoned?

These air fryer steak bites are simply seasoned with salt, pepper, garlic, and onion powder, but you can easily mix things up to suit your tastes! Make them herby by using dried herbs like Italian seasoning, chives, or oregano, or spice things up with some chili flakes, cayenne, or paprika.

How do you serve them?

These tender steak bites can be served as an appetizer or quick and easy main with your favorite sides. For the main dish, pair them with some of these favorites:

  • Garlic Mashed Potatoes
  • Creamy Mushroom Sauce
  • Marinated Air Fryer Vegetables
  • Cheesy Scalloped Potatoes

Or, turn them into a crowd-pleasing appetizer! Once cooked, spear each cube with a cocktail stick and arrange it on a serving platter. You can even drizzle them with some blue cheese sauce to really elevate them.

Air fried steak bites served on a white plate.

Recipe Notes and Tips

  • It's so easy to cook these steak bites exactly how you like them! At 7 minutes, mine were cooked medium rare, for more well done, take them up to 10 minutes.
  • Cut the steak into similar-sized cubes so that they cook through evenly.
  • Make sure that the steak pieces are well coated in the oil, this will help them to brown nicely.
  • Sirloin, ribeye, filet mignon, or any steak will work. I used boneless ribeye.
  • You can add other seasonings like oregano and red pepper flakes to spice things up a bit.

More Air Fryer Recipes

  • Air Fryer Fish Tacos
  • Marinated Air Fryer Salmon
  • Air Fryer Cornish Hens
  • Air Fryer Steak Kebabs
Cooked steak bites in the air fryer basket.
Print Recipe
5 from 2 votes

Air Fryer Steak Bites

Juicy, tender and so delicious, these air fryer steak bites are perfect for a main meal or tasty appetizer to share. Simply seasoned and quickly cooked, you can have these on the table in less than 15 minutes.
Prep Time5 minutes mins
Cook Time7 minutes mins
Total Time12 minutes mins
Course: Appetizer, Main Course
Cuisine: American
Keyword: air fried steak bites, how to cook steak in the air fryer, steak appetizer recipe
Servings: 4 servings
Calories: 389kcal
Author: Tanya

Ingredients

  • 1 ½ lbs your favorite steak cut into bite size pieces, see notes
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1 teaspoons kosher salt
  • ¼ teaspoon ground black pepper
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1 teaspoon onion powder

Instructions

  • Place the steak in a large bowl and coat it with olive oil.
  • Then add the kosher salt, black pepper, garlic powder and onion powder. Toss to coat.
  • Cook on 400F for 7-10 minutes.

Notes

  • It's so easy to cook these steak bites exactly how you like them! At 7 minutes, mine were cooked medium rare, for more well done, take them up to 10 minutes.
  • Cut the steak into similar sized cubes so that the cook through evenly.
  • Make sure that the steak pieces are well coated in the oil, this will help them to brown nicely.
  • Sirloin, ribeye, filet mignon or any steak will work. I used boneless ribeye.
  • You can add other seasonings like oregano and red pepper flakes to spice things up a bit.
  • Sirloin, ribeye, filet mignon or any steak will work. I used boneless ribeye
  • You can add other seasonings like oregano and red pepper flakes to spice things up a bit

Nutrition

Calories: 389kcal | Carbohydrates: 1g | Protein: 34g | Fat: 28g | Saturated Fat: 11g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 2g | Monounsaturated Fat: 14g | Cholesterol: 104mg | Sodium: 671mg | Potassium: 472mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 1g | Vitamin A: 26IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 15mg | Iron: 3mg

How to Sauté: The Best Tips and Tricks for Perfectly Sauteed Food

May 9, 2022 by Tanya Leave a Comment

Sautéing is a simple cooking method that can turn a weeknight meal into magic! Follow this easy guide and learn how to sauté your favorite foods.

Learning how to saute is one of the most valuable skills a home cook can have. This quick and easy cooking method isn’t just great for weeknight meals, it’s great for giving meats, vegetables, and other food items a wonderful golden-brown crispness!

Sautéing can turn everyday kitchen staples into flavorful meals in a matter of minutes. Once you learn how to properly sauté, you will have endless options when it comes to preparing stovetop vegetables, meats, and seafood. 

When following a recipe, you'll usually see "sauté the onions" as an initial step. It's helpful to know exactly what that means and how it's done. Additionally, many vegetables, meats, and seafood can be sautéed.

sweet onions on white background

What is sautéing?

Sautéing is the cooking of food in a shallow pan with a small amount of fat - basically, oil or butter. Chefs love sautéing because it cooks food quickly while retaining moisture, enhancing flavor, and browning for added texture. If you’ve enjoyed crispy sauteed shrimp with butter, then you understand the benefits of sautéing - yum!

Sauteeing is one of the main stovetop cooking techniques that is the base for many recipes.

The word ‘sauté’ comes from the French word ‘to jump’, because the oil or butter in the sauté pan should “jump” and sizzle when the ingredients are added to the pan. That makes sense, right?

Sauteeing will usually involve butter or oil. The fat in the pan is essential for browning meats and acts as an effective way to heat the pan while preventing items from sticking to the surface. But there are other cooking methods that involve pans, oil, and butter, so what’s the difference between sautéing, frying, searing, and sweating?

Sauté vs fry

When it comes to sautéing vs. frying - and searing, the differences all come down to how much fat is in the pan, and the cooking temperature. Adding more oil to the skillet, and cooking at a lower temperature for longer is the key to great pan-fried recipes. While searing involves using high heat to brown meats, or form a crust - on a steak or a roast, for example.

Saute vs sweating

cooked onions on two white plates. plate on top says sweat and on bottom says sauté

Sweating often gets confused with sauteing. Sweating involves cooking food, mainly vegetables, like onions, in a shallow pan with a small amount of fan, but over low heat. The purpose of sweating is to soften the vegetables without browning. Sweating vegetables is often best when you want to release some flavor and liquid from the vegetables without browning them. Sweating will generally take longer to soften the vegetables than sauteing.

Sauté Temperature Cheat Sheet

Searing high-heat
Sautéingmedium-high heat
Pan-fryingmedium-heat

What kind of pan to use for sautéing?

Pan size: One of the keys to a good sauté is using a pan that allows enough room for your ingredients to move around - in other words, don’t crowd the pan. Using the correct size pan to sauté helps your food cook and brown at the same speed, so you get the same result. You'll typically want to grab a 10-12 inch skillet when sautéing. 

Pan type: Stainless steel, cast iron skillets, or aluminum frying pans all work well for sautéing and browning foods. A non-stick pan can sauté well but it won't be the best in browning. Non-stick sauté pans are the perfect pan for sautéing fish because they help maintain that delicate fish texture.

Onions, garlic and mushroom stems in a skillet.
Add onions, scotch bonnet pepper, green onions, and garlic to skillet. Cook until onions are translucent.

What type of oil to use for sautéing

The type of oil you use to sauté really comes down to personal preference and smoking points. Olive oil, canola oil, coconut oil, avocado oil, and grapeseed oil are all popular and have high smoke points. Some home cooks prefer grapeseed oil because it has a more neutral flavor than olive oil, and can be heated to a higher temperature without smoking.

And, don’t forget - you can always use a few tabs of delicious butter, ghee, or duck fat to sauté! Whether you use oil or another type of fat when you sauté, just remember that less is more. Use just enough oil to lightly coat the bottom of the pan. If you find that your ingredients are sticking to the pan, you can always add a bit more as you cook, just don’t overdo it.

If using fats or oils with a low smoke point, like butter, make sure to keep the heat over medium heat. Cranking the heat too high may cause the oil to burn and leave a bitter taste in your entire dish.

Can you sauté without oil?

Although the definition of the word sauté includes cooking in oil, many home cooks may find they can avoid using oil if they use the right tools. Water, stock, or a little liquid can be used to sauté in place of fat. Just make sure to use a non-stick pan in these incidences to avoid your food sticking.

A step-by-step guide to sautéing

  • Before you add your meat or vegetables, remove any excess moisture to prevent the food from steaming
  • Then, heat the sauté pan. A minute on medium-high heat is a good rule of thumb. This process of heating your pan first will ensure your food does not stick. Just be careful and make sure your pan does not get too hot.
  • Add the fat and allow it to warm in the pan. You’ll know the oil or butter is ready when it starts to shimmer. If your oil or butter begins to smoke, remove it, allow the pan to cool and wipe it clean, and start over.
  • Now you’re ready to sauté!

How to sauté vegetables

Perfectly sauteed vegetables are a thing of beauty!

  • Add the vegetables to the pan and spread them evenly across the surface.
  • Stir the vegetables until all of the pieces are coated with oil.
  • Continue moving the vegetables every few minutes until they’re tender, and just a little crispy and crunchy on the outside.

How to sauté meat

Sautéing meat is easier than you think!

  • To sauté meat, follow the same instructions above, making sure the pieces of meat are evenly coated with oil.
  • If you find the meat is browning too quickly, or sticking to the bottom of the pan, reduce the heat.
  • Once the meat has achieved a nice golden brown texture, check the internal temperature with a meat thermometer for doneness.
  • For a quick reference, the internal temperature of the most frequently sauteed meats are:
  • chicken - 165°F
  • pork chops - 145°F
  • steaks - 145°F
  • ground beef - 165°F

How to sauté fish

Fish is delicate and needs to be treated a tad bit differently. When cooking thin fish filets, cook pieces over lower heat in a non-stick pan to ensure they don't overcook. for thicker filets, higher heat may be used.

More tips on saute

  • Make sure any food you sauté is cut into uniform pieces to ensure they cook evenly.
  • Make sure to pay careful attention to the food while cooking when it comes to sautéeing. Foods cooked over higher heat can burn quickly if not watched.
  • Use wooden tools, like a wooden spoon, or spatula when stirring food in a skillet, especially non-stick skillets to keep the pans lasting longer.
  • Avoid using high temperatures if using nonstick pans.

I hope this guide helps you in your cooking journey. Need more helpful cooking guides, check these out:

  • Air Fryer Tips and Tricks
  • Different kinds of onions and when to use them

Marinated Air Fryer Vegetables Recipe

May 4, 2022 by Tanya 24 Comments

The cooked marinated vegetables in the air fryer basket

These Marinated Air Fryer Vegetables are a great flavorful and healthy side dish. Easy and quick to prep, they are a great way to get a bit of goodness on your plate in a tasty way.

Air fryer vegetables in a white bowl

This post contains affiliate links, please read my full disclaimer here.

Full Recipe Ingredients/Instructions are available in the 
recipe card at the bottom of the post. 
You can find important tips/tricks in the
blog post.

I don't know about you, but I'm always looking for a new side dish to serve up. These marinated air fryer vegetables were a hit! Super easy to make and perfectly roasted in the air fryer!

They are perfect to serve with all of your favorite weeknight meals like air fryer chicken breast and turkey burgers.

Ingredients To Make Marinated Air Fryer Vegetables

Vegetables, Sliced

  • Zucchini
  • Yellow Squash
  • Mushrooms
  • Red onion
  • Red bell pepper

Marinade

  • Olive oil and balsamic vinegar
  • Honey
  • Salt and garlic powder
  • Dried thyme and oregano
  • Garlic Powder
  • Liquid smoke
Vegetables on a white work top
Chopped vegetables on a white surface

How To Make Air Fryer Marinated Vegetables

  • Place marinade ingredients in a large bowl and whisk until combined.
Marinade ingredients mixed together
  • Place vegetables in a bowl or storage bag, cover with marinade and stir until all vegetables are fully covered. I add the marinade to the vegetables in a bag and roll it around until the veggies are covered.
  • Allow vegetables to marinate for 20-30 minutes.
The vegetables and marinade in a glass bowl
  • Place marinated vegetables in an air fryer basket and cook at 400 degrees Fahrenheit for 15-18 minutes, stirring every 5 minutes, until tender.
The uncooked vegetables in the air fryer basket
The cooked marinated vegetables in the air fryer basket

Sprinkle a little bit of salt over the vegetables before serving.

Can you use other vegetables?

I found that these specific vegetables worked really well with the marinade and the texture was just perfect. You can of course experiment with other veggies you have in the fridge. Stay away from anything too soft like tomatoes though.

Can you use frozen vegetables?

It's best to use fresh veggies in this recipe. You can cook frozen vegetables in the air fryer, but they won't soak up the delicious marinade. Thawed frozen vegetables will contain too much moisture.

Can you make them ahead of time?

These vegetables are best served as soon as they are made. If you have leftovers, keep them in an airtight container in the fridge. They can be reheated in the air fryer or in the oven.

Close up of the marinated air fryer vegetables

Recipe Notes and Tips

  • Adding liquid smoke gives the vegetables a smokey grilled taste.
  • Try not to marinate the vegetables for too long or your vegetables will be mushy rather than tender.

More Side Dish Recipes

  • Instant Pot Green Beans and Potatoes
  • Air Fryer Sweet Potatoes
  • Carrot Raisin Salad
  • Air Fryer Corn on the Cob
  • Air Fryer Roasted Carrots
The cooked marinated vegetables in the air fryer basket
Print Recipe
4.92 from 12 votes

Marinated Air Fryer Vegetables Recipe

These marinated air fryer vegetables are a great flavorful and healthy side dish. Easy and quick to prep, they are are a great way to get a bit of goodness on your plate in a tasty way.
Prep Time10 minutes mins
Cook Time15 minutes mins
Marinading time20 minutes mins
Total Time25 minutes mins
Course: Side Dish
Cuisine: American
Keyword: air fryer vegetables, marinated vegetables, vegetable side dish
Servings: 4 servings
Calories: 200kcal
Author: Tanya

Ingredients

Vegetables

  • 2 green zucchini cut into ½ inch pieces
  • 1 yellow squash cut into ½ inch pieces
  • 4 oz button mushrooms cut in half
  • 1 red onion cut into ½ inch pieces
  • 1 red bell pepper cut into ½ inch pieces

Marinade

  • 4 Tablespoon Olive Oil
  • 2 Tablespoon Balsamic Vinegar
  • 1 Tablespoon Honey
  • 1 ½ teaspoon salt
  • ½ teaspoon dried thyme
  • ½ teaspoon dried oregano
  • ¼ teaspoon garlic powder
  • A few drops of liquid smoke optional
  • salt to taste

Instructions

  • Place marinade ingredients in a large bowl and whisk until combined. Place chopped vegetables in bowl and stir until all vegetables are fully covered.
  • Allow vegetables to marinate for 20-30 minutes.
  • Place marinated vegetables in air fryer basket and cook on 400 degrees Fahrenheit for 15-18 minutes, stirring every 5 minutes, until tender. Salt to taste.

Notes

  • Adding liquid smoke gives the vegetables a smokey grilled taste.
  • Try not to marinate the vegetables for too long or your vegetables will be mushy rather than tender.

Nutrition

Calories: 200kcal | Carbohydrates: 16g | Protein: 3g | Fat: 15g | Saturated Fat: 2g | Sodium: 890mg | Potassium: 586mg | Fiber: 3g | Sugar: 12g | Vitamin A: 1225IU | Vitamin C: 67mg | Calcium: 34mg | Iron: 1mg

This post was originally published 4/2/2020. It has been updated with better photos and helpful tips.

Air Fryer Fish Tacos

May 3, 2022 by Tanya 1 Comment

Crispy soft shell fish tacos topped with slaw and cilantro.

Cook up some delicious crispy fish tacos quickly and easily in your air fryer. Whitefish is dredged in cornmeal and seasonings and air fried until perfectly crispy.

Close up of an air fried fish taco next to a lime wedge.

This post contains affiliate links, please read my full disclaimer here.

Full Recipe Ingredients/Instructions are available in the 
recipe card at the bottom of the post. 
You can find important tips/tricks in the
blog post.

There's no need to wait til taco Tuesday, these delicious crispy fish tacos are perfect for any day of the week! Mexican is one of our favorite cuisines, and these kid-friendly tacos are always a hit!

As much as I love a crispy fish taco, I'm not always in the mood to deep fry, and oven baking just doesn't get the same results. The air fryer makes it so easy to make this street food at home in a matter of minutes and the results are more than delicious!

Topped with tangy homemade lime crema and crunchy slaw, these tacos are loaded with flavor and texture, and they are ready to enjoy in just 20 minutes!

Be sure to try my Air Fryer Chicken Tacos and Instant Pot Chicken Tacos too!

Four air fryer fish tacos served on a plate with fresh cilantro and lime wedges.

How to make air fryer fish tacos

  • Gather your ingredients.
Ingredients to make the recipe.
  • In a large bowl, mix the cornmeal, flour, old bay, kosher salt, garlic powder, onion powder, and paprika.
  • Pat the fish dry and then dip into the cornmeal mixture, making sure all sides are coated.
  • Spray the air fryer with cooking spray. Then place the fish in the air fryer. Spray the fish with a light coating of cooking spray.
  • Cook at 400F for 8-10 minutes.
Breaded fish in the air fryer basket before being cooked.
Fried fish strips in an air fryer basket.
  • In a small bowl, combine the ingredients for the lime crema.
  • In a large bowl, combine the ingredients for the slaw.
Lime crema in a bowl with a spoon.
Slaw in a white bowl.
  • Warm the tortillas in the microwave or oven and then layer with the desired toppings.
Fish tacos topped with slaw and lime crema.

What's the best fish to use?

I like to use whitefish for my tacos, they generally have a mild flavor with a hint of sweetness, and have a soft and flaky texture. Cod, pollock, halibut, haddock, or halibut all work great. If you want to mix things up. you could totally make these with salmon, or try them with my Crispy Air Fryer Fried Shrimp!

What toppings can you add?

I love to serve these with my lime crema and quick slaw. The flavors of the lime work so well with the crispy fish! You can of course build these any way you like, try topping them with:

  • Blender Salsa
  • Broccoli Slaw
  • Guacamole
  • Sliced Jalapeno
  • Feta
  • Sliced Avocado
  • Fresh Cilantro
  • Sour Cream

Can you make these without an air fryer?

You can fry or oven bake the fish rather than air frying, but honestly, air fried is the way to go!

If you want to deep fry, fry the fish in hot oil till crispy and cooked through, this is a pretty quick way and the fish will get crispy, but you'll be using a lot more oil and it can get a little messy!

You can oven-bake the fish on a lined baking sheet at 380F for about 20 minutes. This still gives good results, but it won't be as crispy.

What do you serve them with?

These air-fried fish tacos can easily be served by themselves, or, serve them up with favorite sides like Air Fryer Corn on the Cob or Fresh Corn Salad.

Crispy soft shell fish tacos topped with slaw and cilantro.

Recipe Notes and Tips

  • If using frozen fish, make sure that it is fully defrosted before using.
  • Pat the fish dry before seasoning and breading, this will help it get nice and crispy.
  • Cook the fish strips in an even layer for best results.
  • These air fryer fish tacos can be served in soft or hard shells.
  • Other toppings like tomatoes, feta cheese, or avocado can be added for extra flavor. Serve it with a side of watermelon salsa for a refreshing twist.

More Air Fried Fish Recipes

  • Air Fryer Whole Fish
  • Air Fryer Tilapia
  • Crispy Air Fryer Fish
  • Marinated Air Fryer Salmon
  • Air Fryer Salmon Patties
Crispy soft shell fish tacos topped with slaw and cilantro.
Print Recipe
5 from 1 vote

Air Fryer Fish Tacos

Cook up some delicious crispy fish tacos quickly and easily in your air fryer. White fish is dredged in cornmeal and seasonings and air fried til perfectly crispy. Served in soft flour tortillas and topped with lime crema and a crunchy slaw.
Prep Time10 minutes mins
Cook Time10 minutes mins
Total Time20 minutes mins
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: Mexican
Keyword: air fried fish tacos, crispy fish tacos, fish tacos with slaw and crema
Servings: 8 tacos
Calories: 363kcal
Author: Tanya

Ingredients

Fish

  • 1 pound white fish cut into strips
  • ½ cup cornmeal
  • ½ cup flour
  • 2 teaspoons old bay
  • 1 teaspoon kosher salt
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1 teaspoon onion powder
  • 1 teaspoon paprika

Lime Crema

  • ½ cup sour cream
  • ½ cup mayo
  • Zest of 1 lime

Slaw

  • 14 ounces cole slaw mix
  • ½ red onion thinly sliced
  • ⅓ cup cilantro chopped
  • Juice of 1 lime
  • 2 teaspoons sugar

Other ingredients

  • 8 flour tortillas heated

Instructions

  • In a large bowl, mix the cornmeal, flour, old bay, kosher salt, garlic powder, onion powder and paprika.
  • Pat the fish dry and then dip into the cornmeal mixture, making sure all sides are coated.
  • Spray the air fryer with cooking spray. Then place the fish in the air fryer. Spray the fish with a light coating of cooking spray.
  • Cook at 400F for 8-10 minutes.
  • In a small bowl, combine the ingredients for the lime crema.
  • In a large bowl, combine the ingredients for the slaw.
  • Warm the tortillas in the microwave or oven and then layer with the desired toppings.

Notes

  • If using frozen fish, make sure that it is fully defrosted before using.
  • Pat the fish dry before seasoning and breading, this will help it get nice and crispy.
  • Cook the fish strips in an even layer for best results.
  • These tacos can be served in soft or hard shells.
  • Other toppings like tomatoes, feta cheese, or avocado can be added for extra flavor.

Nutrition

Calories: 363kcal | Carbohydrates: 35g | Protein: 17g | Fat: 17g | Saturated Fat: 4g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 8g | Monounsaturated Fat: 4g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 43mg | Sodium: 645mg | Potassium: 393mg | Fiber: 4g | Sugar: 5g | Vitamin A: 333IU | Vitamin C: 22mg | Calcium: 99mg | Iron: 3mg

Creamy Mushroom Sauce (Best Ever!)

May 2, 2022 by Tanya 8 Comments

Close up of the finished mushroom sauce with fresh parsley.

Made with garlic, white wine, cream, and parmesan, this creamy mushroom sauce is decadent and delicious and has so many uses! Use it to top steak or chicken, or, serve over pasta or rice for a quick and easy dinner.

A wooden spoon stirring the mushroom sauce.

This post contains affiliate links, please read my full disclaimer here.

Full Recipe Ingredients/Instructions are available in the 
recipe card at the bottom of the post. 
You can find important tips/tricks in the
blog post.

Mushrooms are one of my favorite veggies, with their earthy and umami flavor and meaty texture, they are always welcome on my plate! Similar to my creamy mushroom soup, this sauce is just full of flavor.

This creamy mushroom sauce comes together quickly and easily all in one skillet and is wonderfully rich and flavorful. Ready to serve in 20 minutes, so it's a great option for a weeknight dinner, but it's easily fancy enough to serve to company.

This is delicious served over freshly cooked pasta or rice for a really comforting family dinner, or serve it as a topping for steak or chicken to elevate your plate.

Be sure to try my Cream Cheese Stuffed Mushrooms and Slow Cooker Garlic Herb Mushrooms too!

Close up of the finished mushroom sauce with fresh parsley.

How to make creamy mushroom sauce

Melt butter in a large 12-inch skillet over medium heat. Then add garlic and sauté for about 10 seconds.

Butter and garlic in a skillet.

Add mushrooms and stir for about 10-15 minutes, until softened and reduced. Add thyme.

Sautéing mushrooms in a skillet.

Pour in white wine and stir, using a wooden spoon to scrape any brown bits at the bottom of the skillet. Allow this to cook until the wine has mostly evaporated, about 1 minute.

White wine and broth added to the mushrooms.

Pour in chicken broth and allow it to simmer for 1-2 minutes. Then add the heavy cream and allow to cook for an additional 3 minutes, until the heavy cream has thickened.

Cream added to the mushrooms.

Remove from heat, and stir in the grated parmesan cheese. Garnish with chopped parsley.

Creamy mushroom sauce garnished with fresh parsley.

Can you make it without wine?

The white wine adds a great complexity of taste and more layers of flavor to this creamy mushroom sauce. I use chardonnay, but any dry white wine will work well. If you don't want to use wine, you can swap it for some additional chicken stock. Deglaze the pan with it and let it cook down before carrying on with the rest of the recipe.

This cream of mushroom chicken recipe has a mushroom sauce that does not contain wine.

What are the best mushrooms to use?

I made this sauce with baby Bella mushrooms. They have an earthy and meaty flavor that works wonderfully with steak. They are also known as cremini mushrooms. You can also white button mushrooms or chopped portobellos too, or try it with shitake for a richer taste.

How do you serve it?

This white wine and mushroom sauce is delicious served on top of some freshly cooked pasta or brown rice for a delicious family meal. If I'm entertaining, I like to serve it over steak or chicken for some added flavor. Serve up with favorite sides like:

  • Buttery Instant Pot Green Beans and Potatoes
  • Mashed Sweet Potatoes
  • Seasoned Air Fryer Broccoli
  • Marinated Air Fryer Vegetables
Sliced mushrooms in a creamy sauce.

Recipe Notes and Tips

  • I use Chardonnay wine in this recipe. Any dry white wine will work.
  • I love the flavor of baby Bella mushrooms but white button mushrooms may be used as well.
  • This creamy mushroom sauce goes well over pasta, brown rice, or your favorite protein.
  • Make it vegetarian by using vegetable broth and a rennet-free hard cheese rather than parmesan.
  • Cook the mushrooms well and allow them to brown before adding the liquids, this is how you create the flavor.

More Sauce Recipes

  • Homemade Remoulade Sauce
  • Vinegar BBQ Sauce (North Carolina Style)
  • Homemade Horseradish Sauce
  • Chimichurri Sauce
Close up of the finished mushroom sauce with fresh parsley.
Print Recipe
4.89 from 9 votes

Creamy Mushroom Sauce

Made with garlic, white wine, cream and parmesan, this creamy mushroom sauce is decadent and delicious and has so many uses! Use it to top steak or chicken, or, serve over pasta or rice for a quick and easy dinner.
Prep Time5 minutes mins
Cook Time15 minutes mins
Total Time20 minutes mins
Course: Sauce
Cuisine: American
Keyword: mushroom sauce for steak, pasta mushroom sauce, white wine mushroom sauce
Servings: 4 servings
Calories: 289kcal
Author: Tanya

Ingredients

  • 3 Tablespoons unsalted butter
  • 4 garlic cloves chopped
  • 16 oz sliced baby bella mushrooms
  • 1 teaspoon fresh thyme leaves
  • ½ cup white wine
  • ½ cup chicken broth
  • ¾ cup heavy cream
  • 1 Tablespoon grated parmesan cheese
  • 2 Tablespoon parsley chopped

Instructions

  • Melt butter in a large 12 inch skillet over medium heat. Add garlic and saute for about 10 seconds.
  • Add mushrooms and stir for about 10-15 minutes, until softened and reduced. Add thyme.
  • Pour in white wine and stir, using a wooden spoon to scrape any brown bits at the bottom of the skillet. Allow to cook until the wine has mostly evaporated, about 1 minute.
  • Pour in chicken broth and allow it simmer for 1-2 minutes. Then add the heavy cream and allow to cook for an additional 3 minutes, until the heavy cream has thickened.
  • Remove from heat, stir in the grated parmesan cheese. Garnish with chopped parsley.

Notes

  • I use Chardonnay wine in this recipe. Any dry white wine will work.
  • I love the flavor of baby bella mushrooms but white button mushrooms may be used as well.
  • This sauce goes well over pasta, brown rice, or your favorite protein.
  • Make it vegetarian by using vegetable broth and a rennet free hard cheese rather than parmesan.
  • Cook the mushrooms well before adding the liquids, this is how you create the flavor.

Nutrition

Calories: 289kcal | Carbohydrates: 8g | Protein: 5g | Fat: 25g | Saturated Fat: 16g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 6g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 75mg | Sodium: 154mg | Potassium: 608mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 4g | Vitamin A: 1122IU | Vitamin C: 5mg | Calcium: 78mg | Iron: 1mg

Jamaican Saltfish Fritters

May 1, 2022 by Tanya Leave a Comment

If you're looking for a delicious and authentic Jamaican dish, look no further than these saltfish fritters. These golden fried fritters are savory and full of delicious Caribbean flavor.

fritters on white pate with peppers around it

This post contains affiliate links, please read my full disclaimer here.

Full Recipe Ingredients/Instructions are available in the 
recipe card at the bottom of the post. 
You can find important tips/tricks in the
blog post.

These saltfish fritters, also known as codfish fritters, are one of my favorite Caribbean snacks. I was able to get my mom to actually write down the steps she uses to make this recipe so I could share it with you all.

In a similar fashion to my banana fritters recipe, this recipe involves creating a loose wet batter and shallow frying on the stovetop. It's a quick and easy recipe that requires just a little prep work.

If you like saltfish, be sure to try my ackee and saltfish and callaloo and saltfish recipe too. 

Ingredients Needed for Saltfish Fritters

ingredients for saltfish fritters on white background
  • Salted Fish (Cod) - Saltfish, also known as salted cod or salt cod, is a type of preserved fish that has been dried and cured. If you can't find salted cod, you can use fresh codfish that has been cooked and flaked.
  • Flour - all-purpose flour is the base of the fritter.
  • Cold water - helps create the loose batter.
  • Fresh seasoning - green onions and tomato.
  • Scotch bonnet pepper - A popular ingredient found in many Jamaican recipes. It's optional if you want a little spice.
  • Seasoning - all-purpose seasoning and black pepper.
  • Oil - for frying. Use a high-heat oil like canola, vegetable, or avocado oil.

How to make Saltfish Fritters

Prepare the Salted Codfish

This recipe uses salted cod and you will need to prepare it before adding it to the fritter batter. Rinse the saltfish. Place the salt fish in a large pot and cover with about 2 inches of water and bring it to a boil. Allow the saltfish to boil in the water for 10-12 minutes and then drain the water to remove excess salt.

While boiling, foam will appear at the top. Watch closely and make sure the water does not boil over on the top of the pot. Once the excess salt is removed, flake the fish and proceed with the recipe.

You can also soak the salt cod in water for 24 hours, changing the water several times. Once it is fully soaked and tender, boil the codfish for 4-5 minutes, drain the cod, flake it into small pieces, and use it in your fritter batter.

You can also use fresh cod in this recipe. Just season and bake the codfish and allow it to cool, before flaking it and adding it to the batter.

Prepare the fritter batter

Chop your green onions, tomato, scotch bonnet pepper, and thyme and place them in a large bowl along with the prepared codfish. Add the all-purpose seasoning and black pepper and stir until combined. Add all-purpose flour and stir.

saltfish, onions, and peppers in white bowl
dry ingredients mixed for saltfish fritters in white bowl

Slowly pour in the cold water and mix. The batter should easily slide off a spoon.

wet batter for saltfish fritters

Heat 1 cup of oil in a large non-stick skillet over medium heat. Once the oil is hot, add the batter by spoonfuls, about ¼ of a cup per fritter. Once bubbles start to appear on the top and the bottom is golden brown, flip the fritter. This should take about 3-4 minutes per side.

saltfish fritters frying in pan
fritters frying in pan

Remove the fritters from the skillet with tongs or a slotted spoon. Drain them on a paper towel.

Serve them as is or serve them with a dipping sauce. I like to eat them as is.

Frequently Asked Questions

What to serve with saltfish fritters?

This popular Jamaican appetizer is usually served as a part of breakfast or a snack. You could serve them as part of a larger feast for friends and family. Serve them along with jerk chicken, jerk pork, cornmeal porridge, and more.

Can these be made in an air fryer?

In order to make these in an air fryer, you'll need to reduce the amount of liquid to make the batter a bit thicker. It won't have the exact taste or texture as the fritters that are fried in oil.

What is saltfish?

Salted codfish, or salt fish, is a type of preserved seafood made by salting and then drying fish. The salt draws out moisture from the fish, which creates a firm texture that lasts for months or even years when stored properly.

Saltfish can be found in International markets or online.

Notes on Saltfish Fritters

  • I use half a scotch bonnet pepper in this recipe, which gives it a little bit of spice. Habanero pepper can be subbed for scotch bonnet pepper or simply leave it out. You can also use a hot pepper sauce.
  • The amount of water used will depend on the end results of the fritters. Less water will give a thicker, denser fritter while more water will give a thin, crispy fritter.
  • The amount of salt added to this recipe will depend on how much salt was removed from the salted cod. Do not add additional salt until after you have fried and tasted one fritter.

Other Jamaican Classics

  • Jamaican festival
  • Green Banana Porridge
Print Recipe
5 from 2 votes

Jamaican Saltfish Fritters

If you're looking for a delicious and authentic Jamaican dish, look no further than these saltfish fritters. These golden fried fritters are savory and full of delicious Caribbean flavor.
Prep Time15 minutes mins
Cook Time10 minutes mins
Total Time25 minutes mins
Course: Breakfast
Cuisine: Caribbean
Keyword: codfish fritters, jamaican saltfish fritters, saltfish fritters
Servings: 6 people
Calories: 335kcal
Author: Tanya

Ingredients

  • 12 oz dried salted fish
  • 3 green onions chopped
  • 1 large Roma tomato chopped
  • 1 teaspoon fresh thyme leaves removed from stem and chopped
  • ½ scotch bonnet pepper seeds removed and chopped (optional)
  • ¾ teaspoon black pepper
  • ¼ teaspoon all-purpose seasoning
  • 2 cups all-purpose flour 270g
  • 1 ¼ - 1 ½ cup cold water*
  • Oil for frying about 1 cup

Instructions

Prepare the saltfish

  • Rinse the saltfish. Place the salt fish in a large pot and cover with about 2 inches of water and bring it to a boil. Allow the saltfish to boil in the water for 10-12 minutes and then drain the water to remove excess salt.
  • You can also soak the salt cod in water for 24 hours, changing the water several times. Once it is fully soaked and tender, boil the codfish for 4-5 minutes, drain the cod, flake it into small pieces, and use it in your fritter batter.

Prepare the fritter batter

  • Add prepared saltfish, green onions, roma tomato, thyme, scotch bonnet pepper, black pepper, and all-purpose seasoning to a bowl and mix until combined.
  • Add all-purpose flour and stir until combined.
  • Slowly add water and stir until combined. The batter should easily slide off a spoon.
  • Heat oil in a large non-stick skillet over medium-heat. Add batter by the spoonful, about ¼ cup each.Once bubbles start to appear on the top and the bottom is golden brown, flip the fritter. This should take about 3-4 minutes per side. Remove and serve.

Notes

  • While boiling the saltfish, foam will appear at the top of the pot. Watch closely to make sure the foam does not boil over the top of the pot.
  • To sub fresh fish in this recipe, season and bake the fresh codfish before using it in the fritter batter. If using fresh cod, you may need to add a little salt to the batter, about ½ teaspoon.
  • I use half a scotch bonnet pepper in this recipe, which gives it a little bit of spice. Habanero pepper can be subbed for scotch bonnet pepper or simply leave it out. You can also use a hot pepper sauce.
  • The amount of water used will depend on the end results of the fritters. Less water will give a thicker, denser fritter while more water will give a thin, crispy fritter.
  • The amount of salt added to this recipe will depend on how much salt was removed from the salted cod. Do not add additional salt until after you have fried and tasted one fritter.

Nutrition

Calories: 335kcal

Perfect Air Fryer Steak with Garlic Herb Butter

April 30, 2022 by Tanya 174 Comments

air fryer steak on sheet pan

If you are wondering how to make the perfect air fryer steak then look no further. This method of cooking steak in the air fryer provides perfect juicy steak each and every time.

air fried steak on metal pan with butter on top

Full Recipe Ingredients/Instructions are available in the 
recipe card at the bottom of the post. 
You can find important tips/tricks in the
blog post.

I only had the intention of making fried foods when I purchased my Air Fryer. Little did I know how amazing this appliance was and that it could make much more than fried food. Now I have a ton of air fryer recipes as I use it all the time.

Initially, I used it to make chicken for my Healthier General Tso's Chicken in the Air Fryer and I used it often for roasting vegetables, but that was it. Then I discovered that my air fryer could make juicy steak!

Top your steaks with my homemade garlic butter that can be whipped up easily and can go on many dishes including fish, bread, and vegetables. I like to create more than we need for our steaks and save the rest for later in the fridge. I would eat the stuff by the spoonful if I could.

Many people will read this and wonder why even bother making a steak in the air fryer. Yes, steaks on the grill are amazing and a cast iron steak is also a good alternative but there are many reasons why some may choose to cook steak in an air fryer.

  1. Your steak gets cooked perfectly every time. Since the air fryer is operated in a small space with a fan, the heat temperature is consistent. This means every time you decide to make a steak, it will be cooked at the perfect temperature and come out just the way you want it so long as you follow your time settings.
  2. It's a hands-off dinner. I literally season my steaks, place them in the air fryer, and flip them when my halfway timer goes off. There is no need for me to watch it. This comes in handy when I'm going back and forth between my kitchen and my dining room to help my daughter with her homework.
  3. The stove/grill isn't always available. My husband does all the grilling in our house and his steaks are AMAZING but it's not always grilling weather. Also, my stovetop steaks always get finished in the oven, which can make the house hot.

Be sure to try my Air Fryer Steak Fajitas and Air Fryer Steak Kebabs too!

side photo of steak with garlic butter

How to cook steak in the air fryer

  1. Prepare Garlic Butter by mixing butter, parsley garlic, Worcestershire sauce, and salt until thoroughly combined. Place in parchment paper and roll into a log. Refrigerate until ready to use.
  2. Remove steak from the fridge and allow to sit at room temperature for 20 minutes.
  3. Rub a little bit of olive oil on both sides of the steak and season with salt and freshly cracked black pepper.  
  4. Grease your Air Fryer basket by rubbing a little bit of oil on the basket. Preheat Air Fryer to 400 degrees Fahrenheit. Once preheated, place steaks in the air fryer and cook for 12 minutes, flipping halfway through.
  5. Remove from air fryer and allow to rest for 5 minutes. Top with garlic butter.

What's the best cut of steak to cook in the air fryer?

The beauty of steak in your air fryer is that you can cook different cuts in the machine. I've made delicious filet mignon, skirt steak, and ribeye. Just remember to adjust cooking times based on the thickness of the steak and doneness preference. Making beef tenderloin in the air fryer is also a must for my steak lovers!

I have found that 400 degrees Fahrenheit is the perfect temperature to cook steak in the air fryer, for an 8-ounce ribeye, it will take 12 minutes, and remember to flip halfway through. An instant-read thermometer is a must for cooking steaks at home, and I've included the temperatures in the recipe at the bottom so you can cook it to exactly your liking.

Can you marinate the steak?

I love to have my steak simply seasoned with salt and pepper, but if you prefer you can use seasoned salt or your favorite liquid marinade for extra flavor. Marinate the steak for at least an hour or up to 8 hours, then let it come up to room temperature before cooking in the air fryer.

Degrees of Doneness

For an idea of the correct to cook your steak, follow the times below. Make sure you use a quick read thermometer to check the correct temperatures.

TemperatureDoneness
125°F (52°C)rare
135°F (57°C)medium-rare
145°F (63°C)medium
150°F (65°C)medium-well
160°F (71°C)well-done

What sides go with steak?

This recipe is so perfect for date night, serve it up alongside your favorite veggie and potato sides for a real feast! Try it with:

  • Mashed Sweet Potatoes
  • Garlic Herb Mushrooms
  • Instant Pot Green Beans and Potatoes
  • Carrot Soufflé
  • Air Fried Sweet Potatoes
  • Sautéed Mushrooms

For a similar recipe, try my Air Fryer Lamb Chops. For other ways to cook your steak, try my pan-seared steak.

Recipe Notes and Tips

  • Adding olive oil to the steaks is optional. I do it for flavor.
  • Make sure that your steak is at room temperature before adding it to the air fryer. This will help it to stay tender and juicy.
  • Preheat your air fryer fully before adding the steak so that it cooks through evenly. If your air fryer doesn't have a preheat setting, let it run at 400 degrees Fahrenheit for 5 minutes before placing it in.
  • Let the steak rest for 5 minutes before serving, cover it loosely with foil to keep it warm. This will get the steaks perfectly juicy.
  • The garlic herb butter will keep well for a couple of weeks in the fridge and it freezes well for up to 3 months.

If you're looking for a place to get awesome steaks and other meats, try Butcher Box. They are a meat delivery service specializing in grass-fed and organic meats. You can check out my unboxing of my first meat order on Facebook and my 9 month review of ButcherBox.

Watch this video tutorial and see how I make this air-fried steak from start to finish.

air fryer steak on sheet pan
Print Recipe
4.85 from 89 votes

Perfect Air Fryer Steak

It's so easy to cook a restaurant quality steak in the air fryer, and don't forget to top it with my garlic and herb butter for a dinner to remember!
Prep Time20 minutes mins
Cook Time12 minutes mins
Resting Time5 minutes mins
Total Time32 minutes mins
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: American
Keyword: air fried steak recipe, air fryer steak, how to cook steak in the air fryer
Servings: 2 steaks
Calories: 683kcal
Author: Tanya

Equipment

  • Quick Read Thermometer

Ingredients

  • 2 8 oz Ribeye steak
  • salt
  • freshly cracked black pepper
  • olive oil*

Garlic Butter

  • 1 stick unsalted butter softened
  • 2 Tablespoon fresh parsley chopped
  • 2 teaspoon garlic minced
  • 1 teaspoon Worcestershire Sauce
  • ½ teaspoon salt

Instructions

Garlic Butter

  • Prepare Garlic Butter by mixing butter, parsley garlic, worcestershire sauce, and salt until thoroughly combined. 
  • Place in parchment paper and roll into a log. Refrigerate until ready to use.

Air Fryer Steak

  • Remove steak from fridge and allow to sit at room temperature for 20 minutes. Rub a little bit of olive oil on both side of the steak and season with salt and freshly cracked black pepper.  
  • Grease your Air Fryer basket by rubbing a little bit of oil on the basket. Preheat Air Fryer to 400 degrees Fahrenheit. Once preheated, place steaks in air fryer and cook for 12 minutes, flipping halfway through.* 
  • Remove from air fryer and allow to rest for 5 minutes. Top with garlic butter.

Video

Notes

*Adding olive oil to the steaks is optional. I do it for flavor.
*This recipe creates Medium cooked steak. For medium-rare, cook for 10 minutes, flipping halfway through. For medium-well, cook for 14 minutes, flipping halfway through. To ensure it is done to your liking, use a quick read thermometer to check the temperature.
The thickness of your steak will determine how long you need to cook your steak. For thin ribeyes, I lower the cooking time to 7-8 minutes for medium steak.
Temperatures for Steak are as follows:
  • 125°F for rare
  • 135°F for medium-rare
  • 145°F for medium
  • 150°F for medium-well
  • 160°F for well-done
  •  
This Garlic Herb Butter is delicious on its own. You will not need all of it for this recipe. 
  • Make sure that your steak is at room temperature before adding it to the air fryer. This will help it to stay tender and juicy.
  • Preheat your air fryer fully before adding the steak so that it cooks through evenly. If your air fryer doesn't have a preheat setting, let it run at 400F for 5 minutes before placing it in.
  • Let the steak rest for 5 minutes before serving, cover it loosely with foil to keep it warm. This will get the steaks perfectly juicy.
  • The garlic herb butter will keep well for a couple of weeks in the fridge and it freezes well for up to 3 months.

Equipment for the Perfect Air Fryer Steak

  • Calibrated Instant Read Thermometer (Best on the market to read a temperature in a second or less)
  • Air Fryer
  • Parchment Paper

Nutrition

Calories: 683kcal

Step by Step Photos

butter with herbs rolled up
butter rolled in parchment paper
steak seasoned with salt and pepper on mat
air fryer display with red and blue light
air fryer display with blue light
raw steak in air fryer basket
cooked steak in air fryer basket
cooked steak on table
cooked steak on metal pan

Pin this recipe for Later

pin image of air fryer steak with raw strak in basket and cooked steak on top

Post originally published April 9, 2018. Updated with additional helpful tips.

Marinated Air Fryer Salmon

April 27, 2022 by Tanya 57 Comments

salmon in air fryer basket

This Marinated Air Fryer Salmon recipe is a delicious quick and easy air fryer meal. Seasoned in a tangy soy sauce and mustard marinade, it's quick to prep and make.

salmon in air fryer basket

This post may contain affiliate links, please read my full disclosure here.

Full Recipe/Instructions are available in the 
recipe card at the bottom of the post. 
You can find important tips/tricks in the
blog post.

If I could give you one more reason to love your Air Fryer, then I think this is it! Perfectly cooked salmon in your Air Fryer each and every time. I’m a huge fan of making this Crispy Air Fryer Fish recipe, but now I’ll have to add this marinated salmon recipe to the list.  

I bet you’re wondering, why make salmon in your Air Fryer? Well, here’s why. This recipe is fast, hands-off, and results in tender flakey salmon.

The air fryer cooks this salmon dish perfectly each and every time for a tasty, healthy, and simple weeknight dinner. This recipe is so fuss-free and the clean-up is so easy. It's great for a healthy low-carb dinner, and it's one that the whole family will enjoy.

If you don't have an air fryer, no worries, you can bake this salmon in the oven too.

Be sure to try my Air Fryer Salmon Patties and Easy Teriyaki Salmon too!

How to make Marinated Salmon in your Air Fryer

Gather your ingredients. You'll need 4 salmon fillets and the marinade ingredients.

ingredients for salmon recipe

Place soy sauce, dijon mustard, brown sugar, and minced garlic in a bowl and whisk to combine.

Pour marinade over salmon. Use a Gallon food storage bag for marinating to gently swish the marinade over all the fish or use a container and roll the fish in the marinade, making sure each piece gets fully covered. Place fish in the refrigerator and marinate for 20-30 minutes.

salmon in marinade

Remove fish from the refrigerator. Prepare the Air Fryer basket by spraying the basket with oil. You can also use an air fryer parchment paper liner.

Cook salmon in your Air Fryer at 400 degrees Fahrenheit for 7-12 minutes. Make sure the salmon is not touching so that the air has a chance to flow around it. 

raw salmon in air fryer basket

Once done, remove and serve with your favorite sides.

cooked air fryer salmon in air fryer basket

How long can you marinate salmon?

I find that 20 minutes is enough time for the salmon to take on the flavors of the soy sauce marinade. Because this marinade is not acidic, you can let it marinate for up to 24 hours. Seafood is very delicate, so marinades with acid, such as lemon juice, shouldn't be marinated for too long as they can start to break down the flesh.

close up photo of salmon in air fryer basket

Can you make this recipe without an air fryer?

This is hands down my favorite method of cooking salmon, but you can marinate the salmon and then either pan fry it or oven-cook it at 400F for 12 to 15 minutes.

Can you use frozen salmon?

I prefer to use fresh salmon fillets, but you can use frozen if you have those to hand. If you have thinner fillets, the cooking time will need to be reduced. If using frozen, thaw the fillets thoroughly before marinating and cooking.

Best Salmon to use in the Air Fryer

There are many kinds of salmon and all do well in the air fryer. Do note that farmed Atlantic salmon, a fattier cut of salmon can withhold longer cook times in the air fryer. If cooking wild salmon with less fat, like sockeye salmon, lower the cooking time and degrees to ensure the salmon does not overcook and dry out.

What do you serve it with?

This marinated air fryer salmon makes for one tasty and easy weeknight meal. Serve it up with salad, veggie, or potato side dishes for a full dinner. Try it with Kale Rice or these Air Fried Baked Sweet Potatoes, or try it with some of these other favorites:

  • Creamy Dill Potato Salad
  • Quinoa Avocado Salad
  • Buttery Instant Pot Green Beans and Potatoes
  • Roasted Cauliflower and Sweet Potato

Feel free to mix this up a bit and season the salmon with my fish seasoning.

Recipe Notes and Tips

  • If cooking salmon with the skin on and you want crispy skin, do not use a parchment liner. Just grease the grates and add the salmon.
  • Your salmon is done if the thickest part of the fillet flakes easily with a fork. When in doubt, check the temperature with a quick read thermometer. The USDA recommends the internal temperature f cooked salmon should reach 145 degrees Fahrenheit.
  • If cooking the salmon for 7 minutes, your salmon will be flakey, tender, and moist and be about medium doneness. Cook longer if you prefer your salmon a bit firm.
  • Depending on the thickness of your salmon fillets, the cooking time may vary. Decrease the cooking time for thinner fillets.

More Air Fryer Recipes

  • Air Fried Coconut Shrimp with Thai Chili Dipping Sauce
  • Perfect Air Fryer Steak with Garlic Herb Butter
  • Lemon Pepper Chicken Thighs
  • Air Fryer Crab Cakes
  • Air Fryer Lobster Tails
pin image of cooked air fryer salmon
salmon in air fryer basket
Print Recipe
4.83 from 34 votes

Marinated Air Fryer Salmon

This Marinated Air Fryer Salmon recipe is a delicious easy and quick air fryer meal. The air fryer cooks this salmon dish perfectly each and every time for a tasty, healthy and simple weeknight dinner.
Prep Time5 minutes mins
Cook Time7 minutes mins
Marinate20 minutes mins
Total Time37 minutes mins
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: American
Keyword: air fried salmon recipe, air fryer salmon, soy marinated salmon
Servings: 4 people
Calories: 281kcal
Author: Tanya

Equipment

  • Quick Read Thermometer
  • Large Air Fryer
  • Parchment Liners

Ingredients

  • 4 salmon fillets or 1 1lb fillet cut into 4 pieces
  • 6 Tablespoons Soy Sauce
  • ¼ cup Dijon Mustard
  • 1 Tablespoon brown sugar
  • ½ Tablespoon Minced Garlic
  • 1 Green onions finely chopped, optional

Instructions

  • Whisk soy sauce, Dijon mustard, brown sugar, and minced garlic in a bowl. Pour over salmon fillets, making sure all fillets are covered. Refrigerate and marinate for 20-30 minutes.
  • Remove salmon filets from marinade and place in greased or lined Air Fryer basket. 
  • Air fry for 7-12 minutes on 400 degrees Fahrenheit. 
  • Remove from Air Fryer and top with chopped green onions. Enjoy 🙂

Video

Notes

  • If cooking salmon with the skin on and you want crispy skin, do not use a parchment liner. Just grease the grates and add the salmon.
  • Your salmon is done if the thickest part of the fillet flakes easily with a fork. When in doubt, check the temperature with a quick read thermometer. The USDA recommends the internal temperature f cooked salmon should reach 145 degrees Fahrenheit.
  • If cooking the salmon for 7 minutes, your salmon will be flakey, tender, and moist and be about medium doneness. Cook longer if you prefer your salmon a bit firm.
  • Depending on the thickness of your salmon fillets, the cooking time may vary. Decrease the cooking time for thinner fillets.

Nutrition

Calories: 281kcal | Carbohydrates: 5g | Protein: 37g | Fat: 11g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 93mg | Sodium: 1761mg | Potassium: 911mg | Sugar: 3g | Vitamin A: 100IU | Vitamin C: 1.1mg | Calcium: 35mg | Iron: 2.2mg

Originally published March 26, 2019. Updated with new photos and additional helpful tips.

Air Fryer Cornish Hens

April 26, 2022 by Tanya 6 Comments

A cooked cornish hen in the air fryer basket.

Cook up whole Cornish hens quickly and easily with the aid of your air fryer. Seasoned with garlic, onion, thyme, and paprika, these roasted Cornish hens have a delicious crispy skin and juicy and tender meat.

An air fryer cornish hen served with slices of lemon.

This post contains affiliate links, please read my full disclaimer here.

Full Recipe Ingredients/Instructions are available in the 
recipe card at the bottom of the post. 
You can find important tips/tricks in the
blog post.

I am a huge lover of roasted chicken, but when it's just for a couple of us, I love to cook up some Cornish game hens. It's super easy to overcook them in the oven, but the air fryer produces tender meat and crispy skin every single time.

Super quick to prep, these small chickens are rubbed with oil and a simple seasoning mix before being air fried, and the cooking time is just 30 minutes and pretty much hands-off. It's such an easy recipe that you'll want to make it often.

These are a great option for date night, and they look so impressive when you serve them up with all of your favorite sides.

Be sure to try my Air Fryer Chicken Wings and Air Fryer Whole Chicken too!

A cooked cornish hen in the air fryer basket.

How to make air fryer Cornish hens

  • Gather your ingredients. I'm making two game hens and some of my favorite seasonings. Most air fryers will be able to fit 2 cornish hens in the basket.
Ingredients to make the recipe.
  • Pat the Cornish hens dry. Then rub them with olive oil all over.
  • In a small bowl, mix the garlic powder, onion powder, dried thyme, smoked paprika, salt, and pepper.
  • Rub the spices all over the Cornish hens
  • Place the Cornish hens in the air fryer breast side down and cook at 375 Fahrenheit for 20 minutes. Then flip and cook for 10 additional minutes.
  • Once the hens are done, remove them and allow them to rest for 10 minutes before carving and serving.
Two cornish hens in the air fryer basket.

Can you prep them ahead of time?

You can season the Cornish hens an hour or two before you want to cook them. Season the with the spice mix and then keep them covered in the fridge till ready to serve. Leftovers will keep well in the fridge for 3 days, remove the meat from the bones, and store in an airtight container. The leftovers are great to add to soups, salads, and sandwiches.

What's the difference between a Cornish hen and a chicken?

A Cornish hen is a crossbreed of chicken. The main difference between a Cornish hen and a chicken is the size. A small whole chicken will easily feed four, but a Cornish hen is smaller and it is ideal to serve a whole one as a single portion. Taste-wise, they taste pretty similar and most people can not tell the difference. Cornish Hens are slightly milder in flavor, but because they are younger birds, their flesh is much more tender. Cornish hens have less fat and calories compared to chicken.

Other ways to season these hens?

You can season or marinate these little chickens any way you like. Try my chicken seasoning, lemon pepper seasoning, or even Italian seasoning.

What do you serve them with?

These air fryer Cornish hens are great for an occasional meal, and I love to serve them how I would usually serve roasted whole chicken, with veggie and potato sides and maybe a little gravy! Try them with some of these favorites:

  • Cheesy Scalloped Potatoes
  • Garlic Mashed Potatoes
  • Smothered Green Beans
  • Air Fryer Carrots (Sweet or Savory)
Two cornish hens on a white serving plate with fresh lemon slices and herbs.

I hope you enjoy these juicy air fryer cornish hens as much as we do.

Recipe Notes and Tips

  • For best results, allow the Cornish hens to come to room temperature before air frying them. I like to take them out of the fridge for about 30 minutes before cooking them.
  • Rub the oil and seasonings all over the birds. This will help the skin to get crispy all over.
  • Cook the Cornish hens breast side down for the first part of cooking. This helps to stop the breast meat from drying out and burning.
  • Let the hens rest for 10 minutes before serving. This allows the juices to redistribute making them extra tasty.
  • The chicken is done when the chicken shows an internal temp of 165 degrees Fahrenheit on an instant-read thermometer.

More Air Fryer Chicken Recipes

  • Air Fryer Chicken Nuggets (Chick-fil-A Copycat)
  • BBQ Air Fryer Chicken Breast
  • Fried Chicken Tacos (Air Fryer)
  • Air Fryer Fried Chicken
A cooked cornish hen in the air fryer basket.
Print Recipe
5 from 6 votes

Air Fryer Cornish Hens

Cook up whole Cornish hens quickly and easy with the aid of your air fryer. Seasoned with garlic, onion, thyme and paprika, these roasted Cornish hens have a delicious crispy skin and juicy and tender meat.
Prep Time10 minutes mins
Cook Time30 minutes mins
Total Time40 minutes mins
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: American
Keyword: air fried cornish hens, cornish hens recipe, how to cook cornish hens in the air fryer
Servings: 2 servings
Calories: 585kcal
Author: Tanya

Ingredients

  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 2 cornish hens
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1 teaspoon onion powder
  • ½ teaspoon dried thyme
  • ½ teaspoon smoked paprika
  • 1 ½ teaspoons kosher salt
  • ⅓ teaspoon ground black pepper

Instructions

  • Pat the cornish hens dry. Then rub them with olive oil all over.
  • In small bowl, mix the garlic powder, onion powder, dried thyme, smoked paprika, salt and pepper.
  • Rub the spices all over the cornish hens
  • Place the cornish hens in the air fryer breast side down and cook on 375F for 20 minutes. Then flip and cook for 10 additional minutes.

Nutrition

Calories: 585kcal | Carbohydrates: 3g | Protein: 39g | Fat: 46g | Saturated Fat: 11g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 8g | Monounsaturated Fat: 24g | Cholesterol: 227mg | Sodium: 1884mg | Potassium: 577mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 1g | Vitamin A: 501IU | Vitamin C: 2mg | Calcium: 38mg | Iron: 2mg

Super Easy Air Fryer S'mores

April 25, 2022 by Tanya 29 Comments

smores on counter

When it comes to S’mores, you don’t need a campfire when you have an Air Fryer. Here's how to make Indoor S'mores in an Air Fryer.

air fryer s'mores on a napkin

This post may contain affiliate links, please read my full disclosure here.

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Cheesy Scalloped Potatoes

April 24, 2022 by Tanya 6 Comments

A serving spoon in the baking dish of cheesy scalloped potatoes.

Indulgent, rich and super cheesy, these easy scalloped potatoes are a must make side dish. Simple to make, sliced potatoes are smothered in a cheesy and creamy sauce and then baked to gooey perfection. This classic recipe is always a crowd pleaser.

A serving spoon in the baking dish of cheesy scalloped potatoes.

This post contains affiliate links, please read my full disclaimer here.

Full Recipe Ingredients/Instructions are available in the 
recipe card at the bottom of the post. 
You can find important tips/tricks in the
blog post.

There is never a bad time for some indulgent cheesy scalloped potatoes! They are perfect for special occasions like Easter, Thanksgiving and Christmas, but honestly, I love to make these whenever I get the chance!

Made with three types of cheese (cheddar, gouda and parmesan) this is one cheesy and delicious side dish. The cream sauce is wonderfully seasoned and perfectly rich, and the sliced potatoes come out so tender.

Baked in the oven, the cooking time is totally hands off, and they are easy to prep with just a few basic ingredients. Find out why this recipe is a favorite with my family!

Be sure to try my Garlic Mashed Potatoes and Air Fryer Baked Potatoes too!

Close up of a serving spoon in the scalloped potatoes.

How to make cheesy scalloped potatoes

  • Gather your ingredients.
Ingredients to make the recipe.
  • Preheat oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. In a small saucepan, melt the butter over medium heat. Once the butter is melted, whisk in the flour.
  • Slowly whisk in the milk. Once the milk is warm, stir in ½ cup of cheddar, ½ cup gouda, and the Parmesan. Then stir in the garlic powder, dried mustard, salt, and pepper.
Milk and butter melted together.
Cheese and seasonings added to the milk.
  • Layer half the potatoes in a greased 2-quart baking dish. Pour half the cheese sauce over the potatoes. Then layer the other half of the potatoes and top with the remaining cheese sauce Sprinkle with the rest of the shredded gouda and cheddar cheese.
Cream sauce poured over sliced potatoes in a white baking dish.
Shredded cheese placed on top of the cram and potatoes.
  • Cover with foil and bake for 45 minutes. Then remove the foil and bake for an additional 15 minutes. The total bake time is about 1 hour.
  • Once done, remove and allow to rest for 10-15 minutes before serving.
Baked scalloped potatoes in a white dish.

What are the best potatoes to use?

Without doubt, to make scalloped potatoes you need to use a starchy variety of potato. I love to use Yukon Gold and Russets will work well too. When baked in the cheesy creamy sauce, the potato slices get wonderfully tender and fluffy. If you use waxy potatoes like reds, they will remain fairly firm.

Can you make them ahead of time?

If you are planning to serve these cheesy scalloped potatoes as part of a big feast, then making them ahead of time is a great option. You can prep the whole dish an hour or two before you are ready to bake and keep covered in the fridge. I don't recommend you do this too early as the potatoes will start to brown.

You can bake the whole dish up to 2 days ahead of time and reheat it in the oven at 350F for 15 to 20 minutes. Cover with foil so that the cheese doesn't burn.

What's the best way to slice the potatoes?

For the best texture, the potatoes should be thinly and evenly sliced.I like to use a mandolin for speed and ease, though you can cut them by hand too.

What do you serve them with?

These cheesy scalloped potatoes are great with chicken, beef, seafood and pretty much anything! Try them with these favorite recipes:

  • Boneless Roast Beef
  • Air Fried Spatchcock Chicken
  • Salmon Wellington
  • Roasted Air Fryer Turkey Breast
Cheesy scalloped potatoes in a white dish garnished with fresh herbs.

Recipe Notes and Tips

  • Stir the sauce together using a whisk. This will quickly help the dry ingredients to incorporate into the milk.
  • The potatoes should be sliced as finely as possible. Thicker sliced potatoes will take longer to cook through.
  • Add more salt to taste if desired
  • Check the potatoes for doneness around the 45-minute mark. If they are not tender, cover the potatoes with foil and continue to bake until tender.

More Side Dish Recipes

  • Smothered Green Beans
  • Broccoli Slaw
  • Soft Air Fryer Dinner Rolls
  • Carrot Soufflé
Overhead shot of scalloped potatoes in a white baking dish.
Print Recipe
4.50 from 2 votes

Cheesy Scalloped Potatoes

Indulgent, rich and super cheesy, these easy scalloped potatoes are a must make side dish. Simple to make, sliced potatoes are smothered in a cheesy and creamy sauce and then baked to gooey perfection. This classic recipe is always a crowd pleaser.
Prep Time15 minutes mins
Cook Time1 hour hr
Total Time1 hour hr 15 minutes mins
Course: Side Dish
Cuisine: American
Keyword: baked scalloped potatoes, creamy scalloped potatoes, how to make scalloped potatoes
Servings: 8 servings
Calories: 401kcal
Author: Tanya

Ingredients

  • 2.5 pounds Yukon gold potatoes peeled and thinly sliced
  • ¼ cup butter
  • ¼ cup all-purpose flour
  • 2 cups milk
  • 1 cup sharp cheddar divided
  • 1 cup gouda divided
  • ½ cup grated Parmesan
  • ½ teaspoon garlic powder
  • ½ teaspoon dried mustard
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • ¼ teaspoon black pepper

Instructions

  • Preheat oven to 350F. In a small saucepan, melt the butter over medium heat. Once the butter is melted, whisk in the flour.
  • Slowly whisk in the milk. Once the milk is warm, stir in ½ cup of cheddar, ½ cup gouda, and the Parmesan. Then stir in the garlic powder, dried mustard, salt, and pepper.
  • Layer half the potatoes in a greased 2-quart baking dish. Pour half the cheese sauce over the potatoes. Then layer the other half of the potatoes and top with the remaining cheese sauce Sprinkle with the rest of the shredded gouda and cheddar cheese.
  • Cover with foil and bake for 45 minutes. Then remove foil and bake for an additional 15 minutes.
  • Once done, remove and allow to rest for 10-15 minutes before serving.

Notes

  • Stir the sauce together using a whisk. This will quickly help the dry ingredients to incorporate into the milk.
  • The potatoes should be sliced as finely as possible. Thicker sliced potatoes will take longer to cook through.
  • Add more salt to taste if desired
  • Check the potatoes for doneness around the 45-minute mark. If they are not tender, cover the potatoes with foil and continue to bake until tender.

Nutrition

Calories: 401kcal | Carbohydrates: 33g | Protein: 18g | Fat: 23g | Saturated Fat: 14g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 6g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 76mg | Sodium: 667mg | Potassium: 756mg | Fiber: 3g | Sugar: 5g | Vitamin A: 641IU | Vitamin C: 28mg | Calcium: 457mg | Iron: 1mg

Air Fryer Shrimp Po'Boy Sandwiches

April 19, 2022 by Tanya 4 Comments

Two air fryer shrimp po'boy sandwiches in red serving baskets lined with parchment.

Make up a batch of shrimp po'boy sandwiches quickly and easily in your air fryer. Shrimp are dredged in buttermilk and cornmeal before being air fried to crispy perfection and loaded into sandwiches with remoulade sauce and fresh lettuce and tomato. This is one tasty bite!

Two air fryer shrimp po'boy sandwiches in red serving baskets lined with parchment.

This post contains affiliate links, please read my full disclaimer here.

Full Recipe Ingredients/Instructions are available in the 
recipe card at the bottom of the post. 
You can find important tips/tricks in the
blog post.

I am such a seafood lover, and if there is a shrimp po'boy on the menu then I am all in! I love them so much, I just had to make some at home in the air fryer. My friends, the results are amazing! You are going to love these!

These air fryer shrimp po'boy sandwiches are perfect for when you want a tasty treat with not too much effort. Easy to prep and quick to cook, they are ready to serve in less than 30 minutes. The shrimp come out so juicy and crispy, one sandwich may not be enough!

Serve them up as a tasty Friday night family dinner, or, the recipe is easily doubled if you are feeding a crowd! There's no bad time for these beauties!

Be sure to try my Crispy Air Fryer Fried Shrimp and Southern Style Shrimp and Grits too!

A shrimp po'boy sandwich served in a red basket.

How to make air fryer shrimp po'boy sandwiches

  • Gather your ingredients to make the air fryer shrimp and build the sandwiches.
Ingredients to make the air fryer shrimp.
Ingredients to make the sandwich.
  • Preheat the air fryer to 400 degrees Fahrenheit.
  • Season shrimp with seasoned salt, black pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, and paprika. Set aside.
Seasoned shrimp on a piece of parchment.
  • Create a dredging station by placing flour in one shallow pan, buttermilk in another, and cornmeal in a third shallow pan. Take seasoned shrimp and add it to the flour, coating both sides. Then add the shrimp to the buttermilk, draining off any excess. Then place the shrimp in the cornmeal.
Raw shrimp in bowls of flour, buttermilk and cornmeal.
  • Grease the bottom of the air fryer basket by spraying it with a little oil. Then place the breaded shrimp in a single layer on the bottom of the air fryer basket.
  • Close the basket and cook at 400 degrees Fahrenheit for 9-10 minutes, flipping and lightly spraying halfway through.
The dredged shrimp in an air fryer basket.
The air fried shrimp ready to put in the sandwich.
  • Once done, remove shrimp from the air fryer basket and compose sandwiches. Place tomato slices, shredded lettuce, and cooked shrimp on the split french bread loaves. Top each sandwich with remoulade sauce. Enjoy.
Air fryer po'boy shrimp sandwiches next to bowls and plates with the sandwich sauce and toppings.

What is the sauce on shrimp po'boy sandwiches?

I am in no doubt that a creamy remoulade sauce, with a bit of heat and tang, is the most perfect addition to these sandwiches. I use my homemade remoulade sauce for this recipe, it's wonderfully flavorful but not too spicy, and you can easily adapt it to suit your tastes. It only takes a few minutes to make, but you can of course use store bought too.

How do you prep the shrimp?

I prefer to use fresh shrimp, if using frozen, make sure that they are fully thawed before you start. The tails and shells should be removed, and they will need to be de-veined (remove the black line that runs down the back of each shrimp). Lightly pat the shrimp with kitchen paper to remove any excess water as this will help them to get nice and crispy. Then season, dredge and air fry!

Can you make them ahead of time?

These sandwiches are best built just before serving, but you can make the shrimp ahead of time and reheat them in the air fryer to serve. Once cooked, let the shrimp cool before storing in the fridge in an airtight container for up to 3 days. Reheat them in the air fryer at 360F for 4 to 4 minutes to get them nice and crispy again.

What do you serve them with?

These air fryer shrimp po'boy sandwiches are nice and filling by themselves, but you can easily serve them with favorite sides like:

  • KFC Copycat Potato Wedges
  • Vinegar Coleslaw
  • Air Fryer French Fries
  • Creamy Dill Potato Salad
Crispy air fryer shrimp served in sandwiches.

Recipe Notes and Tips

  • For best results, preheat the air fryer before adding the shrimp. If your air fryer doesn't have a preheat function, let it run at 400F for 5 minutes to heat up.
  • Fully coat each shrimp in the flour, buttermilk and cornmeal.
  • Flip the shrimp halfway through cooking and spray with a little oil to get them extra crispy.

More Shrimp Recipes

  • Baked Jamaican Jerk Shrimp
  • Slow Cooker Cheesy Hot Shrimp Dip
  • Easy Southern Pickled Shrimp
  • Air Fryer Lemon Garlic Shrimp
Two air fryer shrimp po'boy sandwiches in red serving baskets lined with parchment.
Print Recipe
5 from 2 votes

Air Fryer Shrimp Po’Boy Sandwiches

Make up a batch of shrimp po'boy sandwiches quickly and easily in your air fryer. Shrimp are dredged in buttermilk and cornmeal before being air fried to crispy perfection and loaded into sandwiches with remoulade sauce and fresh lettuce and tomato. This is one tasty bite!
Prep Time15 minutes mins
Cook Time10 minutes mins
Total Time25 minutes mins
Course: Sandwich
Cuisine: American
Keyword: air fryer po'boy recipe, air fryer sandwiches, air fryer shrimp
Servings: 4 servings
Calories: 549kcal
Author: Tanya

Ingredients

For shrimp:

  • 1 pound medium shrimp peeled and deveined, tails removed
  • 1 teaspoon seasoned salt
  • ½ teaspoon black pepper
  • ½ teaspoon garlic powder
  • ½ teaspoon onion powder
  • ½ teaspoon paprika
  • ½ cup all-purpose flour
  • ¾ cup buttermilk
  • ¾ cup cornmeal
  • Oil for spraying canola, avocado, etc.

For Sandwich

  • 4 small french bread loaves split in half
  • 1 tomato sliced thinly
  • 1 cup shredded lettuce
  • ½ cup remoulade sauce

Instructions

  • Preheat air fryer to 400 degrees Fahrenheit.
  • Season shrimp with seasoned salt, black pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, and paprika. Set aside.
  • Create a dredging station by placing flour in one shallow pan, buttermilk in another, and cornmeal in a third shallow pan. Take seasoned shrimp and add it to the flour, coating both sides. Then add the shrimp to the buttermilk, draining off any excess. Then place the shrimp in the cornmeal.
  • Grease the bottom of the air fryer basket by spraying it with a little oil. Then place shrimp in a single layer on the bottom of the air fryer basket.
  • Close the basket and cook at 400 degrees Fahrenheit for 9-10 minutes, flipping and spraying halfway through.
  • Once done, remove shrimp from the air fryer basket and compose sandwiches. Place tomato, shredded lettuce, and cooked shrimp on the split french loaves. Top each sandwich with remoulade sauce. Enjoy.

Notes

  • For best results, preheat the air fryer before adding the shrimp. If your air fryer doesn't have a preheat function, let it run at 400F for 5 minutes to heat up.
  • Fully coat each shrimp in the flour, buttermilk and cornmeal.
  • Flip the shrimp halfway through cooking and spray with a little oil to get them extra crispy.

Nutrition

Calories: 549kcal | Carbohydrates: 93g | Protein: 17g | Fat: 12g | Saturated Fat: 3g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 5g | Monounsaturated Fat: 3g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 9mg | Sodium: 1468mg | Potassium: 413mg | Fiber: 6g | Sugar: 10g | Vitamin A: 565IU | Vitamin C: 5mg | Calcium: 119mg | Iron: 6mg

Different Types of Onions and the Best Ways to Use Them

April 19, 2022 by Tanya 4 Comments

various onions on white background

There are many types of onions and knowing which type of onion to use and when will add flavor and dimension to your cooking all season long! 

all onions on white background

Onions are a versatile ingredient used in everything from roasted meats and pasta to soups and stews. They’re even added to some cocktails! They can be sweet and mild, or savory and intense. There are dozens of types of onions out there, and each onion variety has its own unique flavor profile, and purpose in the kitchen. 

Knowing which type of onion to use, and when, will give you the perfect flavor every time. Take a look at this quick guide to help you navigate onions with ease.

Sweet onions

sweet onions on white background

Sweet onions are mild onions, and they’re wildly popular in the kitchen. Different types of sweet onions include Walla Walla, Vidalia, and Texas Sweet. The softer, sweeter flavors found in sweet onion varieties are due to the lack of sulfur in these onions. The more sulfur an onion has, the more pungent its flavor - and scent.

Chefs love adding sweet onions to relish recipes, onion dips, or caramelizing them for hamburgers, roast chicken dishes, or game day hot dogs. This sweet onion dressing is also a delicious salad dressing where the sweet onion is the star.

Red onions

red onions on white background

Red onions have a distinct flavor that’s intense and slightly peppery. To achieve a mellower flavor, many people make pickled red onions, or grill them for vegetable platters and sandwiches. Raw red onions can also be used in side dishes like cabbage slaws. The bright red and purple coloring of red onions doesn’t just give a flavor boost to leafy salads, it adds a nice pop of color too.

White onions

white onions on white background

The first thing you may notice when you cut into a white onion is its crispness, which comes from this onion’s high water content. Like red onions, white onions can be pickled for use in vinaigrettes, added to Mexican dishes like guacamole and tacos, or used as a base in soups, and stir-fries. White onions are also the best onions to use for onion rings.

White onions can also be substituted for yellow onions in most recipes.

Yellow onions

yellow onions on white background

Next to white onions, yellow onions are the most popular cooking onion. You’ll find them piled high at nearly every grocery store. Like white onions, yellow onions have a higher sulfur content but, when cooked, they become sweet and mellow. This makes yellow onions great for recipes that require caramelized onions.

Yellow onions are kind of a jack-of-all-trades, so if you’re ever unsure which onion to use in a recipe, a yellow onion is the safest bet. They are great in soups, stews, and chilis, like this chicken chili.

It’s worth noting that in some places, yellow onions are called brown onions.

Pearl onions

pearl onions on white background

These small onions just might be the only onion that can do double duty in the kitchen, and the home bar, if you happen to enjoy a classic Gibson Martini.

They are small, bulb onions that have a soft, sweet taste. White pearl onions are the most common type of pearl onion, but you may also find red or yellow pearl onions periodically. 

If you have a recipe that calls for pearl onions, but you’re short on time, you can typically find frozen packages of pearl onions at your local grocery store. These pre-peeled onions can quickly and easily be added to just about any recipe that requires pearl onions.

These onions are a crucial ingredient in everyone's favorite French bistro dish, coq au vin. These onions can also be pickled, caramelized, or creamed and served as a side dish.  

Shallots

shallots on white background

Milder and sweeter than most onion varieties, the shallot is a kitchen staple every home cook should have in their pantry. Slice shallots and serve them on top of grilled steak, or dice them for salad dressings. Shallots are frequently used in French recipes and you’ll see them in red and white wine sauces, tartins, and vinaigrette dressings.

What’s great about this type of onion is that when they’re stored properly, shallots have a long shelf life: up to two months! Place them in a cool dry area of your kitchen that gets plenty of air circulation. A cupboard or pantry shelf works great.

Scallions (aka Green Onions)

green onions on white background

Scallions are long-necked onions with a small bulb at the end of the stalk. These onions are the result of harvesting other types of onions early. Unlike their onion counterparts, scallions are sold in bunches. Both the green shoots (or neck), and the small onion bulb, are edible and useful in the kitchen. 

The bulb of the scallion has a flavor similar to a mild white onion, while the shoots have an aromatic, almost herbaceous taste.

You'll find scallions in many Caribbean-based recipes. Scallions can be slow-cooked or braised whole and served alongside chicken or fish dishes. Green scallion shoots can be sliced and added to a ton of recipes like stir-frys, soups, dips, and ramen noodles.  

types of onions on a white background with name of onion
Type of OnionBest Uses
Sweet OnionCarmelized. Great roasted.
Red OnionPickled. Raw in salads or as a garnish.
White OnionPickled, Raw salsas, and stir fry dishes.
Yellow OnionAll types of cooking. Great for soups and stews.
Pearl OnionPickled, Carmezed, or Slow Cooked.
ShallotSalad Dressings or as a garnish.
ScallionsRaw garnish. Slow-cooked, or braised.

Crispy Air Fryer Fried Shrimp

April 18, 2022 by Tanya 17 Comments

Crispy fried shrimp on parchment

Making perfectly crispy fried shrimp in the air fryer is so easy and the results are delicious! Ready to serve in 20 minutes, they are easy to prep and made with a few simple ingredients.

Air fryer shrimp on a white plate

This post contains affiliate links, please read my full disclaimer here.

Full Recipe Ingredients/Instructions are available in the 
recipe card at the bottom of the post. 
You can find important tips/tricks in the
blog post.

I'm so excited to bring you this new air fryer shrimp recipe! This recipe makes delicious crunchy shrimp that is perfectly cooked and juicy, and the panko breadcrumbs add a wonderful crunch to each bite!

They are great to serve as a simple appetizer with your favorite dips or make it a fuller meal and serve with a fresh salad or veggie or turn it into a Southern Po'boy sandwich. This recipe takes only a couple of minutes of prep and results in the most delicious shrimp and tender seafood.

If you love this crispy air-fried shrimp, be sure to check out my Air Fryer Lemon Garlic Shrimp and Air Fryer Coconut Shrimp.

How To Make Crispy Air Fryer Shrimp

Prepare a dredging station by placing ¾ cup of flour, ½ teaspoon seasoning salt, ¼ teaspoon garlic powder, and ¼ teaspoon black pepper in one bowl. In a separate bowl, lightly beat the eggs, and in a third bowl, place the panko breadcrumbs. You can season the breadcrumbs at this stage too.

The reaw shrimp next to a dredging station

Place each shrimp in the flour, then the beaten eggs, and then the panko, making sure to shake off any excess flour and eggs before placing it in the panko.

Place the shrimp in a greased air fryer basket in a single layer, making sure the shrimp are not overlapping. Do not spray the shrimp at this point.

The uncooked shrimp in the air fryer basket

Air Fry on 400 degrees Fahrenheit for 6-9 minutes, flipping and spraying with cooking spray halfway through.

Oil being sprayed o the shrimp

Remove when the shrimp is golden. Salt and pepper to taste.

Close up of the shrimp in an air fryer basket

Can you use frozen shrimp?

I find it's best to use fresh raw shrimp for this recipe so that they cook all the way through and the coating isn't overcooked. If you have frozen shrimp then defrost them and pat them dry before dredging them.

Do you keep the tails on?

I prefer to keep the tails on as they add more flavor and they are easier to dredge and dip in your sauce of choice! You can remove the tails if you prefer.

Make sure that the shrimp are shelled and deveined before dredging them.

Can you reheat air-fried shrimp?

These cooked shrimp are best served as soon as you've made them, but if you have leftovers they can be reheated in the air fryer and all that good crispiness will come right back!

Reheat the air fryer to 400F and cook the shrimp for 3 to 4 minutes until they are nice and crispy again.

Leftover fried shrimp will keep covered in the fridge for up to 3 days.

Other recipes this can be used in

This is a base recipe and can be changed to your liking. You could use smaller shrimp and make crispy popcorn shrimp. Just make sure to adjust the cooking time a bit and cook for less time so the shrimp does not overcook.

The same goes with jumbo shrimp. Just increase the cooking time but 1 or 2 minutes for large shrimp.

You can also serve this as an appetizer or use tail-off shrimp and add these crispy shrimp to salads, shrimp and grits, or make shrimp tacos.

Crispy fried shrimp on parchment

Recipe Notes and Tips

  • For best results, wait until the halfway mark to spray your shrimp. This will help it get super crispy.
  • Cook the shrimp in batches if they cannot all fit in your air fryer basket. The second batch will cook much faster than the first. If you overcrowd the basket, the shrimp will steam rather than fry and won't be as crispy.
  • Make these breaded shrimp gluten-free by using GF panko breadcrumbs.
  • This shrimp is great served with your favorite dipping sauce, like homemade tartar sauce, cocktail sauce, or remoulade sauce. You could even just sprinkle on some hot sauce.
  • I use my own seasoning mixture for this shrimp, but feel free to use your favorite seasoning, like lemon pepper seasoning, old bay, or cajun seasoning.

More Easy Shrimp Recipes

  • Shrimp Po'boy sandwiches
  • Pressure Cooker Shrimp Paella
  • Indoor Grill Chilli Lime Shrimp
  • Balsamic Shrimp and Sausage Skillet Dinner
  • Shrimp & Bacon Scampi

More of my great air fryer recipes.

Watch this video tutorial and see how I make these shrimp from start to finish.

Air fryer shrimp on a blue plate
Print Recipe
4.84 from 6 votes

Crispy Air Fryer Fried Shrimp

Making perfectly crispy and juicy shrimp in the air fryer is so easy and the results are delicious! Ready to serve in 20 minutes, they are easy to prep and made with a few simple ingredients.
Prep Time10 minutes mins
Cook Time8 minutes mins
Total Time18 minutes mins
Course: Appetizer
Cuisine: American
Keyword: air fried shrimp, crispy air fryer shrimp, how to cook shrimp in the air fryer
Servings: 4 servings
Calories: 272kcal
Author: Tanya

Equipment

  • Large Air Fryer

Ingredients

  • 12 oz medium shrimp peeled and deveined
  • ½ cup all-purpose flour
  • ½ teaspoon seasoning salt
  • ¼ teaspoon garlic powder
  • ¼ teaspoon black pepper
  • 2 eggs lightly beaten
  • 1 ½ cup of Japanese panko breadcrumbs
  • Oil for spraying Canola, avocado, etc
  • Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions

  • Prepare a dredging station by placing the flour, seasoning salt, garlic powder, and black pepper in one bowl. In a separate bowl, lightly beat the eggs, and in a third bowl, place the panko breadcrumbs.
  • Place each shrimp in the flour, then the egg, and then the panko, making sure to shake off any excess flour and eggs before placing it in the panko.
  • Place in a greased air fryer basket, making sure the shrimp are not overlapping.
  • Air Fry on 400 degrees Fahrenheit for 6-9 minutes, flipping and spraying halfway through.
  • Remove when the shrimp is golden. Salt and pepper to taste.

Video

Notes

  • Wait until the halfway mark to spray your shrimp. This will help it get super crispy.
  • Cook the shrimp in batches if they cannot all fit in your air fryer basket. The second batch will cook much faster than the first.

Nutrition

Calories: 272kcal | Carbohydrates: 28g | Protein: 25g | Fat: 6g | Saturated Fat: 2g | Cholesterol: 296mg | Sodium: 1155mg | Potassium: 159mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 2g | Vitamin A: 119IU | Vitamin C: 3mg | Calcium: 177mg | Iron: 4mg

This post was originally published on 7/9/2020 and has been updated with new photos and helpful tips.

The Best Ways to Use Dried Herbs

April 14, 2022 by Tanya Leave a Comment

dried herbs in front of white tile background

If you are wondering how to use dried herbs, then look no further. Here are the best tips for using dried herbs in all your recipes.

dries herbs in glass containers

When it comes to herbs, it all boils down to personal preference. I love fresh herbs, but there would always be a space in my heart for dried herbs for cooking, especially for a pot of stew and other special meals! 

Dried herbs are essential in any cooking space. They are budget-friendly ingredients that introduce a tasty flavor to suitable meals. 

Dried herbs and fresh herbs indeed hold different flavors. They have a mucky and more savory flavor, not to mention that these herbs can be stored much longer than fresh herbs.

How to use Dried Herbs in Cooking

While cooking with dried herbs, you want to use a reduced quantity instead of what would have been used if the herbs were fresh. It means one tablespoon of fresh Rosemary will be substituted with one teaspoon of dried Rosemary. As a rule of thumb, always use ⅓ the quantity when replacing fresh herbs with dried herbs.

It's best to add fried herbs early in cooking. Dried herbs are at their best when they are rehydrated. Rehydrate your herbs by introducing them to your meal at the beginning stage of the cooking or the middle stage at most, giving the dried herb enough time to soak up the juices from the food and release flavor.

Utilize dried herbs in meals with a long to average cooking time and a suitable amount of liquids—meals such as soups, stew, pasta, and braises.

Dried herbs are the best choice when preparing smoked fish, smoked meats, or barbecued fish and meats. Make a nice spice coating for your proteins with the right dried herbs of your choice. 

Bloom the herbs

Blooming the herbs is when dried herbs are quickly fried in a tiny amount of oil or butter to get a deep flavor. You can also bloom your herbs and spices together. It's primarily used for sauces, marinating, or dressings. Rather than spray dried basil on a pizza, cook it in a bit of oil and drizzle on top. 

The Best Dried Herbs to use For Cooking

dried herbs on a white background
  1. Dried Oregano:

Dried oregano is an irreplaceable herb for Italian and Mexican dishes that require cheese and tomatoes. It has gained recognition and is deemed to be better dried than fresh.

It is a vital pizza topping, and it releases a beautiful flavor when used in chicken, beef, and meatballs. 

  1. Dried Bay leaves:

Dried bay leaves are an essential dried herb that adds a subtle sweetness and aroma to pasta, rice, stews, soups, and meat stock. To get the best out of the bay leaf, split the dried leaves before tossing them into your meal. 

It is also an excellent option for flavoring rice puddings and custards.

  1. Thyme:

Dried Thyme is a versatile herb used for various dishes, such as soups and stews. This herb also comes in handy in different seasoning proteins, including chicken, roast fish, boiled fish, beef, lamb meat, and meatballs.

Dried thyme has a unique flavor that it gives to each meal it is used. 

  1. Lavender:

To get the best out of dried lavender, drop a small amount on a well-oiled fish and lamb meat, go ahead to fry or roast your proteins and be rewarded with a mouth-savoring taste. Dried lavender is also ideal as a flavoring for custard or ice cream. 

  1. Rosemary:

Dried Rosemary releases its fragrance in slow-cooked meals, such as braises, lamb meals, Italian-style soup, and stews. You can use Rosemary at your discretion but take note to only use a little as it can be spikey and leafy in dishes. It is also used to stuff whole fish and chicken before getting fried or roasted.

  1. Dried Mint Leaves:

Dried mint leaves are famous for making a relaxing cup of tea. But they are also an excellent choice in seasoned butter for chicken, seasoning lambs, Greek dishes, and pea soup. Dried mint has a strong and distinctive taste. Note to use sparingly.

The Best Way to Store Dried Herbs

dried herbs in front of white tile background

As you begin your collection of herbs, you want to ensure they are correctly stored for the highest efficiency and give off the desired taste.

  • Store your herbs in a cool spot. You can keep them in kitchen cabinets that do not get sunlight. And away from the gas to prevent heat from getting to them. You can also store them in a freezer, but don't forget to label them.
  • Keep them in an air and water-tight container or plastic bag. It prevents oxygen from entering the herbs and tainting their originality.

How Long do Dried Herbs Last?

Dried herbs have a longer lifespan than fresh ones. They generally last for 1-3 years, depending on the type of herb. 

Herbs that last 1-3 years include:

  • Bay leaves
  • Oregano
  • Thyme
  • Sage

Herbs that last 2-3 years are mostly ground herbs which include:

  • Seasoning blends
  • Garlic powder
  • Chili powder
  • Ground turmeric

Smothered Green Beans

April 14, 2022 by Tanya Leave a Comment

Overhead shot of green beans in a bowl with a spoon.

This smothered green beans recipe is one tasty way to eat your greens! Baked in a sweet and salty sauce with caramelized onions and crispy bacon, this veggie side dish is hard to resist!

Overhead shot of green beans in a bowl with a spoon.

This post contains affiliate links, please read my full disclaimer here.

Full Recipe Ingredients/Instructions are available in the 
recipe card at the bottom of the post. 
You can find important tips/tricks in the
blog post.

If you are looking for a delicious side dish to serve up, then you can't go wrong with these delicious smothered green beans.

Fresh green beans are baked in soy sauce, butter, and brown sugar, along with bacon and onions, for a dish that is full of flavor. Simple to prep and the cooking time is totally hands-off, allowing you to get on with the rest of the meal.

Made with just a few simple ingredients, these green beans are a versatile side dish that will sit well alongside all of your favorite dinners.

Be sure to try my Instant Pot Green Beans and Potatoes and Chicken and Green Bean Stir Fry too!

Close up of green beans with sauce, onions and bacon.

How to make smothered green beans

  • Gather your ingredients.
ingredients for smothered green beans on table
  • Preheat the oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Bring 4 cups of water to a boil. Blanch the green beans for 4-5 minutes or until tender. Remove from the pot and drain.
Blanching green beans in a pot.
  • Cook the bacon until crispy. Leave about 1 tablespoon of bacon fat in the pan. Add the onions and cook until browned.
Cooking bacon bits til crispy.
  • Place the green beans in a baking dish, one that's at least 2.5 quarts to fit all the green beans, and top with the onions.
  • Mix the brown sugar, melted butter, soy sauce, apple cider vinegar, garlic powder, and onion powder.
The suace mixed together in a glass bowl.
  • Pour the sauce over the green beans and top with bacon. Bake for 35-40 minutes
Baked smothered green beans in a white baking dish.

Can you use frozen or canned beans?

I prefer to use fresh green beans for this recipe, but you can easily adapt it to use frozen or canned too. If using frozen, simply boil them till tender and drain. Canned green beans don't need to be cooked before using, they can be added straight to the casserole dish after draining them.

Can you make this recipe ahead of time?

If you are planning to serve these smothered green beans as part of a big feast, like Easter or Thanksgiving, you can certainly get ahead on your prep. The bacon and onions can be cooked up a few days before and kept stored in the fridge, so you just need to build the casserole and bake it on the day.

Leftovers will keep well in the fridge for 2 to 3 days and can be reheated in the oven at 350 degrees Fahrenheit for 10 minutes to warm through to serve. Cover the baking dish with foil so that they don't dry out.

What do you serve them with?

Because this green bean casserole recipe has a hands-off cooking time, you can easily serve them as part of a family weeknight meal. I love to serve them with roasted meats making them perfect for those special occasions. Try them with some of these favorites:

  • Salisbury Steak with Mushroom Gravy
  • Whole Roasted Chicken
  • Roasted Air Fryer Turkey Breast
  • Boneless Roast Beef
A spoon in a bowl of baked green beans, bacon and onions.

Recipe Notes and Tips

  • Trim the ends of the green beans. They have woody stalks, so it's best to remove these.
  • Make this dish meat-free by simply omitting the bacon.
  • For a gluten-free option, swap the soy sauce for a GF alternative like Tamari.
  • Take care not to overcook the green beans. They should be just fork tender.

More Vegetable Side Dishes

  • Marinated Air Fryer Vegetables
  • Broccoli Slaw
  • Creamy Dill Potato Salad
  • Air Fryer Carrots (Sweet or Savory)
Overhead shot of green beans in a bowl with a spoon.
Print Recipe
5 from 1 vote

Smothered Green Beans

This smothered green beans recipe is one tasty way to eat your greens! Baked in a sweet and salty sauce with caramelized onions and crispy bacon, this veggie side dish is hard to resist!
Prep Time10 minutes mins
Cook Time45 minutes mins
Total Time55 minutes mins
Course: Side Dish
Cuisine: American
Keyword: Baked green beans, green beans with bacon
Servings: 6 servings
Calories: 276kcal
Author: Tanya

Ingredients

  • 1 pound green beans trimmed
  • 8 slices bacon chopped
  • 1 onion chopped

Sauce

  • ⅓ cup brown sugar
  • ¼ cup melted butter
  • 2 tablespoons soy sauce
  • 1 teaspoon apple cider vinegar
  • 2 teaspoons garlic powder
  • 2 teaspoons onion powder

Instructions

  • Preheat oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Bring 4 cups water to a boil. Blanch the green beans for 4-5 minutes or until tender. Remove from the pot and drain.
  • Cook the bacon until crispy. Leave about 1 tablespoon of bacon fat in the pan. Add the onions and cook until browned.
  • Place the green beans in a 2.5 quart baking dish and top with the onions.
  • Mix the brown sugar, melted butter, soy sauce, apple cider vinegar, garlic powder and onion powder. Pour it over the green beans and add bacon. Stir to combine. Bake for 35-40 minutes, until the green beans are tender.

Notes

  • Trim the ends of the green beans. They have woody stalks, so it's best to remove these.
  • Make this dish meat-free by simply omitting the bacon.
  • For a gluten-free option, swap the soy sauce for a GF alternative like Tamari.
  • Take care not to overcook the green beans. They should be just fork tender. 
  • Canned or frozen beans can be subbed for fresh beans.

Nutrition

Serving: 6g | Calories: 276kcal

Homemade Remoulade Sauce

April 13, 2022 by Tanya 45 Comments

spoon lifting remoulade saice

This homemade remoulade sauce recipe is so delicious, creamy, and flavorful and it’s the perfect addition to your favorite seafood, like crab cakes. Wonderfully tangy, it's made for dipping! Ready to use in minutes, this is sure to become a family favorite!

remoulade sauce in white bowl on white plate

This post contains affiliate links, please read my full disclaimer here.

Full Recipe Ingredients/Instructions are available in the 
recipe card at the bottom of the post. 
You can find important tips/tricks in the
blog post.

Remoulade sauce, oh how I love thee! It’s a sauce that I would eat a lot of in restaurants, especially when I ordered crab cakes. Thing is, now that I make crab cakes at home, I found that I needed to learn how to make the sauce at home or find one that I loved in the stores.

This remoulade sauce is the Louisiana-style remoulade, made with a creamy mayonnaise base with additional flavorings of sweet relish, paprika, creole seasoning, and horseradish.

It’s a sauce loved by Southerns and generally served alongside seafood dishes as well as fried dishes. I typically find it paired along with my favorite appetizers when we go out to eat.

I’m a huge fan of homemade sauces and played around with ingredients until I found a remoulade I fell in love with. The flavor combination is complex, in a good way, resulting in a tangy and bright creamy sauce.

Be sure to try my Vinegar BBQ Sauce and Chimichurri Sauce too!

How to make homemade remoulade sauce

  • Whisk ingredients in a bowl. Serve and enjoy. Keep refrigerated.
ingredients for remoulade sauce on white table
remoulade sauce mixed in bowl

How long does it keep?

Once you have made up your remoulade sauce, you can use it straight away, or transfer it to a sealable glass jar or bottle and it will keep well for up to a week. Because it's made with mayonnaise it's not freezable and it's best not to leave it out at room temperature for more than a couple of hours.

Can you make it spicy?

This sauce is full of amazing flavors, but I prefer to not make it spicy so that it's more family friendly. If you prefer a bit more of a kick with your sauce you can easily amp it up my mixing in some cayenne pepper or chili flakes to suit your tastes.

spoon lifting remoulade saice

Can you make it healthier?

When it comes to mayonnaise based dips, I much prefer the texture and flavor of full fat, but you can use a reduced fat one if you prefer. To reduce calories and fat, you could also swap some of the mayo for Greek yogurt so that you don't loose that creaminess.

What do you serve with it?

This homemade remoulade sauce is made for dipping, drizzling, and sharing! It's great with seafood and fried foods and it's a definite must-have for your next game day!

  • Crab cakes
  • Shrimp Po'Boy Sandwiches
  • Salmon Patties
  • Chicken Wings
  • Breaded Shrimp
  • Fritters
  • French fries

Hope you enjoy this remoulade sauce as much as we do!

Recipe Notes and Tips

  • For best results, use fresh lemon juice in this recipe. It's so much zingier than bottled and will give the sauce a fresh tang.
  • Use a whisk to combine the ingredients together. It will be quicker and result in a smoother sauce than if you used a spoon.
  • Keep covered and refrigerated for up to a week.

More Homemade Sauces

  • Jerk BBQ Sauce
  • Peruvian Green Sauce (Aji Verde)
  • Cocktail Sauce
  • Tartar Sauce
  • Buffalo Sauce
homemade remoulade sauce in a bowl from above
spoon lifting remoulade saice
Print Recipe
4.65 from 39 votes

Homemade Remoulade Sauce

This homemade remoulade sauce is delicious and tangy and full of flavor. Serve it along side your favorite seafood dishes.
Prep Time5 minutes mins
Total Time5 minutes mins
Course: Sauce
Cuisine: American
Keyword: creamy remoulade sauce, dipping sauce for seafood, remoulade sauce
Servings: 6 people
Calories: 138kcal
Author: Tanya

Ingredients

  • ½ cup mayonnaise
  • 1 Tablespoon lemon juice
  • 1 Tablespoon sweet relish
  • ½ Tablespoon paprika
  • 2 Tablespoon dijon mustard
  • 1 teaspoon hot sauce
  • 1 teaspoon creole seasoning
  • 1 teaspoon horseradish
  • 1 clove garlic grated

Instructions

  • Whisk ingredients in a bowl. Serve and enjoy. Keep refrigerated.

Notes

  • For best results, use fresh lemon juice in this recipe. It's so much zingier than bottled and will give the sauce a fresh tang.
  • Use a whisk to combine the ingredients together. It will be quicker and result in a smoother sauce than if you used a spoon.
  • Keep covered and refrigerated for up to a week.

Nutrition

Calories: 138kcal | Carbohydrates: 2g | Protein: 1g | Fat: 14g | Saturated Fat: 2g | Cholesterol: 8mg | Sodium: 220mg | Potassium: 27mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 1g | Vitamin A: 460IU | Vitamin C: 2.1mg | Calcium: 3mg | Iron: 0.2mg

This post was updated on 4/13/2022 with additional photos and helpful information.

Spinach Stuffed Chicken Breasts

April 4, 2022 by Tanya 2 Comments

Two spinach stuffed chicken breasts served on a white plate.

Mix up your weeknight dinners with these delicious spinach stuffed chicken breasts. Ready to enjoy in 30 minutes, they are stuffed with spinach, tomatoes, green chilies and cream cheese for one flavorful bite. Perfect for the whole family, and fancy enough to serve to company!

Two chicken breasts stuffed with spinach, tomatoes and cream cheese.

This post contains affiliate links, please read my full disclaimer here.

Full Recipe Ingredients/Instructions are available in the 
recipe card at the bottom of the post. 
You can find important tips/tricks in the
blog post.

Chicken breasts are a staple in our house, and this recipe is an easy way to fancy them up! Stuffed with spinach, tomatoes and cream cheese, they are easy to make and so tasty!

Perfectly seasoned and baked in the oven, they are ready to serve in half an hour, making them a great go to for an easy family weeknight meal, but they are easily tasty enough to serve to guests.

These spinach stuffed chicken breasts are also a great healthy choice. High in protein and low in saturated fat, carbs and calories, they are a great addition to a well balanced lifestyle. I know that you are going to love them as much as my family does!

Be sure to try my Creamy Champagne Chicken and Easy Chicken Chili too!

Stuffed chicken breasts served on a plate next to a kitchen cloth.

How to make spinach stuffed chicken breasts

  • Gather your ingredients.
Ingredients to make the recipe.
  • Preheat the oven to 425 degrees. Grease a 3-quart baking dish and set aside.
  • In a skillet or cast iron pan, heat 1 teaspoon of vegetable oil over medium-high heat.
  • Once the pan is hot, add onions sauté until translucent, about 4-6 minutes. Add garlic and sauté for an additional minute.
Cooking garlic and onions in a skillet.
  • Add diced tomatoes and green chilies and season with ¼ teaspoon of Italian seasoning.
  • Add spinach to the skillet and stir. Once when spinach begins to wilt, add cream cheese and Italian blend cheese, and stir until the cheese has melted and it’s all combined. Remove from heat and set aside.
Spinach added to the skillet.
The wilted spinach in a skillet.
Cream cheese stirred into the vegetables.
  • Cut chicken breasts in half, but do not cut all the way through. Leave them connected so you can fold them back over.
Cutting the chicken breasts in half.
  • Season both sides of the chicken breasts with remaining Italian seasoning, salt, black pepper, paprika, onion powder, and garlic powder. Add spinach mixture to the center of the breasts and fold back over. Place in the baking dish.
Four chicken breasts stuffed with cream cheese and spinach in a white baking dish.
  • Bake in the preheated oven for 18-20 minutes or until they reach an internal temperature of 165 degrees Fahrenheit.
Four baked spinach stuffed chicken breasts in a white baking dish.

Can you make them ahead of time?

These spinach stuffed chicken breasts are best enjoyed as soon as they are baked so that they are nice and juicy, but leftovers will keep well in the fridge for 3 to 4 days and can be reheated in the oven at 360F for 10 to 15 minutes to serve.

You can make the spinach and cream cheese filling a day or two before you want to make these and keep covered in the fridge. The chicken breasts can be stuffed a little ahead of time and be stored covered in the fridge.

Can you make this recipe with chicken thighs?

Chicken breasts are perfect for stuffing, you just make a pocket in the breasts, load in the spinach cream cheese filling and you are good to go. If you only have thighs, you can still enjoy this recipe. Pound them out and then roll them up like a pinwheel and secure them with a toothpick. They may take slightly longer to cook through compared to breasts.

What do you serve them with?

These cheesy stuffed chicken breasts are perfect to serve with salad, veggie and potato side dishes. Try them with some of these favorites:

  • KFC Copycat Potato Wedges
  • Creamy Dill Potato Salad
  • Creamy Broccoli Cauliflower Salad
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Four baked chicken breasts stuffed with spinach in a baking dish.

Recipe Notes and Tips

  • Take care not to cut the chicken breasts all of the way through or the spinach filling will fall out during baking.
  • If you are having difficulty closing the chicken breast over the filling, you can secure it with some toothpicks. Just make sure you remove them before serving!
  • For best results, let the chicken breasts rest for 5 minutes before serving. This helps to make them nice and juicy.

More Chicken Recipes

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Two spinach stuffed chicken breasts served on a white plate.
Print Recipe
4 from 1 vote

Spinach Stuffed Chicken Breasts

Mix up your weeknight dinners with these delicious spinach stuffed chicken breasts. Ready to enjoy in 30 minutes, they are stuffed with spinach, tomatoes, green chilies and cream cheese for one flavorful bite. Perfect for the whole family, and fancy enough to serve to company!
Prep Time10 minutes mins
Cook Time20 minutes mins
Total Time30 minutes mins
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: American
Keyword: cheesy stuffed chicken breasts, chicken stuffed with cream cheese and spinach, cream cheese spinach stuffed chicken
Servings: 4 servings
Calories: 325kcal
Author: Tanya

Ingredients

  • 1 Teaspoon of Vegetable Oil
  • 1 yellow onion chopped
  • 2 cloves garlic minced
  • 10 oz can diced tomatoes and green chilies drained
  • 1 teaspoon of Italian Seasoning divided
  • 5.5 Ounce bag of Baby Spinach
  • 4 oz cream cheese cubed
  • ½ Cup of Italian Blend Cheese
  • 4 boneless and skinless chicken breast filets patted dry
  • ½ Teaspoon of Salt
  • ½ Teaspoon of Black Pepper
  • ½ Teaspoon of Paprika
  • ½ Teaspoon of Onion Powder
  • ½ Teaspoon of Garlic Powder

Instructions

  • Preheat the oven to 425 degrees. Grease a 3-quart baking dish and set aside.
  • In a skillet or cast iron pan, heat 1 teaspoon of vegetable oil over medium-high heat.
  • Once the pan is hot, add onions sauté until translucent, about 4-6 minutes. Add garlic and sauté for an additional minute.
  • Add diced tomatoes and green chilies and season with ¼ teaspoon of Italian seasoning.
  • Add spinach to the skillet and stir. Once when spinach begins to wilt, add cream cheese and Italian blend cheese and stir until the cheese has melted and it’s all combined. Remove from heat and set aside.
  • Cut chicken breasts in half, but do not cut all the way through. Leave them connected so you can fold them back over.
  • Season both sides of the chicken breasts with remaining Italian seasoning, salt, black pepper, paprika, onion powder, and garlic powder. Add spinach mixture to the center of the breasts and fold back over. Place in the baking dish.
  • Bake in the preheated oven for 18-20 minutes or until they reach an internal temperature of 165 degrees Fahrenheit.

Notes

  • Take care not to cut the chicken breasts all of the way through or the spinach filling will fall out during baking.
  • If you are having difficulty closing the chicken breast over the filling, you can secure it with some toothpicks. Just make sure you remove them before serving!
  • For best results, let the chicken breasts rest for 5 minutes before serving. This helps to make them nice and juicy.

Nutrition

Calories: 325kcal | Carbohydrates: 10g | Protein: 31g | Fat: 18g | Saturated Fat: 9g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 4g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 115mg | Sodium: 643mg | Potassium: 886mg | Fiber: 3g | Sugar: 4g | Vitamin A: 4428IU | Vitamin C: 21mg | Calcium: 214mg | Iron: 3mg

KFC Copycat Potato Wedges (Air Fryer Method)

April 1, 2022 by Tanya 62 Comments

These Air Fryer Potato Wedges are air fried for a healthier version of the breaded KFC wedges. No worry about deep frying with the Air Fryer around. 

air fryer potato wedges in a pile

This post may contain affiliate links, please read my full disclosure here.

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Welcome to My Forking Life! Hi, I'm Tanya, attorney, busy wife and mom, and lover of quick, easy, and delicious meals.

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