I Only Ate Tacos for a Week for the Taco Cleanse — This Is What Happened

The Taco Cleanse is quickly becoming the viral diet of 2016 — and I’m here to remind you I started this before Jennifer Aniston did. After interviewing the writers and creators of the Taco Cleanse for some expert advice, I jumped into a week of meat-free, veggie-full tortillas. My typical diet of candy bars and quesadillas was challenged. I experienced major withdrawals and decided that Happy Hours with coworkers were no longer a highlight. (Do you really have to order French fries for the table? Bunch of jerks.) But it wasn’t all bad. There were tacos and tequila involved after all. Here’s how it went, here’s what I wish I knew, here’s how I am changed by tacos.

Preparation

I was supposed to start the cleanse on Sunday, but then my roommate suggested acai bowls after a night of partying. How could I say no? Let’s pre-cleanse the cleanse with some fruit! So Sunday ended up being a day of preparation. I went to Whole Foods and Trader Joe’s, where I stocked up on salsa ingredients, cans of beans and rice, four types of tortilla, lots of veggies and a collection of fake meat/proteins (seitan, ground veggie “meat”, tempeh, grain “meat” sausages, etc).

I made myself suffer by walking through the dairy section. Cheese, milk, eggs… I will replace you with cheddar-style shreds. I tell myself to also buy tofu, but ultimately I chicken out. I’m already taking a lot of HUGE risks here. I spend the rest of the afternoon preparing my ingredients for the week. The Taco Cleanse recommends cooking your “taco fillers” at the start of the week, and I cannot recommend this enough! Otherwise, you will starve. Or slave away for each individual taco. Other key tips before starting the cleanse: Salsa is your friend. Make a few different dressings to spice up your taco. Also, keep a pack of tortillas with you at all times.

Day One

Today is taco cleanse day! Standing in my kitchen, I am overwhelmed by all these mysterious ingredients. I know how to make a breakfast taco (cheese, eggs, salsa, chorizo), but I don’t know what to do with these veggies. Woof. I decide to take it easy and make a PB, banana and cinnamon taco. Trust me, it’s in the book! It’s perfect when prioritizing sleep over a balanced breakfast taco.

For lunch, I decide to cheat for day number one and I order a soyrizo taco and grilled veggies from fave taco spot, Papalote. Guys… soyrizo is supposed to be imitation chorizo. Lesson learned here: Fake meat tastes like fake meat. Pro Tip: Carrying around my own stash of tortillas, I was able to move the (fake, fake, fake!) taco fillings from the soggy corn tortillas to a fluffy flour tortilla. Point for Vic.

Around mid-afternoon, I experience a energy crash due to lack of candy. Solution: Eat a tortilla. Day one of the taco cleanse, the marketing team goes to happy hour. They order French fries for the table, and this is such a taunt. Friendly peer pressure says “Everything is a taco.” In a moment of weakness, I put French fries in the tortilla and enjoy an all carb taco. I definitely saw the French fries in the cookbook, but I don’t think this is what the authors had in mind…

For dinner, I whip up a veggie taco featuring the Chipotle Butternut Squash and Rewarding Esquites (esquites is similar to elote. It’s corn off the cob flavored with mayo, chili powder and lime juice.) Dinner is delicious, but I deny myself a margarita. You did not earn it, Victoria.

Mood: Feeling a little daunted by the Taco Cleanse. The vegan life is tough. Also, energy is VERY low from lack of sugary candy. My stomach also doesn’t feel quite full… ever. What did I agree to?

Day Two

I forgot to make breakfast and I stare at my coworker as he eats Cocoa Puffs. But I have my pack of tortillas, so yes… I just eat tortillas for breakfast. Okay, easiest cleanse ever. All-carb diet! I recognize that I am doing a horrible job at the this point, and I need to radically improve. This realization is followed by an intervention in the B+C Kitchen. A colleague is worried about my normal diet and advises me to ask myself before eating, “Is this an exceptional carb?”

On Tuesdays, we get lunch catered at work, so I decide to get creative and modify. I order bean + jalapeño tamales, cut up the tamales and create a little taco. It works!

For dinner, I decide to try the tempeh. What is tempeh? According to my taco bible, it’s a “slab of fermented soy that we enjoy for its high-protein content. It’s loaded with enzymes that cultivate your gut flora and fauna.” Okaaaay. I use some chipotle seasoning to flavor the tempeh and pair it with the Redemption Beans (slightly modified) and Arroz Verde Rice mix-ins from the book. Today, I have earned myself a margarita, AKA a “supplement,” as the book likes to call them. Any cleanse that features tequila is already far superior to all other diets.

Mood: It’s getting better… Energy levels still low. My happiness is closely tied with lack of sugar, so experiencing slight mood swings.

Day Three

Started the day with the Mighty Migas! If it sounds impressive, that’s because it is. Traditional migas are a well-balanced breakfast staple to any Tex-Mex diet, but go vegan with your migas, and it’s a whole new ballgame. I ordered some tofu because it’s cheating if I don’t try it, and I attempted to make this tofu scramble. I think it turned out all right… but I’m eager for a return to normal egg migas.

Later at work, I cheated. I succumbed to my sugar addiction and ate some chocolate Reese’s peanut butter cups. My mood instantly improved, but this guilt is too much, so I’m admitting my weakness here. For lunch, I grabbed veggie tacos from a restaurant down the street. OKAY… these tasted waaaay better than everything I’ve been cooking up.

Later for dinner, I skipped a friend’s party because of the Taco Cleanse. Later, I find out he made me tacos.

Mood: All the regret! Let me party, Taco Cleanse! Also, regret from cheating with candy.

Day Four

Perusing The Taco Cleanse cookbook, I spied “The Minor Cleanse.” It’s the taco take on a “The Master Cleanse,” also known at the lemonade diet. This version involves tequila, so what could go wrong? The little cleanse shot consists of 1.5 ounces of tequila, a pinch of cayenne pepper, 1/4 teaspoon of agave nectar and a lime wedge. The book recommends starting the day with the “minor cleanse” to get your energies flowing. It’s Thursday, so I take a shot before work. Outcome: Energies are definitely flowing.

To not drink on a empty stomach, I follow up the cleanse shot with leftovers from yesterday’s migas meal. At work, I eat some plantain chips (they’re in the book) as a snack, and use my catered work salad to make a pseudo-taco. Remember: Anything is a taco!

For dinner, I am lazy and just combine the veggie ground meat with some leftover rice, beans, lettuce, corn and salsa. I still really miss normal meat. This tastes like grass. Only salsa and jalapeños can mask the fakeness.

Mood: Starting the day with a cleansing tequila shot was an experience… and I didn’t hate it.

Day Five

It’s Friday! I’ve almost made it through a full work week on the Taco Cleanse and I am getting the hang of this. I make the PB + banana breakfast taco combo (because I like to sleep in on Fridays) and head into the office. Lunch is fairly simple: a taco fixed with some of my leftover rice, corn, beans and ground veggie “meat” from the week.

The real highlight of the day was my Tater Tot-cho Tacos! I have been waiting for this all week. The book markets it as nachos with tater tots in lieu of tortilla chips. Put tot-chos in a taco and it’s a true game changer. The recipe features tortillas, soyrizo, the book’s Elevated Nacho Cheese, cashew crema, guacamole (swapped for salsa), diced tomatoes, cilantro, scallions and jalapeños.

Mood: Today is a good day. It’s Friday and I’ve got tot-chos and an agave margarita. Spirits are high, experiencing a taco nirvana and listening to Pitbull. Dalé!

Day Six

Almost done, almost done! I’m craving pizza and ice cream and BBQ and cereal. Definitely cereal. But, I also make a delicious breakfast taco to start the day. Some beans + rice, some esquites (that’s the flavorful corn), a chipotle “breakfast sausage” and jalapeños. Oh, and the fake cheese makes an appearance. This doesn’t quite compare to the pancakes my roommate ordered at brunch, but it’s spicy and my body loves it!

Also, I find that energy levels are back to pre-cleanse norms… maybe even higher. I go for a hike with pals here in the Bay Area, and we grab tacos for lunch! How does everyone else make veggies taste so good?! I still haven’t figured this out.

For dinner, I make the chipotle-style seitan. Seitan is made from vital wheat gluten, which is made by isolating gluten from flour. Truthfully, I still don’t know what this means. But imitation meat is on the menu tonight! The book has a menu for homemade seitan, but this premade Whole Foods one sounds a bit safer (AKA I don’t trust myself). I pair the mystery protein with beans, lettuce and corn for a simple taco. In hindsight, I should’ve made the Smoked Brisket and Jalapeño Mac + Cheese Tacos from the book.

Mood: Feeling elated because the end is near, but I’m also a taco master! Energy levels = high! General life outlook = more positive than normal.

Day Seven

And we made it to the final day! Honestly, this day wasn’t too exciting. I made veggie tacos for breakfast, I added mushrooms to my lunchtime taco and I used the last of the tempeh, squash and jalapeños for a taco dinner. I celebrated with a shot of tequila with my roommate and then a healthy dose of chips and salsa.

Then… I maybe went and got a slice of pizza. Oops?

Mood: Feeling like a winner! The pizza tastes VERY unhealthy, and my body is confused, even though I added copious amounts of chili flakes. Still, the tequila is refreshing as I toss it back, and I feel very accomplished.

Recap

For seven days, I only ate vegan tacos. It was hard because my typical diet does not include vegetables, and I am the furthest thing from a vegan. (Give me carnitas!) But it was also amazing. Partly because tequila was involved, but also because my body was purged of unnatural sugars and cut off from an excess of carbs. My energy levels started off rocky, but I felt pretty high on life + tacos by the end of the week.

I achieved taco nirvana. I gained a greater appreciation for Pitbull (JK… the love was always there.) And I radically expanded the range of my diet. Hello, bell peppers, my new friends! I DO recommend this diet, especially if you consider yourself a taco aficionado. So give it a shot and spice up your life for a week. Add some “supplements” to your day, and make #TacoTuesday a forever thing.

Are you trying the Taco Cleanse?! Let us know how it’s going by tweeting @BritandCo!

During bouts of cold weather, nothing warms you down to your toes quite like a good soup. From spicy soup recipes to more mild creations, soup is nourishing, warming and often packed with nutritious ingredients. Tomato soup recipes are a classic choice here in the U.S., but maybe you’re in the mood for something a little more… exotic. Lucky for you, soup is a staple in all corners of the globe. Try these 22 soup recipes from around the world next time you feel like jetting off to new (and perhaps warmer) climates.

Creamy Chicken Tortilla Soup

This one-pot Creamy Chicken Tortilla Soup is so simple and the perfect bowl to spice things up with salsa verde, poblano peppers, jalapeños, and shredded chicken. Taco seasoning and ground cumin top it off with amazing flavor. Add salty tortilla chips and even lime zest for a magical soup to cozy up to mid-winter. (via Half Baked Harvest)

Easy Homemade Wonton Soup

Though the concept of making homemade wontons may seem intimidating, this delicious soup is actually pretty easy to pull together. Ready in just 40 minutes, it boasts the flavors of authentic pork dumplings, shrimp and fresh veggies. (via Jessica Gavin)

New England Clam Chowder

For something a little closer to home, whip up a bowl of New England clam chowder. You’ll need bacon, pork, potatoes, an array of spices and, of course, clams. The fresher the fish, the better — but if you live somewhere without access to fresh clams, you can sub in canned clams instead. (via A Family Feast)

Manhattan Clam Chowder

Alternatively, you could try Manhattan’s version of clam chowder if you’re craving a yummy seafood stew. The difference between New England and Manhattan clam chowders lies in the soup itself — New England chowder features a white, cream-based soup, while Manhattan style is broth-based. (via Baker by Nature)

Chicken Dumpling Soup

Curb your cravings for a cozy comfort soup with this well-rounded meal that nourishes with tender chicken, fluffy cooked dumplings, and a flavorful creamy broth. (via Real Food Dietitians)

Turkish Tarhana Soup

Mix things up with this popular Turkish soup made with fermented dough and a tomato base, mint, and garlic. (via Give Recipe)

15-Minute Curry Noodle Soup

Curries are popular throughout Asia, particularly in countries like India and Thailand. This quick and easy curry soup is ready in just 15 minutes, and features rice vermicelli noodles. (via The Woks of Life)

Italian Wedding Soup

This Italian-American soup is often served at all manner of Italian restaurants here in the states, but its name is misleading. It’s not traditionally served at weddings in particular… instead, the name refers to the “marriage” of greens and broth. (via Jo Cooks)

Hearty Mulligatawny Soup

This simpler version of the famous mulligatawny soup is made with leftover roast chicken or turkey. Part Indian, part British, this soup is aromatic, mildly spicy, and so comforting. (via Vikalinka)

Vegan Tortellini Soup

This hearty, delicious soup won't take more than 45 minutes and is packed with vegetables, cheesy tortellini, spicy plant-based sausage and lots of flavor! (via Crowded Kitchen)

Spanish Bean Soup

This traditional Spanish soup is made with chickpeas, andouille sausage, onion, olive oil and red potatoes. If you’re more in the mood for spicy chorizo, substitute that instead. Either way, this soup will be nourishing, mildly spicy and *packed* with flavor. (via The Noshery)

French Onion Soup

Is there anything more delicious than a rich French onion soup topped with crunchy croutons and tons of cheese? We think not! This recipe showcases the flavors of French onion soup to delicious effect. We recommend using gruyere, asiago, Swiss or mozzarella cheese (or any combo of those four). (via Gimme Some Oven)

Easy Mexican Pozole

Pozole is a Mexican soup boasting the flavors of hominy and pork. There are red versions and green versions. This particular version is made with red sauce and is super easy to whip up in a jiff. (via The Spice Kit Recipes)

Turkey Avgolemono Soup

This traditional Greek recipe is made with turkey, rice and a little bit of lemon, making for a delicious comfort food that’s both warming and totally invigorating. In fact, you only need five ingredients to make this delicious, authentic soup. That’s right, FIVE. (via The Kitchn)

Cuban Black Bean Soup

Healthy and hearty, this black bean soup is graced with the flavors of black pepper, olive oil and garlic, and comprised of ham and black beans. It’s as nourishing as it is tasty, and can easily be garnished with Greek yogurt in lieu of sour cream in order to make it even healthier. (Of course, that will take away the authenticity of the dish, but we’ll let you decide.) (via The Kitchn)

Creamy Coconut Soup With Cauliflower

This soothing soup is a great way to get veggies into your day in a healthy and hearty way. (via Clean Cuisine)

Ribollita

Now, if you’re looking for a quick and easy dish, this Tuscan soup recipe isn’t for you — it takes roughly three days to make if you want to go the traditional route. Ribollita literally means “reboiled,” so this is a great recipe to make ahead of time and then reboil right before you’re ready to serve it. (via 31 Daily)

Hot and Sour Soup

This traditional Chinese recipe is warming, tasty and packed with nutritious ingredients. We particularly recommend adding kimchi on top, as it’s fermented and therefore contains natural probiotics. Pro tip: To make this vegan, just use veggie broth. (via The Kitchn)

Locro de Papa

Locro de Papa is an Ecuadorian cheesy potato soup that will warm you to your toes and fill you right up. It features annatto, a regional spice that you’ll have to find in an ethnic or Mexican grocery store. But trust us — it will be worth the extra effort. (via Curious Cuisiniere)

Vietnamese Beef Noodle Pho

Pho is a Vietnamese noodle soup that is often steeped for *days* in order to get the best broth flavor. However, you can make it much more quickly by taking a few shortcuts. In terms of beef, the best cuts for this noodle soup are sirloin steak, round eye or London broil. (via The Kitchn)

One-Pot Lasagna Soup

Got 30 minutes? This soup version of the Italian classic is the perfect, hearty, comfort food with ground beef, noodles, a tomato-based broth, and a delicious three-cheese topping. (via Averie Cooks)

Easy Homemade Ramen

Last but not least is perhaps America’s most beloved ethnic soup: ramen. Once you’ve made a homemade savory ramen with fresh veggies, noodles and boiled eggs, you’ll never go back to the instant store-bought version. EVER. (via Damn Delicious)

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The holidays at Starbucks are here, people! Peppermint Mocha season returned on November 7. If you’re a die-hard Starbucks fan, you know Red Cup Day is a whole holiday in itself – the frenzy for a free reusable cup is truly no joke. There’s even an entire website dedicated to counting down the madness! Red Cup Day 2024 was just officially announced – here's everything you need to know about the annual event.

Scroll on for details on Starbucks Red Cup Day for 2024!

What is Red Cup Day?

Starbucks

Red Cup Day is Starbucks’ highly-awaited annual event that marks the start of holiday beverage season at the coffee chain. For one day only (and while supplies last), customers who order any of Starbucks’ seasonal drinks will receive a reusable red cup that features a bespoke design for the respective year.

When is Starbucks' Red Cup Day 2024?

Starbucks

November 14, 2024 is officially Red Cup Day!

Red Cup Day typically lands on the third Thursday of November, though this year's event hits on the second Thursday. In 2022, Red Cup Day happened on November 17, and for 2023, it was November 16.

What do the red cups look like for 2024?

Starbucks

The Starbucks red cups for Red Cup Day 2024 are here! The design features a very candy cane-like illustration with a white lid. The reusable cup holds 16 ounces and is made from 95% recycled materials.

How can I get a red cup?

Starbucks

The Starbucks red cups are available however you order, including in-store, drive-thru, and through the Starbucks app and delivery via Uber Eats, Door Dash and GrubHub. Customers who order delivery through the Starbucks app can even have their reusable red cup delivered with a $0 delivery fee! Red Cup Day typically limits one cup per customer.

Starbucks

Here’s a list of all the eligible drinks (including icons from the Starbucks holiday menu)for Red Cup Day 2024:

  • Apple Crisp Nondairy Cream Chai Tea Latte
  • Apple Crisp Oatmilk Macchiato
  • Apple Crisp Oatmilk Shaken Espresso
  • Caramel Brulée Latte
  • Chestnut Praline Latte
  • Cran-Merry Orange Refresher
  • Cran-Merry Lemonade Refresher
  • Cran-Merry Drink
  • Gingerbread Oatmilk Chai
  • Hot Chocolate
  • Pecan Crunch Oatmilk Latte
  • Peppermint Hot Chocolate
  • Peppermint Mocha
  • Peppermint White Hot Chocolate
  • Pumpkin Cream Chai Tea Latte
  • Pumpkin Cream Cold Brew
  • Pumpkin Spice Latte
  • Salted Pecan Crunch Cold Brew
  • Sugar Cookie Almondmilk Latte
  • White Hot Chocolate

Why should I participate in Red Cup Day?

Starbucks

Red Cup Day = freebies, which can feel really rewarding if you’re really into receiving free goodies. Plus, it’s just a fun way to lean into the holiday spirit. The red reusable cup keeps giving beyond Red Cup Day, though! Every time you use the reusable cup for future Starbucks orders, you get a 10-cent discount as well as 25 bonus stars toward your Starbucks Rewards account to save up for more discounts on drinks, food, and merchandise.

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This post has been updated.

Listen – we love ketchup, mayo, mustard, and all your other favorite condiments– by no means are we suggesting that mayo doesn’t have a place in BLTs and potato salad recipes. But, if you haven’t tried aioli — a popular dipping sauce with Mediterranean origins — you’re seriously missing out.

Aioli recipes are traditionally made with garlic, olive oil, and sometimes eggs (the combination of which is, of course, mayonnaise), but modern iterations also throw in lemon juice, garlic, and a whole plethora of other delicious herbs and spices. Here are 25 of our favorite aioli recipes, but be warned: once you dip your French fries in aioli, you’ll never go back.

Vanilla and Bean

Jalapeño Aioli

Let's start things off with a little spice, shall we? This zesty, zingy aioli gets infused with jalapeños, garlic, cilantro, and lime juice to form the most delicious flavor.

Cooking With Curls

Super Easy Garlic Aioli

Let’s start off with the most mainstream, common version of aioli you’re likely to find. This easy-to-make recipe contains only five ingredients: mayo, garlic, lemon juice, salt, and pepper. Like all aioli creations, this sauce is perfect for adding to sandwiches and burgers, and will also take your fries to a *whole* new level.

Goodie Godmother

Cilantro Lime Aioli

Aioli recipes are *delish* on a quesadilla or another Mexican-inspired meal. The flavors of cilantro and lime pair with all kinds of flavorful (and spicy) foods.

The Iron You

Rosemary Aioli

Paired here with meatballs, rosemary aioli is a bit more herbaceous. The flavors of rosemary go well with meats. We also recommend serving this sauce on the sandwich portion of a hearty soup-and-sammie meal.

Hello Little Home

Pesto Aioli

Use some store-bought or homemade pesto to mix into thick mayo, and you have yourself an exceptional (and easy!) aioli recipe.

Vikalinka

Truffle Aioli

One bite of this rich aioli recipe, and you'll be hooked. It's especially tasty alongside some fries!

Feel Good Foodie

Basic Homemade Aioli

This pick is as straightforward as aioli gets. If you're looking to hone your kitchen craft with more homemade dips and sauces, this aioli recipe is a great place to start.

The Suburban Soapbox

Roasted Garlic Aioli

Here’s another crowd-pleasing garlic aioli recipe for you. Pro tip: roast the garlic by cutting it in half, placing the middle side down on a piece of foil, drizzling with olive oil, and roasting for about 30 minutes. You’ll unlock a super-rich flavor that you just can’t get with raw garlic.

The Best Aioli Recipes

The Wimpy Vegetarian

Roasted Red Pepper Aioli

Looking for something a little... tangier? This roasted red pepper aioli will definitely do the trick. It combines the flavors of traditional aioli and red peppers with mustard, lemon juice, and sun-dried tomatoes for a condiment with kick!

The Edgy Veg

Vegan Caper Aioli

Aioli recipes can be healthy — just ask this vegan caper aoil mixture. Salty capers meet mellowed-out mayo in this plant-based recipe.

The Minimalist Baker

5-Ingredient Chipotle Aioli

This baby is spicy – and it also happens to be totally vegan. The “mayo” is made from soaked and blended cashews, while the flavor itself comes from fresh chipotle peppers.

A Spicy Perspective

Magic Aioli Sauce

You'll just have to trust us on this one – this aioli recipe holds pure magic. It's dreamy and bright, meaning it's the perfect pair to hefty, salty potato wedges and the like. Each dip will leave you wanting more and more!

Takes Two Eggs

Gochujang Aioli

Gochujang, a spicy Korean chili and soybean paste, gets the aioli treatment, resulting in a spectacularly spicy spread that can be used across dishes from sandwiches to loaded fries. All we can say is bring on all the spicy aioli recipes!

Fountain Avenue Kitchen

Smoked Paprika Aioli

When shopping for paprika, go for a spice labeled “smoked paprika” or “sweet paprika.” Plain-old paprika tends to be a lot less flavorful. In the case of this pick, though, you’ll combine smoked paprika with a bit of cumin to achieve a rich, spicy flavor in your aioli recipe.

Joyful Healthy Eats

Chipotle Lime Aioli

We’ve already covered aioli with lime and aioli with chipotle peppers — but this mouthwatering recipe combines the two. Bonus points for serving these with healthy and delicious sweet potato fries!

The Real Food Dietitians

Dijon-Thyme Aioli

This rich aioli is a sweet potato's BFF.

Savor The Best

Lemon-Dill Aioli Sauce

Not so much into the peppery, spicy sauces? Keep things light and fresh with this lemon and dill-flavored creation. When prepping this aioli, be sure to bring your egg yolks to room temperature, or you may have some trouble getting them to mix with the rest of the sauce.

Healthy Green Kitchen

Vegan Egg-Free Aioli

Here’s another one for the plant-based eaters out there. The secret ingredient in this recipe is aquafaba... that is, chickpea water. You can store this mixture for up to seven days in a covered container, so it’s great for making ahead (meal prep FTW!) and taking to work.

More Delicious Aioli Recipes

The Faux Martha

Chimichurri Aioli

Chimichurri is often slathered on meats, and this aioli is just as – if not more – versatile. It shares a number of ingredients with traditional chimichurri sauce — a few of the stand-outs are cilantro, onion, lime juice, and jalapeño!

Barley & Sage

Spicy Lemon Aioli

For a dip with more kick, this spicy lemon aioli strikes the ideal balance between tangy and zesty.

Half Baked Harvest

Roasted Garlic Saffron Aioli

Saffron brings a muted, yet deep flavor to this blend that was crafted to pair with feta fries. It's one of the tastiest aioli recipes we've had!

Homemade Interest

Easy Lemon Aioli

When we say this recipe is easy, that’s kind of an understatement. There are literally two steps: whisk everything together, then allow it to chill in the fridge for 30 minutes. It’s *that* simple.

Pink Owl Kitchen

Creole Aioli

All the best parts of creole cookin' falvor are included in this aioli. Make sure you've got a lot of spices on your hands, or else this spicy pick won't quite hit the same.

The Skinny Fork

Skinny Sriracha Aioli

What makes this Sriracha-infused aioli skinny, exactly? Instead of regular mayonnaise, you’ll sub in light mayo and Greek yogurt for a lower-fat, protein-packed alternative.

Cafe Delites

Garlic Avocado Aioli

All those classic garlic aioli recipes we’ve shared above are fabulous, but adding some avocado can be a *total* game-changer. With this recipe, you’ll whip some fresh avo right into the mixture, adding creamy texture and stellar flavor.

Dad With A Pan

Lemon Parsley Aioli

This lemon-parsley combo is decidedly British-inspired and perfect for dipping. It showcases the flavors of mayo, parsley, lemon, Dijon mustard, and garlic. Bonus points for serving it with fried blue cheese olives, as shown here.

Veggie And The Beast

Vegan Roasted Red Pepper Aioli

If you’re interested in a red pepper flavor, but want to steer clear of animal products (or dairy in general), try this vegan version. You’ll sub in cashews (processed with water, of course) for mayo, keeping it dairy-free and super healthy.

Self Proclaimed Foodie

Basil Garlic Aioli

If you’re a big pesto fan, you’ll adore this basil-garlic sauce. In addition to being a perfect addition to French fries, it would also go great on any kind of Italian-inspired sammie, such as an eggplant Parm or meatball sub. (via Self Proclaimed Foodie)

Ruled.Me

Roasted Garlic Chipotle Aioli

See those eggs in the background? That’s because this recipe has you making mayo from scratch. It doesn’t get more wholesome than that. You’ll bring the eggs to room temperature before processing them with additional yolks, lemon juice, and garlic, and adding olive oil toward the end of the process.

Tasty Kitchen

Super Garlicky Aioli

We thought we’d round off our list with another classic iteration of aioli. This garlic-infused version is perfect for all your aioli needs, but we *especially* love it with French fries and a glass of white wine. Cheers!

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This post has been updated with additional reporting by Meredith Holser. This article originally appeared in 2017 as part of our Hit Refresh series.

Have you figured out your Thanksgiving menu yet? Whether you're serving up a turkey, vegan options, or all of the above, you probably want some super delicious sides and appetizers to complement your other Thanksgiving recipes! These bacon-wrapped sweet potatoes are so versatile, you can serve them before your meal, on the side, or even for breakfast on the morning of Thanksgiving Day. Delicious and Paleo-approved, they really have no downsides. Plus, bacon!

Get the recipe for bacon-wrapped sweet potatoes below!

Ingredients for Bacon-Wrapped Sweet Potatoes

Sarah Anderson

  • 3 medium sweet potatoes, cut into wedges
  • 20 slices of bacon
  • 1/4 teaspoon pink salt
  • Freshly ground pepper

Directions for Bacon-Wrapped Sweet Potatoes

Sarah Anderson

  1. Preheat your oven to 400 degrees F.
  2. Line a baking sheet with some parchment paper.
  3. Cut your sweet potatoes into thick-cut wedges or fry shapes.
  4. Wrap each sweet potato piece with a slice of bacon, slightly overlapping the bacon on itself as it goes around the sweet potato.
  5. Place the sweet potatoes in a single layer onto the baking sheet, leaving an inch or two in between each one. Do this in two batches, if needed. Sprinkle salt and pepper on top before baking.
  6. Bake the bacon-wrapped sweet potatoes for 35 minutes. The potatoes should be tender and the bacon should be crispy.
  7. Serve the wedges with your choice of ketchup, ranch, or aioli – or all of the above! Enjoy!

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Recipe by Sarah Anderson.

This post has been updated.

Major Outer Banks season 4 spoilers ahead.

If you're like me, you've been crying about the Outer Banks season 4 ending since part 2 dropped on November 7 — and there's a good chance you can't stop watching those edits to "White Ferrari" by Frank Ocean. ICYMI, Outer Banks season 4 killed off beloved Pogue JJ at the hands of his high-key sociopathic father Chandler Groff. Some fans are so heartbroken they don't plan on watching season 5, but if you ask me, this one JJ and Kiara moment at the beginning of season 4 actually teased we were always going to say goodbye to him.

There was one Outer Banks season 4 moment that told me JJ was going to die.

  • Outer Banks fans are heartbroken the show killed off fan favorite JJ Maybank (Rudy Pankow).
  • Some fans are too heartbroken to watch the show again knowing how JJ's fate plays out.
  • But there's one moment in the first episode that teased something bad was coming.

    The JJ x Kiara moment you might have missed...

    Jackson Lee Davis/Netflix

    In the Outer Banks season 4 premiere, JJ and the rest of the Pogues create a whole new life for themselves after finding the gold. They start a business, build a home together, and in a scene that delighted OBX fans everywhere, JJ starts doing a crazy dance on the dock when he realizes they finally achieved their dream. When Sarah asks if he's okay, Kiara points out how he's never had a home, and that he's happy. Growing up with an abusive father figure like Luke could have erased all of JJ's joy, but knowing he has a soft place to land makes him more joyful than ever.

    Jiara shares a super sweet moment as they relish in the fact they somehow managed to make their dreams come true. With their arms around each other, Kiara tells JJ she loves him before they share a kiss — but he doesn't say it back.

    I immediately clocked this as a potential tragedy waiting to happen. After all, is there anything more upsetting than the "I never said it back" trope?! You know, where one person confesses their love but the other is too shy or afraid to say it back, then something horrible happens and they regret it for the rest of their life. Well, thankfully, JJ got to tell Kiara he loved her one last time before he DIED — Chandler Groff when I find you it's on sight!!

    And the one that brought their characters full circle

    Jackson Lee Davis/Netflix

    While JJ and Kiara talk about what they'd wish from the Blue Crown (an artifact that, according to legend, grants wishes), JJ seems to look at Kiara's left hand before refusing to answer on the grounds that, if she knows the wish, it won't come true. Paired with the fact he stole a ring from the jewelry store during his episode 6 crash out, fans are convinced he was planning to propose.

    But when Chandler stabs JJ and leaves him for dead, JJ tells Kiara he loves her, and that he doesn't need to wish on the crown because he already got everything he ever wanted. I CRIED. It's such a beautiful and heartbreaking moment that brings the character's arc full circle after he told John B. in season 1 he was convinced he'd never get another chance with Kie. Madelyn Cline was right — JJ was absolutely the heart of the show, and although he's the most rough-around-the-edges, seeing him wear his heart on his sleeve in his final moments was the perfect way to say goodbye. Even if his 7-minute memories made me cry even harder.

    What did you think about JJ's death in Outer Banks? Well, This Heartbreaking Outer Banks 5 Theory Makes THAT Death Even More Emotional.