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Have you ever looked at the ingredients on the back of a taco seasoning mix packet?
If you haven’t taken a look, the next time you are at the store, check out the ingredient list on the packet. If there are any ingredients in the list that are hard to pronounce, it usually means they are NOT natural ingredients.
I usually refer to those type of ingredients as “plastic”. It just ain’t cool with me!
This is my go-to taco seasoning. It’s homemade with a blend of inexpensive herbs and spices that is easy to make. Not to mention it is so much fresher than the store-bought seasoning packets because it doesn’t have any artificial flavors and colors, and preservatives. It’s all natural!
What’s in the seasoning?
Chili powder makes up the bulk of it. Don’t be fooled, chili powder isn’t hot and spicy like most people think. The chili powder I am referring to is a blend of spices. Yes, cayenne pepper is one of the spices, but in a true chili powder cayenne only makes up a small portion of the blend along with other spices such as cumin, garlic powder, oregano, and paprika. Chili powder is the base of this taco seasoning. Other spices are added to accentuate the flavors a bit more.
What’s great about making your own taco seasoning mix is that you can control the amount of sodium and the amount of heat. Suppose your children or a guest doesn’t like spicy food? You could hold back on the cayenne or black pepper, or if someone loves spice you could add even more. It’s really all about your palette and what you like.
Bottom line: DON’T FEED YOUR FAMILY OR YOURSELF A BUNCH OF PRESERVATIVES! Store-bought mixes contain preservatives and other substances that are used as anti-clumping agents to keep the spice in the package longer.
It only takes a few minutes to make this taco seasoning. You can also make it ahead so you don’t even have to blend the spices before adding them to your dish.
What can you make with taco seasoning mix?
There’s plenty of recipes from our kitchen, like Easy Weeknight Chicken Fajitas, Mexican Mushroom Taco Cups, Portobello Quinoa Fajita Bowls, Pasta Enchiladas, or you can even try it on chicken wings! Pretty much anything you want to have a Mexican flare!
The next time you crave a home cooked taco, make your own seasoning using this recipe instead. Feel free to spice it up or down. Perhaps there is some chipotle seasoning you have been wanting to try in your spice drawer or rack? Go for it!
Homemade Taco Seasoning
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon chili powder
- ¼ teaspoon garlic powder
- ¼ teaspoon onion powder
- ¼ teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
- ¼ teaspoon dried oregano
- ½ teaspoon paprika
- 1 ½ teaspoons ground cumin
- 1 teaspoon sea salt
- 1 teaspoon black pepper
Instructions
- Mix the spices together thoroughly then add to meat for tacos.
Notes
Nutrition
Photos updated: 12/04/2018
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Homemade Taco Seasoning is very addictive. Before you know it, you’ll be putting it in or on everything!
So true! 🙂