Taco seasoning is one of those heroic pantry staples. Not only is it packed with bold flavor, this zesty seasoning blend helps get dinner on the table in no time. Just toss it in while cooking some ground meat and you've got the perfect filling fortacos! But that's not all taco seasoning can do. It jazzes up topping-loaded taco dip, perfectly flavorscasseroles to feed the whole family, and gives a punch of spice to a number of favoriteMexican recipes.
If you happen to find yourself without an envelope of the store-bought stuff, don't fret—taco seasoning is oh-so-easy to make at home! Odds are, you already have the spices in your cabinet anyway. Plus, homemade taco seasoning is cheaper than what you'll find in grocery stores and tastes better, too. Here's an idea: make a big batch and keep it stored in your spice cabinet. You'll be prepared for Taco Tuesdays and Cinco de Mayo fiestas to come!
What is taco seasoning made of?
This bold, homemade blend is filled with warming spices like chili powder, cumin, paprika. There's also crushed red pepper for a touch of heat, and some salt and black pepper. Garlic powder, onion powder, and oregano round out the mix.
Can you customize taco seasoning?
You bet! Store-bought blends typically contain additional (often unnecessary) ingredients and lots of salt, so making your own taco seasoning is a great way to customize it to your liking. If you don't enjoy one of the spices, skip it. If you want some extra spice, mix in more crushed red pepper. Use as much or as little salt as you please!
How much taco seasoning should I use for one pound of beef?
This recipe makes the equivalent of one standard packet of taco seasoning which will perfectly flavor a pound of ground meat.
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- Yields:
- 1 serving(s)
- Prep Time:
- 2 mins
- Total Time:
- 2 mins
Ingredients
- 2 tsp.
chili powder
- 1 1/2 tsp.
ground cumin
- 1/2 tsp.
paprika
- 1/2 tsp.
crushed red pepper
- 1/2 tsp.
salt
- 1/4 tsp.
garlic powder
- 1/4 tsp.
onion powder
- 1/4 tsp.
dried oregano
- 1/4 tsp.
black pepper
Directions
- Step1Measure out all the ingredients in a small bowl. Mix well.
- Step2Taste and adjust the salt or spices as desired. Store in an airtight container until ready to use.
For a larger batch (the equivalent of about 6 packets), use:
1/4 cup chili powder
3 tablespoons ground cumin
1 tablespoon each paprika, crushed red pepper, and salt
1 1/2 teaspoons each garlic powder, onion powder, dried oregano, black pepper
Looking for ways to shave dollars off your weekly grocery bill this year?
I find it's the seemingly insignificant items that often add up in the long run.
Granted, we have to buy staple foods like protein, fresh vegetables, fruit, eggs, and milk. But after looking at my grocery bill, I’ve noticed I spend an astonishing amount of money of things like jarred sauces, frozen pastry dough, snack bars, and seasoning packets—things I could easily make with ingredients that are usually already sitting in my pantry.
Taco seasoning is a perfect example for just such an expense. A single packet of taco seasoning is usually around a dollar.
Just a dollar. That doesn’t seem like such a splurge. Yet, when you consider that cost for approximately 2 tablespoons of seasoning, made of spices that you probably already have in your pantry, it seems like a waste. Place enough of these one- to three-dollar items in your cart, and your grocery bill can shoot up in a hurry.
Yet there are other reasons to make your own taco seasoning.
You can:
- Easily adjust the flavor to suite your family’s taste buds and heat preferences.
- Make large and small batches as needed.
- Cut out all additives, preservatives, and coloring.
- Reduce sodium.
Plus, homemade taco seasoning just tastes better than store-bought. Ready to give it a try?
It’s really simple. Just mix chili powder, ground cumin, paprika, crushed red pepper, onion powder, garlic powder, oregano, salt and black pepper. Then taste and add more crushed red pepper and salt as desired.
The recipe provided makes roughly the equivalent of a single store-bought packet of taco seasoning. If you want to make a larger batch to scoop and use at will, just multiply the recipe as needed. (The provided large batch measurements will give you roughly the same amount of seasoning in 6 store-bought packets.)
Use your homemade taco seasoning in:
- soups
- salad dressings
- dips
- as a rub for chicken, pork or beef
- on kebabs
- and of course, lots of Mexican dishes
