Taco seasoning is a fantastic staple to keep in your pantry. This homemade blend beats them! Not a question about it, this is delicious.
It’s so easy to make, and this taco seasoning recipe makes a nice, large batch. Seal it in a mason jar or other airtight container, and you’ll be able to have Taco Tuesday…well, any old day of the week.
8 Reasons Why Homemade Taco Seasoning is Better
So, why, you might ask, should you bother with making your own taco seasoning? Here is some valid reason.
1 – Keep your cash
Keep your cash in your pocket. Ok, so taco spice packets are only like a buck or less at the store. However, if you use them often, that really adds up. I purchased spices for .69 per jar at a discount grocery chain. This is much more affordable!
2 – Control your sodium
Are you on a reduced-sodium diet? Prefer lower sodium to control your weight and water retention? This contains less sodium per serving than the store-bought taco packets. So, where the recipe calls for salt, swap it out with a salt substitute of your choice.
3 – Handy to keep in the pantry
When you make a batch of taco seasoning, you will have it on hand when you need it. No need to run to the store or feeling the dreaded last-minute epiphany that you are short on an ingredient. It will be right there waiting for you when you need it!
4 – Skip the preservatives
Look at the back of a commercial taco seasoning packet the next time you see one. At the end of the ingredients list, you’ll find unpronounceable words. Those are preservatives. And, many are created in a chemistry lab. Yuck! Your homemade taco spices will be with the spices from the grocery aisle.
5 – Adjust the intensity of the heat
This recipe is a medium-ish heat level. You can turn it down by eliminating the cayenne pepper. Or, you can bring the heat by tossing in another dash of that peppery spice. The choice is yours.
6 – It becomes a signature flavor
You’ll find uses for this seasoning other than just making tacos, per se. You can use this as a rub on meats, to add some flavor to canned soups, or to pop into steamed veggies for some extra zing. It will become a signature flavor for you.
7 – Makes a quick, and appreciated gift idea
Ever need a last minute gift? A mason jar filled with this spice blend, and then dressed up with a pretty gift tag makes a wonderful gift. Think housewarming or hostess gift-giving.
8- It’s the best taco seasoning
Once you taste this, you’ll agree. This is the best taco seasoning. In fact, it’s far superior to the commercially available envelopes. You will enjoy cooking with this.
Make the Best Taco Seasoning…in Your Own Kitchen!
Here’s the recipe.
Taco Seasoning
This is the best taco seasoning to keep on hand for quick meal ideas.
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup of chili powder
- 2 tablespoons of onion powder
- 3 teaspoons of cumin
- 3 tablespoons of garlic powder
- 1 1/2 tablespoon of smoked paprika
- 1 teaspoon of cayenne pepper
- 4 teaspoons of oregano
- 2 teaspoons of salt
- 1 1/2 tablespoons of black pepper
Instructions
- Mix all the ingredients in a clean, dry bowl. Make sure all is evenly distributed. Store in a tightly capped jar or other airtight container.
Notes
Use 1 1/2 tablespoons of taco seasoning for one pound of meat. You can add more or less depending on your preferences!
RELATED RECIPE: Homemade Chili Seasoning Blend
10 Easy Ways to Use Taco Seasoning
Now that you know how to make the recipe, you might wonder how to use it. I keep mine in a pretty glass jar near my stove and use it in anything that calls for a little Latin flair.
1 – Make tacos
I guess it goes without saying…make tacos!
Try using 1 1/2 tablespoons per pound of meat to make tacos. If you want more or less than that, go for it! And, don’t limit your imagination by making only ground beef tacos.
Instead, try a healthy taco makeover by swapping out ground beef for ground chicken or turkey. You’ll cut the fat and calories while still enjoying the zesty flavor you expect.
2 – Season some guac
Love guacamole but want to kick up the flavor? Add a teaspoon of this taco spice mix to your guac for the extra pizzazz you’re craving.
3 – On the grill or smoker
Love smoking and grilling meats? Ditch the pre-fab meat seasoning packets and opt for this taco seasoning in its place. Like the taco packets, those envelopes of “meat tenderizer” are loaded with chemical preservatives. Really. Don’t take my word for it, look for yourself!
4 – Savory soups and stews
Want a quick after-work dinner idea? Make a quick-cooking taco soup. Click here for our Taco Soup recipe.
Or, for an even faster fix on a really crazy day, jazz up a canned tomato soup with a pinch of this seasoning for added flavor. You know, we all have those days!
5 – Beef up the burgers
Beef up your burgers with taco spice. And, don’t think only of beef burgers. Turkey burgers. Black bean burgers. Bison burgers. You name it, this will make it delish!
6 – A quick dip
Looking for a quick dip for nachos or chips? Stir two or three teaspoons of this blend into a cup of sour cream. Make it richer with a half block of cream cheese.
7 – Or, take a skinny dip
For those watching their weight like me, swap out those nachos for sliced veggies like carrots or cucumbers. And, then switch the sour cream for non-fat, plain Greek yogurt. It’s yummy!
8 – Mexican style rice
Rice is a pantry staple. But, let’s fact it. It can be rather bland. The next time you reach for the rice, cook it as normal. Then, as it nears the end of cooking, drop in a can of diced tomatoes and green chiles (Rotel or your favorite brand) and one tablespoon of taco spice.
Mic drop!
9 – Season potatoes
Like rice, potatoes are rather dull. However, you can transform them with taco spices. Dust your French fries or season baked potatoes or mashed. Really, it’s good on all taters.
10 – Savory eggs
Eggs are a dinner time favorite for me. That’s recent, as they are a zero points food on Weight Watchers. However, to make them less “breakfast-y,” I add taco seasoning, green peppers, and shredded carrots to make a savory dinner of a morning classic scramble.
You’ll Love this Taco Spice Blend
I’m confident that once you’ve made this nicely sized batch of taco seasoning spices, you won’t want to go back to the little grocery store envelopes. If you have a creative use, please share it with us on Facebook @DIYHomeGardenBlog
She has a B.S.Ed. in Secondary Education/English and a Spanish Minor. In addition, she holds a Certificates in Natural Health and Herbology from accredited programs. She pursued these natural wellness certifications due to her love for herb gardening.
Despite freelancing to make a living, her love is "all things home."
Deborah grew up in a family that grew a large vegetable garden and a fruit orchard, helping her parents pull weeds and can home-grown foods as part of her childhood. In fact, she had no idea that she could purchase veggies and fruits in pre-packed steel cans until she went to college and made a food run.
Today, she lives in Bertie County, North Carolina, an agricultural rural area with more chickens than people. She lives with her husband and two rescue pets a sweet toy fox terrier and a cat who showed up one day and moved into the house. Together, they enjoy DIY projects, furniture refinishing, gardening, and canning.
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