Make Your Own Taco Seasoning
Tacos are one of my favorite quick and easy weeknight meals. It’s so easy to brown some ground meat, throw in some seasonings and serve – with lots of cheese and salsa of course! It’s also a great way to sneak in some extra vegetables. I usually add plenty of diced peppers and onions into the ground meat mix as I’m cooking and Mike hasn’t complained yet. Actually, I don’t even think he’s noticed.
Time and again I would find myself having to make a last minute stop at the store for a packet of taco seasoning mix before heading home to fix a quick dinner. I never questioned what was in the packet, or thought about the fact that I could most likely season taco meat with what I already had in my kitchen. Well, those days are over. This recipe for taco seasoning mix is quick to put together, contains spices you most likely already have in your kitchen, and is easily adaptable. I have no idea why it took me so long to do this, but I don’t think I’ll be buying those little packets anytime in the near future – this is what works for me.
Taco Seasoning Mix
Ingredients:
- 3 Tbsp chili powder
- 5 tsp paprika
- 4 1/2 tsp cumin
- 1 Tbsp onion powder
- 1/2 tsp garlic powder
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 2 Tbsp corn starch
Directions:
- Mix ingredients together.
- Divide into 4 equal amounts and store in 4 separate plastic bags.
- Each bag can be combined with 1 lb of meat.
*Note: This mix is very low on salt, so you may also want to season the meat with salt and pepper while cooking it.
To make tacos:
- Season 1 pound of ground meat with salt and pepper and brown 1 in a nonstick skillet.
- Drain excess fat.
- Add 1 package of taco seasoning mix and 3/4 cup water.
- Bring to a boil.
- Reduce heat and simmer, uncovered, for 10 minutes or until liquid is reduced.
adapted from a newsletter I received in the mail
Welcome! I'm Megan and it's my hope that here you'll find food that has been made with love and recipes that are shared with joy. Thanks for stopping by! 
I usually buy the packaged taco seasoning also, but last time I got one I really didn't like it. This is such a better way to make sure I control the flavor balance!
thanks pretty close to what we do – paprika, cumin powder, chili pepper and oregano – we usually end up adding fresh garlic and onions to the dish so that covers those flavors as well! I MUCH prefer making my own mix!
I agree – I have always used packets but I just recently ask a friend (who cooks a lot of mexican food from scratch . . americanized) how she makes her tacos and got her list of spices. Super easy and so much better than the really salty mixes!!
I've been trying to make more things from scratch and this is one recipe that I've been needing! Thanks for sharing! 🙂
Making my own taco seasoning was one of the best things I learned how to do! Plus, making your own you can control the salt in it, as packets can be packed with sodium.
This is a very useful idea. Thanks.
I've been doing this for awhile. Definitely the way to go, and way better for you! This is mine: http://rachelsrecipereviews.blogspot.com/2011/02/my-take-on-tacos.html
Btw, made your flat bread last night…yummy! I didn't add whole wheat flour, maybe next time 🙂
i'll have to try this. i tried my own seasoning a few times and we just didn't like it–it wasn't very flavorful. i'll have to give yours a shot because i don't like all the mystery ingredients in the mixes!
So easy to make at home. Thanks for this post!
Check out the back of a taco seasoning packet – say what?? You can't pronounce half of it and loads of salt. This is a GREAT idea.
Love those shots. Your photo skills get better every post.
haha, I pretty much have this same post in draft, was waiting to make some more to take pics!
What a great idea! I definitely need to make this since whenever I go to make tacos I almost never have the taco seasoning packets!
Ahh! I am so glad you posted this! I always want tacos when I don't have the seasoning in the pantry, but I never even thought of seasoning my own, even though I have all of these spices on hand! I'm definitely bookmarking this page, thank you!
I do this all the time, it started because I would always forget to puck some pre-packaged up at the store. But then I realized that it was better!!!! I also do this with sausage too, to avoid all the extras.
've tried to mix together some spices when I didn't have those little packages but it was never as good. All I need is some onion powder and I'm all set to try this. Thanks for an easy recipe!
I love this stuff. So easy and so much healthier!
HA! I was making soup today and needed taco seasoning, i didn't have any and too lazy to look it up so i ended up making another soup. Just saved this link so i can use in the future.