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