A few years ago, we stopped buying those packets of taco seasoning. They are full of MSG, modified cornstarch, and other awful junk. Plus, they’re pretty expensive for what they are. We’ve evolved a very simple taco seasoning that we use at home all the time. Often I don’t even bother to measure, I just watch and dump stuff in and it always turns out well. But, here is approximately what we do.
Homemade Taco Seasoning
Ingredients:
- 2 tsp. chili powder
- 1/2 tsp. garlic powder
- 1/2 tsp. onion powder
- 1/4 tsp. oregano
- 1 tsp. cumin (you could reduce; I really like it)
- 1/2 tsp. sea salt
Directions:
Mix it all together, that’s it!
You can mix a larger batch and store it, and just add about 1 – 2 tbsp. per lb. of meat. Or you can dump some on as you go.
It’s very easy and very delicious. Try pairing it with the refried beans, along with greens, salsa, and raw cheese. Yummy!
Homemade Taco Seasoning
The perfect homemade taco seasoning made from real food ingredients.
Prep Time5 mins
Total Time5 mins
Ingredients
- 2 tsp. chili powder
- 1/2 tsp. garlic powder
- 1/2 tsp. onion powder
- 1/4 tsp. oregano
- 1 tsp. cumin (you could reduce; I really like it)
- 1/2 tsp. sea salt
Instructions
- Mix all ingredients together in bowl.
We make our own taco seasoning also! Pretty much for the reasons you outlined and it's so easy!
My recipe is very similar, but with a touch of ground cayenne pepper and I go ahead and mix up about 1/2-3/4c. of it at a time and store it in a glass jar so it's ready to go when I need it. There's really no reason to buy the seasoning packets at the store, which have extra junk in them and are overpriced!
This is hilarious to me that I find this now. Literally, just the other day I decided to glance at the taco seasoning packet as I was preparing tacos, and was disgusted by all the crap I saw in there (dairy? it's supposed to be seasoning! Why is there dairy?). I was curious how I could go about making my own and ditching that prepackaged stuff, but hadn't yet bothered to research what's a good alternative.
I'm psyched to try it out now!
Thanks!
Trader Joe’s (if you have one near you) has a fabulous packaged taco seasoning that is all seasoning and no junk. It is 89 cents and because we season lightly, it lasts us for 3-4 meals… cheaper per meal than homemade!
I love cumin and would probably add at least a tablespoon around here! Really-I take the shaker lid off and pour it in when I'm making Mexican food!
So, is this batch how much you use for each time you cook (like each taco dinner, etc)? And if I want to make more, just take this recipe time 10 or something?
Hi Crystal,
Yes, this is "one meal." I often do 10x as much and keep it in a mason jar, and just use about 2 tbsp. of the mix for each meal. Super easy!
I have a dumb problem, though…I usually cook with turkey or chicken (not beef) and those seasoning packs (creepy as they are) give the meat a dark brown color…the homemade version don’t do that!
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