Make Taco Seasoning At Home, Budget, Ingredients

$0.67 BATCH

Taco spice packages from the store seemed so simple.

Making your own homemade taco seasoning takes no more than five minutes if you have a well-stocked spice closet.

So, throughout the last year, I’ve experimented with several spice combinations for this seasoning, and I think I’ve found the winner!

One batch of this is roughly the same as one of those grocery store packets, but it’s ten times tastier. You may even make large amounts of it ahead of time and store it in an airtight container.

Because herbs and spices are difficult to measure and weigh, I use a fixed cost estimate for them.

Unless it’s a really pricey item, I usually estimate ten cents per teaspoon of a herb or spice. I usually estimate half of that for salt. So, take this recipe’s price with a grain of salt.

WHAT DOES TACO SEASONING CONTAIN?

This homemade taco seasoning recipe only requires seven simple items, all of which are likely already in your pantry.

• Chili Powder
• Smoked Paprika
• ground cumin
• Cayenne Pepper
• Dried oregano
• Salt
• Pepper

ADD-INS AND OPTIONS:

• Smoked Paprika – I think the smoked paprika really brought out the flavor of this seasoning, but if you can’t get it, ordinary paprika would suffice.
• Garlic Powder and Onion Powder – I didn’t use garlic powder or onion powder in this recipe because I generally add chopped onion and a clove or two of minced garlic to my taco meat. If you don’t want to use raw onion and garlic, you can use 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder and 1/4 teaspoon onion powder instead.
• Cornstarch – Add 1/2 teaspoon cornstarch to your spice mix and 1/3 cup water to your taco meat or beans before adding the spices to make your taco meat slightly sloppy. Combine the water and cornstarch to produce a taco-flavored sauce to coat the meat or beans.

FOR ONE POUND OF MEAT (OR BEANS), HOW MUCH TACO SEASONING DO I NEED?

This seasoning can be used for one store-bought taco spice packet in any dish. It works well as a beef taco seasoning, chicken taco seasoning, or vegetarian taco seasoning (seasoning beans and vegetables).

One batch of the following recipe will season about one pound of ground beef (beef, turkey, or chicken) or about three cups of cooked beans.

If you want to create the seasoning in bulk, use around 2 Tbsp of seasoning per pound of meat in the recipe below.

HOW TO USE TACO SEASONING:

First, brown the ground meat, then add one batch of the taco seasoning recipe below and cook for another two minutes to toast the spices. Simply add the spices to the beans and cook through.

If you’re going to use this taco seasoning on full chicken breasts, simply sprinkle it all over them, then cook them in a skillet until they’re browned on the outside and cooked through. It’s also good for seasoning potatoes and chicken before roasting.

HOMEMADE TACO SEASONING

INSTRUCTIONS

1. In a small mixing bowl, combine all of the ingredients and stir until well combined. Use it right away, or keep it in an airtight container away from heat and light until you’re ready to use it.

NOTES

*Optional add-ins: 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder, 1/4 teaspoon onion powder (either or both, depending on whether you’re using fresh garlic or onion); 1/2 teaspoon cornstarch (to get a saucy consistency, add 1/3 cup water to your meat or beans).

NUTRITION

• Serving: 1 Serving
• Calories: 20.3 kcal
• Carbohydrates: 3.1 g
• Protein: 0.5 g
• Fat: 0.4 g
• Sodium: 1901.9 mg
• Fiber: 1.3 g