Many of us know this flavorful spice blend from the packets you’ll find in a taco kit, or you may even have a big container of it in your kitchen to sprinkle into any meal. It’s time to start making it yourself! You can not only customize how much salt is in the mixture, you can play with the amounts of each ingredient to make your own customized taco seasoning. This ingredient can be used in so much more than just tossed with some ground beef. Try it in soups, casseroles, baked chicken, meatballs, pasta; you name it! You can even make this recipe salt-free if you like to use it heavy handed.
Ingredients
Chili powder Cumin Smoked paprika Garlic powder Onion powder Oregano, dried Red pepper flakes Salt & pepper
How to make taco seasoning
Once you’ve made your taco seasoning, feel free to make adjustments and add more, less, or take out some of the ingredients depending on what you like best. Homemade blends are fantastic because not only do you know exactly what’s going into them, you can really make the blend your own.
What to make with my taco seasoning
Sprinkle this seasoning over chicken, fish, shrimp, or some flank steak, toss it with your veggies before roasting; you can use this blend anywhere you see fit! If you’re planning to use it in some ground meat for classic tacos, whisk 1/2 tsp cornstarch into 2 tbsp of your homemade taco seasoning. Cook the meat in a skillet over medium high heat, then add the spice blend with 1/2 cup – 2/3 cup water. Looking for recipes to use your new blend in? Try these:
Taco Meatball Ring Mexican Chicken and Rice Salad Taco Pasta Salad Super Easy Taco Dip Chicken Taco Taquitos Tex Mex Stuffed Peppers Mexican Beef and Rice Casserole
How to store spices
I prefer to store my spices in jars as the screw-top lid keeps them fresh. Whatever vessel you store the taco seasoning in, make sure it’s airtight. Keep your spices in a cool, dry, dark place. A pantry or drawer is a perfect place. If you’re using a freshly washed container, make sure it’s 100% dry before pouring in the taco seasoning. I’ll dry my jar with a kitchen towel, then let is sit upside down on a drying rack for 20-30 minutes to be extra sure. If there is moisture present in the container, you risk having the spice mixture spoiled. When properly stored, your taco seasoning will stay fresh for 3-4 years. Since it’s completely dry, it will never go “bad” or rotten, it’ll simply just go a bit stale and lose its potency. Mark the date you mixed up your blend on the jar to keep better track of its age and give it the good old sniff test before using once it gets older.
Check out these easy homemade spice blends:
Fajita Seasoning Lemon Pepper Cajun Seasoning Homemade Seasoned Salt Jamaican Jerk Seasoning Moroccan Spice Blend Homemade Poultry Seasoning
