Taco Seasoning Recipe
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Taco Seasoning Recipe
Get ready to kick your meals up a notch with our homemade Taco Seasoning Recipe! Seriously, once you try it, you'll want tacos all day, every day. This mix brings the heat with spicy, savory goodness that'll make your meats, veggies, soups, and dips pop! Plus It's way better for you than those store-bought packets! Ready in just 5 minutes. Vegan, Nut-free + Gluten-free.
Forget about those store-bought taco seasoning packets—making your own is where it's at! With this Homemade Taco Seasoning recipe, you'll just need some basic spices you likely already have in your pantry, and it takes less than 5 minutes to whip up. Trust me, once you give it a try, you won't ever go back to the pre-packaged stuff! I love using it to spice up tacos, beans, soups (hello Hearty Vegan Taco Soup Haha.) and so many other dishes—it's seriously a game-changer in the kitchen!
One of the main reasons I love whipping up my own taco seasoning is that I can really fine-tune the flavors. The recipe I've got below creates a blend that's just perfect for me—it's savory, smoky, with a nice little kick of heat. But hey, when you make it, don’t be shy about adjusting it to match your taste buds! Whether you're cooking up meaty dishes or going vegan or vegetarian, this seasoning will become your new best friend for all your Mexican-inspired creations!
If you find yourself craving Mexican flavors after making this seasoning I highly recommend trying out some Easy Weeknight Blackened Chicken Tacos, Skillet Meatless Enchiladas, Mexican Style Chicken Queso Dip, Meatless Birria Tacos with Jackfruit, and then topping it all off with this Creamy Chipotle Sauce. Trust me, your taste buds will thank you!
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Why You Will LOVE This Taco Seasoning Recipe
- So versatile -- Use it not only for tacos but also for meats, vegetables, and more.
- Loaded with authentic, savory Mexican flavors!
- Avoids preservatives + excess sodium found in store-bought packets.
- No hidden ingredients --- Know exactly what goes into your seasoning mix.
- Easy + SO fast to make with pantry staples.
How To Make Homemade Taco Seasoning
Whipping up this seasoning is a breeze—just toss these 7 spices into a small bowl or Mason jar and give them a good stir. Feel free to tweak the flavor balance until it's just right for you!
Ingredients
- Chili powder. Adds depth and richness to the flavor profile.
- Cumin. A warm, aromatic essence to the blend.
- Onion powder. Offers sweet and savory undertones to the seasoning.
- Smoked paprika. Imparts subtle smokiness.
- Garlic powder. Enhances overall savoriness.
- Dried oregano: Introduces a hint of herbal freshness.
- Cayenne pepper. Provides a gentle kick of heat, balancing the flavors.
SHOP MY FAVORITE FOOD STORAGE CONTAINERS ESPECIALLY FOR THIS TACO SEASONING!
If you're all about making your own homemade spice mixes, you've got to store them right to keep that freshness! Check out my favorite high-quality food storage containers and jars HERE—they're total game-changers.
Best Ways To Use Way to Use Taco Seasoning
Taco seasoning mix is incredibly versatile and can enhance a wide variety of dishes beyond just tacos. Here are some of the best ways to use taco mix:
- Tacos + nachos --- Of course, the classic choice! Use taco seasoning mix to season ground beef, chicken, turkey, or a vegan option like jackfruit or beans.
- Quesadillas --- Sprinkle taco seasoning mix on shredded chicken or beef before layering it with cheese between tortillas to make mouthwatering quesadillas.
- Burritos + Buddah/Grain Bowls --- Mix taco seasoning into cooked rice, beans, or quinoa for a flavorful base for burritos or burrito bowls. Add your choice of protein, vegetables, cheese, and toppings!
- Chili --- Add taco seasoning mix to your favorite chili recipe for a Tex-Mex twist.
- Soups + stews --- Enhance the flavor of soups + stews by stirring in taco seasoning mix. It works particularly well in bean soups, vegetable soups, and hearty stews.
- Roasted vegetables --- Toss vegetables like potatoes, sweet potatoes, carrots, or cauliflower with olive oil and taco seasoning mix before roasting in the oven.
How Much Taco Seasoning Mix To Use
The amount of taco seasoning to use depends on personal preference and the quantity of food being seasoned. As a general guide:
Ground Meat --- For 1 pound (about 450 grams) of ground beef, turkey, chicken, or pork, you can start with approximately 2 to 3 tablespoons of taco seasoning. Adjust the amount based on your taste preferences and the intensity of the seasoning blend.
Vegetables --- When seasoning vegetables, such as roasted vegetables or sautéed peppers and onions, start with about 1 to 2 tablespoons of taco seasoning per pound of vegetables. Again, adjust to taste.
Other Dishes --- If you're using taco seasoning in soups, stews, dips, or casseroles, start with a smaller amount, such as 1 to 2 teaspoons per serving, and adjust as needed.
Always remember that it's easier to add more seasoning than to reduce its intensity once it's been added to the dish. Start with a conservative amount and taste as you go, gradually adding more seasoning until you achieve the desired flavor!
Variations Of Taco Seasoning
- To create a mild taco seasoning, exclude chili powder + cayenne pepper.
- For a spicier blend, double the cayenne or incorporate additional dried chili peppers to taste.
- To make a smokier flavor add more smoked paprika or even chipotle powder for a smoky undertone.
- It's naturally gluten-free; BUT verify that all spices, including chili powder, are gluten-free.
Taco Seasoning Recipe Q + A's
You can store the leftover seasoning blend in an airtight container or tightly sealed mason jar at room temperature for up to 6 months.
Yes! This recipe makes for about 2 servings worth of this seasoning blend. To make a larger batch, feel free to double or triple the ingredients.
Homemade taco seasoning can be healthier than store-bought versions because you have control over the ingredients. You can reduce or omit salt and avoid preservatives and additives commonly found in commercial seasoning packets.
Absolutely! Taco seasoning is great for seasoning vegetarian and vegan dishes. You can use it to flavor beans, lentils, tofu, vegetables, and plant-based meat substitutes to create delicious meatless tacos, burritos, salads, and more.
More Mexican-Inspired Recipes To Try
Love making Homemade Taco Seasoning from scratch? Check out these amazing Mexican-inspired recipes next!
- Skillet Meatless Enchiladas
- Chipotle Sweet Potato Quinoa Tacos
- Baked Buffalo Chicken Tacos [Dairy-Free]
- Chipotle Game Day Chickpea Nachos
- Loaded Vegan Queso Skillet Nachos
- Chipotle Chicken Sheet Pan Quesadilla
MADE OUR RECIPE(S)?
If you tried this Taco Seasoning recipe or any other recipe on my website, please please leave a 🌟 star rating and let me know how you go in the 📝 comments below. And don't forget to tag @orchidsnsweettea_ on Instagram and hashtag it #orchidsandsweettea! I love hearing from you!
Taco Seasoning Recipe
Ingredients
SEASONING:
- 1 ½ Tbsps chili powder
- 1 tablespoon cumin
- 2 tsps onion powder
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- ¼ teaspoon garlic powder
- ¼ teaspoon dried oregano
- ⅛ teaspoon cayenne pepper
Instructions
TO MAKE THE SEASONING BLEND:
- In a bowl, mix together the chili powder, cumin, onion powder, smoked paprika, garlic powder, dried oregano, and cayenne pepper until combined.
- Store seasoning blend in a tightly sealed mason jar or seasoning jar at room temperature.
- Enjoy!
Tips & Tricks
- STORAGE: You can store the leftover seasoning blend in an airtight container or tightly sealed mason jar at room temperature for up to 6 months. Use it on your favorite tacos, burrito bowls, nachos, enchiladas, etc.
- BIGGER BATCH: This recipe makes for about 2 servings worth of this seasoning blend. To make a larger batch, feel free to double or triple the ingredients.
Nutrition
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