Homemade Taco Seasoning

I have tried homemade taco seasoning powders and I always end up back with the store bought packets for different reasons.  One reason is that I can usually get the pouches for free at sale and coupon and you know that I like free.  The second reason is that the homemade ones never taste nearly as good to me.  I am sure that my body must love all the extras that they put in the seasonings but it nicely adheres to the meat and makes a great little sauce.

I decided to try a new recipe which I found on the Pioneer Women website when searching options.  I pulled out all of the ingredients from the spice cupboard including a few different options of each kind of spice.

I took the measurements and poured each one into an empty spice jar that I had washed out and keep in the cupboard.  It actually started to look a little like the sand art that I do with my son.

I put the top on and shook the bottle.  It mixed together really easily and looked a lot like the packaged taco seasoning mix to me.

I decided to try it for the first time with half a package of taco seasoning and half of this homemade seasoning and the taste was great.  With the added benefit that I only had half of a package of taco seasoning left.  Taco seasoning has some thicken agents in them so sometimes to get that more saucy feeling to the taco meat, you need to cook it up and add the seasoning and water.  If it doesn't get to the consistency that you want mix water and corn starch in a container until combined and add it to the  taco meat.  It should help the meat to be a little more saucy and still have that same great flavor.  I can't wait to try this taco seasoning again!!

Taco Seasoning

Ingredients

• 2 teaspoons Chili Powder
• 1-1/2 teaspoon Ground Cumin
• 1/2 teaspoon Paprika
• 1/2 teaspoon Crushed Red Pepper
• 1/2 teaspoon Salt
• 1/4 teaspoon Garlic Powder
• 1/4 teaspoon Onion Powder
• 1/4 teaspoon Dried Oregano
• 1/4 teaspoon Black Pepper

Instructions

Measure out all the ingredients in a small bowl. Mix well. Then taste and adjust the salt or spices as desired. Store in an airtight container until ready to use.

For a larger batch (the equivalent of about 6 packets), use:

1/4 cup chili powder
3 tablespoons ground cumin
1 tablespoon each paprika, crushed red pepper, and salt
1 1/2 teaspoons each garlic powder, onion powder, dried oregano, black pepper

I hope that you try a recipe to make your own Taco Seasoning and enjoy!!!  Do you have any recipes that you like to make so you don't have to buy things at the store??