spice blends

Homemade Tex-Mex Taco Seasoning

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A small bowl with a blue rim has six portions of spices arranged in a circle. Chili powder, cumin, garlic powder, onion powder, salt and black pepper are visible. There is a skillet with cooked ground meat beside the bowl with the spices and crispy taco shells on the side.

 

I used to pick up a handful of those convenient little taco seasoning packets whenever I shopped for groceries and then I’d store them in my  pantry.  Then one night, after we ate a much anticipated taco dinner, it happened.  I finally admitted (out loud) that I didn’t really like how the store-bought spice packets made our tacos taste! Next, Evan admitted (out loud) that it wasn’t his favorite either, but “it was good enough for tacos” (!). 

The spice mixture in those packets is just way too salty for my taste.

A small bowl with a blue rim has six portions of spices arranged in a circle. Chili powder, cumin, garlic powder, onion powder, salt and black pepper are visible. There is a skillet with cooked ground meat beside the bowl with the spices and crispy taco shells below the bowl.

 

I also tried the reduced sodium variety of those same seasoning packets, and while that version was  lighter on the sodium delivery, in my opinion, it was just too garlick-y.  So, I did what I had to do, and I decided to start making my own taco seasoning mix!  It took me a few tries to get the balance of flavors just right for our taste buds, but this blend of spices is the end result of my homemade Tex-Mex taco seasoning trial and error sessions. 

A small bowl with a blue rim has six portions of spices arranged in a circle. Chili powder, cumin, garlic powder, onion powder, salt and black pepper are visible. There are silver metal measuring spoons next to the bowl.

 

It is my honest-to-goodness, go-to taco seasoning combination as I seriously make two pounds of seasoned lean ground turkey each week for my taco-addicted family. We keep it in the fridge and my kids like to make nachos and tacos as protein-packed after school snacks.  All that good protein helps to keep them satisfied for while after a long day at school.

Make this homemade Tex-Mex taco seasoning your own. 

Making spices blends at home has it’s benefits and one the biggest benefits is the ability to be creative with your recipes! My favorite Tex-Mex taco seasoning blend is perfect for us, but feel free to use this as a good base recipe and then make it your own. For instance, if you don’t like onion powder, leave it out. If you like all the spices listed in the recipe, but want a few more, add them in! Other spices and herbs that would fit right in with this mix are a dash of spicy cayenne pepper, a teaspoon or two of Mexican oregano, or a healthy handful of chopped, fresh cilantro!

You do you! Happy eating! 

Here’s is my latest YouTube video all about this easy Tex-Mex taco seasoning. Be sure to subscribe while you are there! 

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Homemade Tex-Mex Taco Seasoning

Recipe by Marcelle at A Little Fish in the Kitchen Course: PrepCuisine: Tex-MexDifficulty: Easy
Servings

4

servings
Prep time

30

minutes
Cooking time

40

minutes

Use this zesty Homemade Tex-Mex Taco Seasoning to add plenty of flavor to ground meat for your next Taco Tuesday celebration! I have this blend in my cupboard at all times 🙂 You won’t miss the packaged stuff!

Ingredients

  • 1 teaspoon salt

  • 1 teaspoon black pepper

  • 2 teaspoons cumin

  • 2 teaspoons Ancho chili powder

  • 1/4-1/2 teaspoon garlic powder (to taste)

  • 1 teaspoon onion powder

Directions

  • Mix all ingredients together in a small bowl.
  • Use this spice blend to perfectly season two pounds of ground meat of your preference. If using only one pound of meat, reduce the amount of ingredient by one half. If you are using more meat, adjust the spice measurements accordingly.
  • To use spice mix, brown and drain ground meat. Return drained meat to the skillet and add 1/4 cup water plus spice mix to meat. Stir well and heat skillet again until liquid is just absorbed. Stir one more time and serve. Enjoy!

Recipe Video

Notes

  • Recipe as published on A Little Fish in the Kitchen at www.alittlefishinthekitchen.com. All content is owned by Marcelle G. Bolton. Please contact the author for permission to republish.

10 Comments

  1. Bet this is so good. So much better than store bought!

  2. This is perfect for me – I can just leave out the garlic and use shallot powder!

    • David, I hope you enjoy this taco seasoning mix! I didn’t even know they made shallot powder, but I think I need to buy some of that! Thank you!! xoxo

  3. Those little packets are just loaded with salt, aren’t they? I like making my own taco seasoning, too — that way I can make it exactly to taste. This looks like a terrific blend — thanks.

  4. Dear Marcelle, what a wonderful recipe for a spice mix – it is very handy to have those homemade spice mixes on hand for those everyday kind of meals – they are so much more flavorful, fresh and healthy than any ready-made mixes from the store!
    Andrea

  5. I love tex mex flavour! Gotta give your recipe a try!

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