Homemade Taco Seasoning

My essential homemade taco seasoning in repurposed seasoning jar. (Photo by Charlotte Ekker Wiggins)

Homemade Taco Seasoning

I can’t imagine my kitchen without it. I even shared a small jar with a friend who said she couldn’t imagine making her own. And yet there she was, making a taco salad with homemade taco seasoning.

Making seasonings at home is not difficult and has the added benefit of being less expensive.

If you have a nice stash of seasonings already, you shouldn’t be saving them for years, it’s best to use them to keep them fresh and full of flavor.

I make my taco salad without a shell using lettuce as the vessel that holds all ingredients in one place. And the best part, taco seasoning.

When I toss the homemade taco seasoning together, I triple the recipe. That’s how much fits in the recycled glass seasoning jar. I suppose I could make more but the last couple of times I was out of one or another ingredient.

If I ever get everything I need in hand, I will easily make a generous helping and store it in an air tight jar.

Use up your stash of seasonings and turn them into taco seasoning. (Photo by Charlotte Ekker Wiggins)

Homemade Taco Seasoning Recipe

1 Tablespoon chili powder

1.5 teaspoon ground cumin

1 teaspoon sea salt (or regular salt if that’s what you have)

1 teaspoon black pepper

1/2 teaspoon paprika

1/4 teaspoon garlic powder

1/4 teaspoon onion powder

1/4 teaspoon dried oregano

If you want a little more heat, add 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes. I sometimes make this without the red pepper flakes since spicy doesn’t agree with me.

Mix. I use a plastic container with a corner so I can easily pour the mixture into a glass jar.

Using Homemade Taco Seasoning

If using to season 1 pound of browned ground hamburger, use 1/4 cup of taco seasoning. Cook on low with 1/2 cup of water for about 10 minutes. That’s what you usually get in a packet of pre-made taco seasoning.

Cool enough to use in taco shells or on a taco salad.

If you are just starting to learn how to cook, pick up a good basic reference book like the Encyclopedia of American Cooking. Once you get the basics down, you will enjoy coming up with your own dishes!

Charlotte