The sodium content of prepackaged taco seasoning is what turned me off more than a decade ago. So then I began to purchase the low sodium version. It wasn’t long before I started crafting my own simple taco seasoning at home in bulk for a fraction of the packet price.
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Simple Taco Seasoning ingredients
- onion powder
- garlic powder
- chili powder
- cumin powder
In a jar, mix together equal parts of each spice. I use 1/3 of a cup to measure out each spice to add to the jar. Then add a lid and simply shake the jar to mix together the spices.
This is my simple taco seasoning base that stays in my spice cabinet, ready to use on tacos, enchiladas, Mexican rice, taco soup, even chili.
Additions to simple taco seasoning
- salt
- pepper
- cayenne pepper
- oregano
- red pepper flakes
- paprika
Why I don’t add the additional ingredients into the bulk seasoning
I keep my simple taco seasoning base simple with just four ingredients since I use it for a lot of other meals that call for more chili powder (beef or white chicken chili) or more hot spices like red pepper flakes and cayenne (taco soup).
My children do not care for a lot of hot spice in their meals so that is something my husband and I can add into our own dishes later. Sometimes I will portion out a small amount in a different pot for the kids and then spice up our main pot.
How much simple taco seasoning do I use in a meal?
Give the jar a good shaking first before using.
Generally for our family, we use about 1 pound of beef for tacos or soup. For one pound of beef for tacos, I will use 3-4 tablespoons of the taco seasoning then add in 1 teaspoon of oregano and cayenne to start. Additionally, I always add Redmond Real Salt to my meals separately so I do not over salt it and then fresh ground black pepper.
Use a clean spoon to taste test your dish as you are preparing and simmering to see what spice or herb you could add to give it the flavor you desire.
Is homemade taco seasoning gluten free?
Yes, you can ensure your taco seasoning is gluten free by making it at home. You get to control the ingredients in your simple taco seasoning by sourcing ingredients and making it in larger batches yourself.
Is homemade taco seasoning dairy and nut free?
As always, be sure to read the ingredient label of each spice when you purchase it. I have noticed often with store brand spices, there are warnings of potential contact with weird food items like dairy and even tilapia!
Read labels carefully! As a food allergy parent, we never get comfortable with reading labels, even from brands we use all the time. A company can change their ingredient sourcing at any time and without warning.
When you make your own seasonings at home, you can be sure you know exactly what you are feeding your family.
How long can homemade taco seasoning last?
Homemade taco seasoning stored in an airtight jar in a cool, dark place can last just as long as the spices themselves say. I would recommend using the taco seasoning up before 2 years. Overtime the potency of spices diminishes, leaving less flavor than desired.
Where can I buy spices in bulk to save money?
Making your own seasonings in bulk will save you money in your grocery budget when compared to buying premade packets or even jars of each spice to make your own.
I’ve been purchasing organic spices and herbs at the grocery store that can range from $3.50-5 per bottle of 2-3 ounces! Recently, I discovered I can purchase a lot of spices online and save so much more money.
Here are the bulk spices I recently purchased to make this batch of simple taco seasoning.
Red Chili Powder $14.98 for 16 ounces ($0.94 an ounce)
These are organic spices which can be more expensive but, to my family, worth the investment in our health.
If you prefer to support the business directly, their main website is Spicy Organic (I am not affiliated with their brand but do prefer to support directly even if it means paying shipping).
I am an Amazon Affiliate and do appreciate when you click links to shop within my blog posts as they earn me a TINY bit of money back. HOWEVER, I will always encourage you shop from the business directly because often times the price is the same or you can get a discount and free shipping shopping direct. Additionally the business gets to keep the 25% that they’d normally have to pay out to Amazon to use their platform.
Fun Fact about me you didn’t ask for
When I was a new mom and our household income went from two to one and Pinterest was just getting started, I was looking for ways to save money. Of course the grocery budget was the first thing to come to mind.
The first two grocery substitutions I worked on were brownies and this taco seasoning. Check out these simple and scrumptious homemade brownies with real ingredients and no added fillers. Top those warm brownies with some homemade ice cream.
More condiments to make at home:
Tomato Powder– great for soups and a way to use as much as possible from your summer garden harvest
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Taco Seasoning
Ingredients
- 1/3 cup chili powder
- 1/3 cup onion powder
- 1/3 cup garlic powder
- 1/3 cup cumin powder
Instructions
- Add all spices in a jar.
- Lid the jar securely.
- Shake the jar to mix seasoning.
- Store in spice cabinet for up to 2 years.
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