Taco seasoning mix, a staple in many kitchens today, traces its origins back to the rich culinary traditions of Mexico. Traditional Mexican cuisine has long utilized a blend of spices such as chili powder, cumin, paprika, garlic, and oregano to flavor meats and vegetables, creating the savory and robust flavors associated with tacos. The commercialization of taco seasoning mix began in the mid-20th century in the United States, coinciding with the growing popularity of Mexican cuisine. Companies started packaging these spice blends to offer convenience to home cooks who wanted to replicate the authentic flavors of Mexican dishes without the hassle of sourcing and measuring individual spices. This innovation made Mexican cuisine more accessible to a wider audience, cementing taco seasoning’s place in the pantheon of popular spice blends.
While store-bought taco seasoning mixes are convenient, making your own homemade version has several distinct advantages. One of the primary benefits is control over the ingredients and their quality. Many commercial taco seasoning mixes contain added preservatives, anti-caking agents, and excess sodium. By making your own mix, you can ensure that only fresh, high-quality spices are used, and you can adjust the salt content to suit your dietary needs. Additionally, homemade taco seasoning allows for customization to match personal taste preferences. You can increase the heat by adding more chili powder or cayenne pepper, enhance the smokiness with additional paprika, or omit any ingredients that you might be allergic to or dislike. This flexibility not only results in a more flavorful and health-conscious product but also provides a sense of satisfaction in creating a bespoke blend tailored to your culinary needs. Finally, it is cheaper to make your own taco seasoning. You also likely already have all the ingredients in your pantry, you just need to combine them in the proper proportions!
While taco seasoning is most commonly used in Mexican dishes like tacos, fajitas, burritos, beans, and rice, its zesty blend of spices can liven up a variety of other foods from burgers to roasted veggies. Next time you are looking to spice things up a little different, here’s a short list of ideas:
- Hamburgers: Mix taco seasoning into ground beef before forming patties for a spicy twist on classic burgers.
- Meatloaf: Add taco seasoning to your meatloaf mixture to give it a zesty, southwestern flavor.
- Chicken Wings: Coat chicken wings with taco seasoning before baking or frying for a spicy appetizer.
- Meatballs: Mix taco seasoning mix into meatball mixture for a flavorful and spicy twist on a classic appetizer.
- Grilled Cheese: Sprinkle taco seasoning mix on grilled cheese sandwiches for a surprising twist on a classic comfort food.
- Potato Wedges: Toss potato wedges with taco seasoning and olive oil, then bake until crispy for a flavorful side dish.
- Macaroni and Cheese: Stir taco seasoning into cheese sauce for a spicy, smoky version of this comfort food favorite.
- Dips and spreads: Mix taco seasoning into sour cream, cream cheese or refried beans for a zesty dip or spread.
- Grilled Vegetables: Use taco seasoning on vegetables like corn, zucchini, or eggplant before grilling to add a bold flavor.
- Pulled Pork: Use taco seasoning as a rub for pulled pork before slow-cooking for a flavorful, spicy variation.
- Soup and Stews: Add taco seasoning to soups and stews, like beef stew or vegetable soup, for an extra layer of flavor.
- Eggs and breakfast dishes: Add taco seasoning to scrambled eggs, omelets, breakfast burritos or breakfast potatoes.
- Roasted Nuts: Toss almonds, cashews, or mixed nuts with a little oil and taco seasoning, then roast for a spicy snack.
- Popcorn: Sprinkle taco seasoning over freshly popped popcorn for a savory, spicy snack.
Your basic homemade taco seasoning requires only a few basic ingredients, however feel free to experiment with the proportions or add similar spices to customize your flavor! For the most common combination, you will need chili powder, garlic powder, onion powder, ground cumin, paprika, dried oregano, crushed red pepper flakes, salt, and pepper. That’s it!
All you have to do is mix the ingredients together and store them in an airtight container. Since it’s so quick and easy to make, I generally make up only enough for what I’m planning to cook with that meal, but if you use taco seasoning often then having a jar ready to go can be more convenient.
Homemade Taco Seasoning Mix
Equipment
- Measuring cups and spoons
- Mixing bowl
Ingredients
- 1 tbsp chili powder
- 1 tsp ground cumin
- ½ tsp garlic powder
- ½ tsp onion powder
- ½ tsp paprika (Regular or smoked)
- ½ tsp dried oregano
- ¼ tsp salt
- ¼ tsp black pepper
- ¼ tsp crushed red pepper flakes (Optional for extra heat)
- ¼ tsp cayenne pepper (Optional for extra, extra heat)
Instructions
- Measure out all the spices and place them in a small mixing bowl.
- Use a whisk or a fork to mix the spices until they are well combined and evenly distributed.
- Transfer the taco seasoning mix to an airtight container, such as a small glass jar or a spice container, and store it in a cool, dry place. It will stay fresh for several months.
