Easy Homemade Taco Seasoning
You’re going to love this Easy Homemade Taco Seasoning. I am a very picky taco eater. I like the stuff that comes in a packet at the grocery store. It just tastes like tacos I used to eat growing up and if you have ever read this blog before you know how nostalgic I am with food. Of course it is full of stuff that isn’t healthy for you. I have tried and tried recipes for taco seasoning and never really had that feeling of this is it! Until I tried this one and I love it.
The seasoning can be doubled, tripled and quadrupled. Store the extra you don’t need away for convenience. With ground beef this seasoning is not spicy, but with my lentil tacos it can be a little spicy. I like that but my kiddos don’t, so reduce the cayenne pepper amount if you are using it with lentils. With ground beef my kids don’t complain and trust me they would if it bothered them.
Smoked paprika really makes a difference in this Easy Homemade Taco Seasoning. You can absolutely use regular paprika but it will miss that smokey subtleness. Regular chili powder is my preferred spice, but ancho chili powder would also be good. Chipotle chili powder would work too but it will amp up the spice. If spicy is your thing…go for it! Affiliated links are below for these spices. Frontier CoOp has my absolute favorite smoked paprika of all time.
Ancho Chili Powder: https://amzn.to/3uKcZbq
Chipotle Chili Powder: https://amzn.to/2S3LeNP
Smoked Paprika: https://amzn.to/34HHrsk
Most taco seasoning require 1-2 tbsp of seasoning for 1-2 lbs meat. I think that is why I love using this Easy Homemade Taco Seasoning. It makes 1/4 C of seasoning and I use it all for the meat. So if you do store extra, then count on needing 1/4 C seasoning per batch of tacos.
I mix the seasoning with the meat after it has browned and then add in 2/3 C of water. Stir it all well and let it simmer until the liquid has mostly cooked out and the meat and seasoning has thickened. Enjoy taco night! Or nacho night, or taco soup night. Delicious!
This post contains affiliate links. I will only ever link to products that I personally use and love.
Easy Homemade Taco Seasoning
Ingredients
- 1 tsp kosher salt
- 2 tsp chili powder
- 2 tsp smoked paprika
- 2 tsp cumin
- 1/4 tsp cayenne pepper (if kids are eating then this should be fine but you can always cut it out too)
- 1 tsp oregano
- 1 tsp onion powder
- 1 tsp garlic powder
Instructions
- Mix the spices together. Add to borwned meat in a skillet with 2/3 C water and simmer until thickened. d