Homemade Taco Seasoning Mix

Sure you can buy packets of taco meat seasoning, but you can also make a DIY taco seasoning with items likely already in your spice cabinet. Our taco seasoning recipe can be modified for various dietary restrictions, too.

Homemade Taco Seasoning Mix
Photo: Andy Lyons Cameraworks, LTD
Start To Finish Time:
5 mins
Servings:
36
Yield:
3/4 cup

Ingredients

  • 3 tablespoon Dried Chili Powder or chili powder

  • 2 tablespoon sugar

  • 2 tablespoon ground cumin

  • 3 teaspoon garlic powder

  • 1 tablespoon cornstarch

  • 1 tablespoon salt

  • 1 teaspoon black pepper

  • 1 teaspoon dried oregano, crushed

  • ½ teaspoon crushed red pepper

Dried Chile Powder

  • 1 pound fresh chile peppers, such as Anaheim, poblano, habanero, Thai chiles, jalapeño, banana, Fresno, and/or serrano

Directions

  1. In a small airtight container stir together all of the ingredients. Store in a cool, dark place up to 1 year.

Dried Chile Powder

  1. Remove stems from peppers* (do not seed peppers). Cut large peppers into 1-inch-wide strips; cut small peppers into halves or quarters.

  2. Place peppers, cut sides down, on mesh-lined dehydrator trays, leaving space between peppers. Dehydrate at 135°F for 24 to 28 hours or until evenly dried and brittle. Cool completely.

  3. In a well-ventilated area crumble cooled peppers and place in a spice mill or food processor. Cover and grind or process until a powder forms. When grinding or processing peppers, turn away to avoid inhaling fumes or particles from peppers.

  4. Place chili powder in an airtight container. Store in a cool, dark place up to 6 months.

Gluten-Free Taco Seasoning

While spices are naturally gluten free, some manufacturers may add gluten-containing ingredients or process alongside gluten-containing ingredients. To ensure you're making a truly gluten-free taco seasoning recipe, check the labels of your spices.

Paleo Taco Seasoning

Prepare as above, but omit the sugar and cornstarch. You may need to simmer meat (or whatever you're adding the seasoning mix to) longer for it to thicken.Nutrition analysis: Same as above except 4 calories, 1 g total fat, 0 g total sugar

Keto Taco Seasoning

Prepare as above, but omit the sugar and cornstarch. You may need to simmer meat (or whatever you're adding the seasoning mix to) longer for it to thicken.

*Tip:

Chile peppers contain oils that can irritate your skin and eyes. Wear plastic or rubber gloves when working with them. Clean dehydrator trays well with hot soapy water before the next use.

Nutrition Facts (per serving)

8 Calories
2g Carbs
Nutrition Facts
Servings Per Recipe 36
Calories 8
% Daily Value *
Sodium 213mg 9%
Total Carbohydrate 2g 1%
Total Sugars 1g
Vitamin C 0mg 0%
Calcium 7mg 1%
Iron 0.4mg 2%
Potassium 23mg 0%
Folate, total 0.5mcg
Vitamin B-6 0mg

*The % Daily Value (DV) tells you how much a nutrient in a food serving contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

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