Taco Seasoning from Scratch

Tacos have always been a staple in our house.  They're quick & easy to make.  Each person gets to choose their toppings.  And they are yummy!  For years, I bought those taco seasoning packages at the store.  Until one day.  I read the ingredients on the back.  Yuck.  Why does a "seasoning" package have to contain weird ingredients??

We immediately starting making our own taco seasoning.  For a long time, we just tossed in a little of this and a little of that right in with the meat as it cooked.  Eventually, we started making a big jar of taco seasoning to have on hand whenever we got a hankering for tacos!

Having the taco seasoning on hand means that it's super easy for your kids to make tacos!

Lot of from-scratch taco seasoning recipes have cornstarch in them.  It's included as a thickener so that it can absorb a little of the moisture in the meat so that the final taco meat isn't runny. I try to stay away from cornstarch as much as possible as it is a highly processed & refined substance - not necessarily unhealthy but definitely not a whole or local food.  So as an alternative to using cornstarch, make sure you cook your ground meat until there is very little moisture left.

Taco Seasoning Recipe

Ingredients:

• 1/2 cup chili powder
• 1/4 cup cumin
• 1/4 cup paprika
• 2 tablespoons sea salt
• 2 teaspoons garlic powder
• 2 teaspoons onion powder
• 2 teaspoons ground black pepper
• 1 teaspoon minced dehydrated garlic
• 1 teaspoon minced dehydrated onion
• 1/4 to 1 teaspoon cayenne powder (adjust to your level of spiciness)

Makes approximately 1 1/4 cups of taco seasoning.  Will season approximately 14 to 20 lbs of meat.

Instructions:

Mix ingredients in a 500 mL (2 cups/1 pint) mason jar.  You can stir with a spoon or you can close the lid and shake.  Store in a cool, dry place in the kitchen for up to 3 months.

Use 1 to 1.5 tablespoons of taco seasoning per pound of meat.