Making your own "taco seasoning"

[allison443]

Help! My family likes tacos and quesadillas. I usually use those envelopes of taco seasoning (made by ortega or el paso) that you can buy in the supermarket. I have been looking for a larger size container, or how to make my own. Does anyone know how? I have checked all the spice shelves in a couple different stores, I couldn't find anything.

Here's how I use it with chicken: 1 pound chicken breasts, 1 can chicken broth, 1 envelope taco seasoning. Throw in the crockpot, on low all day. Shred the chicken with a fork before using in tacos or quesadillas. It's great for the nights when we are all on a different schedule with games, practices, etc. You can also freeze it after making it. My kids like to use the "quesdadilla maker" which is like a round contact grill.

 

[poohbear158]

My Sams club sells a large container (23 oz.) for $3.88. Costco probably sells it too for around the same price.

 

[jmb120]

Aldi's (if you have them near you) sells taco seasoning packets for 25 or 30 cents each. I usually stock up when I shop at Aldi's. I have also made my own seasoning, but I'm at work and don't have the recipe with me.

 

[pixiewings71]

My Sams club sells a large container (23 oz.) for $3.88. Costco probably sells it too for around the same price.

Yup, I get mine at Costco. We have tacos at least once a week so I use this a lot. I'd love to make my own but have no clue how to do so.

 

[allison443]

My Sams club sells a large container (23 oz.) for $3.88. Costco probably sells it too for around the same price.

Thank you! That's a good price. The envelopes went up to $1.59 each .I have checked costco and didn't find it but I am going to check again because they seem to rotate things through!

 

[allison443]

Aldi's (if you have them near you) sells taco seasoning packets for 25 or 30 cents each. I usually stock up when I shop at Aldi's. I have also made my own seasoning, but I'm at work and don't have the recipe with me.

I do have an Aldi's not too far away, I have been thinking of checking it out!
Thanks!

 

[allison443]

Yup, I get mine at Costco. We have tacos at least once a week so I use this a lot. I'd love to make my own but have no clue how to do so.

I looked at the ingredients on the envelope but it just said "spices" and some unpronounceable stuff

 

[Karenj2]

I think that Old El Passo (the yellow one) sells the seasoning in a canister, smaller than a salt canister, but larger than normal spice containers. I did NOT find this in the spice section, but rather with the taco shells, etc.

 

[myprincessgirlisa]

goya is a HUGE line of hispanic spices, seaoning & bullions & DHs mother uses them ALL the time along with cooked down tomatoes, onions & garlic(can add peppers too)
cumin is in alot of hispanic spices

http://www.goya.com/english/

 

[my3sons77]

Blah I don't like those taco seasonings after making my own mix. This is what I use:

Goya
Garlic Salt
Lawrys Seasoning

Sprinkle over lightly one at a time until you get the meat to your liking. It is so good. My kids now can tell the difference when I don't add it. It's a big hit at our home.

 

[FatElvis]

I always make my own - the packaged ones are SO salty! Here's what I use:

ground chile powder (not chili seasoning, this is just ground dried red chiles)
ground cumin
garlic powder (or salt is fine)
oregano

I just eyeball it, but I use probably 2 parts chile powder, 1 part cumin and generous shakes of the other 2. How's that for exact? Maybe a bit less of the chili powder actually.

You can also add paprika and onion powder. Or some cayenne pepper if you prefer it a bit more spicy. And definitely some salt is fine, I just try to avoid it where I can.


This one sounds good:
http://allrecipes.com/Recipe/Taco-Seasoning-I/Detail.aspx

And the comments have some good suggestions too.

 

[tlbwriter]

Penzeys has really good seasoning mixes. I like their Southwest Seasoning, but I bet they have a Taco Seasoning mix as well.

 

[pixiewings71]

I looked at the ingredients on the envelope but it just said "spices" and some unpronounceable stuff

Exactly!!! LOL

I always make my own - the packaged ones are SO salty! Here's what I use:

ground chile powder (not chili seasoning, this is just ground dried red chiles)
ground cumin
garlic powder (or salt is fine)
oregano

I just eyeball it, but I use probably 2 parts chile powder, 1 part cumin and generous shakes of the other 2. How's that for exact? Maybe a bit less of the chili powder actually.

You can also add paprika and onion powder. Or some cayenne pepper if you prefer it a bit more spicy. And definitely some salt is fine, I just try to avoid it where I can.


This one sounds good:
http://allrecipes.com/Recipe/Taco-Seasoning-I/Detail.aspx

And the comments have some good suggestions too.

AHA!!! Thank You, this is what I was hoping for. I'm trying to cut salt/sodium so this is perfect! Thank You, I'll be trying this out!!

 

[allison443]

Thanks for the replies everyone! You guys are great!
I will definitely be using all of your ideas

 

[branv]

Just wanted to give a about the doing it yourself. I also do mine, by taste. Like above, I use Lawry's (is there anything Lawry's can't do, I swear I use it more than salt ), chile powder and cumin. Though since Lawrys is already a mixed seasoning, I can see how you'd find it just as simple to buy a large container of taco seasoning. I just like to do it myself so I can control it for taste (those taco seasonings can get SO salty tasting and since I'm the sort that normally goes for the full salt lick, that's saying a lot ).

Though one thing I would change about that allrecipes mix would be to add a small smidge of sugar. Sugar is added to a lot of mixed seasonings and rubs. I know that sounds weird, but it simply evens out all the salts rather than tasting sweet (though it can be quite a trial by error to get the right sugar/salt mix when doing it off the cuff...blech! LOL).

Hope you find one that hits the spot.

 

[sameyeyam]

My SIL uses the little packets of Taco Bell hot sauce to make her own taco seasoning mix. She grabs several handfuls every time she goes to Taco Bell. I have no idea how many she uses, but her tacos are very tasty...not to mention that FREE is a very good price!

 

[melcan]

I always make my own - the packaged ones are SO salty! Here's what I use:

ground chile powder (not chili seasoning, this is just ground dried red chiles)
ground cumin
garlic powder (or salt is fine)
oregano

I just eyeball it, but I use probably 2 parts chile powder, 1 part cumin and generous shakes of the other 2. How's that for exact? Maybe a bit less of the chili powder actually.

You can also add paprika and onion powder. Or some cayenne pepper if you prefer it a bit more spicy. And definitely some salt is fine, I just try to avoid it where I can.

I use the same as above but put in a shake or two of Cilantro, a tsp of sugar, and use minced garlic instead of powder, I never use salt.

 

[TiggerMomNine]

Go to recipezaar.com and search for taco seasoning mix. There are about 50 of them, some with no salt.

Good luck!

 

[Mrs. M. Mouse]

Hope this helps. I've used it and it's very good!

Taco Seasoning Mix

2 tsp Instant Minced Onion
1 tsp Salt
1 tsp Chili Powder
1/2 tsp Cornstarch
1/2 tsp Crushed Dried Red Pepper
1/2 tsp Instant Minced Garlic
1/4 tsp Dried Oregano
1/2 tsp Ground Cumin

Combine all ingredients in a small bowl and blend well. Spoon mixture
onto a 6-inch square of aluminum foil (or into a Ziplock bag) and fold to
make airtight. Label as Taco Seasoning Mix. Store in a cool, dry place and
use within 6 months.
Makes 1 package (about 2 T) of mix. Using the above recipe as a guide (per
1 lb meat) you can increase the amounts to make any number of packages.
(Note: salt can be omitted from these altogether and then added later to
taste, if you find store-bought taco mix too salty. Or use salt substitute.)

 

[StephMK]

I don't know how it compares but I just bought a big container of taco seasoning from Costco this weekend. I'd never seen it before but we go through a lot & it was about $3.85. The kids ate it without complaining & they do complain about some packs so I guess we did ok.