Mains
Homemade Taco Seasoning
The whole packet, made in a small bowl in five minutes — you know exactly what's in it, and none of the extra stuff packaged seasoning carries comes along.
The recipe
- Prep Time
- 5 minutes
- Cook Time
- 15 minutes
- Makes
- About ¼ cup seasoning
Ingredients
For the seasoning
- 2 teaspoons paprika
- 1¼ teaspoons garlic powder
- 1¼ teaspoons ground cumin
- 1¼ teaspoons onion powder
- 1 teaspoon chili powder
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1½ teaspoons sea salt
- 1½ teaspoons corn starch, optional (for thickening)
For the taco meat
- 1 pound lean ground beef or ground turkey
- ¾ cup water
Instructions
- 01
Whisk the paprika, garlic powder, cumin, onion powder, chili powder, oregano, salt and corn starch together in a small bowl until evenly blended. This is your seasoning blend — set it aside.
- 02
Brown the meat in a large skillet over medium-high heat, breaking it up as it cooks. Drain the fat.
- 03
Stir the seasoning blend and water into the meat.
- 04
Bring to a boil, then reduce the heat and simmer for 5 minutes, stirring occasionally, until slightly thickened.
Notes
The corn starch is optional — it's there only to thicken things as the meat simmers. Leave it out if you like it looser.
Why we keep making it
I double or triple this so there's always a jar within reach. Making taco seasoning at home beats the packets — none of the extra ingredients packaged blends carry, and every spice in it is one I chose.