Homemade Taco Seasoning — Smart In The Kitchen (2024)

FAQs

What can I use if I don't have any taco seasoning? ›

Most taco seasoning mixes contain salt, warming spices (such as paprika, oregano, and chili), onion powder, and garlic powder. This top-rated recipe is made with chili powder, ground cumin, dried oregano, sea salt, black pepper, ground paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, and crushed red pepper flakes.

The heat then activates the cornstarch, thickening the mixture. Without it, the meat would be very dry and crumbly, and it could spill out of your taco shell instead of holding together, an issue you've probably noticed if you make your own taco seasoning blend.

You can substitute ½ cup of tomato sauce for the tomato paste and water, if desired.

All types of vinegar (cider, wine vinegar, Balsamic, rice, or flavored) can be used as marinades or to drizzle on veggies or fruit. Citrus juices and/or citrus zest (orange, lemon, grapefruit etc.) can be added to marinades and rubs or squeezed over meats, pasta, rice, and/or veggies.

Typically when cooking taco meat, we add water to help activate the powdered seasoning mix from a taco packet. But instead, we're going to use our fifth ingredient, milk. Using milk instead of water helps to play on the natural creaminess you'd expect from ranch which adds a really nice mouthfeel to the taco meat.

Overcooking draws out more fat and juices from ground beef, resulting in a dry, less tasty product.

Ground cumin – Next to chili powder, cumin is the most important ingredient in taco seasoning. It adds an earthy flavor and aroma.

Once you have the flavor you want, add some cornstarch to the blend of spices. Just be aware that a little cornstarch goes a long way. A typical 12-serving taco seasoning mix recipe uses about 1 ½ tablespoons of cornstarch.

What is taco John's meat made of? ›

That's why we have our softshell tacos. We'll give you everything you love, 100% American beef (or upgrade to chicken), fresh lettuce, cheddar cheese, and signature mild sauce, and then we load them into a soft, warm flour tortilla.

If you're sitting at home staring at your packet of taco seasoning and wondering if it can be used for the chili recipe you're preparing tonight, then save yourself a trip to the grocery store. That taco seasoning will work out just fine. Vice versa is true as well. Go ahead and use chili seasoning on your taco beef.

Chili powder, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, pepper and cumin all mixed together is pretty much the same. The cumin is the star here, without it, you'll mostly be getting hot and salty, not so much the taco flavor.

It is not the case. Taco seasoning is actually quite different from cajun seasoning. Taco seasoning contains Paprika, Chili Powder, Ground Cumin, Mexican Oregano, Red Pepper Flakes, Salt and Black Pepper. Click here to learn more about Taco Seasoning.