Tuesday, February 9, 2010

Tacos, Anyone?

Did you know you can make your own taco seasoning? You know, the kind you buy in the little 4" x 5" sealed envelope?

I've had and used this recipe for so long I don't remember where I got it.

TACO SEASONING

2 tablespoons chili powder
1 tablespoon onion powder
2-1/2 teaspoons garlic powder
4-1/2 teaspoons ground cumin
5 teaspoons paprika
1/8 teaspoon cayenne pepper
1 tablespoon salt

Mix all ingredients together and store in an air-tight jar. Use 2 tablespoons plus 2 teaspoons of mixture for every pound of ground beef.

I think it tastes every bit as good as the purchased taco seasoning. It's very simple to mix together, stores well, is cheaper than purchasing it at the grocery store and you eliminate the packaging involved for each serving.

21 comments:

Katidids said...

Great minds think alike! This was next on my"to do & gotta learn list" Making myown seasoning mixes! Thank you for posting this, I'll be making it up in the next few days. Thns for popping in on my blog 8)

Erin said...

I make my own too, although I will say mine is very different from the normal store bought labeled "taco seasoning"! After my previous life married to a Mexican, (seriously!) I now know that taco meat doesn't taste that way, now I can't go back, LOL! I also make chili rubs and the like ahead and store them like you do, I think it's much better than the store bought ones that have so much sodium. Is it still snowing???

Mama Pea said...

Hi, Katie - Writing this out today reminded me of another "mix" I've always meant to make up to have on hand. I have a yummy "Creamy Herb Dressing" recipe (like salad dressing . . . not bird stuffing dressing) but I always hesitate making it at the last minute because it's got 'bout 401 herbs in it that take a little time to gather. I should make up a jar of those herbs/spices to have on hand, too.

Hey, Erin - Nope, no snow since we woke to the 3+" yesterday morning.

It's not just the sodium in prepared mixes, but often the MSG! That stuff'll kill ya!

P.S. You were once married to a Mexican?? My oh my, aren't you full of surprises!

Anonymous said...
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Claire said...

I'm sure it tastes just as good, with the HUGE added benefit of NO MSG!!!

Mama Pea said...

Hi, Claire - You're so right! With all the other "stuff" that is in our food these days, we sure don't need to ingest the added MSG.

Judy D in WA said...

I just found your blog and I'm laughing at your picture--my homemade taco seasoning mix is in a jar like yours only mine was caramel sauce!!! ;-) I have an old Make A Mix recipe book that I take most of my mix recipes out of. Cheap, quick and easy and NO nastiness.

Can't wait to read more of your blog. It's nice to "meet" you.

Joao said...
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Mama Pea said...

Hi, Judy - Thanks very much for stopping by my blog and commenting. I wish more people realized that a lot can be made at home much more economically than purchasing it off the grocery store shelves. And, as you point out, the ingredients are better for us. It takes a bit of time, sure, but we all need to learn to "do for ourselves" a little more.

I see you are a quilter, too. Ain't it fun??? :o)

Gramma 2 Many said...

Katie sent me over. Glad I came. I am going to copy your recipe down and use it also. My husband has many food allergies. Additives mostly and MSG is at the very top of the list. It is amazing how many foods it is in.
I am not a quilter, but I visit with an amazing quilter. Her blog is Ros-the-quilter. If you come over to my blog you will see her in my side bar. I think you would enjoy seeing what she does.

Mama Pea said...

Hi, Evy - Thanks for visiting and commenting! It's a wonder more people aren't "sick" from all the unnatural additives that are regularly put in our food. That's why the more we can grow and prepare ourselves, the better off we will be.

Thanks for turning me on to Ros' blog. She does wonderful work!

Jo said...

Thanks for the recipe! Another use for my home grown and dried peppers.

Mama Pea said...

Hi, Jo - I've GOT to get into growing zingy peppers in my garden. We've never been into "hot" spices but I read more and more that they're good for us.

You're very welcome for the recipe!

Jenyfer Matthews said...

I prefer my homemade taco seasoning to the envelope kind any day :)

My mother used to brown ground beef with salt pepper and a couple of squashed jalepeno peppers - easier still and tasty!

Mama Pea said...

Hi, Jen - Your mom's method sounds good! Thanks for sharing.

Hannah said...

Wow, thats so awesome. Never new you could make your own, gues you learn something new everyday. It will come in handy cause I seem to make a lot of chili.
So good to have you over, MaMa Pea!!!

Mama Pea said...

Hi, Hannah - Thanks for stopping by and commenting. Dummy me. I never thought of throwing my ready made taco seasoning in my chili. I always go to my spice jars and measure out everything individually. Next time, I'll do it a little wiser!

Jody M said...

I really need to do this. I also have to take stock and bulk up my spices, I'm totally out of cumin and oregano right now.

Mama Pea said...

Hi, Jody - I waver between keeping a good supply of spices/herbs on hand and being afraid they'll have lost their "zing" when I get around to using them. 'Tis a dilemma!

Jessica said...

I'm really into "homemade" food. I make my own biscuits, breads, pizzas, sauces... everything I can make homemade I try to for the most part and now I'll be making my own taco seasoning thanks to you!

I'll probably be making your "Meat Pie" once a week also since hubby loved it too.

Off to make some homemade taco seasoning. I'm so glad I clicked on "Chicken Culling 101" (very informative by the way... I learned so much)in my Google search about a week ago. I absolutely love your blog you are a gem and I appreciate all of the information you share with everyone.

Mama Pea said...

Jessica - Thank you so much for the kind words.

Although my hubby prefers a good ol' meat loaf over my Meat Pie, I'm partial to it so we have to alternate! Glad you and your hubby both like it.

Isn't it just great how we bloggers can share "real" info? I've learned so very much and really appreciate it. Next on my agenda that I just learned from a really great blog: how to freeze eggs. I've wanted to do that for a long time (for the winter slump our hens usually go into) but haven't come across what sounds like an easy way to do it til now. I really trust this blogger because she's a "do-er!"

Thanks again for making me feel my posts aren't all drivel!