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DIY Taco Seasoning!

08.10.15

 YOU GUYS!!!

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um, i feel like 8 billion years ago, I told you i'd talk about making your own DIY taco seasoning and now I'm FINALLY getting to it!

let's all celebrate!  who wants a margarita?  you?  and you?  no. i need what's left and don't have enough for the rest of you… just kidding!  there's always room for more… sort of. maybe?  FINE i'll let you have a sip of mine.  

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alright I'll stop being dramatic about margaritas long enough for us to talk tacos!

SO.  growing up were you an old el paso box mix kid?  i SO was.  i think it might have been my favorite night of the week!  i LOVED taco night.  and that box mix (soft and hard shell combo OBVI because even then I couldn't make up my mind and have a definitive favorite).

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There's something really nostalgic about whipping up taco on a weeknight.  I think it might be because it was like the first thing I learned how to make that didn't require a recipe (i'm looking at you frito crusted chicken drumsticks from my kids pampered chef cookbook).  

I think i might have even taught my brother how to make tacos too.  we spent alot of summers hanging out together just him and I.

taco seasoning collage

BUT. i LOVED the seasoning that came with the old el paso taco kits.  truthfully it was the only thing I knew and the thing that tasted like “homemade” tacos to me.

I couldn't imagine a world without that cute little seasoning packet that I could cut a slice into the top of and combine with 1/3 cup of water and make the world completely right.  

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UNTIL!  I had Frankie's mom's tacos (which are practically famous in his hometown) for the first time.  <- they tasted COMPLETELY different from the seasoning packets I was used to.

I honestly don't even know what she uses or how she makes them.  It's very possible that she also uses a packet for flavoring, but that's not the point anyway so I'm not worried.  THE POINT is that that's when I realised that tacos at home didn't have to come from an Old El Paso taco kit.

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and so, after that I was changed.  

And then I learned about nutrition…. and sodium…. and how bad for you those mixes can be for you if you have them too much.  and I ventured into the world of homemade taco seasoning.  The world where you have FULL control over how your tacos taste.  what?!?

(although, I won't lie to you and act like i don't still crave a taco kit every once in a while for nostalgia's sake)

taco seasoning

but, can you imagine it?

a world where you not only decide HOW much flavor the tacos get, but how much of each SPICE make up the flavoring.

and lucky for you, i tried quite a few combos.  this one has been my favorite. Taco Seasoning!-6

I use a lot of cumin.  because…. cumin.  is that okay?

Um. i hope so.

if not don't worry, just change it up and reduce the cumin to your liking.  I should tell you though, this seasoning has been frankie approved – so that means it's pretty good.  just saying.

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I usually use 1 tablespoon for one half pound of taco filling.  but you do you!

Print

Taco Seasoning

  • Author: Ashley Renee
Scale

Ingredients

  • 1/4 cup cumin
  • 2 tablespoons garlic powder
  • 1 tablespoon kosher salt
  • 1 tablespoon black pepper
  • 1 tablespoon chili powder
  • 2 teaspoons paprika
  • 2 teaspoons cayenne pepper

Instructions

  1. Combine all ingredients and mix together. Store in an airtight container with your other spices for up to six months.

Notes

  • I usually use 2 tablespoons of seasoning for each pound of taco meat/filling, but feel free to adjust to fit your tastes!

Nutrition

  • Calories: 128
  • Sugar: 2
  • Sodium: 7222
  • Fat: 3
  • Saturated Fat: 1
  • Unsaturated Fat: 2
  • Trans Fat: 0
  • Carbohydrates: 27
  • Protein: 6
  • Cholesterol: 0

 also, this recipe makes JUST enough to fill an archer farms spice container…. coincidence?  I think not.

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Make it? Lemme see it! Hashtag it: #thepikeplacekitchen

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