Homemade Chili & Taco Seasoning Mixes
Weeknight dinners are made quickly and simply with packaged meals and seasoning packets. But wait! Have you looked at the ingredient lists on those packages? Don’t get me wrong, I love some help from the grocery store every now and then but I also love knowing that I treating my body right.
One way to ensure that I’m doing that is to create seasoning blends right in my own kitchen. It’s very economical. I have a recipe for chili and taco seasoning blends for you here that use ingredients that I keep in my spice cabinet all of the time. Just by switching a couple of ingredients each time, you get a different blend. Some spice mixes in the store are pretty pricy! I also love being able to control the heat levels and the sweetness of the mixes.
And by making this myself, I get to control the quality of the ingredients, how much salt goes in and I’m not adding any preservatives. As an added perk, I can pronounce each ingredient. No artificial colors, no anti-caking agents, no chemicals to preserve the shelf life. Just homemade goodness right from my heart!
Total Time: 5 minutes A quick and simple recipe for homemade chili and taco seasoning. Chili Seasoning Mix Ingredients: In a medium bowl, combine all ingredients and mix well. Store the seasoning mix in an air-tight container for up to one year. For use in chili, use about 2 1/2 tablespoons of the above mixture in a recipe that calls for one packet of chili seasoning; adjust to your taste. To turn this into taco seasoning, omit the sugar in the recipe above. When making tacos using one pound of ground beef, start with 2 tablespoons plus 1 cup of water of the seasoning mix, bring to a simmer and allow sauce to thicken. Adjust seasonings to taste. Modify the mixture into blackening seasoning by leaving out the chili powder and crushed red pepper flakes; add in 1 Tbs. granulated sugar and 1 tsp. ground thyme. Adapted from All Recipes
Homemade Seasoning Mix
Ingredients:
4 Tbs. chili powder
2 Tbs. flour
2 Tbs. ground cumin
1 Tbs. garlic powder
1 Tbs. onion powder
1 Tbs. granulated sugar
2 tsp. paprika
1 tsp. black pepper
1 tsp. sea salt
1 tsp. crushed red pepper flakes
1 tsp. cayenne pepper
1 tsp. dried oregano
1 tsp. dried parsleyDirections:
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great post!!!!!!! I completely agree with you! You never know what you are really eating with the pre-mixed versions, If I have to buy one I always check the back to make sure I can pronounce everything haha
Great post – I love when you can make mixes or anything else the store sells at home and it tastes better and is better for you! Saving this for future use!
I didn't realize you can store a homemade mix like this for up to a year. You could use your taco seasoning for chicken too!
I have made my own seasoning blends before and they are so easy and so much better. Thanks for reminding me!
Mmmmmmm….I've made something similar, but who knows where the recipe is! Since I have chicken tacos on our menu tonight, I'm using your version…it sounds perfect! THANKS!
Wonderful post! Thanks for sharing. No more packets for me!
YUMMY! I love these and will have to make some!! had fun meeting you last night!
It is easy to do but we often just need to take the time to do it! Thanks for sharing! ♥- K
I love making my own seasonings too- it's nice to have control over what goes into and on your food! And this seasoning looks wonderful- can't wait to try it!
Thank you for sharing this! I need to mix some up. I don't use the packets–I usually just dump spices in. No wonder my family thinks my tacos taste different every time I make them!
Im guilty of defaulting to a packet of a certain brand of taco seasoning over and over again from a love long ago established during my childhood, but I do admit I need to get away from them. The taco seasonings sound great!
I agree, making your own spice blends is soooo much better then buying pre mixed blends. Being able to control your flavors to what you like is always wonderful!
Homemade seasoning mixes are the ONLY way to go in my opinion!
I love stocking up with homemade seasoning mixes.
I have a great taco seasoning but not a great chili seasoning. Thanks for sharing this recipe!
I love making my own homemade seasonings too!
I’m going to try this in my next batch of veggie chili! Thanks for the inspiration!
Thank you so much for this. I made it today and it is great I will be making this from now on….amazing I had all of the ingredients in my cabinet. ..
Cassie replied: — February 20th, 2015 @ 7:58 am
I’m so glad you like it!! This is something that we keep around all the time.
Hi! I’m used to using the chili mixes that have several smaller packets of seasoning in them, do I use this mix instead of all that? Then just add the usual meat, tomato sauce, tomatoes, beans, etc.?
Cassie replied: — February 23rd, 2015 @ 7:11 pm
Hi Adrienne, you won’t use the whole recipe for one recipe of taco meat. I usually make a big batch of this and keep it in a jar in the cabinet and use as needed. For one pound of meat I will usually use 2-3 tablespoons of this seasoning mix, along with 1 cup (or so) of water. Cook your meat, then add the seasoning and water, and simmer until thick. Then you can add any other ingredients you would normally add. Enjoy!
Cassie replied: — February 23rd, 2015 @ 7:13 pm
Let me re-phrase that…the first comment is how I use this for taco seasoning. For chili, I would cook the meat first (just however you would usually cook your chili meat) and then add the seasoning. I would start with 3 tablespoons and add more to taste. Then add your tomatoes, beans, etc., and then adjust the seasonings as you like. Enjoy!