Homemade Taco Seasoning

It may not always be Taco Tuesday in our house, but tacos, fajitas, or southwest salads are staple menu items.  If not on Tuesday, you can bet we are having something of the like. You can’t have a taco or a fajita or a southwest salad without some taco seasoning, am I right?!  In my case, homemade taco seasoning.

I am definitely guilty of buying the store bought packets of taco seasoning. It seems to just make things easier.  If you look in the back of my seasoning cupboard, you’re bound to find a packet or two. The thought makes me do a face palm now.  Why on earth would I buy a sodium ridden, lackluster, taco seasoning, when I could make the real deal, better for you, homemade version?!

All you need to do is remember to drop by the seasoning aisle on your next grocery trip. I find the bulk seasoning section offers exactly what I need and is slightly better quality. You can buy more or less seasoning depending on how often tacos grace your weekly menu, then double or triple the recipe.

 

A few tips from my experience

1. I highly recommend picking up the smoked paprika, as it amps up the flavor in my opinion.
2. Make sure to use an airtight storage container. It will help keep the flavor of the spices longer. If properly stored, dried spices can be kept around for a few years.
3. Use 3 tablespoons of the homemade seasoning in place of a single store-bought packet.