Has anyone ever bothered to take a look at the ingredients of Taco Seasoning? Even with the comforting fact that MSG isn’t in the stuff I still have a hard time pronouncing some of the ingredients, let alone know what they are. Before it didn’t bother me, but I was in charge of taking care of my adorable nephew this week and given explicit instructions not to kill him. Which wouldn’t be so hard if we wasn’t allergic to everything but water. Ok, maybe that was a slight exaggeration, but he can’t have wheat, dairy, gluten, bananas, etc… I had no idea even taco seasoning was taboo and would leave me running for an EpiPen until I took a look at the back of the container. It too contained wheat among other things, so it finally gave me an excuse to make some homemade taco seasoning!
You don’t have to wait for someone to have allergies to make your own taco seasoning. It’s such a liberating feeling when you know you can make your own food, even if it’s something as simple as taco seasoning. Each time you learn to make something, the more you become less dependant on taking trips to the store and buying garbage. I’m not saying Tone’s Taco Seasoning is total garbage, but I was surprised at how good the homemade stuff tasted, I’m not sure if I’ll ever finish my container now. Plus, if you look at the picture above, you can probably guess which container has the homemade taco seasoning! (The bottom container is the correct answer :)
Are you convinced to try making some yet? If so, just gather you seasonings, a small bowl, and a measuring spoon! Mix everything together and you have your taco seasoning!!!
The recipe below makes enough for 1-1.5 lbs of hamburger, but you can make a large batch and store the extra in an airtight container. Or better yet, just dump out the store-bought stuff and replace it with your homemade taco seasoning!
Use it just like you would regular taco seasoning:
- Brown 1 lb Hamburger Meat
- Drain the Fat
- Add 2/3 c Water & the Taco Seasoning Mix
- Simmer for 10-15 Minutes
HOMEMADE TACO SEASONING
INGREDIENTS:
- 2 tsp chili powder
- 1 1/2 tsp garlic powder
- 1 1/2 tsp paprika
- 1 1/2 tsp cumin
- 1 tsp minced onion
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/4 tsp oregano
- 1-2 dashes Cayenne
- 1/2 t. dried red pepper crushed (optional or to taste)
DIRECTIONS:
- Mix all the Ingredients together!
- Brown 1 lb of Hamburger Meat
- Drain off the extra Fat
- Add 2/3 c Water & the Taco Seasoning Mix
- Simmer for 10-15 Minutes
Hope you enjoy it as much as my nephew! More gluten and dairy free food storage recipes to come!
Do you or anyone in your family suffer from food allergies?
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The flour is to thicken the sauce, but your recipe works if you balance the moisture.
I’m mildly sensitive to… well I haven’t tracked it down, but I avoid it by eating like it’s 1939. (I’m likely to feel miserable if I eat too much convenience food. I’m beginning to think that it’s several adulterants instead of it being omnipresent.)
I’ve been making my own taco seasoning for years, every since my thirteen-year-old was nine and it ended up he had all these food allergies. Well, I say food allergies. It was more additive allergies. But anyway, I agree that it tastes really good, better and much fresher than the seasoning packets or bulk bottles. My recipe is very similar to yours, same ingredients, just the amounts are different as we’ve adjusted it to our heat tolerance levels.
I think a lot of allergies these days are additive allergies! The more I can get away from the additives, the better! Thanks for sharing, I would be interested in seeing your recipe if you get a chance!
I’ve been making my own taco seasoning for years. My son is allergic to soy and you can’t find a good seasoning without some sort of soy in it.
Mine is very similar to yours, except I make a much larger batch at a time and I leave out the salt. We tried it with salt and there really wasn’t a difference in taste. I think making it with fresh ingredients is the biggest difference in taste.
Good to know! I’m going to try it without salt next time!.
Just found your site, so this is a little late. ;)
Both my husband and I have food allergies. I’m allergic to wheat, and he’s both gluten intolerant and allergic to corn.
You would not BELIEVE how many things have corn derivatives in them. I have to cook entirely from scratch, and even then I still slip up and miss something. (Cheap vinegar, I’m talking to you.)
I really appreciate you posting this recipe. I love tacos and taco meat on salads, and I had been struggling to find a ‘safe’ mix that we could both eat. Thank you!
It’s never too late, I appreciate your comments! I never realized cheap vinegar had corn in it! Anyways, I hope this mix is ok. I love tacos too and would hate to go without them!