I know, it sounds crazy, right? I mean, why make taco seasoning when you can buy it in an ready-to-use packet at your nearest grocery store?
Well, have you ever really looked at the ingredients in one of those handy little packets? We usually use the 40% Less Sodium Old El Paso Taco Seasoning Mix; when I looked at the ingredient list tonight, the first two ingredients listed were "maltodextrin" and "salt". The fifth ingredient was "monosodium glutamate" otherwise known as MSG. Awesome. The only actual seasonings listed were "chili pepper", "onion powder", "garlic powder", "spice", and "natural flavor". I'm calling shenanigans on those last two so-called ingredients.
So, maybe it's not so crazy to make your own taco seasoning mix. We tried one we got out of our insurance company's magazine, and according to my husband it was "one-hundred percent better than the one we usually use". Plus, it's way better for you and you know EXACTLY what is in it because you mix it yourself. And, if there is something you don't like about it, you can always tweak it to your taste.
So here it is ...
Taco Seasoning Mix
3 Tbsp. chili powder
5 tsp. paprika
4 1/2 tsp. cumin
1 Tbsp. onion powder
1/2 tsp. garlic powder
1/2 tsp. salt
2 Tbsp. corn starch
Mix ingredients together. Divide into 4 equal amounts in separate plastic bags and store in an airtight container. Each package serves 4.*
To make tacos:
Brown 1 pound of lean hamburger or diced chicken breast in a nonstick skillet. Drain excess fat. Add 1 package taco seasoning mix and 3/4 cup water. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer, uncovered, for 10 minutes or until liquid is reduced. Stir and use to make tacos.
Nutrition analysis per serving (taco seasoning only):
Well, have you ever really looked at the ingredients in one of those handy little packets? We usually use the 40% Less Sodium Old El Paso Taco Seasoning Mix; when I looked at the ingredient list tonight, the first two ingredients listed were "maltodextrin" and "salt". The fifth ingredient was "monosodium glutamate" otherwise known as MSG. Awesome. The only actual seasonings listed were "chili pepper", "onion powder", "garlic powder", "spice", and "natural flavor". I'm calling shenanigans on those last two so-called ingredients.
So, maybe it's not so crazy to make your own taco seasoning mix. We tried one we got out of our insurance company's magazine, and according to my husband it was "one-hundred percent better than the one we usually use". Plus, it's way better for you and you know EXACTLY what is in it because you mix it yourself. And, if there is something you don't like about it, you can always tweak it to your taste.
So here it is ...
Taco Seasoning Mix
3 Tbsp. chili powder
5 tsp. paprika
4 1/2 tsp. cumin
1 Tbsp. onion powder
1/2 tsp. garlic powder
1/2 tsp. salt
2 Tbsp. corn starch
Mix ingredients together. Divide into 4 equal amounts in separate plastic bags and store in an airtight container. Each package serves 4.*
To make tacos:
Brown 1 pound of lean hamburger or diced chicken breast in a nonstick skillet. Drain excess fat. Add 1 package taco seasoning mix and 3/4 cup water. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer, uncovered, for 10 minutes or until liquid is reduced. Stir and use to make tacos.
Nutrition analysis per serving (taco seasoning only):
Calories 10, Fat 0 g, Saturated fat 0 g, Trans fat 0 g, Carbohydrate 2 g, Cholesterol 0 mg, Sodium 75 mg, Fiber 0 g
* Instead of separating it into baggies, I put all the ingredients into a glass jar, screwed on the lid, shook it up, and am just scooping it out when I need it. I used my calculator from high school to determine that it makes a total of 9.5 Tbsp. of seasoning, so you should use 2.375 Tbsp. of seasoning per 1 pound of meat. Plus, it looked really cool when I poured it all into the jar.
* Instead of separating it into baggies, I put all the ingredients into a glass jar, screwed on the lid, shook it up, and am just scooping it out when I need it. I used my calculator from high school to determine that it makes a total of 9.5 Tbsp. of seasoning, so you should use 2.375 Tbsp. of seasoning per 1 pound of meat. Plus, it looked really cool when I poured it all into the jar.
Enjoy!
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