Taco Powder Recipe

Tacos are a popular Tex-Mex dish that are enjoyed around the world. The key to great tacos lies in having a flavorful taco seasoning that packs a punch without overpowering the other ingredients.

Store-bought taco seasoning packets are convenient, but making your own homemade taco powder allows you to control the flavor and quality of ingredients.

Here are some of the biggest benefits of creating your own taco seasoning instead of using the pre-made packets:

• Control the quality. By choosing your own spices and ingredients, you don't have to settle for subpar or questionable additives. You can select high-quality spices to craft a top-notch blend.
• Adjust the flavors. Everybody has their own preferences when it comes to spiciness, smokiness, garlic notes, etc. With a homemade mix, you can tweak the proportions to fit your unique tastes.
• Avoid unwanted extras. Many pre-made taco seasoning packets contain anti-caking agents, preservatives, excessive sodium, sugars or other unnecessary additives. Go DIY to skip the junk.
• Save money. Making your own mixture at home costs just pennies per batch, while packets can add up quickly. The DIY approach is very budget-friendly.

Key Takeaway: Crafting your own taco powder puts you fully in control, allows endless customization, avoids unwanted additives, and saves money in the long run.

Ingredients for Taco Powder

The basic framework for making your own signature taco seasoning contains salt, garlic, onion, Mexican-inspired spices, and some heat:

• Chili Powder - The backbone for flavor and smoky depth. Choose mild or spicy based on preference.
• Cumin - Provides an earthy warmth. It's a key component.
• Paprika - Adds a beautiful red hue and subtle sweetness. Smoked paprika is especially nice.
• Garlic Powder - Essential for enhancing the overall flavor profile.
• Onion Powder - Contributes a savory, brothy element.
• Oregano - Brings a fresh herbal quality.
• Salt and Pepper - Allows other flavors to pop and balances bitterness.
• Crushed Red Pepper - Offers a mild kick of heat (use more or less to taste).

With just these simple ingredients on hand, you're ready to make your signature taco powder whenever the craving for tacos strikes!

How to Mix Up Your Custom Blend

Taco Powder Recipe

Assembling your very own taco seasoning blend takes just a few easy steps:

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Ingredients

  

• Chili Powder
• Cumin
• Paprika
• Garlic Powder
• Onion Powder
• Oregano
• Salt and Pepper
• Crushed Red Pepper

Instructions

 

Gather Your Spices

• Pull out all the chosen spices and line them up for easy access. Take a quick sniff test - if any smell faded or stale, it's best to replace them with fresh ones.

Combine in a Small Bowl

• Measure out the desired amount of each spice based on your preferences and add them to a mixing bowl. A good starting point would be 1 Tbsp chili powder, 1 tsp cumin, 1/2 tsp garlic powder, etc.

Mix Thoroughly

• Stir, whisk or shake everything together until fully incorporated. Break up any clumps and evenly distribute.

Transfer to an Airtight Container

• Once combined, transfer your custom spice mix to an airtight container such as a mason jar or reusable shaker. Clearly label for easy identification.
• And just like that, you've crafted your very own signature taco powder to use anytime tacos are on the menu!

Storing Your Homemade Blend

When stored properly in an airtight container in a cool, dark cabinet, your handcrafted taco seasoning mix will stay fresh for approximately 6 months to 1 year.

If using glass jars, keep away from light to prevent fading. Write the date on a piece of masking tape so you know when it was made.

Give your mixture a quick sniff test before each use. If the aroma seems at all faded or "off", it's time to make a fresh batch.

How Much to Use in Recipes

When using DIY taco powder in place of store-bought packets, the standard substitution ratio is:

• 2 Tbsp homemade = 1 packet (about 1 oz) store-bought

So if your recipe calls for 1 envelope/packet of taco seasoning, use 2 Tbsp of your homemade blend instead. Easy!

For 1 lb of ground beef or turkey, aim for 2-3 Tbsp of seasoning. Start on the lower end, taste, and add more from there if you want extra punch.

As a general guideline for other uses, start with 1 tsp per 1 cup of item being seasoned and adjust up or down to your preference.

Incredible Uses Beyond Just Tacos

While this zesty, bold blend shines in classic tacos, it also enhances a wide variety of other dishes. Get creative with these ideas:

• Mix into ground beef or turkey for burritos, nachos, casseroles, etc.
• Coat shrimp, chicken or fish before grilling fajitas or quesadillas
• Sprinkle on roasted cauliflower, sweet potatoes, broccoli, Brussels sprouts and more
• Liven up a pot of chili, pasta sauce, or vegetable soup
• Use it to season black beans, kidney beans, chickpeas and other legumes
• Make a spiced oil by adding to olive oil or avocado oil
• Combine with plain Greek yogurt for a quick Crema sauce
• Add Southwestern flair to dips, dressings, rice dishes and so much more

So don't limit this bold, versatile spice mix to just Taco Tuesdays! Incorporate it into all kinds of dishes year-round.

FAQs

What's the difference between chili powder and cayenne pepper?

Chili powder is a spice blend that includes cayenne pepper along with other ground chilies and supporting spices like cumin, garlic powder, oregano, etc. Cayenne pepper is simply pure ground cayenne chili pepper.

Can I make it spicier or more mild?

Absolutely! To turn up the heat, add more crushed red pepper, a pinch of cayenne, chipotle chili powder, etc. For milder flavor, use less chili powder or eliminate the red pepper flakes entirely.

What if I don't have certain ingredients on hand?

You can tweak this recipe based on what you have. For example, smoked paprika could be swapped for regular paprika or even more chili powder instead. Onion and garlic powders provide a backbone though, so aim to include some type of onion and garlic element.

Should I add other spices like coriander, thyme, cinnamon?

The core recipe includes the classic taco powder ingredients, but you can certainly experiment by adding or subtracting other complementary spices to create your own custom blend. Just start small and tweak amounts until you achieve the perfect balance of flavors.

Can I make a big batch all at once?

Absolutely! There's no need to only make one small batch at a time. Easily scale this recipe up to make a large quantity that will last for months. Just be sure to store in an airtight container in a cool, dark spot.

Conclusion

Creating your own taco powder at home puts you fully in charge to craft a signature blend catered exactly to your tastebuds.

We outlined the many benefits of mixing your own seasoning versus buying pre-made packets, covered the essential ingredients to include, provided step-by-step assembly and storage instructions and suggested substitution ratios for recipes.