Amythyst's Kitchen

Despite its name, this can be used for more than just tacos. And although it is a blend of spices typically used in Mexican dishes, you can use it for anything you’d like to add a burst of flavor to. We use it for our standard taco and burrito meat seasoning, but we’ve also used it to season quesadillas, fried potatoes, scrambled eggs, and more. My husband likes to add it to just about everything.

The credit for this recipe belongs to Ali Martin of Gimme Some Oven, but it has become a staple in our pantry since stumbling across it back in 2021. Her original recipe makes the equivalent of 1 store-bought taco seasoning packet, but I have scaled it up and this recipe will make about 12 tablespoons of seasoning. It can easily be scaled up or down, to make more or less. This amount fits perfectly in a half-pint (8 oz.) mason jar, which are sometimes referred to as jam jars. You can even get shaker lids for them!

Amythyst34

Taco Seasoning Blend

A combination of dry spices commonly used in Mexican cuisine, conveniently mixed for quick and easy use in taco meat, quesadillas, fried potatoes, eggs, or whatever else inspires you.

Print Recipe

Prep Time 10 minutes mins

Total Time 10 minutes mins

Course: Ingredient

Cuisine: Tex-Mex

Calories:

Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients

  

• ½ cup chili powder
• 8 tsp ground cumin
• 8 tsp garlic powder
• 8 tsp paprika
• 4 tsp dried oregano
• 4 tsp onion powder
• 2 tsp table salt
• 2 tsp ground black pepper
• 2 tsp crushed red pepper flakes

Equipment

• Funnel
• Mason Jar (½ pint size)

Method

 

1. Position the funnel in the mouth of the mason jar.
2. Measure each ingredient into the funnel. Be sure to tap them down into the jar before moving to the next ingredient.
3. Remove the funnel and seal the jar with an airtight lid. Shake well to combine the spices.

Notes

For a smoky flavor, try using dark chili powder, smoked paprika, or adding some chipotle powder.

The chili powder called for in this recipe is American-style chili powder (not the chili powder made from cayenne).

This spice blend will keep well for up to 1 year, when kept in an airtight container. It is still safe to consume past that date, but the spices will begin to lose their potency.

Use 2 tbsp of this spice blend as a replacement for anything that calls for 1 packet of store bought taco seasoning. Add 2 tbsp to 1 lb of meat to make standard taco or burrito meat.