Easy Taco Seasoning Recipe (with Pantry Ingredients!) (2024)

FAQs

What can I use if I don't have taco seasoning? ›

Most taco seasoning mixes contain salt, warming spices (such as paprika, oregano, and chili), onion powder, and garlic powder. This top-rated recipe is made with chili powder, ground cumin, dried oregano, sea salt, black pepper, ground paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, and crushed red pepper flakes.

It's so easy, cost effective and is great to have on hand. Feel free to use store-bought seasoning if desired. Salsa: Not only does mixing in fresh salsa give the meat extra flavor, it also helps to thicken it up as well. If you don't have salsa on hand, you can use tomato sauce and water instead.

What can you use instead of taco seasoning? - Quora. Chili powder, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, pepper and cumin all mixed together is pretty much the same. The cumin is the star here, without it, you'll mostly be getting hot and salty, not so much the taco flavor.

Any mixed dried herb blend will work. I usually use a mixed herbs blend with Mediterranean herbs such as oregano, parsley, basil, thyme, rosemary, sage, or marjoram. If you don't have anything like this in your pantry, feel free to use a mix of separate herbs that you have e.g. basil, oregano and parsley. Cumin.

Mexican seasoning and taco seasoning are two popular spice blends often used in the culinary world, particularly in dishes of Mexican origin.

To assemble tacos, layer beef mixture, cheese, lettuce and tomatoes in each taco shell. Serve with salsa; top with sour cream.

Ingredients for Taco Meat

Beef, turkey, chicken, or pork all work well. Tomato Sauce--Really good tacos have a saucy tomato base, and by adding in a little bit of canned tomato sauce, you can easily replicate the taste of authentic tacos and keeps this taco meat super moist.

Cook, stirring, until browned. Remove from heat, rinse meat with hot water, and drain water and grease from beef. Return meat to skillet, and pour in seasoning. Stir in water.

Cook and stir ground beef in the hot skillet until browned and crumbly, 7 to 10 minutes. Drain and discard any excess grease. Pour water and seasoning mix over beef; stir to combine.

What can I use if I don't like taco seasoning? ›

Combine chili powder, paprika, onion powder, sea salt, garlic powder, cumin, oregano, black pepper, cayenne pepper, and red pepper flakes in a bowl; mix well. Enjoy!

Stir tomato sauce, water, vinegar, cumin, onion powder, garlic powder, garlic salt, chili powder, paprika, sugar, and cayenne pepper together in a saucepan. Bring to a simmer over low heat and cook until slightly thickened, about 20 minutes. Cool sauce slightly before serving.

Ground cumin, garlic powder, onion powder and dried oregano: Pretty straight-forward. Paprika: I prefer to use smoked paprika, but you could also use standard or sweet paprika if you prefer. Salt and black pepper: I used fine sea salt and finely-ground black pepper for this recipe.

Jams, preserves, honey, and maple syrup can be used for glazing meats or roasted vegetables. Brown sugar can be mixed with savory spices as a rub for dry meat. All types of vinegar (cider, wine vinegar, Balsamic, rice, or flavored) can be used as marinades or to drizzle on veggies or fruit.

Caraway seeds and ground coriander most closely mimic cumin's flavor, while curry and chili powders contain cumin.

If you're cooking the beef to mix into sauces, stews, casseroles, or other recipes, you won't have to worry too much about seasoning it on its own.