My family loves tacos, or any Mexican food for that matter.  In fact, Taco’s are one of my kid’s favorite meals. I have a lot of recipes in my kitchen that use taco seasoning, and not just tacos. The taco seasoning you buy in the store is a combination of spices put into a convenient little packet for you.  You pay extra for that convenience.  All taco seasonings contain cumin.  Without it, you would just have spicy meat.  You probably have many of the spices for taco seasoning already in your kitchen, so why not just make it yourself and save some money.  Just store the mix in a zip lock baggie or storage container until ready to use.  Here is a basic recipe to get you started.

Homemade Taco Seasoning Mix

6 teaspoons chili powder

5 teaspoons paprika

4 ½ teaspoons cumin

3 teaspoons onion powder

2 ½ teaspoons garlic powder

¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper

In a storage container with a tight fitting lid or zip lock baggie, combine all ingredients; mix well.  Seal tightly and store in a cool dry place for up to 6 months.

Makes ½ cup or 21 teaspoons

Seven teaspoons of this mix equals a 1.25-oz package of purchased taco seasoning

Recipes Using Taco Seasoning

There are lots of recipes out there that use taco seasoning besides tacos.  Here are a few that my family likes.

 Crockpot Taco Junk

1 lb Lean Ground Beef 90% Lean
cooked & drained, or use Ground Turkey
15 oz Whole Kernel Corn, Drained
15 oz Kidney, Northern, Or Pinto beans, Drained
1 envelope Ranch dressing powder
1 envelope Taco Seasoning Mix
10 oz Rotel Tomatoes
16 oz Salsa
Brown ground beef, drain if necessary. Mix all ingredients together. Place in crock pot and cook on high for 4 hours.
Makes 5-1 cup servings:
Per Serving: 406 Cal; 11 g Tot Fat; 8 g Fiber
OR
10- 1/2 cup servings:
Per Serving: 203 Cal; 5 g Tot Fat; 4 g Fiber

Cheesy Taco Cups

1 lb ground beef or ground turkey

1 package of taco seasoning

3/4 cup water

1/2 cup cheddar cheese

1 7.5 Pillsbury can buttermilk biscuits

non fat cooking spray

Brown ground beef or turkey, drain. Add the water and taco seasoning and simmer. Preheat oven 400. Spray muffin pan with non-fat cooking spray. Press biscuits into the bottom of muffin cups. Spoon on the taco mixture, sprinkle on cheese, and bake 12-15 minutes

Serves 10

 

Refried Bean Soup

1 (15 oz) can refried beans

1 can chicken broth

1 (10 oz.) can Rotel or Mexican tomatoes

1 (15 0z) can yellow corn, drained

1/2 Tablespoon taco seasoning mix

Pour all of the ingredients in a pot and mix up and heat through. Can serve with shredded cheese and light tortilla chips, but add points for those.

Serves 8

Doritos Casserole

 
6 ounces Velveeta (I use Velveeta 2%)
2 Tbsp Taco Seasoning mix
1 can (10 3/4 ounces) Cream of Chicken Soup
1 can (11 ounces) Rotel tomatoes
6 ounces Baked Doritos, Nacho Cheese

8 ounces lean ground beef
Cook meat drain and add taco seasoning. Mix the tomatoes and soup together. Then, layer meat, soup mixture, crushed Doritos, and cheese. Keep layering until done. Bake at 350 degrees for 30 minutes.

Makes 6 servings