Homemade Taco Seasoning

I don't remember which brand caused me to do a double take last time I read the ingredient list of the taco seasoning - but it clearly freaked me out enough to make me want to make my own.  Now I don't even think about buying those taco seasoning packets anymore.  

Or that one time I had all the ingredients to make tacos only to realize I had run out of the freaking taco seasoning packet - AH!  Then you realize the interwebs are full of wonderful information that can save your cooking plans and you can have those lovely tacos or burritos or whatever you were going to make out of taco-seasoned fill-in-the-blank.  Woo!

I've also taken to using this spice mix for other things like dressings, sprinkling on cut up veggies, etc. - super versatile.  The list of spices is a tad long so I get it if you'd rather save the time and buy one of those convenient little packets instead, but if you're like me - you buy a spice with the intention of using it in A (singular) recipe, then never end up using it again.  The jar moves with you to the next 3 homes and you're now looking at a spice that expired in 2004 (which, how was that a whole decade ago?!).  I may or may not be pulling inspiration from personal experience.  So this is also a good recipe to use up those spices you may not typically use in your normal repertoire (I'm talking to you, chili powder & cumin).

Homemade Taco Seasoning Recipe*

makes roughly 2-3 packets worth

Adapted loosely from this recipe

2 tablespoon chili powder (ancho or regular)
1 tablespoons ground cumin
1 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
1 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
1 1/2 teaspoon paprika
1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
1 teaspoon sea salt
1 teaspoon black pepper

Combine ingredients in a bowl, mix thoroughly.  Store in an airtight container in a cool/dry/dark place for up to 2 months.

I use about 1 to 1.5 tablespoons of this for about 1.5 lbs of ground meat when I'm doing taco meat.  

* this is a pretty mild blend heat wise - husband and daughter prefer it that way but no one says you can't throw more in if you prefer - I won't tell the cops. 
Another favorite is using this seasoning to make a salad dressing when I get sick of buffalo chicken salads (which happens prettymuch all the time).  Or I ripped off one of my favorite restaurants and use this on cut up veggies with a spritz of lime juice.  YUM!