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There’s no two ways about it: Tex-Mex flavor is bold. (sometimes) Spicy. Layered. Yet, when it comes down to the heart of Tex-Mex, it is so simple and so right on the palate. It’s a combination of various regional Mexican dishes with a bit of good ol’ Southern “love” thrown in.
It’s comfort food for the majority of us south of the Red River.
How To Season Tex-Mex Food
For fresh flavor, there are a handful of ingredients that are used in everything from salsa and pico de gallo to enchiladas and fajitas:
- Cilantro (a must in Tex-Mex salsa; this stuff is so ridiculously cheap here in our grocery stores)
- Red Onion (great for either a fresh topping or used during the cooking process for chicken, beef, etc .)
- Tomatoes (fresh is best for topping any recipe — diced, paste and stewed tomatoes are used in a lot of other recipes, including Spanish Rice)
- Lime Juice (most marinades use lime juice and it’s delicious squeezed over carnitas and street tacos)
- Peppers (nearly any variety — the habanero and jalepeno are most famous in Tex-Mex fare)
When it comes to stocking your spice cabinet for a Tex-Mex recipes, here are the primary spices to have on hand:
- Chili Powder (which is typically a blend of dried and ground peppers — it is a MUST for any good chili recipe)
- Cumin (this is a smoky spice that has been used world-wide for centuries; it is prominent in Northern Mexican dishes, the dominant Mexican region influencing Tex-Mex cuisine)
- Salt
- Pepper
- Garlic Powder
- Cayenne Pepper Ground Powder (a very, VERY intense spice — a little goes a long way to heat things up!)
It really doesn’t take much to prepare amazing tacos, tostadas, enchiladas, fajitas and all that Tex-Mex is known for.
Even DIY Taco Seasoning is a piece of cake to make AND, since it doesn’t require a ton of hard-to-find or expensive spices, it’s very inexpensive to have your own Taco Seasoning ready for Taco Tuesday (which is the Little Lady’s favorite night of the week).
My Taco Spice blend didn’t happen over-night; it took a few months of trial and error to get what I consider the PERFECT seasoning blend. It makes the most mouth-watering, delicious beef or chicken tacos and, while there is a slight kick, it is friendly to a Kidlet’s picky palate.
And, now that I’m posting it here . . . I can get rid of the little torn piece of paper that has lived on my fridge for a year, reminding me what I like in my taco seasoning.
(maybe, eventually, all of my recipe scribbled notes will be off the fridge and on the blog. someday.)
This recipe is the first in my April recipe series focusing on Tex-Mex recipes. You can also visit my co-host, Lori from My Kinda Rain, for more family-friendly recipes!
Have a Tex-Mex inspired dish you’d like to share?
Link up and let us all come drool over the yumminess in your kitchen!
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About Rachel Lacy
My name is Rachel -- I share tales about food and family. I'm a home-cook who focuses on fresh & simple meals to both fuel us and to help us celebrate our family-life. My day starts with coffee. Lots of coffee. 
Monday - Corn Casserole, Pepper Steak, Salad
Tuesday - 
Love me some Tex-Mex! Now, I’ll haveto get working on something to share with you for your linky party. Ole!
I’m with you on the must-have Tex-Mex seasons in your pantry. We always have them on hand and make our own mix of spices. So many of store-bought packets have MSG in them.
And that’s the main reason I started making my own!
I usually have all these on hand. Which reminds me, I need to pick up Cayenne pepper.
I love Tex Mex…yummy! The best Mexican food I have had is in Texas actually! I love your pictures, Rachel!!
My kitchen is plastered with post-it notes, scraps of paper, and chalkboard scribbles with all my recipes! Glad I’m not the only one.
Thanks, I’ll have to try this instead of buying the already made taco seasoning.
I use a mixture of spices similar to this to make zucchini fries–we have them as a side whenever I make tacos and they are so good! I love the flavor of cumin.
I wish I had a recipe to add–I guess I need to post more Tex-Mex recipes!
This sounds delicious, and just looking at all of those spices makes my mouth water!
I LOVE LOVE LOVE Cumin and have started using it ALONE in place of taco seasoning – LOVE the flavor. I am going to have to try adding these in. It SOUNDS fantastic!!
Definitely making this! my husband and I would love this! Thanks for sharing it!
So much better to make your own spice blend, so you know there aren’t any weird “additions”. Packaged ones are so salty.
I’m making Chicken Tacos tomorrow and I’m going to try this. I have all the ingredients!
Taco seasoning ingredients are usually basics that I have on hand. Good to know!
Looks great and less expensive than store bought! Thanks!
Oh this sounds so good! I like using homemade seasonings so I can control the salt, thanks for sharing!
I love the picture of your spices!! I’m going to try your recipe next. Kim’s was a little too spicy for my kids
Thanks for the recipe. I look forward to reading about your other Tex Mex recipes!
I love the idea of DIY seasoning, especially to avoid excess salt
I love tacos and this seasoning looks great! I love knowing exactly whats in it. When you buy premade seasoning it always seems to have fillers!
I’m definitely going to try this!
That looks fairly easy – thanks!
I’ve been looking for a diy seasoning recipe, thanks!
Love this!! I haven’t made taco dinner in forever. Will try this next time
Oooh – can’t wait to try it!
Love Tx Mex. I’ll have to try to mix up sometime!
Love the idea of making your own taco seasoning. Will have to give this a try.
I have to try that. I hardly ever find good seasoning that sounds good
Yum yum yum! Bookmarking for sure!