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DIY Tex-Mex Taco Seasoning

April 10, 2012

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Taco Seasoning

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).

DIY Taco Spice Recipe

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.)

Taco Seasoning

Ingredients

  1. 2 Tablespoons Ground Cumin
  2. 1 Tablespoon Chili Powder
  3. 1 Teaspoon Garlic Powder
  4. 1/2 Teaspoon Salt
  5. 1/4 Teaspoon Ground Black Pepper
  6. 1/4 Teaspoon Ground Oregano
  7. 1/8 Teaspoon Cayenne Powder

Instructions

  1. Measure all ingredients and mix together.
  2. Store in an air-tight container.

Instructions for Seasoning Tacos

  1. Brown meat in a large skillet and then drain well.
  2. Return the pan to the heat and sprinkle 1 to 2 Tablespoons of the Taco Spice Blend over.
  3. Add 3/4 cup of water and bring the mixture to a boil, stirring to ensure the spices and meat are well combined.
  4. Once it reaches a boil, reduce heat, cover and simmer for 10-15 minutes or until the liquid has evaporated.
  5. Serve on crispy or soft taco shells with desired toppings.

Copyright © https://followinginmyshoes.com
Recipe by Rachel Lacy of Following In My Shoes

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

Rachel Lacy is the author of Following In My Shoes, where she blogs about Mommyhood, Family-Friendly Recipes and Bento Lunches, and Life in Texas. She is a lover of all things Coffee and Nutella.
You can also connect with Rachel Lacy on Google+.

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Who is Rachel LacyMy name is Rachel -- I share tales about food and family. I'm a home-cook who focuses on fresh meals to both fuel us and to help us celebrate our family-life. My day starts with coffee. Lots of coffee.
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