Homemade Taco, Ranch, & Onion Soup Seasonings
I recently tried my hand at making my own taco seasoning mix, which actually was pretty much a no-brainer. Just throw a bunch of spices in a bowl, mix, store in air-tight container. I was going to post about it…but there just didn’t seem to be much “there”….ya know? I’m all about CONTENT. :-) As a blog consumer myself…I want plenty of information for my investment of time spent on a blog. I know…I’m weird. Sue me. :-)
So I kind of shelved the idea until tonight when I saw a couple of other easy to throw together seasoning mixes that I think all of us use on a fairly regular basis. Ahhhh….now we’re getting somewhere!
So I present to you a trio of homemade seasoning mixes that I know will not only taste much better than their overly-processed grocery store counter parts….but will be a LOT easier on the pocketbook too! (Does anyone say “pocketbook” anymore?”)
First off…the taco seasoning, complete with personal review:
Homemade Taco Seasoning
by
Whole New Mom
Ingredients:
2 Tbsp chili powder
1/2 t garlic powder
1/2 t onion powder
1/2 t red pepper flakes
1/2 t oregano
1 t paprika
1 Tbsp cumin
2 1/2 t salt (I used Kosher Salt)
2 t pepper
OK…here are the instructions…don’t blink…you might miss them!
1. Combine all ingredients in a small bowl. 2. Mix well. 3. Store in a tightly closed container. haha! I told you!
- Use approximately 2 Tbsp taco seasoning mix for each pound of ground meat (or to taste). Add a little water if you like a more “saucy” taco mix.
I really like this seasoning! It was the first time I’d ever made it from scratch and it definitely added a “depth of flavor” to my tacos. (Is that a proper use of that cooking term? lol. Sounded good to me).
Bottom line: WAY better tasting than that stuff in the little packets I’ve been buying at the store all these years. Never knew what I was missing.
But….if you are strapped for time (and aren’t we ALWAYS??)….this seasoning mix combined with milk and mayonnaise is a real winner!
Ingredients
2 Tbsp dried parsley
1 tsp dried dill
1 tsp garlic powder
1 tsp onion powder
1/2 tsp dried basil
1/2 tsp pepper
Add each of the dried spices to a bowl and stir.
Store in a resealable plastic baggie or small ball canning jar with tight fitting lid in your spice cabinet.
To make the ranch dressing, whisk together 1/3 cup mayonaisse with 1/4 cup milk (more or less depending on the consistency you want) with 1 Tbsp of the homemade ranch dressing seasoning mix. Season with salt, to taste. Use immediately and can refrigerate for up to 3 days.
Makes about 4 Tbsp worth of mix. Or use the ratios above and mix up however much you’ll need!
Finally, the Onion Soup Mix seasoning. I listed this last because it’s the one I personally use the least…but I DO use it. Usually in meatloaf. Once again…the store-bought version can’t come CLOSE to this homemade stuff. There’s something about using your own spices (and nothing else!) that just makes everything taste better. :-)
3blondesandthelaw.blogspot.com
Ingredients
3/4 c. dried minced onion
1/3 c. beef bouillon granules
1/4 c. onion powder
1/4 t sugar
1/4 t celery seed
Combine all ingredients in a container with a lid. Shake to mix well. 4 T is equivalent to one commercial “envelope.” To use: Mix 4T to 16 oz of sour cream for a dip. It’s also good with potatoes; wash, dry and quarter some red potatoes, drizzle with oil and sprinkle 4T of the onion soup mix on them. Mix well and bake.
And that’s today’s….
I've tried your ranch one from an earlier post and LOVE love love it. I have a taco one of my own from somewhere that I really enjoy. One tip that I like along with the water is 2 tablespoons of flour to help make the saucey stuff stick like the packet kind. In your house you would have to use a non-gluten binder of course or none at all. Very excited to try the onion soup mix one. Thanks mucho.
These seem awesome! Cant wait to try them. Thank you!
You are very welcome Melisa and Liz. :-) Like I said in my post above…I didn't know what I was missing til I tried them. :-)
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nice!
I think the term "wallet" or "budget" is more commonly used.
I have always made my own taco seasoning… but I usually just mix the ingredients when I'm making the meat. I suppose I should try to mix it this way to save some time… But I don't cook with salt, instead add a little bit of ketchup (I make my own)instead of (or in addition to) water and you will get that taco consistency that you see at restaurants. I LOVE it this way, a little recipe something from my great-grandmother.
Oh my goodness! I cannot wait to make these! I use them sooo much and I am always trying to find cheaper ways to do ANYTHING. I LOVE LOVE LOVE your blog! I cannot tell you how much money you have saved me….thank you so much!!!
Tried the taco seasoning tonight! Liked it a lot. Son wanted more kick to it, given my intense lack of knowledge about spices, what would I add to have a bit more kick to it?
Anne – I added cayenne pepper to mine. Doubled the recipe and in place of the second dose of chili powder, used the cayenne pepper. Yummy! Btw, LOVE YOUR BLOG JILL!! Been sharing it left and right and my friends are loving it too!!
Does anyone know how long can you store the mixes before you “have to” use them?
Most spices stay fresh for 6 months so I would estimate 6 months.
You can take a container (8 oz??? i NEVER measure) of cottage cheese…put in food processor or blender add your ranch seasoning and a little skim milk. WAY lower in calories than using mayo and I think it tastes great. I like a lot of dressing and that makes it less guilt when I use a bunch! :)
Ooo…good idea Autumn! Thanks for sharing! I’m going to try it. :-)
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Jillee, Do you have a burrito seasoning mix? My son has celiacs and can’t have the seasoning mix. Some of the taco mixes he can but none of the burrito. Thanks!
I have made my own taco seasoning for years, it has a few differences from yours. My recipe calls for corn starch, but we like arrowroot better (not sure where that falls on the list for gluten free or celiac) and I use a mix of Ancho and Chipotle powders for the “chili powder”.
Great recipes! Can’t wait to try the ranch soon and I already love the taco. Here’s a way to make the taco seasoning even easier….put all the spices in a small container with a lid, put on the lid and shake, shake, shake. Then STORE THE SEASONING IN THAT CONTAINER. One less thing to wash!! Even a small zip-top bag would work!!
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This is one great idea ! It’s better than buying from the store !
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I love making my own seasoning mixes. By doing so you know exactly what goes in them.
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