Delicious And Unexpected Ways To Use Taco Seasoning

With Taco Seasoning, Tacos Are Just The Beginning

Single-use seasonings, like taco seasoning, burger seasoning, or barbecue rubs, are more versatile than you might think! Taco seasoning in particular can be used in many different ways in the kitchen, so I thought I’d dedicate a post to the subject, as well as sharing some great recipes using taco seasoning.

But let’s start with the basics: taco seasoning can come from a pouch or packet, but it doesn’t have to! In fact, you can make your own great-tasting taco seasoning at home!

How To Make Taco Seasoning

Taco seasoning is a mixture of common spices you probably already have in your cupboard, like chili powder, garlic powder, onion powder, red pepper flakes, oregano, and others. You can find my favorite homemade taco seasoning recipe at the link below, along with other delicious seasoning mixes.

Related: Everything You Need To Make 10 Homemade Spice Mixes In Under An Hour

Store your homemade taco seasoning in an airtight container or jar, and use it just like the store-bought stuff!

Once you’ve whipped up a batch of your own, you might be wondering what to do with taco seasoning. The first option is obvious: make tacos! Baked Tacos are an easy family-favorite. But there are plenty of of other uses for taco seasoning, and I’ve included some tasty ideas for you below!

More Delicious Uses For Taco Seasoning

Snacks

Melissa from Hungry Food Love has a great taco seasoning recipe, along with the bright idea to use it to add a pop of Mexican flavor to a favorite snack food – roasted chickpeas. You could add a bit of taco seasoning to turn up the flavor on just about any snack food, like almonds, popcorn, tater tots, or oyster crackers!

Dips

I can’t resist a good dip. And if that dip happens to be creamy, cheesy, and full of delicious taco-y flavor? Sign me up! This Cream Cheese Bean Dip from Lil Luna is seriously making my mouth water. Or how about this Cheesy Taco Beer Dip from Dad With A Pan?

Casseroles, Bakes, & Skillets

Adding taco seasoning to casseroles, bakes, and skillets is an easy way to add flavor, without having to guess about how much of which spices to use. With taco seasoning, you know you’ll get a good onion and garlic flavor, as well as a bit of spice! I highly recommend this One-Pan Enchilada Bake recipe from Damn Delicious; the whole family loved it!

Here’s another delicious taco seasoning recipe: Taco Pasta! This yummy, cheesy one-pot meal whips up in just half an hour, so it’s perfect when you’re in a hurry to get dinner on the table.

And don’t forget that taco seasoning goes great with chicken, too. It’s a key ingredient in this Chicken Fajita Meal prep, one of my 5 Easy Freezer Meals to prep ahead and have on hand in the freezer for a quick dinner.

Soups

One of my favorite ways to use taco seasoning is in soups! There are a million taco soup recipes out there (and even one here on my blog), but all you really need to whip up your own is taco seasoning, a couple of cans of beans, some canned tomatoes, some frozen or canned corn, and maybe a bell pepper or two. Throw in some rotisserie chicken and you’re ready to eat!

Sauces & Dressings

My favorite easy, thrown-together lunch is a salad with corn, black beans, and whatever else happens to be in my fridge. (Cherry tomatoes, cucumbers, leftover chicken? Get em’ on there!)

These salads can easily be called a “barbecue” salad topped with a mix of barbecue sauce and ranch, or a “taco” salad if I top it with a zesty, taco-seasoned dressing. Frugal Farm Wife has a great recipe for an easy Taco Salad Dressing.

In addition to flavoring dressings with taco seasoning, you can also flavor sauces with it! Tiny Urban Kitchen has a recipe for a Chili Mayo Sauce, which they swear by as a topping for fish tacos.

Do you have other favorite recipes using taco seasoning?