The Best Homemade Taco Seasoning - The Recipe Critic (2024)

FAQs

What makes tacos taste better? ›

Acid is key. In just about any dish, especially meat-rich tacos, you'll want acid as part of the flavor balance. Salsa lends acid. So does crema, vinegar-based slaw, grilled fruit, or a squeeze of lime.

Mexican seasoning typically consists of a blend of traditional herbs and spices while taco seasoning is a specific blend of spices that may not be used as much in traditional Mexican dishes.

Allow one side to brown for 3 to 5 minutes without touching it (you can stir around the onions during this process so they don't burn). Flip the meat and allow the other side to brown 3 to 5 minutes. Use a spatula to break the meat into smaller chunks. Sprinkle all of the taco seasoning over the meat.

For the most classic Tex-Mex style tacos, your filling needs a base of ground beef. However, even well-seasoned versions of this popular taco ingredient can lack dimension. To give your ground taco beef an extra layer of nuance and bold flavor, consider mixing in some spicy Mexican chorizo.

With garlic and onions as the savory cornerstone, the most common Mexican spices and herbs are coriander, allspice, cloves, thyme, Mexican oregano, Mexican cinnamon (ceylon), cumin and cacao which showcase the breadth of Mexican food.

Homemade vs. Store-Bought Taco Seasoning

You can also control ingredient amounts, which is especially helpful if you're watching your sodium intake. Making your own taco seasoning is actually much cheaper in the long-run, even if you don't already have all the ingredients on your spice rack.

Cumin is an earthy, aromatic spice that brings citrusy notes to a dish. If you're in a pinch, there are many great alternatives you might already have in your pantry. Caraway seeds and ground coriander most closely mimic cumin's flavor, while curry and chili powders contain cumin.

To use: Use about 2 tablespoons of the taco seasoning for every 1 pound of meat. Use more or less depending on your preference. Brown meat and drain the fat. Add your taco seasoning along with about 1/2 cup of water.

Why is my taco meat bland? ›

The number one reason why people end up with bland tacos is because the meat wasn't seasoned properly. Luckily, that isn't an issue with this dish. However, if you find that your tacos aren't spicy enough for your liking, feel free to adjust the seasoning as needed or add a few shakes of your favorite hot sauce.

Cook and stir ground beef in the hot skillet until browned and crumbly, 7 to 10 minutes. Drain and discard any excess grease. Pour water and seasoning mix over beef; stir to combine. Bring to a simmer and cook until mixture thickens slightly, about 5 minutes.

Just like how the backbone of a great sandwich is the bread, the key to top notch tacos are the tortillas. Seek out the best tortillas in your area (a google search for a “tortilla factory” may surprise you) or go online.

Ground cumin, garlic powder, onion powder and dried oregano: Pretty straight-forward. Paprika: I prefer to use smoked paprika, but you could also use standard or sweet paprika if you prefer. Salt and black pepper: I used fine sea salt and finely-ground black pepper for this recipe.