Look, Ma! No Chemicals! Homemade Taco Seasoning

I almost wish I never started reading food labels. 

Back then, I didn’t realize Aunt Jemima isn’t really maple syrup and Ramen noodles aren’t actually a food group.

Now, I sometimes wonder if there is some high-level conspiracy between big corporations and our government to slowly kill me and everyone I love.

For the sake of sanity (mine and everyone around me), I had to find a happy medium. Although you can’t “unsee” what’s been seen (e.g., the chemical nightmare that has become our food supply), you CAN use that newfound awareness to make healthier choices.

Fortunately, it’s not hard or expensive to make homemade versions of many pre-packaged foods. In fact, in many cases, it will cost less AND be a lot healthier.

As an example, let’s look at taco seasoning…

Here’s a list of ingredients in one popular pre-packaged taco seasoning mix:

Yummmmmm… MSG makes tacos taste so much better, don’t you think?

And here is another brand:
Maltodextrin… partially hydrogenated soybean oil… ethoxyquin, which is a preservative AND a pesticide. It has been banned in Australia and the EU, but the FDA, in its infinite wisdom, has deemed it is a-okay for US citizens …

Okay, now let’s look at what you need to make your own chemical-free version.

Homemade Taco Seasoning Mix

Ingredients:
2 tablespoons chili powder
1.5 tablespoons ground cumin
1 teaspoon ground coriander
2 teaspoons garlic powder*
1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper flake
1 teaspoon smoked paprika
2 teaspoons salt
2 teaspoons black pepper

Directions:
Combine all ingredients in an air-tight container and shake well to combine. Use 2 or 3 tablespoons of mixture per pound of ground beef. (Adjust amount to suit personal taste). Be sure to add 1/4 cup of water per pound of ground beef, as well.

Can also double or triple this recipe and store leftover amounts in an air-tight container for up to 6 months.

*Omit garlic powder if using fresh garlic while browning the beef. I usually sauté one small onion and 4 or 5 cloves of garlic – both very finely minced – in a 2 tablespoons of olive oil prior to browning the beef.

How easy is that? Just combine a few, easy-to-find spices and viola ~ Delicious homemade tacos without all the added ‘junk.’