Taco seasoning
"Taco seasoning" is commonly sold in packets in American grocery stores by companies like McCormick. It's a mixture of spices, salt and modified cornstarch intended to be a one-shot seasoning addition to ground beef for use in tacos. Because it imparts a vaguely Mexican flavor wherever it's used, some recipes call for it in other contexts. This is my version, which I use as a kind of base masala for several Mexican dishes. In an emergency, it can also be used to season taco meat.
Ingredients
- 2 tbsp prepared chili powder, or ancho chile powder
- 1 tbsp ground cumin
- 2 tsp salt
- 2 tsp ground black pepper
- 1 1/2 tsp MSG+I+G
- 1 tsp ground coriander seed
- 1 tsp paprika
- 1/2 tsp garlic powder
- 1/2 tsp onion powder
- 1/2 tsp crushed red pepper flakes
- 1/2 tsp dried Mexican oregano, crushed
Directions
Mix ingredients, shake, and store in an airtight container.
Notes
Where one of my recipes calls for "taco seasoning", I mean this mixture and it should be added in the quantity listed. To use in another recipe calling for "taco seasoning", start with half the amount called for and work from there. Since this mixture doesn't contain starch or as much salt as a packet of commercial taco seasoning, it may be too much if measured 1:1.
Wherever one packet of taco seasoning is called for, add about 1-1/2 tbsp of this mixture, plus additional salt to taste. If using to season one pound of ground meat, use 1 tbsp of this mixture, 1/2 to 1 tsp coarse salt, and about 2 tsp of masa harina or 1 tsp of cornstarch to thicken and emulsify fats. When adding cornstarch to hot food, always make a slurry with a bit of cold water first.
