I am wanting to replace the processed Taco seasoning that I buy from Costco with something that I could make at home. I searched through the archives and could not find any that had already been posted. Your help? Thanks! Marie

-- Marie (Mamafila@aol.com), January 29, 2002

Answers

Dear Marie:

I found this recipe in the Tightwad Gazette II for Taco Seasoning. Hope it helps.

6 teaspoons chili powder 4 1/2 teaspoons of cumin 5 teaspoons paprika 3 teaspoons onion powder 1/8 to 1/4 cayenne pepper

Mix all ingredients, and store in an airtight container. The homemade mix is twice as strong as the storebought one, so add only half as much.

She

-- Sheila (glutz43@alltell.net), January 29, 2002.

Here is one from off my recipe page. I also included one for chili seasoning mix!!

Taco Seasoning

1 Tbs. dried onion flakes or just cook your hamburger with fresh onions 1 tsp. salt 1/2 tsp. minced garlic, garlic powder or cook your hamburger with fresh garlic 1 tsp. cornstarch 1/2 tsp. cumin 1 1/2 tsp. chili powder 1/2 tsp. oregano 1/2 tsp. cayenne pepper

Mix all the above into the cooked ground beef. Add 3/4 to 1 cup of water and let it simmer at least 10 mins.

Chili Seasoning

1 Tbs. flour 2 Tbs. dried onion flakes or cook your hamburger with fresh onions 2 tsp. chili powder 1 tsp. seasoned salt 1/2 tsp. cayenne pepper 1/2 tsp. cane sugar or honey 1/2 tsp. minced garlic, garlic powder or cook hamburger with fresh garlic 1/2 tsp. cumin

Mix all the above into the cooked ground beef. Some people have actually sprinkled this over popcorn and say it is wonderful.

-- Marci (Marci@amazingrazefarm.com), January 29, 2002.

There is a web site called top secret recipes.It list the home made versions of all kinds of recipes for store and restaurant food.Put top secret recipes in your search engine.They have a taco seasoning recipe.

-- Cheri (noemail@o.com), January 29, 2002.

Here's the Betty Crocker recipe I use: Brown 1 lb hamburger. Add 1/2 cup chopped onion, 2 tbl chili powder, 1 tsp salt, 1/2 tsp cumin, 1 clove chopped garlic, and 3/4 cup water. Reduce to simmer and cook about 10 - 15 minutes till thickened. This is so quick to make that I don't think it would help me to make up seasoning mix ahead of time, plus it would be something else I had to store.

-- Cindy in NY (cjpopeck@worldnet.att.net), January 29, 2002.

There is a great website called Budget 101 that has all sorts of copycat and make your own mix recipes, as well as frugal living and budget tips. The same woman also runs a sister site called Budget 102, but you have to buy a subscription to access it.

You can find it at Budget 101

-- Sherri C (CeltiaSkye@aol.com), January 29, 2002.

There is an excellent "knock-off" of Taco Bell's taco sauce and meat seasoning at www.topsecretrecipes.com. If you are looking, that is ;o)

P.S. There is also an excellent book called "Make a Mix Cookery" that has all kinds of mixes that you can make to escape the ready- made mixes. You might be able to find it at a library or on half.com.

-- Jim NE KY (jedeweese@earthlink.net), January 29, 2002.

Thank you all for your help and tips on the other links. I can't wait to get trying them out. Have a great day. You've made mine!! Marie

-- Marie in Central WA (Mamafila@aol.com), January 29, 2002.

I really don't care much for the taco seasoning you can buy at the store. It is nothing like "real" mexican food & has so much sodium! I make ground beef tacos by heating a ltiny bit of veggie oil, add fine chopped onion & bell pepper. When those are soft add lean ground beef, making sure to crumble well. Salt, pepper, and garlic to taste. That's it. I use good salsa, cheese, lettuce, and tomato inside a fried corn tortilla.

Now, another favorite of mine that you rarely see is fish tacos! Any type mild white fleshed fish will work really. Bake the fish until flakey or lightly batter & fry, wrap in a warmed corn tortilla, top with cabbage, cheese, salsa or better yet lime juice!

-- ellie (elnorams@aol.com), January 30, 2002.