Make this easy DIY taco seasoning mix recipe for more flavorful, healthier, and cheaper version of the storebought packets.

I'm a total type A person. I use a planner and lists to keep myself organized. Siri even helps me remember to be at an appointment on time or to check something on the stove. My paperwork is filed and in order, and I can find a receipt from eight months ago in a moment's notice.

But I am terrible at meal planning. Awful.

I do it for a week, then all bets are off.

My goal for February was to meal plan every week. Why would I torture myself?

I would go to the store with a few meals in mind and just pick up what we normally eat and then some more groceries. When it came time to make dinner, the meat was still frozen, or I didn't have enough time to make anything, or we were out of an ingredients.

So I thought that if I meal planned, I'd know what we were having for dinner more than 45 minutes before we had to be at karate. Maybe, just maybe, I'd actually get it out of the freezer the night before so I could cook.

I'm proud to say that I made it the entire month keeping a meal plan! We ate real meals every night, and I even put 8 complete meals in the freezer for busy nights. We did use one of those meals because I didn't even go to the store the last week of the month.

My days went smoother because I knew just what we were having, and I could plan to use a slow cooker when we we had a busy day.

Oh, and I trimmed over 40 percent off of my food budget! Most of that is because I was able to shop at Aldi once a week instead of running to our insanely high local store.

Friday, we are having a taco casserole. I'll have mine low carb, so it won't be a terrible choice. Which brings me to this DIY taco seasoning mix recipe.

I used to buy mixes, but they are expensive when you realize just what's in them. They also have extra salt, sugar, and preservatives. Once you make this with fresh spices, you'll never want to use a mix from the store again.

DIY TACO SEASONING MIX RECIPE

What I like about this recipe is that it's a base recipe. I always add onions to my meat while I'm cooking it, so I didn't add any onions. You can add a teaspoon of onion powder or dried onions if you want.

I also add fresh garlic, but you could add dried minced garlic or garlic powder.

Add more or less cayenne pepper to taste. I don't like my seasoning hot, so I use a little less. You can also adjust the amount of salt.

This recipe makes about 1/4 of a cup, or two packets worth. You can double it to have some for the shelf. I usually keep a few cups of mix on hand.

INGREDIENTS

2 tablespoons chili powder
2 teaspoons pakrika
2 teaspoons cumin
1 teaspoon oregano
1 teaspoon salt (can use less)
1/2 teaspoon cayenne (or to taste)

DIRECTIONS

STEP #1

Combine all ingredients in a bowl and stir well.

STEP #2

Store in a jar with a lid.

STEP #3

Use 1-2 tablespoons per pound of meat.

Dakota and I love taco seasoned meat. I eat a lot of taco salads, and she likes tacos. I always make about two cups worth because we will use it, but you can definitely make it as needed if you don't use a lot.

Like this post? Pin it!