Homemade Taco Seasoning Mix

Isn't it frustrating when you get ready to cook something, and you don't have all of the ingredients?  Maybe that doesn't happen to you.  But it sure does happen to me.  And, while I don't live 20 miles from the nearest town, I don't live IN TOWN, and I don't like having to go back to town once I get home from work. 

Something that I tend to run out of a lot are those little seasoning packets and mixes.  Especially taco seasoning.  My family loves tacos, and taco soup.   I make lots of things that call for one packet of "taco seasoning mix" and it seems I either have 5 of them in my pantry, or I have NONE.   It's hard to justify driving nearly 10 miles one way to the grocery store for that little packet of taco seasoning.  Soooooooo, I have decided to take control of my life by making my own.  Well, it's not actually taking control of my WHOLE LIFE, just one little aspect of it.  But a very ANNOYING aspect of it.  Have I mentioned I don't like going back into town after I get home ? ? ? ?

I searched online and found several recipes for homemade taco seasoning.  Some were fairly elaborate.  Some called for items I didn't have.  But, I finally found a couple of recipes that sounded pretty good.  And it turns out I had all of the ingredients.  Here is the basic recipe that I used:

1 T chili powder

3/4 t garlic powder

3/4 t onion powder

3/4 t red pepper (crushed or flaked)

3/4 t oregano

3/4 t paprika

1 1/2 T cumin

1 T salt

1 T black pepper

I tripled the recipe and put it in a small glass container.  I used what I had in my pantry.  These spices are store brand -- NOT the expensive brand  Like I said, I used what was on hand.  And I wish you could SMELL this mixture.  It smells DELICIOUS.  Very spicy, but not overpowering.   Based on what I've found online, you would use 3 Tablespoons of this mixture to equal one envelope of store bought seasoning. 

I must tell you that I have not actually USED this taco seasoning mix yet, but I will.   One of our favorite recipes is taco soup.  And it seems whenever I want to make taco soup  I NEVER have a packet of taco seasoning mix.  That shouldn't happen again with my handy, dandy homemade taco seasoning mix.

It took all of  five minutes to mix this up.  And while I haven't really figured the cost difference, I can tell you this.  Most of the seasonings I have are $1.19 for about 3.5 ounces.  And I know those little envelopes average 79 to 89 cents each, for only three tablespoons.  So I can ASSURE you, it is much cheaper to make your own.

I'll let you know what my family thinks about my newest time and money saving adventure.   I'll be making taco soup over the weekend and I'll share my recipe AND my honest opinion of my homemade mix.  'Cause hey, if it doesn't taste good, then I haven't helped myself or you!!!

If you have a favorite homemade "mix" recipe . . . please share it with us.