Seasoning Packet Mixes: Chili and Taco Seasoning

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In getting ready for this post, I checked out the competition… meaning I looked at prices on McCormack, Walmart brands, Schilling, etc. to see how the cost of homemade compared with the cost of the pre-packaged.

I have to tell you that my homemade equivalent is more expensive. Even when I compared my spice mix made with organic spices to another organic seasoning packet, I still came out a bit more expensive overall.

However, all is not lost!

First, know that all of the seasoning packets, even the organic ones, that I looked at had some undesirable/unnecessary ingredients. Whether it was sugar, maltodextrin, dextrose, MSG or highly processed rice powder. The recipe mixes I make are composed of just seasonings with very few exceptions. I would tell you that the ingredients you find in these mixes are of higher quality than the mixes you find in the store.

So, score one for the homemade kind!

Second, and probably the most important in the tumultuous financial times that we’re living in, these can be made with what you already have in your spice cabinet. This is a “layer” that you have available to you. You may not have that packet on your shelf, but you have the recipe, and you have the spices, so your quick and easy dinner plans are saved!

Third, you can alter the recipe to suit you and your family’s tastes. Be creative! Use more of this or less of that! You can use all dry ingredients except for the garlic and add that in fresh… or fresh basil in your spaghetti sauce! These mix recipes give you a base to create from and that is worth something, too.

I actually have seven seasoning mix recipes, so I decided to split them up into several posts.

Ok, with that being said, let’s get started on the first mix!

Chili Seasoning:

1/4 Cup Chili Powder

2 Tbsp Garlic Powder

4 1/2 teaspoons Onion Powder

2 Tbsp Oregano

1 Tbsp Paprika

2 Tbsp Cumin

1 1/2 teaspoons Thyme

Combine and store in an airtight jar.

2 Tablespoons of this mixture equals one seasoning packet.

Taco Seasoning:

1/4 Cup Flour

2 Tbsp Chili Powder

1/4 Cup Onion Powder

2 teaspoons Garlic Powder

2 teaspoons Sea Salt

4 teaspoons Paprika

1/2 teaspoon Cayenne Pepper

2 teaspoons Cumin

2 teaspoons Oregano

Combine and store in an airtight jar.

2 Tablespoons of this mixture equals one seasoning packet.

That’s it! Adjust any of it to suit your family’s taste. I think that’s the biggest benefit of making things homemade; you can create something unique that fits you and your family perfectly!

Enjoy!