The Best Homemade Taco Seasoning - The Recipe Critic (2024)

FAQs

What makes tacos taste better? ›

Acid is key. In just about any dish, especially meat-rich tacos, you'll want acid as part of the flavor balance. Salsa lends acid. So does crema, vinegar-based slaw, grilled fruit, or a squeeze of lime.

Mexican seasoning typically consists of a blend of traditional herbs and spices while taco seasoning is a specific blend of spices that may not be used as much in traditional Mexican dishes.

Add the ground beef and onion and cook until browned, stirring occasionally breaking up any large pieces. Once browned, drain off any extra grease. Then add in the taco seasoning, salsa or tomato sauce and water.

For the most classic Tex-Mex style tacos, your filling needs a base of ground beef. However, even well-seasoned versions of this popular taco ingredient can lack dimension. To give your ground taco beef an extra layer of nuance and bold flavor, consider mixing in some spicy Mexican chorizo.

With garlic and onions as the savory cornerstone, the most common Mexican spices and herbs are coriander, allspice, cloves, thyme, Mexican oregano, Mexican cinnamon (ceylon), cumin and cacao which showcase the breadth of Mexican food.

Making your own taco seasoning is actually much cheaper in the long-run, even if you don't already have all the ingredients on your spice rack. You get a lot more bang for your buck when you're using your own ingredients. DIY taco seasoning allows you to adjust the recipe to suit your taste.

Ground cumin – Next to chili powder, cumin is the most important ingredient in taco seasoning. It adds an earthy flavor and aroma. Paprika – Use smoked paprika if you have it. Salt and Pepper – we use fine sea salt and freshly cracked black pepper.

What can I use instead of cumin in taco seasoning? ›

The number one reason why people end up with bland tacos is because the meat wasn't seasoned properly. Luckily, that isn't an issue with this dish. However, if you find that your tacos aren't spicy enough for your liking, feel free to adjust the seasoning as needed or add a few shakes of your favorite hot sauce.

Water is added to taco meat when you use a packaged seasoning packet. Those seasoning packets contain cornstarch, which helps to create a viscous sauce when water is added to the meat. The sauce helps carry more flavor with every bite.

Just like how the backbone of a great sandwich is the bread, the key to top notch tacos are the tortillas. Seek out the best tortillas in your area (a google search for a “tortilla factory” may surprise you) or go online.

Beef, lettuce, tomato, sour cream, and shredded cheese (and optional taco sauce) are the best in my opinion! However, if you'd like to substitute beef or use another kind of meat, there is chicken, tofu. and some shredded pork! I may like the classic combination, but don't be afraid to try new things.