Taco Seasoning (salt free, gluten free)

I was chatting to a lady about Taco's and I happened to mention that I made my own Taco seasoning.  She was intrigued that someone could make their own and wasn't aware that you could do so.  My local green grocer has a large array of spices (they stock the brand Four Leaves) that they sell in good sized bags for a great price.  Masterfoods will also sell all these spices, but in smaller quantities (in glass jars).  Alternatively, there are many wonderful Markets who have spice stalls, they sell spices in various quantities for a fraction of the cost of those you can buy in a supermarket.  It's a great reason to pop into the car and immerse yourself in food stalls!

I have spent a bit of time looking into this (as my family loves Mexican) and I like to be aware of what we eat and put into our bodies.  Did you know that commercial Taco seasonings have upwards of 30% sugar?  How about the fact that they are high in salt, with over 20% salt?  Some also have fillers such as rice and/or corn flour (up to 20%) and others use msg (flavour enhancer).  So for the $1.50 you are probably paying for a sachet of Taco Seasoning, you are only getting 30% of Mexican spices.  

This recipe has no salt, sugar or flours.  It's 100% Mexican inspired spices (so you use less).  A commercial Taco seasoning sachet has roughly 2 tablespoons of mix.  Just a heaped tablespoon of this seasoning mix is needed (for each 500g or just over a pound of beef mince).  

This recipe will yield just under a cup of Taco seasoning.  Enough for 20 meals!  This seasoning costs me $16 to make, it sounds like a lot, but 20 sachets of commercial Taco seasoning will cost you about $30.  This recipe will keep for 1 year in a well sealed jar.

Taco Seasoning Recipe

4 Tablespoons Ground Cumin

4 Tablespoons Paprika (I like the Hungarian one for this recipe)

4 Tablespoons Onion Powder

4 Tablespoons Dried onion flakes

4 Tablespoons Garlic powder

1 teaspoon dried Chili (I use the ground one)

1 teaspoon Cayenne pepper

1 teaspoon ground Coriander

Mix all together in a medium sized bowl and spoon into a clean glass jar.  If this goes into a plastic container it will smell of Taco seasoning for years.  

To use this Seasoning mix - Brown 500g (just over a pound) of lean beef mince (hamburger), add in 1 heaped tablespoon of Seasoning mix and fry until fragrant.  Add in 1/2 cup of water and bring down to a simmer.  It's ready when the water has all but evaporated (about 10-15 minutes).  If you want to add a can of beans (kidney, black or pinto) to your meat, now is the time (remember to rinse them before adding).  Let the beans heat through (about 3 minutes) and serve.

This is such an easy recipe that my children love - well they love Tacos!  I hope your family loves this as much as mine.

Happy cooking!

Elizabeth