Ingredients:

  • 2 tbsp Chili Powder (Mild or Medium)
  • 1 tsp Cumin (Ground)
  • 1 tsp Paprika (Smoked or Sweet)
  • 1 tsp Sea Salt (Fine grain)
  • 1 tsp Black Pepper (Freshly cracked)
  • 0.5 tsp Garlic Powder (Granulated)
  • 0.5 tsp Onion Powder
  • 0.5 tsp Dried Oregano (Mexican variety preferred)
  • 0.25 tsp Cayenne Pepper
  • 0.25 tsp Red Pepper Flakes

Instructions:

  1. Place the 2 tbsp chili powder and 1 tsp cumin in a small glass bowl.
  2. Whisk in the 0.5 tsp garlic powder and 0.5 tsp onion powder until the mixture looks like fine, uniform sand.
  3. Take the 0.5 tsp dried oregano and rub it vigorously between your palms directly over the bowl until it shatters into tiny fragments.
  4. Add the 1 tsp sea salt and 1 tsp freshly cracked black pepper.
  5. Sprinkle in the 0.25 tsp cayenne and 0.25 tsp red pepper flakes.
  6. Use a mini whisk or a fork to combine until no streaks of individual spices remain.
  7. Smell the dry mix. The aroma should be sharp and spicy. Note: If it smells dusty, add another pinch of cumin.
  8. Transfer the blend to an airtight jar.
  9. Mark it with the date; even the best homemade taco seasoning loses its punch after six months.
  10. When cooking, add the mix to the pan with 2 tablespoons of water or broth until a velvety sauce forms and coats the meat.