This No Salt Taco Seasoning combines the perfect blend of spices like chilli powder, cumin, and paprika for delicious, homemade Mexican-inspired cooking. Make authentic, flavourful dishes without the need for store-bought packets. Try this more natural, additive-free alternative to the packet version and taste the difference. No artificial flavours, salt or gluten, just pure spicy deliciousness!
No additives, salt or gluten!
The first three ingredients listed on packet taco seasoning mixes are generally sugar, flour and salt. Then there’s numbered ingredients like anticaking agent, food acid and colours. This homemade taco seasoning recipe has only dried herbs as ingredients, so it’s salt-free and gluten-free. Making your own taco spice mix can not only be a healthier option for you and your family, but more cost effective too!
Spice level
This is probably what most consider a spicy taco seasoning! It’s certainly spicier than store-bought, which for our family is mild. But our spicy homemade taco mix is still approved by 6 year old PK and 2 year old LJ. If you’re worried about the heat level, try halving the amount of chilli powder first time around. You can then adjust to your liking.
Ingredients in homemade Taco Seasoning
Just eight dried herbs are needed to make your own taco spice blend:
Chilli – In Australia, ground chilli powder is pure ground chillis. Some are labelled ‘hot’, others aren’t. Using the pure spice allows you to adjust the flavour, and increase or lower the heat level (Note 1).
Smoked paprika – Adds a rich, smoky depth of flavour.
Cumin powder – Cumin is a common spice in Mexican food. It has a lovely warm and slightly spicy flavour.
Onion powder – Ground onion powder gives this spice mix a savoury flavour.
Garlic powder – For more savouriness.
Oregano – Dried oregano flakes.
Bay leaves – Dried bay leaves. These will be blended, so I find it’s always a good opportunity to use any broken bits and pieces 😊.
Black peppercorns – Use whole black peppercorns, as they’ll be blended with the spice mix.
How to make Taco Seasoning
Simply blend all ingredients together in a food processor or nutribullet with milling blade, until powder-like.
Thermomixer? Add all ingredients to your Thermomix, and blend for 30 seconds.
You’ll find the recipe card below, with ingredient amounts and detailed steps for both regular and thermo cooker methods.
How to use homemade Taco Seasoning
I created this No Salt Taco Seasoning to make a healthier alternative of one of our favourite family meals, Mexican Chili (Chilli Con Carne). It’s a low sodium, additive-free Mexican chili that’s perfect for an easy mid-week meal, or weekend feast with ALL the sides!
This taco spice mix is also perfect as a seasoning for grilled chicken or ground beef for burritos or tacos. Use 1 to 2 tablespoons per 500g meat.
I also add it to this Black Bean Quinoa salad to boost the flavour. This taco seasoning is really versatile!
Now, this homemade taco mix doesn’t have any thickener. Depending on what you’re adding it to, you may find that you need a tablespoon or two of corn flour/cornstarch to make it have similar results to a packet mix.
Storing this spice blend
Just like any spice blend, you can store this homemade mix in an airtight container in your pantry. A clean, dry recycled jar with a secure lid works perfectly, and it’ll stay fresh for up to six months.
Looking for another homemade spice mix? Try this additive-free French Onion Soup Mix as a healthier alternative to the store-bought version. It’s perfect in Apricot Chicken, or for making homemade French Onion dip, adding flavour boosts to soups and casseroles, or to burgers or meatloaf.
If you make this No Salt Taco Seasoning please leave a 🌟 star rating and a 📝 comment below. I love hearing how my recipes work for you and your family! Don’t forget to follow me on Facebook, Instagram and Pinterest too for more healthy dinner recipes for family.
Happy cooking,
Chloe x
No Salt Taco Seasoning
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Ingredients
- 1 1/2 tbs chilli This makes it SPICY! (Note 1)
- 1 1/2 tbs smoked paprika
- 1 1/2 tbs ground cumin
- 1 tbs garlic powder
- 1 tbs onion powder
- 1 tbs dried oregano
- 2 dried bay leaves
- 1/2 tsp black peppercorns
Thermo Cooker Instructions
- Put all ingredients into the mixing bowl. Chop for 30 seconds, speed 10, MC on.
Conventional Instructions
- Using a food processor or nutribullet with milling blade, blend all ingredients until powder-like.