As a working mom, you appreciate the convenience of premade seasoning blends, such as taco seasoning mix, but you might be somewhat wary of the mystery ingredients listed on the packaging. Or maybe you haven't found a brand that meets your family's standards for first-rate taco flavors. Making your own homemade taco seasoning mix is no more difficult than measuring and mixing together a few different herbs and spices that you probably already have in your pantry. The reward for those mere minutes of effort is having on hand an ingredient that makes all the difference between bland tacos and supremely tasty ones.

Total Time: 5 minutes | Prep Time: 5 minutes | Yield: 18 tablespoons

Ingredients:

• 8 tablespoons chili powder
  
• 6 tablespoons ground cumin
• 1 tablespoon kosher salt
• 1 tablespoon onion powder
• 2 teaspoons paprika
  
• 2 teaspoons garlic powder
• 1 teaspoon dried oregano
  
• 1 teaspoon ground black pepper
  
• 1 to 2 teaspoons crushed red pepper flakes (optional)

Directions:

1. Using measuring spoons, measure all the ingredients into a glass jar. Only include the crushed red pepper flakes if your family enjoys hot, spicy tacos; otherwise, omit it.
2. Screw the lid onto the glass jar and shake vigorously until all the spices are evenly blended.
3. Use approximately 1 to 2 tablespoons of this taco seasoning mix per pound of taco meat/poultry or the equivalent volume of vegetables.
4. Store the taco seasoning mix in the jar for up to 6 months.